Search This Blog

Friday, June 28, 2024

PS: beyond comparison + 3 more

Baba
PS: beyond comparison

Namaskar,

Here following is one Baba story about the beauty, magnificence, and greatness of Prabhat Samgiita. Note: This letter also refers to Rabindra Sangeet, and as these are non-margii compositions we honoured their spelling of Sangeeta.


First program


Those days when Baba was living in Madhu Malainca - His residence at Lake Gardens (Kolkata) - He introduced the idea of holding Prabhat Samgiita cultural programs. Those days Prabhat Samgiita was quite new, so it was the need of the time to propagate Baba's divine gift of Prabhat Samgiita.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Hence the then Central PRS dada T. was given the duty to organise the first-ever Prabhat Samgiita cultural program. And after coordinating the various affairs, the public Prabhat Samgiita program was held at a park in Central Kolkata in the evening time, around sunset. Directly afterwards Dada rushed back to Baba's Quarter to give the good news.

Thus, PRS Dada T. reported to Baba by passing all the various good news about the program. Certainly many of the workers were also curious to hear because not all could attend.


That reporting session

In particular PRS Dada T. was telling how in order to attract the Bengali public, first they performed a few Rabindra Sangeeta (i.e. songs by the Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore). Those Rabindra Sangeeta went on for some time. Thereafter, a few Prabhat Samgiita were performed. All in all 60% percent of the time was given for Rabindra Sangeeta and 40% was allotted for Prabhat Samgiita. Altogether the public greatly appreciated the cultural program.

In this manner, PRS was telling the news. Hearing all this Baba took on His 'Rudra Rupa' form, i.e. His menacing form where He lovingly displays His feigned anger.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Immediately in that reporting hall Baba feigned His fury and started rebuking him strongly. All workers present in the hall were shocked and unnerved by the magnitude and height of Baba's feigned anger.

Baba strongly feigned scolding and chastising PRS for highlighting Rabindra Sangeeta at our own Prabhat Samgiita cultural program:

"You are degrading Prabhat Samgiita - Coward...Animal...You do not have the courage to play Prabhat Samgiita at our own Prabhat Samgiita cultural program... What nonsense!"

In this way, Baba's feigned scolding went on. At the time, Baba was speaking in Bangla but the translation is as recounted above. We should also recall that all-loving Baba has tremendous affection for His disciples and His feigned scolding is a sign of His great blessing.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (1)


Dhik, dhik dhik-- shame, shame shame


Then in front of all, Baba lovingly scolded PRS Dada for his sin by ordering him to take punishment while all others stated: 'Dhik, dhik... dhik, dhik...dhik, dhik', which literally means 'shame, shame... shame, shame...shame, shame...'.

So, as a symbolic gesture of shame and humiliation, Dada T. had to pretend to rub his nose on the wall - while all workers present chanted 'Dhik, dhik... dhik, dhik...dhik, dhik'--  'shame, shame... shame, shame...shame, shame...'.

As this was a dramatization, it looked like harmful, painful things were going on, but Dada T was not really rubbing his nose etc. But he was acting like really he was rubbing it hard.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

But not only that, because of the extreme severity of his wrongdoing, Baba ordered PRS to do that punishment on the ground also. This heightened the effect of the dramatization.

In unison all workers recited 'Dhik, dhik... dhik, dhik...dhik, dhik','-- 'shame, shame... shame, shame...shame, shame...' while Dada rubbed his nose just above the ground as a show of humiliation and repentance.

Aside: When anybody did something outrageously negative then they got this type of punishment, i.e. 'Dhik, dhik' / 'shame, shame'.

By this entire scene, everyone understood in the deep core of their heart that Baba is adamantly against the use of Rabindra Sangeeta at our own Prabhat Samgiita cultural programs. Indeed that was the first and last time that it was done.

As many may be aware, Baba Himself has pointed out that there is too much of an emphasis on melancholic themes which are prevalent throughout Rabindra Sangeeta. On so many occasions He told like this.


