Baba
Spiritual bow & arrow
Note: For committed sadhakas only.
Namaskar,
The goal of every sadhaka is to become one with Parama Purusa - and go beyond this cycle of birth and death and remain forever in eternal bliss. This happens with the culmination of 6th lesson, i.e. dhyana. And it is beautifully described in the teachings of Ananda Marga ideology.
In the below guideline, the analogy of a bow and arrow is used to show that one’s mantra is like a bow that shoots an arrow - i.e. soul or unit consciousness - towards its target. And, in result, the unit being becomes one with Supreme Consciousness. Yet that can only happen when the mind is very, very concentrated with the help of pranayama. The practice of pranayama makes the mind pointed. When 6th lesson is done with that concentrated mind, that unit mind will merge in Cosmic Consciousness. All this is beautifully explained in the below teaching of Ananda Marga ideology about the sequence of sadhana lessons.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
For apexed mind: pranayama must precede dhyana
Ananda Marga ideology teaches us, “O Sedate One, Oṋḿkára is the image of your bow. Here the twanging or plucking of the bow means the act of práńáyáma (a yogic method of breath-control), i.e., stirring up the vital or spiritual force. If you use your soul as an arrow and shoot it aiming at the Brahma-like target with a deeply concentrated (absolutely unwavering) mind, then your soul will certainly merge in the Supreme Soul just as an ordinary arrow sticks in its target.” (1)
Pranayama has such a significant role: it makes the practice of dhyana pointed. So 6th lesson is to be done just after pranayama. That is the sequence of sadhana lessons.
Conclusion
By the above teaching of Ananda Marga ideology, it is quite clear that for the best dhyana, pranayama should be done directly beforehand. These two lessons should be done in tandem, i.e. dhyana directly after pranayama. Those practicing this know the importance of what has been discussed here; and those who want to know should go and practice. Then they will realise the great significance of Baba’s teachings and guidelines about the sequence of sadhana lessons.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
In Him,
L. Ananda
~ In-depth study ~
If the mind is not concentrated, dhyana will be fruitless. The sadhaka will not reach the Goal. That is why pranayama has such a significant role: it makes the practice of dhyana pointed. So 6th lesson is to be done just after pranayama. Pranayama boosts one’s concentration. Without that, dhyana is not possible.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya guides us, “Práńáyáma. There is an inseparable relationship between the váyus of the body [ten basic energy flows] and the mind. Unsteadiness of respiration means unsteadiness of mind and vice versa. Práńáyáma is the scientific process to control respiration and hence the mind, as a result of which sádhaná is especially facilitated. The practice of dhyána [meditation in which the psyche is directed towards Consciousness] becomes a time-consuming affair if práńáyáma is not adequately practiced.” (2)
Ananda Marga ideology teaches us, “O Sedate One, Oṋḿkára is the image of your bow. Here the twanging or plucking of the bow means the act of práńáyáma (a yogic method of breath-control), i.e., stirring up the vital or spiritual force. If you use your soul as an arrow and shoot it aiming at the Brahma-like target with a deeply concentrated (absolutely unwavering) mind, then your soul will certainly merge in the Supreme Soul just as an ordinary arrow sticks in its target.” (3)
According to the above teaching:
(a) Your mantra is a bow.(b) The lifting of the bow means practicing pranayama.(c) Your soul (unit consciousness) is an arrow.(d) The target is Cosmic Consciousness.
By this above sequence one will merge their unit consciousness into Cosmic Consciousness with the pranayama charged dhyana. That is the whole purpose of human life. So by this achievement, life will be successful.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Always ask for proof from AM teachings
Some have certain illusions which are not supported by Guru’s teachings. So they speak without citing proof from Ananda Marga ideology. And in result others are misled. What is the solution? In every discussion, one should request the speaker to give proof from Ananda Marga philosophy. If this trend starts, the fog and darkness will be lifted concerning the basic knowledge of Ananda Marga teachings.
Confusion in the mundane realm harms others to some degree, while confusion in the spiritual sphere does exponentially more harm. So this is shameful. These days some are busy in various business concerns, and about spirituality they are befuddled and do not study. In result they misguide others - so watch out. Indeed, that is the issue nowadays: everyone is a broadcaster. So whatever confusion they have in their mind they spread to others - thereby multiplying the problem.
For instance, once a person asked a sadhana related question. Then in reply the party started misguiding them about the sequence of lessons. By this way Dadaji has gone against Guru’s guidelines of (a) Senior Acarya Diary - Pranayama chapter, (b) Subhasita Samgraha, and (c) Caryacarya. By such dealings, he exposed how confused he is such that he misleads margiis on fundamental aspects of spiritual life.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Note: In sadhana, the practice of one lesson creates a vibration that will help or hurt (*) the practice of the ensuing lesson.
* Those interested should write us.
References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 2
2. Caryacarya, Sadhana, Point #4
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 2
* * *
The below section is an entirely different topic, unrelated to the above material.
It stands on its own merit as a point of interest and ideological awareness.
* * *
== Section 2: Important Teaching ==
Key point of tandava
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Tandava: As long as a dancer remains above the ground, he derives much benefit; when he touches the ground, then those benefits are assimilated by the body. That is why in the tandava dance there is much jumping, because jumping requires the practitioner to remain off the ground for a fairly long period of time." (1)
Reference
1. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva – the Focal Point of Everything (Discourse 3)
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Part of India that eats fish
Here is an English summary of Baba’s teaching from in Bengali from Shabda Cayanika - 20, (Bangla), Disc #156:
Fish quarrel so much among themselves; they are quarrel mongers. They eat each other; they feel jealous towards one another; and, they also have the tendency to wander around aimlessly in an undisciplined, disorderly manner. Because fish have these negative qualities, the general public has long thought that those who eat fish become contaminated by these same defects. (English Summary)
Note: Amongst all of India, the most densely populated fish-eating area is Bengal. Baba says that the majority of the population of Bengal is kaevarta (fisherman community). Throughout Bengal, there are a huge number of lakes, ponds, rivers, and water sources; that is why fish flourish there. In Bengal fish are known as "water fruit". Except for very strict, devoted margiis - which are very few in number there - most of them like to eat fish.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
When show loopholes & when not
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
