Baba
Baba’s sadhana example
Namaskar,
Here Baba recounts his own experiences of doing sadhana outside.
Sadguru Baba says, "I used to go for a walk nearly every day in the mountains east of Jamalpur. I used to sit on the second mountain. One after another, several small and large mountains run parallel to each other. The summit of the second mountain was the highest place among them. I used to arrive there in the middle of the afternoon and stay there until about eight at night." (1)
Here Baba is indirectly teaching us to do sadhana outside:
"I was sitting on the peak. It was the bright lunar fortnight...In front of me, that is to the west, on the slope of the mountain, was a dense ga'b forest...The mountain in front of me was completely bare...I was probably the only person for several miles, completely alone...the peak that I was seated on..." (2)
Of course there was no need for Baba to do sadhana at all but just to show us that doing sadhana outside was good, He did like this.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga ideology says, "He needs no sadhana, but just to set an example to others, He performs sadhana." (3)
By doing meditation outside we are following Guru's divine example.
Sadhana lessons 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th etc
must not be done sitting beside others
As sadhakas, we are greatly benefited by going out and doing proper sadhana in an isolated place. Sadhana will be better - i.e. the time, length, and quality of sadhana will be multiplied. Baba says that an isolated place is very conducive to spiritual practice.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "It cannot be denied that the noise of the bustling world is a hindrance to intuitional practice and makes solitude very desirable." (4)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "It is desirable to practise various lessons of sa'dhana' alone, in a lonely place." (5)
The sahaja yoga sadhana lessons 3rd, 4th, 5th 6th etc must not be done sitting beside others. Everyone will have their own experience about better and better sadhana when they start doing in an isolated place.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
These days the opportunity for sadhana is far greater than it was in the past. Various obstacles that made it very difficult to do sadhana are no longer present in society. We should be vigilant to take advantage of and utilize this unique opportunity.
Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Kevalam
~ In-depth study ~
Why one must do committed sadhana
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "This quinquelemental universe is a relative truth, a changing reality, a passing phenomenon – a passing flow of constantly changing events. It rests on the three pillars of the relative factors – time, space and person. Space is always changing. It is composed of countless atoms and molecules. With the change in the movement of atoms and molecules, space also changes. That is why numerous rich and beautiful cities of the past are now buried under the earth. Many splendid palaces and mansions, many churches, temples, mosques and synagogues, and many pyramids have been reduced to rubble. With the constant change in the flow of time, how many major changes have occurred in the universe? Similarly, with the change in time and space, people also change. A small two-year old child becomes a smart and active twenty-five year old youth. And the same energetic youth becomes an infirm, inactive, old person in due course. Thus, nothing in this universe is permanent. Many gigantic animals in the past have become totally extinct from the surface of the earth. Royal pomp and opulence, the pride of power, the vast knowledge of mighty scholars have become things of the past, thrown into the dustbin of history. Many objects emerged in the past, remained on earth for a short time, and then disappeared according to the inexorable law of nature."
"The only eternal truth is Parama Puruśa. He is anadi, beginningless, endless, all-pervasive; an entity beyond the scope of time, place and person. He is the only eternal, undecaying, imperishable, immutable entity. He is the Supreme Source from which the inanimate, plant and animal worlds have emerged. He is the starting-point and the culminating point of everything. Hence, wise people should utilize their physical, psychic and spiritual power to realize that Supreme Omni-Telepathic Entity to become one with Him." (6)
Realise the Supreme Entity in this life
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Later on, with the further development of philosophy and science the number of impediments and obstacles faced by humans became fewer than those which the ancient humans faced while moving along the path of spirituality during the days of backward science and philosophy. The people of today do not have to labour quite as hard as Vaishishta and Vishvamitra had to do in order to discover the way to move ahead, because modern science and philosophy today are valuable aids to human progress. The people of today are able to realize the Supreme Entity in one life, or maybe in 15 to 20 years, for which they had to practice penance for lives together in the past." (7)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Spiritual progress is the only real progress. Those who deem mundane or psychic movement to be true progress are misguided and are wasting their time. Whatever [mundane thing] Ka'l Purus'a giveth with one hand He taketh with the other." (8)
References
1. Shabda Cayanika - 1, Discourse: 4
2. Shabda Cayanika - 1, Discourse: 4
3. Discourses on Tantra - 2, When Does He Appear?
4. Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
5. Guide to Human Conduct, Iishvara Prańidhána
6. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4, Prápta Vákya and Ápta Vákya
7. A Few Problems Solved - 3, The Evolution of Human Civilization
8. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, Towards the Noumenal Entity
* * *
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: Important Teaching ==
Rare kiirtana
Ananda Marga philosophy states,“শুধু যদি কীর্তন ৰলা হয়, কীর্তন মানে নাম-কীর্তন | আর এ যে, “গান-টান গাও,” ওগুলোকে ৰলা হয় পদ-কীর্তন | আর কোনও একটা sketch নিয়ে যা তৈরি করা হয়, তাকে ৰলা হয় পালা-কীর্তন | সকালে আমি ৰললুম, “কীর্তন করো” | না, সৰাই শুরু করে দিল, পদ-কীর্তন | না | শুধু কীর্তন ৰললে নাম-কীর্তনকেই ৰোঝায় |" [1]
Here is an English summary of Baba’s above Bangla teaching.
If it is told to only sing kiirtan then it means nam kiirtana, i.e. Baba Nam Kevalam. If it is told to sing songs etc that means Prabhat Samgiita or pad kiirtana Prabhat Samgiita. If it is based on the sketch of a storyline that means pala kiirtan. In the morning, I told you to do kiirtana, and everyone started singing pad kiirtana, but that was wrong. If I say do kiirtana then that only means nam kiirtana.
