How to know if one is strict + 3 more

Baba

How to know if one is strict

Namaskar,

There are some sadhakas who perform Ananda Marga sadhana, do Guru Puja, and sing kiirtan etc, but when in crisis they pray to some other imaginary entity to rescue them from tragedy.

Dogma: surrender to the outdated myth

For instance, suppose some sadhakas came into Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha from a Hindu background. When struggling to find a suitable husband for their daughter, they go to the Hindu temple and seek a boon from the mythological elephant god, Ganesh. They falsely believe that Ganesh will help solve the problem by granting them a handsome, well-educated, wealthy husband for their daughter. And similar things happen to some sadhakas who came into AMPS from a Semitic background also.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

This type of surrender to the outdated myths reveals that they do not have full faith and trust in Sadguru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji. They do not have strictness and faith on Ista. Because if they had full faith in Ista then they would automatically feel that Baba is already doing what is best and there is no need to surrender to dogma or their old, outdated religious myths etc. Those who fall in this category do not have strictness and faith on Ista. Their sadhana goes nowhere.

For sadhakas of Ananda Marga, Baba has given 16 points; and, point #10 is the point of Ista. Ananda Margiis have to be strict in Ista. In the practical realm that means one must depend on the singular Supreme Entity Parama Purusa, and not those mythical deities from the various religions. There is no important entity besides Parama Purusa.

Strictness & faith on Ista comes with sincere sadhana

The basic platform of one's thinking should be, "Parama Purusa and Parama Purusa alone is my Saviour - I depend upon Him completely." To the degree in one’s inner psychic abode they depend upon anything else, then that detracts from their dependence upon Him. Every moment a sadhaka should reinforce the idea that Parama Purusa is the eternal abode and everything rests upon Him. With sadhana and by His grace, one is sure to reach that highest stage of bhakti, where one truly feels that He alone is guiding and sustaining you each and every moment. This inner feeling arises naturally with sincere and regular sadhana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ista is everything

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Every bhakta possesses enough courage. Those who pursue the path of bhakti automatically acquire such courage – they are not timid...bhaktas are capable of doing anything and everything." (1)

Ananda Marga ideology says, “To establish yourself in the ideology you need two things. One is courage. So if you want to become powerful, you need not only ideology but also “Iśt́a.” Even for courage and efforts, you need the help of the Lord." (2)

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "When the intensity of their attachment for the nucleus will reach its climax – when they will seek to forget everything but Him – no force whatsoever can then dissociate them from Him. This intense attachment is what we call bhakti." (3)

Without strong, pointed faith in Parama Purusa, advancing along the path of Ananda Marga spiritual practices will be one far off dream.  Everyone is aware that one of the aspects of Sixteen Points centers exclusively on ista.

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Observe non-compromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of Ista." (4)

Conclusion

However, a few may wonder how it is possible to evaluate this. How can one know if someone is strong on the point of Ista?
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Answer: Those who have one-pointed faith in Ananda Marga sadhana are established on the point of Ista, i.e. point #10 of Sixteen Points. They feel in their heart all the 24 hours that Baba is graciously taking care of everything and solving all the problems.

Namaskar,
Sastaunga pranam to Sadguru,
Sarvaseva’

Example of sadhaka without Ist’a

Ananda Marga ideology says, "A person ….used to recite the following after taking bath: “Victory to mother Káli, victory, victory to Káli, victory to mother Káli of T́han T́haniá, victory to mother Káli of Dakśińeshvar, victory to Bábá Táraknáth, victory to Bábá Vaidyanath of Deoghar. O, Fathers! None of you should think that I am leaving out someone's name.” After this he would say, “O, gods and goddesses, please forgive me if I have omitted any name inadvertently. Please assume that I have mentioned your name also.” Does this yield anything at all? One says “victory to mother Káli of Kálighát” and in the same breath one says “victory to mother Káli of T́han T́haniá.” It signifies that the mind is moving both towards Kálighát and T́han T́haniá. Can the mind become concentrated in this way? Certainly not." (5)

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 7, The True Nature of Bhakti
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 20, Ideology, Goal and Devotion
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 5
4. Caryacarya - 2, Sixteen Points, Point #10
5. 11 April 1979, Kolkata

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Your magnificent bullhorn
 
In this following song, Parama Purusa is addressed as Iishana. More about this term is explained below.

