Self-reminder
Namaskar,
Spirituality is the most important thing in human life. Baba speaks to this ideal again and again. And here below, in excerpts from His discourse, 'Matter and Spirit', Baba emphasizes that the path and practice of sadhana is the main endeavour for any sadhaka. Here then is our own personal reminder-- for each and every one of us-- for how we are to move in this human life.
~ All below quotes are from Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 5, Matter and Spirit ~
Withdraw mind from matter & goad to Cosmic Entity
Firstly, Baba tells us that we must goad the mind inwards and not fall prey to materialistic tendencies.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Those who are incapable of stopping the extroversive tendency of their organs are dull-witted, being constantly preoccupied with external activities. As their objective is physical, their whole mind cannot absorb itself in the supreme bliss of consciousness (Caetanya Sama'dhi). As a result they constantly bemoan the threefold causes of pleasure and pain, material, psychic and spiritual. So wise people must direct their minds towards the Cosmic Entity. They must withdraw their minds from objects that ensconce themselves in their own characteristic self after introverting all their vrttis or desires. To be ensconced in one’s characteristic self is the supreme attainment of a unit being." (Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 5, Matter and Spirit)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Those good and honest people who wish to realize the A'tman, who wish to ensconce themselves in deathlessness, have to introvert their organs and merge them in the subtler entity. Instead of allowing the organs to be extroversive they have to be made introversive."
Natural feels not natural
Although easy to do, here Baba reveals how leading an extroverted life is not our natural way. With a little bit of effort, we can easily reverse this tendency towards a more subtle inner flow.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "An object in the air comes hurtling down to earth and people think that this is its natural movement. But is this true? Actually, it is because of the earth’s gravitational pull that its movement is earthward. If it goes beyond the earth’s gravitational pull, then falling to the earth will not be its natural movement. Similarly, an organ’s movement towards an external object may be natural to some, for there exists in them both the psychic inspiration for enjoyment as well as the attraction of the object. But if the psychic inspiration does not indulge in yearning for the object, or if it views it with detachment, then the motion will be reversed, in spite of the object’s attraction. Of course in the initial efforts people have to struggle a little against the crude attraction of objects, at least until they are transformed by the force of their ideal. But eventually this reversal of movement becomes natural."
Psychic momentum brings victory
By concentrating the mind in sadhana, we can refine our being and overcome the crude desire for material satisfaction and sensual desires.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Crude sensuous desires cannot identify themselves with internal subtlety as easily and quickly as they can with crude external objects; then too, the sams'ka'ras also to some extent stand in the way. Nevertheless, in spite of all these impediments, sa'dhana', one’s concentrated effort, finally wins the day, for practice and perseverance conquer all obstacles."
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "For example, a man with a strong addiction to wine must first force his mind against it in order to leave the habit. That is to say, he has to propel his psychic urge in a different direction, and free his sensuous desires from the attraction of his mental wine. But if, in spite of his strenuous efforts, he comes in contact with the real wine, then in most cases the attraction of the wine will overcome him, due to the importance of his internal inspiration. That is why in the initial state forceful efforts have to be made to change the previous outlook towards external objects; but thereafter things gradually become natural and normal. Those who steal can also say that stealing is their natural occupation. Their minds are naturally attracted towards theft and that is why they steal. The statement of the materialists that the movement of the organs is always towards external objects is the same type."
We are mind-oriented beings
We are mind-oriented beings, and that mind can only be satisfied if we channelise towards divinity. Following the all-too-familiar path of animality will not bring mental contentment.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Humans are mind-predominant beings; this is their greatest characteristic that distinguishes them from other mammals. If they are allowed to read, sleep and eat around the clock, or given the opportunity to read books, deliver speeches and indulge in song, dance and frolics according to their whims, they feel physically satiated but mentally unsatisfied. Their minds will wither prematurely like a worm-eaten bud."
Ananda Marga ideology teaches us, "Those who believe that merely by appeasing their physical hunger and providing the necessities for the preservation of their existence, that they have acquired all that belongs to the human mind, are very much mistaken."
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Human beings have no experience of divinity, as in the past they were under the spell of animality. And so their sense propensities are from the very outset inclined towards familiar and well-known animality, and they run after external objects. But having realized the futility of animality through sa'dhana', the mind gradually moves towards Consciousness. When the consciousness of their animal identity leaves the mind, by the grace of Brahma, they then realize in the core of their hearts the futility of the goal of their past lives and become eager to reveal this to others."
Baba says, "The success of the sa'dhana' of human beings, who are a blending of animality and divinity, lies in the reduction of their animality and the unfolding of their divinity."
Baba’s warning
Here Baba issues a warning about what will happen to those who run & chase after materialistic desires.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Those who do the sa'dhana' of desire, who knowingly direct their propensities (vrttis) towards external objects become crude. Because they fail to utilize the rein of their mind to keep the organs under control, their minds gradually become crudified. Their condition is then degraded to the level not merely of animals, but of matter – of wood, stone, etc. Then with the last remnant of their subtle human mind gradually becoming crude, they can no longer claim to be the glorious humans. Thus the rs'i (sage) said that such people are truly torpid."
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Actually, such snobbish, pedantic, materialist sa'dhakas are far inferior to animals like asses, etc. They repeatedly face rebirth and continually bind themselves to the chain of slavery; they can never attain the ultimate liberation. As a result of their crude thoughts, they take the form of animals or straw, trees, etc. Through the centripetal action of introversive prakrti, they regain human bodies, but they again become involved in crude activities and attain sub-human bodies. Thus they fall repeatedly into the eddies of life and death; repeatedly they are caught in the dreadful pit of death. They remain only half-alive, fearing death every moment of their existence. This becomes their destiny. Truly speaking, such beasts in human form are lower than animals."