Why not Rabindra Sangeeta

Furthermore proof is that Baba told on various occasions that, "If Rabindra Sangeeta was okay then there would not have been any need to create new songs. But because Rabindra Sangeeta is not perfect that is why Prabhat Samgiita was composed."

The overarching point is that we should not give undue importance to Rabindra Sangeeta. Before Prabhat Samgiita had been given, that was different. But now that we have Prabhat Samgiita then Rabindra Sangeeta should not be propagated.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

On countless occasions, senior margiis have seen that in His presence - at annual DMC, General Darshan, in all such programs - Baba emphasized for everybody to sing Prabhat Samgiita. Even at DMC if someone was not singing then Baba would lovingly flash His feigned anger.

So you can understand how much stress Baba placed on Prabhat Samgiita. Otherwise, it was not easy for margiis to forget about those other songs. By this approach, everybody came to understand the grand importance of Prabhat Samgiita.

From all around the globe it was propagated that Prabhat Samgiita is something completely unique and we should realise its significance.


Only Prabhat Samgiita on such programs


Since that very reporting session, no Rabindra Sangeeta has been performed at our cultural programs. Rather it has become the standard that in our Prabhat Samgiita cultural programs only Prabhat Samgiita are performed.

As we all know, Baba has blessed us with this divine collection of Prabhat Samgiita. And these songs are the spiritual treasures which uniquely express the inner heart feeling between the bhakta and Lord. That is the specialty of Prabhat Samgiita.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Plus, His Prabhat Samgiita compositions contain all the teachings of Ananda Marga, in seed form. So Prabhat Samgiita beautifully guides us in all the spheres of life. Hence it is our duty to highlight this divine gift of Prabhat Samgiita and please Him by performing only His Prabhat Samgiita compositions in our cultural programs - and not any other type of song.


Conclusion

All Ananda Marga cultural programs express a dynamic combination of song, dance, and instrumental music etc. So our cultural programs are not just simplistic affairs. They consist of grand performances that incorporate music, dance, drama, and many of the visual and fine arts. In that light, this first-ever Prabhat Samgiita cultural program was supposed to be a dynamic presentation of Baba's divine Prabhat Samgiita. But because PRS Dada featured Rabindra Sangeeta, then the whole program went astray.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Rasamay Ghosh

~ In-depth study ~

First learn AM ideology


In Acarya Diary Baba guides us that human life is short and that it is our first and foremost duty to understand all the aspects of Ananda Marga ideology. As Ananda Margiis first we are to engage in this endeavour. Then afterwards, once Ananda Marga ideology has been fully grasped & understood, we can study other philosophies & literatures for comparing and logically proving to others the superiority of Ananda Marga philosophy.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

But without proper knowledge of Ananda Marga ideology, some margiis read those other writings and their minds become polluted and dogmatic. Baba does not approve this approach.

First we should understand our Ananda Marga philosophy completely including Prabhat Samgiita. After that, when all 5019 Prabhat Samgiita songs are clearly understood, then we have full capacity and knowledge to understand which Rabindra Sangeeta compositions are good and which are bad. Without first studying Prabhat Samgiita, one will not have a basis by which to properly evaluate Rabindra Sangeeta.


Prabhat Samgiita is beyond comparison

If someone has never seen a watermelon and they only know about grapes, and they wrongly preach that grapes are the biggest fruit, they may quarrel with others about which is the biggest fruit. They will stand their ground that grapes are bigger. It is only when they gain a practical understanding about what a watermelon is that they will forget their tales about the greatness of grapes.

Here the point is that those who are not aware about Prabhat Samgiita - and only know about Rabindra Sangeeta - will wrongly preach about the greatness of Rabindra Sangeeta. That is the problem.  

It is just like how a frog in the well brags about the greatness of his well because he is wholly ignorant about anything outside that well.    
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Likewise all kinds of dogmatic things exist in the society and if we allow our minds to drift in that direction then we will never be able to understand the unparalleled glory of Ananda Marga philosophy and Prabhat Samgiita.       