"Iisha'n toma'r vis'a'n' bejeche, alasata' du're sare geche..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2496)

Purport:

My Parama Purusa, my Iisha’n, the thundering sound of Your magnificent bullhorn is blasting all around; the staticity, dogma, and lethargy has vanished. The new dawn has come. Those old, outdated ideas which were impeding the path of human progress have disappeared into the far distant horizon. Now the stain of ignorance and irrationality cannot remain any longer. The ailment of inertness is no more. By Your grace, living beings have gotten new life, smiles, and joy due to the rejuvenating spirit of neo-humanism.

My Divine Entity, Baba, by Your mercy, the world which was sleeping in the past has arisen. New leaves and flowers are beautifying the green vegetation and trees. The blossoms and fruit are bursting with colours. Everything has been touched by Your diverse panoramic display. Under the refulgence of Your auspicious and unlimited compassion, all that was negative has become positive.

Now there is no one to create obstacles on our path towards our cherished Goal. Now there are no narrow sentiments or mean, dogmatic thoughts which can hinder our forward movement. The time has come: Under the vast blue sky and in this beautiful environment, I should remain undaunted and continue marching onwards towards You. Parama Purusa, victory is Yours, victory is Yours, victory is Yours...


Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #2496:

[1] Iisha'na: When Parama Purusa comes in the form of Mahasambhuti to guide human society He expresses Himself through 5 moods. It is said that Parama Purusa has 5 faces. For example, if a mother is a police officer then in one role she is very tough and stern with criminals and in another she is very tender and soft with His children. Similarly, Parama Purusa has 5 faces - not biologically or anatomically, just 5 different moods. On one extreme He is very tender, soft, and loving; in this aspect He never scolds the bhakta. Then on the other extreme He is very tough and fierce. In that role He is a strict disciplinarian and hands out stern punishment. Other roles are a mix of these two extremes. One such role of Mahasambhuti, Parama Purusa, is Iishana.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "The face next to Dakśińeshvara is called Iishána. It says, “Look, my child, follow this path. If you follow any other path, it will bring you only sorrow. Don’t make such a mistake. Prakrti will never pardon you. The result will be disastrous.” Iishána clearly states the consequences of misdeeds and gives a few pieces of advice." (1)

For more info read Baba's discourse: Sambhúti and Mahásambhúti, and related chapters.

[2] Theme: Baba's below teachings uniquely reflect the theme of the above song.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "You will observe that the young generation today is not willing to accept outdated, dogmatic theories and isms. If the knowledge of Bhagavat Dharma (the path of spirituality) is infused in young minds at the first flush of the new dawn, then dogma will be torn asunder in an instant. The upholders of dogma partly realize that clear, penetrating vision portends their doom." (2)

Ananda Vanii says, "Human history today has reached such a transitional phase that universal humanity, forgetting all spatial, temporal and personal differences, shall have to move, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder towards the new dawn with rapid steps. Humanity must respond to this call. With the reddish glow of the dawn, the collective body, mind and soul will be radiant with joy. And that alone will be the real progress of universal humanity, the firm establishment of unified humanism." (3)

Ananda Vanii says, "Human civilization now faces the final moment of a critical juncture. The dawn of a glorious new era is on the one side, and the worn-out skeleton of the past on the other. Humanity has to adopt either one or the other. You are the spiritual soldiers, you are the worshippers of life divine. Hence I call upon you to adorn this crimson dawn deluged with glorious light. Victory is surely yours." (4)

References:
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 10
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 16, Religious Dogma – Excerpt A
3. Ananda Vanii #61
4. Ananda Vanii #26

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Dada’s dogma: AM is a combo of dogmatic religions

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Everyone has a singular dharma named spirituality, and only this is worth calling dharma. Religions are not dharma; they are mere collections of rituals.” (1)

Note: Ananda Marga is bhagavad dharma and not based on any of the various dogmatic religions. Unfortunately, some of our Wt Dadas write books steeped in dogmatic religious preachings that are obviously not in concert with the eternal teachings of Ananda Marga ideology. 

The mistakes are rampant in most of the dadas’ books so one need not search long to find an error. Here is an example of a serious ideological blunder.

