Baba
For dedicated sadhakas
Namaskar,
Every sadhaka on the path of Ananda Marga understands that realizing Parama Purusa is the height of spirituality. That is why every sadhaka longs to go close to Parama Purusa. However, for ages and ages this was not a well-known science; people did not know the special technique for coming close and attaining Parama Purus'a.
In the distant past, people were exclusively fearful of God, and still today the dogmatic religions teach that fear of God. Around 3500 years ago, Lord Krsna introduced sadhakas how to come closer to Parama Purusa. But at that time, only a few exalted sadhakas understood. The point was not commonly known. In this present era, humanity has been blessed with the special teachings of Ananda Marga philosophy by which anyone can come very close to Parama Purus'a.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Even then, the mass of people harbour a fearful relation with Parama Purusa. That makes it difficult to go close to Him. Through the process of sadhana though that fearful love for Parama Purusa transforms into fearless love for Him.
Through the teachings of Ananda Marga philosophy, sadhakas can learn the proper method for getting His closeness. Never before has such explicit instruction been given. It is a blessing. Verily, we can say that the above clear-cut guideline is that one must make a relation - an internal link - with Parama Purus'a. That is the way to come close to Parama Purus'a.
AM ideology holds the secret
Most people nowadays gravitate towards materialism - just engrossed in fleeting pleasures. And in the dogmatic religions, those followers pray for material gains like getting a bonus from their employer, or other worldly wishes.
In stark contrast, here below is greater detail about this invaluable and beautiful process of forming a personal relation with Him.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "All are advancing towards Him, and, while advancing towards Him, they establish some sort of relationship with Him. That relationship is internal. It is purely personal. One may love Him as a mother loves her son, a wife her husband, a servant his master or as friends love one another. This relationship exists...that of a wife, a servant or a friend...That very outlook that is instrumental in determining a particular type of relationship with Parama Purus'a, depending upon one's inherent sam'ska'ras, is called mysticism. As I have already explained, mysticism is a never-ending endeavour to find a link between finite and Infinite..."
Ye yatha' ma'm' prapadyante...
"'I appear before a person according to his desires. Their whole being will be filled with My being.'" (1)
How to develop relation with Him
Hence we are to develop an internal relation with Him. And really this is something natural to us all. Because, everyone wants to feel that 'Parama Purusa is mine-- my very own'. And AM ideology has given us the exact way to move ahead: By cultivating our relation with Him in a particular way such as being a Father, Friend, or more intimate Companion.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
How does this happen? If we take a step back to examine the situation we can see that in our sadhana-- and more specifically in our dhyana-- we ideate exclusively on Him. Initially, as spiritual aspirants, we accept Him as the Guru. This is the beginning point; this is common to all Ananda Margiis. And this makes a certain link with Parama Purusa.
Thereafter, to go closer, more intimate relations (Father, Friend, Loved One etc) are needed, which develop as we yearn for Him more and more. As sadhana intensifies, one’s progress multiplies. Hence a key ingredient in the recipe for coming close is: One needs to create that link with Him that is purely personal. Because to come close to Him remembrance is needed and for that a personal relation is a must-- not just seeing Him as a Guru.
Mother-baby example
This has all been explained in various ways throughout the vast teachings of Ananda Marga spiritual philosophy. Furthermore, there is one very practical way to understand how having a personal relation brings feelings of closeness. For instance, suppose there is a woman; and she has numerous roles and names. At work, she may be a regional police supervisor known as Captain Johnson, and with her friends she is known as Betty. In the neighborhood they may call her Mrs. Johnson, and at her home she has the roles of both wife and mother.
And that little baby thinks all day and all night about its mother. That young infant does not need a reminder that: “Now I should think about my mother'.” Such a reminder is not necessary for that infant because the baby has love towards its mother. When love is developed, then the work is done.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
How to develop love
Similarly as sadhakas, we are to develop a personal relation with Parama Purusa. And we are to think about Him in this personal way either as our Father or Friend throughout the day-- in all our activities. Because this personal relation is the way to reach up to Him. He is not some distant judge in the sky.
Ananda Marga ideology states, “And what is the relationship between the unit and the Cosmic? The unit is the child, and the Cosmic is the Father. The relationship is purely a family relationship. So one must not be afraid of that Supreme Father. The relationship is a very sweet relationship. He is not the judge and you are not a criminal.” (2)
So it is all a very tightly-knit web; it is a complete system. As we develop a personal relation with Him then we will think about Him more and more. That is, we will remember Him constantly throughout the day according to that relationship, whether it be as a Father or Friend etc.
And by this regular remembrance and by nurturing our relation with Him, then naturally we will feel closer and closer to Parama Purusa. This is the magic formula and wide pathway which has been laid down before us.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Here again is that special guideline for coming close to Him.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "All are advancing towards Him, and, while advancing towards Him, they establish some sort of relationship with Him. That relationship is internal. It is purely personal. One may love Him as a mother loves her son, a wife her husband, a servant his master or as friends love one another. This relationship exists...that of a wife, a servant or a friend...That very outlook that is instrumental in determining a particular type of relationship with Parama Purus'a, depending upon one's inherent sam'ska'ras, is called mysticism. As I have already explained, mysticism is a never-ending endeavour to find a link between finite and Infinite..."
Ye yatha' ma'm' prapadyante...
"'I appear before a person according to his desires. Their whole being will be filled with My being.'" (3)
Any relation is better than no relation
In the above guideline, many of the important principles for forming a relation with Him have been presented. And perhaps the most important guideline of all is to follow what feels natural for us as sadhakas.