So we should always follow Baba and highlight His teachings and compositions. And we should understand that when Parama Purusa has come then there is no comparison between Prabhat Samgiita and any other genre of poetry or song. Rabindranath is after all a human being so what can he compose in comparison with the Parama Purusa Himself.

Once someone tastes sentient food then they will no longer like to eat tamasik food. And once a person tastes the spiritual vibration of sadhana, then they will not like to engage in idol worship anymore. Similarly once a bhakta has tasted the divine songs of Prabhat Samgiita then they will not be attracted to any man-made songs.


Guru must love & feign scolding


Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "To love is not the only work of the guru. One who only loves you is your enemy, and one who only punishes you is also your enemy. But the one who both loves and punishes in a balanced way is the real guru." (2)


Synopsis

The above story from that eventful reporting session leads in the direction that we should not encourage any other types of songs. We should follow our Guru, our Ista. To please Him and bask in His blissful teachings, we should propagate Prabhat Samgiita.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

His wish is that everybody should sing and learn Prabhat Samgiita; so our duty is to propagate those compositions.

We should take to heart that Parama Purusa has blessed us with His grand body of spiritual teachings. There is no comparison between His divine gifts and any other type of poetry or song. Rabindranath is after all a human being so what can he compose in comparison with Prabhat Samgiita.

Here below Baba guides us how top-grade bhaktas dedicate their everything to serve and please Ista.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "I act only to please You...I want all my actions to give You some joy. It's immaterial whether that brings joy or pain to me, it doesn't bother me at all. My only task is to give You some joy." (3)


About that blessing


Many are well aware that when Baba gave the punishment to rub the nose on the ground then the intention was that those disciples would keep their nose just a tiny bit off the ground and make the motion of rubbing the nose. This was the common way - the standard procedure. Because actually rubbing the nose on the ground would be quite painful. Here Baba's aim was not to create physical pain per se, but rather to lovingly cultivate a sense of shame for going against Dharma.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology states, "A spiritual guru must be well-acquainted with all the processes of sádhaná, must have the capacity to convince others, must possess complete knowledge of the scriptures, must know many languages, and must have comprehensive knowledge and intellect, plus some extra qualifications. What are those qualifications? Nigrahánugrahe shakto gururityabhidhiiyate – “the guru must possess the capacity both to punish, and to love, or bless, his disciples.” Punishment alone, without love, is not good. Love and punishment should go together, and the degree of punishment should never exceed the degree of love. Then only can one be called a real spiritual guru." (4)

Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, "One who only punishes a person is not a Guru, and one who only loves is also not a Guru. Rather he or she is an enemy, for excessive love and affection spoils a person. Only one who does both these things is a real Guru. That is why people should be trained with both love and punishment. Where love fails, punishment helps. Medicine is not necessarily always sweet; sometimes bitter medicines are necessary as well. Patients often refuse to swallow bitter medicines; they cry in protest. But the ideal physician will force the patient to swallow the medicine. This is the proper way." (5)


Baba is embodiment of dharma


The Propounder of Ananda Marga, Baba - Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji is the embodiment of dharma. One of the characteristics of a dharmika is akrodha or non-anger. Baba perfectly embodies this quality. Those close to Baba understood that He never becomes angry. Only fools say that Baba was ever furious or mad etc.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Note: The name of the PRS dada in this story Dada Tryambakeshvarananda. 

References
1. Caryacarya - 2, Society, Point #38c
2. Yoga Psychology, The Cult of Spirituality – the Cult of Pinnacled Order
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, “Ye Yathá Máḿ Prapadyante”
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 21, The Criteria of a Guru
5. A Few Problems Solved - 5, Shrávańii Púrńimá

Plagiary?

It is the accepted international standard and Baba's system not to copy another's work and publish it in your own way. Baba has given a very strict rule on plagiarism. Why is Baba against plagiarism or stealing someone's work? There are many reasons:

1) It is against the code of asteya (non-stealing).