Dada Shambhushivananda writes: "The dynamism of Tantra, orthodoxy of Judaism, austerity of Jains, service spirit of Catholics, ethical stance of Buddhists, anti- exploitation emphasis of Marx, reverence for life of environmentalists, progressive use of science and technology of materialists, applied psychology of naturalists, social outlook of Islam, mysticism of Bauls and Sufis, devotion of Vaishnavites, pragmatism of the entrepreneurs and merchants and the thirst for sublime knowledge of the alchemists—all find their place in the holistic approach of the NHE Model of the Modern Gurukula. As Dr. Sohail Inayatullah, a notable futurist comments, "Even the futurists have a place in PR. Sarkar's thoughts on education". (Ac Shambhushivananda, Thoughts for a New Era, p. 258)

Ananda Marga ideology is not a combination of the "good points" of various religious traditions. This is a completely dogmatic idea, one which several other dadas like Dharmavedananda have supported and given many lectures on over the years. But it is a ridiculous approach. For example, the social outlook of Islam, praised above, is a disaster. They view non-Muslims as sinners who will go to hell. No one outside of Islam is their brother. So Islam does not have a social outlook which is to be extolled. Yet years ago some dada got this ludicrous idea of preaching that Ananda Marga philosophy is a combination of all the best aspects of the religions rolled into one. This notion spread among the dadas like wildfire-- they loved it. And they still use it even today. Whereas true disciples know that Ananda Marga ideology is totally new, not based on the ideas of the past, nor linked with various dogmatic religions. That is why Baba has given the discourse "Ananda Marga: A Revolution". 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

By pointing out the errors in the dadas’ books, our Ananda Marga society will benefit tremendously. 

Let us bear in mind that the social outlook of the three Semitic religions - Islam, Christianity, and Judaism - are very similar: They all hold that if you do not follow their religions then you are cursed. For instance:
(a) Muslims think that non-Muslims are cursed; 
(b) Jews think that non-Jews are cursed; 
(c) and, Christians think that non-Christians are cursed. 

Our Ananda Marga ideology stands unparalleled and wholly distinct from the various dogmatic religions. 

In Him,
Shyam

Extra points

Pointing out mistakes in dadas' books has a few fundamental benefits:
#1: First off, those Wts who are true to their code of conduct and strictly follow our AM way of life must be respected.
#2: To expose the blatant defects in publications by confused Wts and publicly shame such Wts so they refrain from writing books that contravene Guru’s teachings. 
#3: To help the public not to think of Wts as second Maheshvaras (i.e. second gods). Baba is our Guru, and no one else. Our dadas are sadhakas just as family Margiis are. They are not to be given a higher status by default as though they were some holy being. That leads to the same religious dogmas that exist in the Catholic Church, Hinduism, and all the religions. Nowadays in Catholicism, the degrading conduct has been getting exposed so those followers are learning that their priests are not holy and beyond reproach. It is a process of learning to discard the priest dogma. Exposing the mistakes in dadas' books has a similar benefit. 

Again, those wts who are true to their Wt conduct rules and strictly adhere to the teachings of AM must be respected.

Reference
1. Tattva Kaomudii - 1, Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga Philosophy, #46

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Not a concern: overpopulation

Prout philosophy states, "Does a population problem actually exist? This issue should be considered in the perspective of two vital factors - the availability of food and the availability of space. Today human beings have enough resources to manage their food. Planet Earth is rich enough to feed a far greater number of people than the present population....[So] The tragedy is that there are enough resources to supply proper food to all human beings in the world, but the defect lies in the present approach of the existing socioeconomic systems." (1)


Population Growth

Prout philosophy states, "Is the population problem really a natural problem? The population problem should be considered in the context of two vital factors – the availability of food and the availability of space. Today human beings have sufficient means to manage their food. The earth is abundant enough in food resources to feed many times more than the present population. Due to lack of coordinated cooperation, collective effort, a proper ideology and sound planning, society has been fragmented into many belligerent groups and sub-groups, and rich and poor nations have been created. As a result of this fissiparous tendency, society is presently incapable of producing enough food to meet human requirements. The tragedy is that even though there are enough resources to supply nutritious food to all the human beings on the planet, due to the defective socio-economic systems, an efficient method of distribution has not been developed."

"Moreover, there is no shortage of living space on the planet if the existing space is properly utilized. Because the earth has been balkanized due to so many arbitrary social, economic and political restrictions and the pervasive influence of evil dogma, people are unable to tackle problems in a natural way. If there were maximum utilization and rational distribution of all natural resources, pressing socio-economic problems could be easily solved."

Prout philosophy states, "It is a law of nature that a mother is provided with sufficient breast milk to feed her newly born baby. In the same way nature has generously provided sufficient resources to meet the food and other essential requirements of all human beings. People need to utilize these natural resources in a proper way. Shortages of food or space cannot be blamed on nature. These problems are essentially the results of the mistakes made by human beings."