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Those beasts in human form neglect their inherent higher endowments and are thus lower than beasts, for those who abuse what they possess are even lower than those who do not even possess it."
Proper use of psychic potentiality
Our only way then is that of sadhana-- to move towards that subtle realm of life.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Therefore human beings must clearly understand their true responsibilities and act accordingly. They must proceed towards perfection by making proper use of their mental endowments and resources."
Ananda Marga ideology states, "In order to convey the call of the Great to one’s heart, one’s every physical and mental expression has to be directed slowly and gradually with all one’s sweetness and devotion, to one’s inner being."
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Prior to your birth your affectionate mother belonged to an unseen world as far as you were concerned. Today you have come in contact with her, you have known her as your mother. What a sweet and affectionate relationship of reverence and devotion has developed between you two. Then again some day you may be deprived of this opportunity of moving together – either you will die or she will. In that event one will become a being of the unseen world."
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Now, during this short period, will it be wise to regard anything as mine or to regard myself as belonging to something else? The unstable (adhruva) world is only meant for observing and for understanding, not for lasting enjoyment. That is why wise people do not waste their time on unstable things; they worship only the eternal – the dhruva."
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Of course, the body does undergo some change due to the crudity or subtlety of mind. For example, the nerves of a person with a criminal bent of mind become strong and his or her hair becomes thick and stiff. As a result, neither the body nor the mind is greatly affected by the shocks and blows, the criminal will surely endure. The person inclined towards consciousness, however, becomes physically and mentally soft. As such a person’s skin and body are relatively thin and soft, the receptivity of the body and mind increases and the comprehension and sensitivity of the mind are considerably enhanced. These phenomena fall within the scope of physiology and psychology."
Words not enough - practice & effort needed
Ananda Marga ideology teaches us, "The Yama said, “Nacike'a', you are that Iisha'na.” But merely saying that you are Iisha'na is of no avail. If anyone calls you a millionaire, merely hearing this does not actually make you the owner of a million rupees. So simply uttering the word “millionaire” is not enough. You must be in a position to receive recognition as a millionaire. Merely boasting with an inflated chest that “I am Iisha'na'” or “I am Brahma” does not mean that one has attained the state of Brahma. You must have heard the story of the Vedantist jackal. Listening to the discourses of the panditas (erudite scholars), the jackal too started preaching in his own society that he was not a jackal but the living Brahma, to be adored and revered by all. The state of those who having read a few pages of a book, dream of salvation without doing any sa'dhana', is similar to that of the Vedantist jackal. Actually mere talk is of no avail; establishing oneself in consciousness is what is important. To think oneself an MA is useless. Only after striving hard and passing the MA exam does the sense of being an MA become established in the mind, and will the talk of being an MA be justified."
Parama Purusa is with you
By Baba's grace He is always with us-- calling us. We must then make that great effort and respond to His call and not waste our life in material pursuits.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "He certainly abides in you, watching your every act. He is very near you. Just as the shadow remains attached to the sun’s ray, similarly He keeps Himself in closest contact with your entity. “Cha'yata pao brahmavido vadanti”, i.e., the knowers of Brahma say that He remains with the unit entities, just as the shadow remains with the sun’s ray. One who is carefully introspective by dint of sa'dhana' (intuitional practice) certainly attains Him, and attaining that eternal sea of bliss, enjoys everlasting happiness. Eating a rossogolla, a delicious sweet, you become happy; but no matter how great a stock of rossogollas you have, some day it will be exhausted, won’t it? To attain lasting happiness from rossogollas, you need an unlimited number of them, but this is not possible, for nothing in this evolved world is limitless. Only He is unlimited, so it is only by attaining Him that unlimited happiness can be attained. No matter how much you enjoy Him, He can never be exhausted. Those who crave for unit objects to attain happiness, can never attain unlimited happiness – never."
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Shunning all inferiority complexes, move on the path of sa'dhana'. The only purpose of your being a human being is to do sa'dhana'. The life of one who does not do it passes in vain like a tree struck by lightning."
Krs'n'a bhajiba'r tare sam'sa're a'inu.
Miche ma'ya'-baddha haye vrks'a-sama haenu.
[To worship Krs'n'a to earth had I come
Overcome by Ma'ya', like a tree I become.]
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "That is why I say, Do not waste your time. Make proper use of your energy while there is still time. Know and understand your characteristic self, lest you should bewail"
Brtha' janma gouna'yalun hena Prabhu na' bhajalun' khoya'lun soha gun'anidhi;
Hama'r karama manda na' milala eka bunda premasindhu rasak avadhi.
"Let not your life go in vain. Make proper use of your intelligence and intellect. Transform yourself from human to divine, and offer that sa'dhana'-earned divinity as an oblation to the eternal bearing of the Supreme Purus'a."
Namaskar,
in Him,
Bodhi
~ All above quotes are from Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 5, Matter and Spirit ~
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
You have brought me here
"Esechi toma'ri krpa'ya..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0970)
Purport:
Baba, I have come on this Earth. It is your grace, it is Your grace. You have brought me here to utilise me for Your work. I have only desire-- that my whole life should pass in Your song and in Your meditation and in Your work. Baba, You brought me on this Earth. I am at Your disposal. Keep me along…
== Section 3: Links ==
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