Baba
Clarity on mantras
Namaskar,
Ananda Marga ideology says, "The ideation on 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 sadhana. 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 out 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." (1)
Here is one very important and unique aspect about ista mantras in our Ananda Marga sadhana system.
'Mananat tarayet yastu sah mantrah parikiirttitah'
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Mantra is that particular word whose repetition or auto-suggestion or outer-suggestion helps the microcosm free itself of all the fetters of physical, psychic, and spiritual life." (2)
In His above teaching, sadhakas can understand that Baba is guiding us about the important roles auto and outer suggestion have in the repetition of a mantra. And a mantra is used in the first lesson of our Ananda Marga sadhana system. Each of the Ananda Marga ista mantras are based either on auto suggestion or outer suggestion. Based on one’s samskara, every Ananda Margii receives their own personal ista mantra. And, as His disciples, we use that assigned mantra in our daily sadhana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ista mantra: auto vs outer suggestion
There is a range: some sadhakas have ista mantras based exclusively on auto-suggestion; and, some have mantras based only on outer suggestion. It varies from mantra to mantra, person to person. For example, for those with an ista mantra based on auto suggestion, the meaning is, 'I am that...', i.e. 'I am Brahma'. In this case, the sadhaka is suggesting this idea to himself while repeating his mantra. And during the repetition of the first half of the ista mantra while inhaling, the sadhaka thinks 'I am'. And when repeating the second half of the ista mantra while exhaling the sadhaka ideates on 'Brahma'. The full idea is: "I am Brahma." Per Guru’s guideline, this is how those ista mantras work with auto suggestion.
Whereas in outer suggestion, the types of mantras used in first lesson are somewhat different. In that case, Gurushakti gives the suggestion to the sadhaka, 'you are that...', i.e. 'you are Brahma'. So here, 'you' means the sadhaka. During the first half of the mantra on the inhalation the idea comes from Gurushakti to the sadhaka that 'you are'. And, on the second half of the ista mantra, upon exhalation the ideation is on 'Brahma'. The full idea is: "You are Brahma." This is how outer suggestion is applied with an ista mantra.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Only repeat your own personal ista mantra
As per their acarya’s guideline, while repeating their ista mantra every sadhaka will follow their assigned mantra - auto suggestion or outer suggestion. It depends on which mantra has been allotted by their acarya. No one is given two ista mantras.
This matter of auto and outer suggestion is related with one's ista mantra. Naturally, the actual mantras cannot be written here because they cannot be told openly. So it is the duty of sadhakas to communicate one-on-one with an acarya on this now.
The purpose in writing about auto and outer suggestion of mantra is two-fold:
(a) All sadhakas should understand the meaning of their mantra; those not aware should consult their acarya.
(b) By raising this matter, acaryas will be forced to educate themselves on the deeper aspects of sadhana, if they are not already aware about those points.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conclusion
One’s personal ista mantra is a unique tool for calling Parama Purusa. And, with a heart full of bhakti, one should continue their mantra japa and focus exclusively on that in our sadhana. Then when any sentient vibration is aroused one will easily be able to cross that threshold and become further immersed in His exquisite flow - in the kingdom of bliss.
Regardless of the state or quality of one’s sadhana, this much everyone should do. When sitting in sadhana, an aspiration should aim to focus the mind on one’s own ista mantra - knowing its meaning and ideation. If one tries sincerely then certainly the mind will settle down and one will make progress. Whereas, if one is sitting in sadhana and thinking about something else, it is essentially a waste of time. Ananda Marga mantras are charged (siddha) by Sadguru so when doing mantra japa they are effective 100% of the time.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Namaskar,
At His Lotus Feet,
Ac Shriideva
~ In-depth study ~
Seek out guidance from whom
If you are going to ask anything of those Wts who are fully involved in mundane dealings, business, and xyz pursuits, then ask them about business strategies as they are well informed about that in their practical life. Asking them about sadhana is not a good choice. It is just like how you do not want to be medically operated on by a taxi driver; rather, a taxi driver is best suited for taking you from point A to point B - not for an operation on your body. The idea is to call upon the expertise of those who are truly engaged in that topic or endeavour.