"It is a fact that the population of the world is rapidly increasing, and consequently many people have become frightened. In capitalist countries there are sufficient reasons for such fear. In these countries an increase in the population means a corresponding increase in the poverty of the people. But there is no reason for such fear in a collective economic system. In the event of shortages in food and accommodation people will collectively convert barren land into arable land, increase agricultural production by scientific methods and produce food by chemical processes using the potentiality of earth, water and air. And if this earth loses its productivity, then human beings will migrate to other planets and satellites and settle there."

Prout philosophy states, "If people living in capitalist countries voluntarily adopt birth control methods to avoid economic hardship, perhaps we should not criticize them. But it should be mentioned here that using birth control methods which deform the bodies of men and women or destroy their reproductive powers forever cannot be supported, because this may cause a violent mental reaction at any moment." (2)


References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 13, Population Growth and Control
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 13, Population Growth and Control

== Section: Important Teaching ==

How rulers use education to exploit + Prout solution

Prout philosophy says, "The British wanted to bring the entire Indian race under their colonial grip to make the people slaves. They reformed the old educational system of India and bluntly introduced the English system of education. The English education system was contrary to that of India, because it was based on an objective approach and the complete denial of the subjective approach. The British colonial masters educated the subjugated race on the lines of their own education system, and produced a peculiar group of people who were neither Indian nor civilian nor serviceable. These so-called educated people of India were a complete departure from the mass of Indians in their habits, behaviour, thoughts, modesty and personal integrity. That is why a gulf of difference developed between the so-called educated people and the village people of India. By applying these subtle tactics, a group of people in India became European in attitude although they were Indian in colour, and this group were instrumental in perpetuating the British Raj in India."

"The British colonialists applied the same tactics in China. The Chinese people, before the Kuomintan regime, were laborious and dexterous as well as religious. But by introducing opium, the British made the entire Chinese race inactive and indolent. Afterwards the communists, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, killed the religion of the Chinese people and deprived them of their práńa dharma. In this way, the British and the communists brought the entire Chinese race under their grip."

"PROUT does not want to turn the hands of the clock back. PROUT does not reject the western educational system. But at the same time, the western education system utterly failed to inculcate a sense of morality, reverence and a high standard of behaviour among the students of India during the time of the British Raj. That is why in PROUT’s system of education, we stress the need to start “Ashramic Schools” in every village of India. If this is done, the corrosive tendency introduced by the British can be checked at an early stage. In the post-independence period of India, the leaders and educationists could not deeply understand the prevalent crisis of the Indian education system. This crisis was largely due to the defective British education system which was fundamentally against the práńa dharma of the Indian people. All the attempts to reform the education system proved futile and led the nation towards further degradation. This was because India’s educationists could not reform the education system according to the práńa dharma of the Indian people. Our Ananda Marga school curriculum is based on the práńa dharma of the people of India."

"...During the British rule, both in the social and spiritual spheres, the people were deprived of their práńa dharma. Some so-called western educated people even now look down upon villagers for their simplicity and na ivete. These so-called educated people were misguided away from práńa dharma because they were denied any subjective approach in the western education system. This is why such people have failed to become one with the mass." (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 18, Talks on Education – Excerpt B

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Best and worst bondages

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "It is the sense of duty that causes one person to renounce everything; and it is the sense of duty that inspires another person to readily accept the burden of caring for his or her family. It is the sense of duty that makes a person great. Of all bonds, the bond of duty is the strongest, and the bond of moha [blind attachment or infatuation] is the worst. Humanity will have to break the bonds of moha and increase the bonds of duty willingly and consciously. This is the law." (1)

Reference
1. Namámi Krśńasundaram, Disc: 13

== Section 3: Links ==

Mahaprayan Info

• Reason for not crying
  

• Mahaprayan cadaver vans
  

• Mahaprayan of communist leader
  

• Mahaprayan copied from Islamic tradition

• All Letters on Mahaprayan
  

Recent postings

• Role of viksubdha shudra

• Do not wait for great events
  

• Surprising question from Baba

• Story: school selection
  

Other topics of interest

• Wts: food & care
  

• Birth of devayoni
  

• Altered photo ruining dhyana
  

More important letters

• Rudrananda with his main henchmen
  

• Pranavatmakananda spread false things in book
  

• Why abortion is sinful in AM

• Coward writer