Baba
Health & moon
Namaskar,
In Ananda Marga, the practice of upavasa is done on certain designated days that are most suited for physical, psychic, and spiritual development. Baba has given all the practices of Ananda Marga for human health and well-being - and they are universally beneficial for all. One reason for this is that our Ananda Marga practices abide by the laws of nature. Everything we do is consonant with the natural world. And this applies to our upavasa system as well - it is done according to the phases of the moon. By this way we are able to maintain and enhance our vitality, and avoid disturbances to our body and mind caused by the pull of the moon.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Negative effect of 11th, new, & full moon on body
It is commonly known that the gravitational pull of the moon affects the human body. And in particular during the period of ekadashii (11th moon), as well as during the new and full moon, that adversely affects the human structure.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "On and around the times of new and full moon, one may observe that the gaseous and aqueous factors in the body rise up into the head and chest, creating an uncomfortable feeling." (1)
In essence, Baba guides us above that the moon pulls the liquid portion, or the water of the body, upwards and that creates undue pressure on the "head and chest". So just as it is scientifically proven that the tides of the ocean are dictated by the phases of the moon, similarly the liquid factor in the human body is also affected by the phases of the moon. During the period of ekadashii and new and full moons, the pull of the moon impairs the functioning of the human body by drawing the gas and liquid upwards.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
What is meant by the spring tide
To best understand this topic - for our own knowledge and so that we may better explain it to others - it will be helpful to know how and why the tides are affected by the moon during times of ekadashii, purnima, and amavasya. Then we can apply this same logic to the human structure. When the sun, moon, and earth are aligned the ocean tides become drastic. This condition is known as the “spring tides”:
~ Courtesy of Hiiway(dot)net ~
Spring Tides: When the moon is full or new, the gravitational pull of the moon and sun are combined. At these times, the high tides are very high and the low tides are very low. This is known as a spring high tide. Spring tides are especially strong tides (they do not have anything to do with the season Spring). They occur when the Earth, the Sun, and the Moon are in a line. The gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun both contribute to the tides. Spring tides occur during the full moon and the new moon.” Spring tides happen when the sun and moon are on the same side of the earth (New Moon) or when the sun and moon are on opposite sides of the earth (Full Moon). (Courtesy of Hiiway (dot)net)
So the spring tides occur during every ekadashii, new and full moon, regardless of the actual season (fall, winter, summer, spring, pre-winter etc) and it has a dramatic effect on the human body, especially the liquid portion.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Mind - body connection
By our system of yoga, we also know that the mind and body are highly linked. Thoughts affect the health of the body, and the condition of the body affects the mind, positively or negatively. For example, suppose you are sitting outside and involved in a deep discussion. Suddenly a poisonous ant bites your leg. Even though that bite occurred on the leg - and not the head, that bit will be a distraction to the mind, and you will lose your train of thought. This is the way it works.
Generally speaking, when the physical body is affected, then the flow of mind is altered as well. So when the body is adversely affected by the new or full moon - due to uneasy pressure etc - then the mind is also affected. This is the common theorem. Because if there is a problem in the body then the mind will be drawn to that pain or that discomfort, in which case the mind will not function in its normal manner.
This we all know and we have seen often in the case of people who suffer from most any physical disease or syndrome. General citizens suffer tremendously in the psychic sphere due to physical illness. There is a very clear and direct link between the body and mind.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
How moon negatively affects psychic realm
So now we come to the point of the full moon, new moon, our upavasa, and irregular and abnormal behaviour. Because when it is sure that the moon affects the body, and the body affects the mind, then it is clear that the presence of the full and new moon changes one's mental condition, and hence behaviour. This is evident by linguistic analysis as well.
The Latin word for moon is 'luna'. And not coincidentally, that 'luna' is the root of the words 'lunacy' and 'lunatic'. It has long been observed that abnormal behaviour - or lunacy - increases at the time of the full moon. More extreme types of crimes are seen during the full and new moon; there are more visits to counselors & social workers; hospital visits are increased; and various types of unusual behaviour is more noticeable during times of the full moon. This has all been documented by various incident reports etc.
The yogic response is that since the body is negatively affected by the ekadashii, full and new moon, the mind also gets negatively affected. That is why Baba recommends we fast during the periods of the full and new moon as that will counteract the harmful effect of the pull of the moon during periods of ekadashii, purnima, and amavasya.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "On and around the times of new and full moon, one may observe that the gaseous and aqueous factors in the body rise up into the head and chest, creating an uncomfortable feeling. Therefore, if a person does not take food at these times, these factors will be drawn down from the higher portions of the body to the lower portions, thereby alleviating the uncomfortable feeling." (2)
Conclusion
The moon adversely affects the body which then infringes upon the normal functioning of mind. Just as the effect of anesthesia on the body causes the mind to become dysfunctional. To counteract this negative effect of the moon, Baba directs us to fast during the periods of ekadashii and the new and full moon. By following Baba's directive to fast during those lunar periods, we are spared and saved from the harmful effects of the moon - both in the physical and psychic spheres.
One thing is also certain: When the physical body is adversely affected, such as during the time of ekadashii and the new and full moon, then sadhana is difficult. Because of undue pressure in the higher cakras etc. Upavasa alleviates the problem cent-per-cent. Because there is no excess water that can be pulled higher up in the body which creates an uncomfortable feeling in the chest and head. Hence, sadhana can easily be done. And upavasa also protects us from other ill effects of the moon such as indigestion, headaches, and, yes, lunacy.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Our Ananda Marga practice of upavasa during the full and new moon periods, either 2 times monthly or 4 times monthly, keeps us physically healthy, mentally balanced, and spiritually inclined. The benefits occur in all three realms.