Teaching AM sadhana demands having deep dedication to the practice in one’s own daily life etc, otherwise it will never work. It is just like how by reading a do-it-yourself book you cannot fix the space shuttle. So for guidance in spiritual life seek out those acaryas truly committed to practicing long hours of dharma sadhana regularly. In AM philosophy, such persons are called mahajan. Baba says we should follow their guidelines because mahajan acaryas read Guru’s instructions and feel that subtle vibration in their mind; so they are the best ones to guide seekers in sadhana and on points of spirituality.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Every sadhaka should keep in mind that this distinction between the auto and outer ista mantras is a very subtle aspect of sadhana. Only discuss this point with those acaryas who have a very keen interest in sadhana.
Here below Baba gives some key guidelines about mantra repetition and doing sadhana with bhakti.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Some people do japa kriyá in a very crude manner. It can be said that their method of incantation is like the talk of a parrot. Parrots talk, parrot say so many things, without understanding the meaning, without understanding the spirit of what is meant. Japa kriyá becomes as meaningless as the talk of a parrot for those who do it without love or emotion. It even loses the value of internal suggestion, intro-psychic suggestion. Sadhana is withdrawing the mental propensities from all extroversive entities, and then collecting those withdrawn mental forces, mental propensities, and urging them towards the Supreme Entity. If there is no love for the Supreme Entity, this movement cannot be done. Where there is no love, the mind will not run after Him. So sadhana also becomes meaningless." (3)
References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Vibration, Form and Colour
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, Mantra and Incantation
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 1, Who Is Gopa?
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section: Topic ==
बाबा
जन्मान्ध को दिव्य दृष्टि
नमस्कार,
गोविन्दपुर के बगल में ही एक छोटा सा गांव है – कुम्हारडीह (धनबाद जिला)। इस बस्ती में आनन्दमार्ग का अच्छा प्रचार हुआ। बहुतों ने दीक्षा ली और उन्ही में एक जन्मजात अंधा व्यष्टि भी था जिसका नाम श्री गोपाल कुंभकार था। गोपाल जी जन्मांध होने के कारण किसी भी वस्तु का दर्शन नहीं किये थे। उनका काम था - कीर्त्तन करना – “हरे राम, हरे कृष्ण|” वे मृदंग बजाते थे और उनकी टोली उनके साथ कीर्त्तन करती थी|
एक दिन हम लोगों की प्रेरणा से श्री अर्जुन पंडित तथा कुछ और मार्गी बन्धु एवं गोपाल जी भी बाबा का दर्शन करने रांची गए। बाबा उस समय रांची में रह रहे थे। ‘जेनेरल – दर्शन’ के समय बाबा आकर मंच पर बैठे। गोपाल जी भी बाबा – दर्शन हेतु वहाँ उपस्थित थे। लेकिन इन्हें तो आँखे थी ही नहीं कि वे बाबा श्री श्री आनन्दमूर्ति जी के दर्शन करें। गोपाल जी पर प्रभु की कृपावृष्टि हुई। प्रभु की कृपावृष्टि के फलस्वरूप उनको वहाँ दिव्य-दृष्टि प्राप्त हो गयी। अब गोपाल जी बाबा को अच्छी तरह से देख रहे थे। वे खुशी में पागल हो साथ के मार्गियों से धीरे धीरे कहने लगे – “अरे हम बाबा को देख रहे हैं|” “चुप रह“ - अन्य मार्गियों ने यह झूठ समझ कर डांट दिया फिर श्री गोपाल बोले – “अरे हम देख रहें है उन्हें। वे धोती कुर्त्ता पहने हैं, चश्मा लगाये हैं। इस तरह पालथी मार कर बैठे हैं” – आदि-आदि। बाद में मार्गियों ने उनसे पूरी तरह पूछ-ताछ की-- अब बाबा कैसे हैं ? फिर १० मिनट बाद उनसे पूरी तरह पूछ-ताछ की “अब बाबा कैसे हैं ?” फिर १५ मिनट बाद उनसे पूरी तरह पूछ-ताछ की “अब बाबा कैसे हैं ?” सही उत्तर पाकर तब मार्गी बन्धु घोर आस्चर्य और आश्वस्त हुए कि जन्मांध श्री गोपाल, पर बाबा ने कृपा कर दर्शन शक्ति दी । साथ के मार्गियों से यह समाचार सुनकर मैंने भी उनसे इस सन्दर्भ में पूछा। श्री गोपाल ने कहा – “अब मत पूछिये हमसे। अभी भी हम कभी-कभी स्वप्न में देखते है कि बाबा हमारे सिरहाने खड़े है|” मैंने सुना कि बाबा दर्शन से पहले गोपाल को बायें या दायें – किसी एक ओर चलने पर ज्यादा अंदाज मिलता था। लेकिन, बाबा दर्शन के बाद उन्हें दोनों ओर अंदाज मिलने लगा।
परम प्रभु, बाबा चरण में
देवकुमार
Shrii Bhakti jii presents this story.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Common way people harm society
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Those who shirk duties and responsibilities do commit a great harm to society. It is this lack of dutifulness in our country [India] today that has caused great retardation in different spheres of life. It has also caused spiritual degeneration. One should perform good actions regularly, should do sa'dhana' properly - these are the dos which everyone is expected to perform. Those who do not pay heed to these responsibilities do indulge in pratyava'ya." (1)
References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 19, Mysticism and Spirituality
== Section: Important Teaching ==
How to overcome mental problems
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Now everywhere, in cent per cent of the cases, there is wastage of human psychic potentiality. The psychic potentialities of human beings are immense, but people do not utilize them because most of their valuable time is wasted in undesirable thoughts, in psychic extravaganza...wasted in petty or useless activities. How much time do
people really get to devote to worthwhile tasks?"
