Baba
Namaskar,
When
any society is powerful, those inhabitants think their place at the top
will last forever. For instance, those in Rome thought the Roman empire
would last for the ages, same with those living in the Egyptian empire.
Neither could conceive of their collapse. And that is the situation
with all such cases, including today's western civilization. The basic
rule is that those at the top think that their greatness will endure
across time and space - indefinitely.
With
that complacency comes indulgence. They think no matter what they do
their place at the pinnacled point is reserved forever. Invariably,
however, that situation changes. Their place at the top cannot last.
With the rise of indulgence etc, it is not long before that society is
struggling hard to lift itself off the ground after its hard fall into
the crust of the earth.
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We
should look at the past and apply those principles to today's western
society. For years - i.e. centuries - the west has been exerting its
will, controlling others, and gaining a higher and higher stature. Yet,
by examining Baba's precepts, it is quite apparent that the fall of
western civilization is imminent.
Brief look to the past
In
His discourse, "The Future of Civilization", Baba looks back at various
civilizations that sat high up above all these others, yet they fell.
This happened to the Arabs, the Egyptians, the Chinese, the Greeks, the
Romans. They all met their waterloo. And, in His discourse, Baba points
out the cause. They fell either due to internal demise, i.e. weakness
stemming from their own society, or due to external influence, i.e. by
attacks from the outside. Most often though it was a combination of the
two.
In
general, it is the advancement of science that puts a particular
civilization at the top. This was the case with the Egyptians, and it is
the case with today's western civilization as well. The Egyptians had
the pyramids, mummies, and so many other engineering and scientific
feats. They seemed unparalleled in so many ways - yet they fell; they
were overrun by outsiders.
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Similar
is the case of the Romans. They had everything in terms of advancement
and progress, but due to internal dissension they met their demise.
Because of extreme social disparities, such as slavery etc, their
society crumbled as there was massive unrest from within due to the
"haves" and "have nots". At that point, they were no match for
outsiders.
Ananda
Marga philosophy says, "The Christian or Roman civilization was also
considerably higher on the ladder of development. Yet they were lacking
in social outlook. There were no feelings of fraternity and equality.
The slave system was rampant and human feelings were on the wane.
Furthermore, the lack of a proper socio-economic theory generated a kind
of fascist mentality in them. Those rolling in luxury and adverse to
labour became indolent. Naturally they were defeated by a stronger and
more strenuous force." (1)
Baba's
main point is that, either due to their own complacency or indulgence,
ruling societies fall prey to outside invaders who are more vigilant and
disciplined, or due to lack of social equality and social unrest a
society implodes from within. Or it may be due to a combination thereof.
Another
factor that comes into play is that of metamorphosis. This is when a
ruling civilization slowly, even unknowingly, starts to adopt other ways
until finally, over time, they have totally changed from the society
they once were. In the past, so many ruling societies fell from power
for these reasons. Nobody could imagine their demise, but it happened.
The situation is strikingly similar to the west today.
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All in vogue today in the west
To
some or more degree, all of the above indicators are rampant in the
west. Due to indulgence and complacency they are being beaten at their
own game of capitalism; due to extreme disparity of wealth there is
growing social unrest; and, little by little, the west is leaving their
own principles of life and adopting eastern ways.
For
all these reasons and more, today's western society is heading for a
big fall. Those aware about Baba's teachings will not find this
surprising, and they will be in the best position to help others.
Imminent fall of the west
The
way things are headed in the west, either it will implode internally,
be overrun externally, or a combination thereof, or metamorphose into
something completely different. At present all these things are going
on.
1)
Due to extreme capitalism there is a vast disparity of wealth. This
creates huge internal dissension. When the common people can no longer
afford hearth and home, or food and drink, then that society is on the
brink of disaster. This is what is happening in the so-called developed,
advanced nations in the west.
2)
The selfishness and materialism of the west is also ruining the
mentality of the people. Now, more than ever before, there is a wave of
psychic diseases and troubles, everything from extreme angst and
frustration to depression, suicide, and mass shootings etc.
3)
The west is losing ground to "developing" nations in all the realms
that led them to the top. The financial debt to the eastern world is a
huge burden and can easily lead to their being swallowed up by a severe
economic collapse, in which case western nations will surely fall prey
to others.
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Note:
The above points speak to either internal demise or external
encroachment. And, if we analyse further the current conditions in the
west, this list will grow by dozens and dozens of points. The above is a
mere sampling of indicators.
4)
This next point deals with metamorphosis. At present, Christianity is
losing its influence in the west, especially with the youths. People are
no longer the ardent followers they once were. Many are token
Christians and are actually more interested in eastern ways such as yoga
and Buddhism etc. They label themselves as Christian, yet all their
life habits are slowly moving toward eastern life practices. This
methodical transformation is well underway. So many Christian followers
practice yoga or meditation and, not only that, the Christian
establishment has come up with their own form of yoga. With this ongoing
trend, the rituals and traditions of Christianity will only be an
afterthought as the whole society has metamorphosed into something else.
This will be a slow, gradual approach until the transformation is
mostly complete. This radical change might occur in as short as two
decades.
All
the above presentations speak to the impending fall of western
civilization as we know it. We should prepare ourselves so we are not a
hapless victim of its fall, but rather a knowledgeable observer who can
help and guide others.