That is, in our dhyana we should relate with Him in a way that feels most comfortable. And that will help us to progress. In the beginning we may think of Parama Purusa as our Guru. And thereafter a greater closeness may develop where we see Him as my Father / Friend / Master. And then we can relate and communicate with Him in that way-- in the form of a Father-son or Father-daughter relation. And like our connection with Him will grow more and more wherein we may see Him as a Friend. And in that relation we will share more of our inner feelings with Him, just as friends do. Until finally, due to heightened feelings of closeness with Him, that friend relation must mature or blossom in one of two ways.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The interesting thing, though, is that this friendly relationship cannot endure till the end. Either it is converted into da'sya bha'va [the feeling of being a servant], or madhura bha'va." (4)
So ultimately our relation will culminate in either da'sya bha'va or madhura bha'va. That is the teaching of AM philosophy. This is the way it all progresses. As sadhakas, we have to remember though that all the different types of relations with Him have their particular value and we should think of Him in a way that feels most natural to us-- either as Father, Friend, Son, Master etc. The key point is to do what feels natural for us.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
By that way, with that type of sincerity, we will get His closeness-- according to the essence of that relation. This is what has been carefully explained in AM teachings. Whereas if it is forced or unnatural then it will not work.
So we should remember that all the types of relations with Him have their unique and inherent value. A sadhaka should be true to their feelings about Him and follow accordingly, whether one sees Parama Purusa as Father or Friend etc. And by this way, by this natural progression, one will feel closer and closer to Him, reaching up to the higher stages of bhakti - i.e. developing more intimate relations with Him.
Conclusion
AM teachings have unlocked the greatest secrets of mysticism and spirituality and revealed to us that by cultivating a personal relation with Him then one is sure to attain Him in the innermost core of their being. This is a grand blessing upon us all.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "What is really important is to meditate on the personal God and move towards Him. And this personal God is the Singular Entity, the Ta´raka Brahma... He is the eternal companion of unit beings in their joys and sorrows - not a God in the distant sky but an understanding Lord in the house where they dwell." (5)
In Him,
Divyacaksu
The relation may progress & change
So all along we have to think of Him in a way that feels most comfortable to us. That will bring naturalness in our relation. Because just as we behave differently whether we are expecting our friend to visit, or our father, or our intimate companion-- similar is the case with sadhana, and dhyana. Hence we should communicate with Him according to our mental feeling. And just as our relations change in this mundane world, similarly our internal relation with Him will also change-- it will transform, bloom, and blossom.
Depending on our mental feeling and quality of mind, we may think of Him in any of the aforementioned ways, as a Father, Friend etc. This may change over the course of time, and it will progress. Because the mind is always changing and the key point to keeping Him close always is by linking up with Him in a personal way - with that relation. That will allow our closeness with Him to flourish. In which case, dhyana will deepen and one will naturally progress from one relation to the next.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
So throughout the day we should again and again think of Him not only as our Guru, but also in those more personal and intimate ways as well, such as relating to Parama Purusa as one's Father, Friend, or dearest One. And by that sincere approach we will reach unto that most blessed stance with Him. Ultimately, by Baba's grace those who practice this will get success in a very short time.
Specialty of AM: personal God
Here is more about the need of having a personal God as opposed to an impersonal God. This type of intimate relation with Parama Purusa is one
of the specialties of our approach in Ananda Marga philosophy.
Ananda Marga ideology teaches us, "According to philosophy, the Supreme Entity who controls this universe is Parama Purus'a; He is also the nucleus of the cosmological order. But the Parama Purus'a of philosophy, the hub of the universe, is a formless, impersonal entity, whereas human beings always prefer a personal God whom they can love, and to whom they can explain the pleasures and pains of their life. Human beings cannot feel extreme love and affection towards an impersonal God or philosophy because that is only a metaphysical concept, and the human heart cannot fully identify itself with an abstract idea. People cannot reveal the stories of their joys and sorrows, pains and pleasures, loves and affections, to an abstract idea. They want a personal God to whom they can fully convey their feelings and sentiment. This is an absolute necessity. Human beings do not search for their God in distant nebulae and meteors - they seek Him right near them, in their very midst. They want to accept Him totally as their shelter in life. In the play of abstract imagination people may derive some temporary satisfaction, but not lasting peace. The God of philosophy cannot provide complete fulfillment to people's deep internal urges: they want One to whom they can open their hearts. Such an entity is one's Is'ta." (6)
Every sadhaka on the path of Ananda Marga understands that realising Parama Purusa is the height of spirituality. Everyone understands that Parama Purusa is the goal and that He is our eternal companion.
References
1. Namami Krsnasundaram, Disc: 26
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Unit Spirit and Cosmic Spirit
3. Namami Krsnasundaram, Disc: 26
4. Namami Krsnasundaram, Disc: 26
5. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, 'A Devotee's Object of Ideation'
6. Subhasita Samgraha - 12, A'darsha and Is't'a
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Dying for praise is foolishness
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Those who work with the motivation that they will attain intellectual victory are slaves to words of praise. They can never become great people. It is bad to be a slave to worldly words of praise. The sounds raised by jackals and those raised in praise of some intellectuals are similar. Hence remaining engrossed in váda, vitańd́á and jalpa will lead to nothing.” (1)
Note: In the life of a sadhaka, neither praise nor censure have any value. Sadhakas should focus on their conduct and adhere to Ananda Marga ideology. Praise and censure are just a distraction. Those hungry for praise cannot do anything great. There are many important works to be done for the society and the welfare of the people, but the public often does not understand the import of those projects. That is why initially they abuse those dharmikas, but one should not be perturbed and continue on disregarding those naysayers.
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, Devotion and the Realm of Intellectuality
== Section 3: Links ==