2) Countless stories of bhaktas need to be published. But some do not want to do the hard work of compiling and writing these stories, so they just steal them from others. But new stories need to be told, otherwise so many unpublished stories of sadhakas will be lost and forgotten forever. So watch out for story thieves, and kindly help them not to steal by posting on social media in their own way. If you want to forward this story then attach the following yellow section with the story: 

“Courtesy of unknown bhakta via Ananda Marga Universal (https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/)”

This will be treated as the standard protocol.


*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *


== Section: Important Teaching ==

How to deal with blind people

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Never attack the religious beliefs of anyone. Make the person understand gradually with logic. If you attack a person’s religious beliefs, it means you have attacked Ananda Marga.” (1)

This yellow-highlighted quote is only used in the following types of scenarios:
  • During our Ananda Marga seminars, it is fine and well to discuss the loopholes of various religious philosophies. 
  • In our seminars, our internal networks, and when talking with margiis, we can discuss the philosophical and shortcomings and inherent defects of such religions.  
This above quote should never be used in the following circumstances:
  • When dealing directly, face to face, with a dogmatic person who adheres to illogical religious rituals then we should be very psychological and speak in a measured, calculated manner. 
  • So if someone is doing idol worship then do not exclaim, “You are wasting your time because you are just worshipping a monkey - you stupid. Don’t you know that due to idol worship you will be converted into stone or reborn as a monkey.”
Conclusion: If this yellow highlighted teaching is used in the wrong way the result will be very bad. Those who are uninformed have no idea about this above guideline. They apply it in the wrong manner. 

In Him,
Suniiti

Reference
1. Caryacarya - 2, Society, point #9


== Section: Ananda Vanii ==

Example - True Ananda Vanii
Here is the example of a true Ananda Vanii, #38:

(38) The entire humankind of the universe constitutes one singular people. All humanity is bound together; those who are apt to remain oblivious of this very simple truth, those who are prone to distort it, are the deadliest enemies of humanity. Today people should identify these foes very well and build up a healthy human society, totally ignoring all obstacles and difficulties.

It must be borne in mind that so long as a magnificent, healthy and universalistic human society is not well established, humanity’s entire culture, and civilization, its sacrifice, service and spiritual endeavour, shall not carry any worth whatsoever.* (Ananda Vanii #38)

- - - - - - - - - - -

Example - Fake Ananda Vanii New Year 2017

Here is the example of the fake Ananda Vanii for 1st January 2017, of Ranchi faction. You see, it is obvious this below yellow sentence does not have any Ananda Vanii number.

“You are never helpless, never alone. You are always with Him and so you should never entertain pessimism or any inferiority complex.”**
Reference:
*Ananda Vanii #38
**AV-2 ---"The Role of The Cognitive Faculty


== Section 2: Links ==

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Sadhana planning & procrastination + 3 more

Baba

Sadhana planning & procrastination

Namaskar,

A very well known case is that of one Dadaji in the 1990's who had the plan to first finish construction of offices and buildings in Ananda Nagar; he declared that thereafter he would construct sadhana huts along the river in Ananda Nagar.

Glorious plan: build 40 - 50 sadhana huts along the river


Dadaji was saying those deeply interested in sadhana could come there and practice and all their living needs would be provided. That was the plan Dadaji announced to all, and he told that he too would be fully dedicated for sadhana. Dada expressed that he would become absorbed in sadhana like Lord Buddha. That was his plan.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Dadaji lived at Ananda Nagar for many more years and he had the time, but always he justified that he had some other project or work to do. He constantly repeated that, "Later on, I will start the construction of those sadhana places. First I will attend to this other project." This happened for years and unfortunately his plan of building 40 - 50 sadhana huts along the river in Ananda Nagar and doing long, long sadhana never came to fruition. The group clash erupted with so much infighting and Dadaji was dismissed from Ananda Nagar. And his long-harboured dream could never be materialised.