Six spokes of social cycle
It
is not that every society must fall. That is not the natural order.
Baba has given the key ingredients needed in order for any society to
flourish across time and space. So long as these six factors are
present, then that society will continue to be a healthy, stable, and
prosperous one.
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, "The six factors which guide society, which
make it vibrate in bliss and dance in bliss when its different entities
realize the fullness of existence in every fibre of their existence, are
the s'ad'ara'h sama'ja cakra [six spokes of the social cycle]." (2)
Those
six are: (a) spiritual practice, (b) spiritual ideology, (c) social
outlook, (d) socio-economic theory, (e) scripture and (f) preceptor.
Ananda Marga philosophy explains, "The entire social structure is dependent on these six factors." (3)
Thus,
to the degree those six factors are present is the degree to which that
civilization is stable. To the degree those factors are absent is the
degree to which that society is prone to fall.
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Ananda
Marga philosophy says, "About one thousand five hundred years ago,
Arabs were very developed in science. But they were defeated by the
Islamic wave, for they were lacking in the six aforesaid factors, while
the latter had at least five of them." (4)
At
present, western civilization is severely lacking in almost every
category. The big fall that seems imminent in the west is not a surprise
to those familiar with Baba's guidelines.
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, "In the future also, for want of the six
factors of bhati (progress) the extinction of a concerned group of
people is sure to happen." (5)
We
should prepare ourselves mentally and be vigilant. Then we will be in
the best position possible to help and serve others during this
difficult time. If we too are swallowed up in shock, then we will be
unable to render our social and moral duties and bring relief to the
suffering.
At
the same time that just because the west falls does not necessarily
mean that there will be a great rise of the east. To succeed, one must
not just defeat or take over another, but that society also must
inculcate the six spokes. So it is not that the eastern hemisphere is
necessarily set-up for a long and prosperous rule. Tragically, the east
also is moving towards western values. So we should keep that in mind as
well.
Life in AMPS
There
is no question that the vacuum created by the fall of western
civilization needs to be filled by the tenets of Ananda Marga. Baba has
fully given all six spokes in our AM philosophy. There is no want -
there is no lacking principle.
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As
His disciples, our chief and foremost duty is to follow Baba's divine
guidelines and bring those into being in our individual and collective
life. Failing that, we will meet the same fate as so many civilizations
in the past. Whereas if we are able to inculcate the tenets of AM
ideology, then it is sure that ours will be the path of success.
Prout
philosophy says, "Where these factors [six spokes of the social cycle]
are present, there the movement is towards ananda or divine bliss, and
due to this movement the chance of their elimination becomes nil. Such
groups which have the six factors in their possession will be able to
produce sadvipras." (6)
Conclusion
Baba
has blessed us with all the teachings and abilities to bring about a
thriving civilization. By adhering to His guidelines and following 16
Points, we will be able to lead humanity into that bright new era
because the west, without making significant changes, will not last much
longer.
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Prout
philosophy guides, "March ahead and wage war against all difficulties,
every impediment. Victory is sure to embrace you. Difficulties and
encumbrances cannot be more powerful than your capacity to solve them.
You are the children of the great Cosmic Entity. Be a sadvipra and make
others sadvipras also." (7)
At His feet,
Hariish
For more information
To
gain greater knowledge on this critical topic, it is highly advisable
to carefully review and study Baba discourse, "The Future of
Civilization", which is printed in Prout in a Nutshell part 6 and in A
Few Problems Solved part 6. It is also available via the electronic
edition of Baba's books.
References
1. A Few Problems Solved Part 6, The Future of Civilization
2. Namámi Krśńasundaram, Párthasárathi Krśńa and Aesthetic Science (Discourse 26)
3. A Few Problems Solved Part 6, The Future of Civilization
4. A Few Problems Solved Part 6, The Future of Civilization
5. Prout in a Nutshell Part 6, The Future of Civilization
6. Prout in a Nutshell Part 6, The Future of Civilization
7. Prout in a Nutshell Part 6, The Future of Civilization
Vrindavan of my mind
“Eso maner madhu vrndávane, eso cit kamale…” (Prabhat Samgiita #3841)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, O’ Lord, please come to the sweet vrindavan of my mind, come to the lotus of my heart. I have spent so much time searching for You in the solitary woods and remote forests of this entire lithosphere. I also looked for You in the sacred rivers of innumerable so-called holy places. I have looked everywhere for You.
In human life, there are countless rises and falls; there are so many enchanting moonlit evenings and stunning sunrises. There are so many cimmerian dark nights populated by clusters of stars. In all these places, and under all such conditions, I went on searching for You everywhere, non-stop, each and every moment, and even in the fractions of those moments. Even then, You could not be found.
Then, amazingly, someone seemed to whisper in my ear: "The One whom you seek resides in your mind and heart always. After applying the collyrium of love into your eyes, look carefully and you will find that He is in all the molecules and atoms - everywhere.”
Baba, I traveled everywhere in hopes of getting You, and, in the end, I realised that all along You were in the very depths of my heart. This is nothing but Your causeless grace…
Note: In the above song, it is Parama Purusa Himself who comes and whispers in the bhakta’s ear.
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