"This psychic extravaganza should be checked either by physical approach, or psychic approach, or by spirituo-psychic approach..."
"I have already said that the scope of rationality and rationalization should be increased more and more, and for this, unnecessary waves should be removed from the plane of physicality. From the psychic sphere also, unnecessary waves are to be removed. This will remove many burdens from the mind. 'I must not bother about petty things, because that will waste my time' - people should remember this. This removal or rather withdrawal of unnecessary and undesirable thoughts emanated from the mind will help you in rationalizing the major portion of your mental faculty, so this must also be practised." (1)
Verily, in Baba’s above guideline He he clearly sets forth some key concepts:
(a) One should think of Parama Purusa all the time - i.e. all the 24hrs;
(b) When engaged in any type of mundane work - personal, family, social etc - then one must think and ideate that it is His work.
When a person adheres to the these aforementioned principles then that is proper use of one’s psychic potentiality; failure to follow these principles results in misuse of one’s psychic potentiality, i.e. extravaganza.
Next Baba guides how to treat one who suffers from this type of improper thinking or extravaganza:
(a) Firstly, one should be removed - or remove oneself - from that physical environment;
(b) Next, such negative thinking must be removed from one’s own mind;
(c) Then one must goad the mind to Parama Purusa.
In result, one will have proper sadhana and be free from worry.
References
1. Yoga Psychology, The Cult of Spirituality – the Cult of Pinnacled Order
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Which books are best-sellers?
Ananda Marga philosophy says,"These days Sáhitya Sarasvatii [the goddess of art and learning] is mortgaged to Lakśmii [the goddess of wealth], for the value of the goddess of learning now depends upon the favours of the goddess of wealth. Whatever the quality of the writing, if the publisher is well-established, the book will sell well in the market due to effective advertising. Thus the indigent sáhityika suffers humiliation as he or she cringes at the doors of reputed publishers; and publishers are quick to exploit this situation in their favour. Due to publicity stunts and propaganda, it has become impossible for the common people to know which book is good and which is not." (1)
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "There is a flagrant dearth of developed critical literature or critical magazines in every country of the world. Books sell in the market on the strength of publicity skills, or on the strength of how they excite the lower human propensities, or in some cases by their crude ability to provide entertainment for the common masses. That is why we find that books published by the authors themselves, regardless of how good they are, do not sell well in the market. On the other hand, books which excite people’s sexuality, whatever might be their content or language, sell extremely well." (1)
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "...Thus sales are not a criterion for judging the superiority of a book. It is therefore a great problem for the readers, purchasers and library directors to select books, and there will be no solution to this problem as long as high-quality critical literature and critical reviews are not available." (1)
References
1. A Few Problems Solved - 1, The Practice of Art and Literature
== Section: Ananda Vanii ==
Work to bring about the well-being of every entity
“That very irresistible aspiration which leads human beings towards their goal with tremendous speed, also builds all sorts of social structures and generates newer social consciousness. With all sincerity in thought, words and deeds you have to build that aspiration, you have to awaken the cognitive faculty latent in the innermost golden cavity of every microcosmic mind. For you have to work to bring about the well-being of every entity; no benevolent individual can neglect anyone.” (Ananda Vanii #63
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: 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 Baba's 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 Carcarya part 3 for all to see. Thus everyone has access to this knowledge. Everyone 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 3: Links ==