At his next location in Kullu he again planned to build sadhana huts. Once again he had ample time but years passed and he just kept saying, "Later on, as right now I am busy in other directions." 

Ultimately in 2010, Dada ji breathed his last after suffering from double kidney failure. With his tragic end, he never could fulfil his grand plan and dream of being fully ensconced in sadhana like Lord Buddha.


Sadhana dream gets procrastinated up to their death


Indeed this is a trend that we see. People believe that one day the golden time will come where they have a lot of time for sadhana. It can happen in the life of a sadhaka that one thinks, "Although I do not have time for sadhana today, later on in the future I will have a lot of time for sadhana." This type of mentality can develop in one's psyche. So this is something we should all be aware of, i.e. procrastination.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

I have one margii friend who was trying hard to arrange the marriage of his daughter. In that planning, day by day was going by, and all the while he was neglecting his spiritual duties - he wasn't doing even 5 minutes of sadhana. And whenever anyone raised the matter with him then he would immediately retort, “When this marriage is finalised then I will devote a maximum amount of time for sadhana.” This was his ongoing justification. But in the end, when the marriage finally was arranged immediately he succumbed to a massive heart attack and left this world, tragically ending his plan to do maximum sadhana.

On another occasion I was in the presence of one acarya, who for years and years was planning that when he becomes old he will do lots and lots of sadhana. So he spent nearly 10 or 12 years of his life planning to find a place to live so that when he gets older he will be able to do plenty of sadhana. But ultimately his plan did not come to fruition as he left his acaryaship and became involved in various other activities. It was not long before he drowned in one competition trying to cross a flooded river. Sadly, he was no more.


Instead indulged in eating meat, drinking liquor, doing drugs


Then in another situation, there was one margii neighbor who was working 24 hrs a day at his mundane job and side by side building a sadhana hut in his backyard. His planning was that, "In the future when I retire then I will dedicate all my time to sadhana." So he was neglecting his kiirtan and sadhana under the excuse that he had no time as he needed to work to make money in order to build the sadhana platforms etc. This was his plan. But when all was said and done, after skipping his sadhana for so long finally he lost interest entirely in doing meditation and instead became indulged in eating meat, drinking liquor, doing drugs, wagering on lotteries, and gambling etc. In this way, his plan for a backyard sadhana hut morphed into raising pigs for meat. Never was his dream fulfilled, and he just stuffed his life instead with these harmful vices. It was very awful to see his fall.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In various ways and shapes people build glorious plans for how in future they will do a lot of sadhana - yet neglect their practice in the present moment. Tragically the end of the story is never good for such types of planners.

After your death what is going to happen


Here below Baba guides us that nothing in this world is permanent and that even our near and dear ones forget us when we leave this world. Hence while living on this earth we should pass our time in more and more sadhana-- since our link with Parama Purusa will alone last forever and ever.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "When a person dies, what feelings will his mother and father, his brothers and sisters show? They will cry aloud, but after two or three days, normalcy will return. They will resume their normal mundane duties. And after a few days more or a few months they will forget the person. In societies where a widow's marriage is accepted by people, the widow will remarry...So you cannot say that any of your relatives is your bandhu. Nobody is your bandhu, or friend, in this respect...Jagat Bandhu is the only real Bandhu. Parama Purus'a is the only real bandhu. He loved you in the past; He will love you in the future. He alone is Bandhu. His name is Jagat Bandhu..." (1)

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "After your death your friends will carry you to the cremation ground. After being burnt, the body is rendered into ashes. Your friends will spray some water on the ashes of the funeral pyre, and then go back home. As long as they are in the cremation ground, they remember you. After that they forget you. But dharma remains with you even after your death, and what you did for dharma in this world is never forgotten. Therefore, in your worldly life, you are to strengthen the hands of dharma, and in the world, dharma will strengthen you." (2)