Namaskar,
in Him,
Tapan
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "You should not depend on food too much. This is why I have prescribed fasting on four days a month for some people and two days a month for others, and personally I have proved by fasting for five years and ... months at a stretch that if people try, they can remain without food. If one's dependence on food decreases, one will gain more freedom in a particular aspect of life." (3)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "So, fasting is a necessity in the eleventh moon, pu’rn’ima’, that is full moon, and new moon. In A’nanda Ma’rga, I didn’t prescribe these four days fasting, that is, for grhii’s — that is non-wholetimers, non avadhutas — they are to fast only two days, two eleventh moons. And for workers, avadhutas, they are to fast how many days? Four days. Because they will have to engage themselves more in spiritual and higher works, in intellectual and spiritual [realms]. That’s why they should fast four times in a month - and others, twice. But if others so desire, they may fast four times — I won’t say anything. But it is not compulsory. For them, two eka’dashiis." (4)
~ In-depth study ~
Great significance of upavasa
Baba has included upava'sa (fasting) as its own exclusive point in Sixteen Points.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Observe fast as prescribed." (5)
And in His supreme 'Secrets for a Long Life', Baba lists upava'sa (fasting) as its own entry.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Upava'sa (fasting) at Intervals." (6)
And in Yogic Treatment pointedly remarks how upava'sa (fasting) helps restore the body to its balanced and natural condition.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "During upava'sa (fasting) the body's organs get a good rest, and the healing process is more rapid." (7)
References
1. Caryacarya - 3, Procedure for Fasting
2. Caryacarya - 3, Procedure for Fasting
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 7, In Kali Yuga, Strength Lies in an Organized Body
4. 12/1/71 Patna
5. Sixteen Points, Point #8
6. Secrets for a Long Life, Point #5
7. Yogic Treatments, Appendix, Fasting
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Defects of ayurveda and allopathy
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "There was a time when diagnosing illnesses and prescribing medicines were not very difficult because diagnoses were based on three constituents of the body – air, bile and phlegm – with blood as a fourth constituent. But increased physical and glandular complexity has led to a corresponding increase in the number and complexity of diseases. So to what extent can this method of diagnosis be useful to a doctor? Is it not simply guesswork to prescribe medicines for a particular disease when the medicine is prescribed for the disease but the disease is diagnosed according to the bodily constituents?" (1)
Thousands of years ago when ayurveda was founded the human body was not as complex as it is today. So the system to diagnose disease was based merely on four properties: air, bile, phlegm, and blood. Now, however, due to the increasing complexity of the human body things have changed. Ayurveda is no longer as useful as it once was. So one should not depend fully on ayurveda as it cannot cure everything.
Ananda Marga advocates the practice of having all pathys under one roof because no pathy can cure everything. For example, allopathic medicines do not kill diseases, rather those medicines are taken lifelong. Whereas another pathy may offer a medicine that actually cures the disease. In that case, that other pathy should be used. Yet, allopathy may be very useful for diagnosing a patient and performing certain surgical procedures etc.
Allopathic medicines do not kill diseases
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, “Disease is caused by negative microvita. When people take allopathic medicine to cure a disease, the medicine disturbs the ecological balance of the body because more negative microvita get concentrated at the point of the disease. Allopathic medicines do not kill diseases – diseases die by their own natural death. Although the medicine may check the disease, the increased concentration of negative microvita can overcome the effect of the medicine. In fact, the increased concentration of negative microvita caused by allopathic medicines creates many new types of diseases, and due to this, two or three new diseases are presently being created every decade.” (2)
Ultimately, when a patient is admitted to a hospital then teams of doctors will decide which pathy is best for treating the patient. Each pathy has its own specialty. For more about this read the subsection - “Methods of medical treatment” - in the chapter “Various Occupations”.
Reference
1. Human Society - 1, Various Occupations
2. Microvita in a Nutshell, Some Guidelines for Commencing Microvita Research
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Quality of true humans
Ananda Marga ideology says, "The third essential factor of Bhágavata Dharma is sevá. Only humans are aware of their own identity. Plants, animals and material objects are not aware. A rupee does not know that it is a rupee. A mango tree does not know that it is a mango tree. A jackal does not know that it is a jackal. But humans know that they are human."
"Human beings also know that Parama Puruśa is their source of impetus, is their Father, and that they are all His children. As His children, they have a brotherly relationship with all other jiivas, or unit beings. Due to this knowledge of brotherhood, the human is superior to all other beings. Parents are greatly pleased when they find that their children have been loved and helped by someone. Similarly, Parama Puruśa will be pleased when you serve His creation – not only human beings, but also plants, animals, and the rest of creation. That is, bhúta yajiṋa, pitr yajiṋa and nr yajiṋa are to be performed. Those who have this feeling are in the real sense of the term human beings. Just having the body of a human does not make a person a real human being, a rational being." (1)
Note: There are many, especially in materialistic societies, who do solely for their own self-gratification and personal entertainment etc. Sometimes it may look like they are doing social service work, but it is not social service in the true sense. Because they are doing that "service" only to enhance their own prestige, garner praise, or because it gives them some sort of selfish pleasure. The proof is when the "service" work is no longer pleasurable or suiting their needs, then they stop doing it. In that case, what they are doing is not service, but a form of selfish indulgence. If in their “service” activities, a person does not have the feeling of Brahma bhava, then what they are doing is not true service, but a form of selfishness. Those who are doing true seva are real human beings and those who lack this quality are not real human beings.
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, The Requirements for Sádhaná
== Section 4: Links ==
Other topics of interest