Conclusion

Human life is very rare. Yet, people commonly procrastinate doing their sadhana and instead “plan” to do it in the future. For one reason or another, they befool themselves by justifying, “Today, I am very busy, but in the future I will completely dedicate myself for this very cause.” This type of justification goes on up to their last breath. In short, their whole life gets wasted. Baba says that human life is for sadhana only. Everything else is secondary. Eating, sleeping, drinking, and procreating are done by both animals and humans. But animals cannot do sadhana. Only humans can do sadhana and for that they have been blessed with human life. The key point is that one should not procrastinate in doing their sadhana.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar,
In Him,
Satyaki

Note: The Dada referred to at the beginning of this letter is Ac Pranavananda Avt.

~ In-depth study ~

Ignorant people plan as follows

Here below Baba responds to those who think that when they retire or when the kids grow old then I will do a lot of sadhana.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Some people consider that one should start intuitional practice in old age when a person has more leisure, after one has spent the prime of one's life earning money. People are afraid that they may face insecurity and difficulties in their old age if they do not accumulate enough wealth before their bodies weaken with age, rendering them incapable of hard work. They regard the prime of life as the period intended for earning money, and old age with its decreased capacity for hard work as the time to remember God. They are labouring under the misconception that hard work is not necessary for intuitional practice and that old age is therefore the proper time for it. Whoever is born is bound to die and one is constantly approaching death, not knowing when it will come. It is never certain if one will live to grow old. Yet people reserve the most important work of practising sa´dhana´ for the time when the body has become completely enfeebled and the fatuous mind of old age has become entangled in the reactions of this life to such an extent that it is afraid of starting anything new.” (3)

False assumption about old age


Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Ordinarily it is fear of one's approaching death that makes one think of God in old age. One's evil deeds begin to haunt one, and one starts praying and imploring God to save him or her from the consequences of one's deeds. There is no value in remembering God in old age, when it is not possible to concentrate the mind due to the weakness and disease of the body and its preoccupation with the reactions (sam´ska´ras) of the deeds of this life. The mind then is caught up in the infirmities of the body, in the diseases of old age, impending death, and most of all, in memories of past incidents, and it is impossible to concentrate it. For these reasons one is incapable of intuitional practice." (3)

So in His above teaching Baba is guiding us that one must not leave for old age. Because at that point the mind has already been trained in a different way-- it is not accustomed to doing sadhana. Thus in later age doing sadhana is nothing but a far off dream. Plus in old age invariably people suffer from various physical ailments which prevent them from doing meditation.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

What is the worst type of lethargy


Here below Baba exposes the futile plans of those who promise that in future I will do a lot of sadhana.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Every human being, from the age of fourteen or fifteen, has an innate desire to ideate on Parama Purus'a. With cosmic ideation one will attain vast expansion of mind, one will become great in all respects. No one can check the all-round growth of such a person. People realize this and yet ignore it and thus waste their time getting old for nothing. That is, they waste their time in non-spiritual pursuits. This is called 'spiritual lethargy'. It causes the greatest harm to human life because it results in only a very small percentage of the human potentiality - maybe one or two percent - being utilized by humans. Even those whom we call great personalities hardly use ten percent of their potentialities. Due to spiritual lethargy people are unable to grow, and thus remain very ordinary. They come to the world, live, decay and die as ordinary human beings." (4)

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Of all the different types of lethargy, spiritual lethargy is the worst. Spiritual lethargy means not to sit for meditation regularly. Those with spiritual lethargy have time for all other actions, but for spiritual practice there seems to be no time. They say, "It's already late today - I'll do a short meditation right now, and devote more time to sa'dhana' tomorrow." They sit attentively inside the cinema hall, but in dharma sa'dhana' they feel sleepy." (5)

So such type of poor planning or laziness in sadhana ruins one's existence.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Start sadhana as soon as possible


Ananda Marga ideology states, "While the body is with you, you can practise Sádhaná. When your mind will be detached from your body, you won't be able to do anything, neither physical work nor spiritual work. So you are to do everything while this quinquelemental structure is with you. Even in your old age, you will not be able to perform spiritual practices properly if you do not start the practice from an early age. The best age for doing Sádhaná is from 16 to 49, and the second-best age is from 5 to 16 and from 49 to 69. Before 5 or after 69, the glands become weak, distorted. So the best age for spiritual Sádhaná is 16 to 49. This body is Dharmakśetra. Without this body, one can not do Sádhaná. Animals can not do sádhaná because they haven't got a human body. The human body is the most developed on this planet. There are 50 main glands. The total number of important and unimportant glands is 1000. 50 x 2 x 10. Why? Each and every gland can function both extroversially and introversially. You can steal with your hand mentally and physically. Physically stealing with the hand is extroversial, and mentally stealing is with your mind. No one else will know that you have stolen mentally. So, each and every gland has a double function, external and internal. 50 x 2. And all of these functions are in all the 10 directions. So 50 x 2 x 10 = 1000. These 1000 important and unimportant glands and sub-glands are controlled by the pineal gland So these are the psychic functions." (6)


Main purpose of human life: sadhana


Ananda Marga ideology states, "According to the beliefs of the human beings, Sádhaná is not practicable in normal life and it is necessary for an aspirant to sever connections with the home and members of the family. This is fallacious. How can a sádhaka devote himself to Brahma when he cannot even support the four or five members of his family? A person is associated with a family right from birth. Every family is beset with one problem or another. If instead of solving the problems, you leave your home and live in solitude, will you then forget about these problems? Furthermore, while in solitude you will have to think for your food and clothes. Sádhaná is possible only through this physical body, and for the sake of sádhaná it is useless to create unnatural situations by forsaking the home. We can practise sádhaná by practising restraint in whichever situation we are placed. The only thing necessary for practising sádhaná is an ardent desire for it." (7)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The main purpose of human beings coming here to this earth is to do spiritual practice. One is to render social service, one is to learn, one is to go through books, one is to help others, one is to do anything and everything just to encourage and accelerate the process of sádhaná. Sádhaná is the main theme of life. Whatever you do in the world, you should do it with a view to promote your sádhaná and help the sádhaná of others. Human beings come to earth to practise sádhaná, to move closer to Iishvara, the Supreme Goal – to come closer to Parama Puruśa [Supreme Consciousness]. Thus, the deeds of human beings will not be like the deeds of animals. Whatever human beings will do, they will do in such a manner that the progress in their sádhaná will go on accelerating." (8)


Do sadhana lest you regret it later


As Ananda Margiis we should be pointed in our daily sadhana practice lest all our time get wasted in other pursuits. So we should devote more and more energy to sadhana in this present moment.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "The worship of Brahma should be done scrupulously, or else you will later regret and bemoan the futility of your life with the last drop of your tears at your last hour. You should make your life worthwhile through your sa'dhana' How much can your worldly friends and relations do for you? After your death your relatives may perhaps ask, "How much money has he left behind?" Your friends may go to the crematorium and indulge in flattering reminiscences about you. Your husband or wife may cry for you for about ten or twelve days and then regain their normal composure. Your lot will be only a profound sigh - a record of the futility and frustration of your life. So do not waste your time lest you later have to repent." (9)

If one maintains a strict sadhana and asana practice throughout their life then in late age also they will be able to carry on with their spiritual routine. But those who neglect their daily sadhana will never be able to taste that sweetness in their later years.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, Your Real Friend
2. Anadna Vacanamrtam - 4, Your Real Friend
3. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Bad Habits Which Should Be Given Up
5. Ananda Marga Ideology Way of Life - 10, The Devotee and the Lord
6. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14, Action and Reaction
7. Subhasita Samgraha - 11 The Form of Sádhaná
8. Yoga Psychology, The Human Body Is a Biological Machine
9. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Vibration, Form and Colour


*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Important Teaching ==

State of writers in democracy

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Today the different countries of the world have allocated numerous awards for sáhityikas [writers]. But that is where the danger lies. Every government, whether monarchical, republican or autocratic, is run according to a particular ideology, and so there is little chance for the government to suddenly become impartial in bestowing awards on sáhityikas [writers]. Naturally it will judge the merits and demerits of the sáhityikas [writers] in accordance with the bias of its own party, and consequently sáhityikas [writers] will be compelled to sacrifice their ideals to feed their stomachs. These observations are generally applicable to different types of governments, but especially to democratic states, for in democratic states ideological clashes are more in evidence, and hence the need to propagate ideologies is also more acute. That is why democratic states want to use sáhityikas [writers] as propaganda tools. Needless to say, such made-to-order writings cannot be called literature at all – political propaganda can never be called literature.” (1)

Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 1, The Practice of Art and Literature


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Infestation of religion

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Átmánátman viveka will teach you that the Singular Eternal Entity in the form of Consciousness should be your only object of ideation. You will see the colours of religion fade before your eyes as the pure white effulgence of dharma shines with ever-increasing brilliance.”

“All the “isms” prevalent in today’s world can easily be included in the category of religions. All the defects of religions exist in the “isms” too. None of the political, social or economic “isms” are free from superstition none are straightforward; all are full of rampant hypocrisy. In all “isms”, doctrines and religions, the scriptural authority is supreme. There is no scope for the functioning of the five types of conscience, no place for service, love or devotion. With the help of falsehood and immorality, these “isms,” doctrines and religions slander and make accusations against each other. They make attractive promises to the people while hiding their own internal sins. In fact, false piety is not the path of dharma, leading to welfare, but the opposite of dharma, the negation of welfare. They can be likened to asses wearing lion skins: take away the lion skins and their their true form will be revealed. They have no other purpose than to grab votes and usurp power. The mentality to grab the votes first and then serve the people is not the true spirit of selfless social service; rather, it is the mentality of power craving materialists.”

“You will have to advance with the true spirit of genuine social service, because the very characteristic of dharma is to promote the cause of welfare. Dharma and welfare are inseparable.” (1)


Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - part 7, The Five Kinds of Conscience (Viveka)


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Two mudras for all-round health

These two mudras - uddayan mudra and utksepa mudra - are very important for all-round health as they serve as prevention and treatment for numerous diseases. In the Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments book, these two mudras are pervasively used. So all should know how to practice these mudras - i.e. when to inhale and when to exhale etc. Actually they are so basic there is no need to ask any acarya etc. The instructions are printed in Caryacarya part 3 for all to see. Everyone has access to this knowledge. People should therefore take it upon themselves to acquire the foundational knowledge of basic Ananda Marga practices, like these two important mudras.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “Ud́d́ayana mudrá: Standing, place the hands above the knees and bend forward a little. Gradually breathe out, to a state of complete exhalation. Keeping the breath out, draw the abdomen and lower abdomen inward as hard as possible, to touch the spine. Maintain this position for eight seconds. Then gradually inhale fully. Practise eight times.” (1)

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “Utkśepa Mudrá: This mudrá should be practised in bed immediately upon waking. While lying on the back, one should flex both the arms and legs, bringing them over the chest, and then return them immediately to the extended position. After doing this three or four times, sit up in bed and drink a glass of cold water without allowing the water to touch the teeth. After this you should expose the navel area to the air, and walk up and down in this way for some time in the open air.” (2)

References
1. Caryacarya - 3, Mudrás and Bandhas
2. Caryacarya - 3, Different Yoga Practices


== Section: Ananda Vanii  ==

Your ideal

“Your ideal is represented by your conduct. Your learning, your social or economic status have nothing to do with your ideal.” (Ananda Vanii #13)

Note 1: True Ananda Vaniis have a number whereas Fake Ananda Vaniis do not - just as a fake car license plate has no number. By this way, you can easily recognise a Fake Ananda Vanii.


== Section 3: Links ==

SUBJECTS TOPICS