Here is more on this topic as there are three main types of kiirtana:
(a) Na'ma Kiirtana: This is the singing of Baba Nam Kevalam, in its many forms including avarta kiirtana, nagar kiirtana, katha kiirtana (see note below), and akhanda kiirtana etc.
(b) Pad Kiirtana: This is when a poetic verse is put into a kiirtana form. Various margiis turn a stanza so their bhajans into this type of kiirtan in order to glorify the Lord. And there are many PS compositions, between the numbers of #0140 -> #0160, that fall into this category as well.
(c) Pa'la' Kiirtana: Pa'la' literally means “turn”. First one person sings then the audience responds. Thus pa'la' kiirtan is done in the style of call and response, where the main singer sings a stanza of Baba Nam Kevalam and the general public responds. But there is another aspect as well. In between the audience's participation, the main singer(s) perform at length, singing the glories of the Lord and recounting His tales and stories in the form of a dialog or prose that is often sung. And then it will go back in BNK kiirtana where all join in and sing. So it is a spiritual account or history about Parama Purusa that is led by trained sadhakas, who invite the audience to join in and sing.
Note: Katha kiirtana is when a collection of people gather to sing kiirtana and share stories in between singing BNK kiirtana.
Reference
1. बनावटी आध्यात्मिकता और नव्यमानवतावाद Pseudo-spirituality and Neohumanism NH 1-13 (E,B) (NP) // Abhi 5-13, RU [EGD] 31 December 1982, A'nanda Nagar
== Section : Important Teaching ==
Blaming others for own mistakes
Namaskar,
Ananda Marga scripture says, “I have already said that the sadhaka’s sufferings are caused by the samskaras which one created oneself. One should not therefore be afraid of experiencing these reactions or accuse Brahma of injustice on this account. Humans very often complain, ‘God, so you had this in store for me. Is this my reward for so much worship and so much charity?’ Such complaints are foolish, even sinful...That is why I say you must not find fault with others because of your own samskaras; they are merely the reactions caused by your own mistakes and misbehavior.” (1)
Some people do not like to admit their own sins and faults. And in due course when they face the samskara (consequence or reaction), they blame God, i.e. Parama Purusa Baba, for their wrongdoing – thereby committing another sin. That is the central idea of the above teaching.
Pseudo bhaktas blame others for their sin
Here is one such example: In 1970, Dada T lost faith in Baba because of his own bad actions of the past. That time he was very frustrated and he started blaming Baba and accusing Him: “He (Baba) confused my mind and that is why I lost faith in Him.” But, falsely accusing and blaming Guru in this way is sinful. Yet, that is what Dada Tapeshvaranandji did in his book.
But true bhaktas do not blame God for the suffering which they faced for their own sins. That is the essence of the above cited Ananda Marga scripture. So it is sinful to blame Baba by stating He gives tests, harasses, and creates problems and puts thorns on the path
Again, in our Ananda Marga, there is no scope for blaming Parama Purusa; humans create their own life circumstances. Unfortunately some do not like to admit their own mistakes and faults. And in due course when they face their own samskara (consequence), they blame God, i.e. Parama Purusa Baba, for their wrongdoing - thereby committing sin. And even worse, there are some who put forth their own philosophy wherein they blame God for creating so many problems. Some Dadas come in this later category. They have invented their own false philosophy that “Guru gives tests” whereby disciples must undergo so many arduous rigours.
Thus such Dadas are putting forth their negative teaching in Guru’s name - so that is a double sin. First because the teaching itself is sinful, and second because they are attributing that sinful teaching to Guru.
in Him,
Pradiip
References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 1
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Prout philosophy states, "The question may arise, Is it possible to establish the world government and Ánanda Parivára without struggle? In reply I will say, “Yes.” The greatest social welfare for the human race will be accomplished if those who aspire to establish the world government or Ánanda Parivára engage themselves only in constructive activities and selfless service, instead of wasting their vital energy in the vortex of politics, or in political conflicts. They will have to go on rendering social service with steadfast commitment, without any ulterior motive in their minds." (1)
Reference
1. Problems of the Day #32
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
बाबा, मेरे मन में ही निवास करो
प्रभात संगीत 358
Dakhin'a' va'tas'e malay suva'se mridu hese hese ese chile
दखिन वातसे मलय सुवासे मृदु हेसे हेसे ऐसे छिले।
भावार्थ :-
महकती तरोताजा समुंदरी हवा में मधुर मुस्कान लिये तुमने मेरे हृदय की गहराई में प्रवेश कर मेरे ऊपर कृपा की। ए बाबा ! तुम सर्वाधिक दिव्य हो, मैं तुम्हें नहीं भूल सकता और न ही भूलना चाहता हॅूूं। तुम्हारी कृपा से तुम्हारी दिव्य स्मृति को, मैं अपने मधुर प्यार में डुबोये, अपने हृदय और मन में हमेशा जीवित रखता हूँ।
हे मेरे प्रभु तुम मधुर मुस्कान लिये मेरे हृदय की गहराई में आये।
हे परमसत्ता, ए मेरे प्रभु, ए मेरे मन के सबसे प्यारे! ए मेरे मन के सबसे पूजनीय! मैं तुम्हारी पूजा अपने मन के अंदर करूंगा और तुम्हारी भक्ति के अमृत को इस विस्तीर्ण संसार में सब जगह फैलाऊंगा। बाबा! तुम अपनी दिव्य लीला की सुगंध लिये, मेरे प्रति कृपालु होकर , मेरे मन में ही निवास करो और अपने लीला छल के द्वारा अपनी दिव्य सुगंध से मुझे मदहोश कर दो।
हे मेरे प्रभु तुम मधुर मुस्कान लिये मेरे हृदय की गहराई में आये।
हे भावातीत के प्रभु! कृपा कर मुझे भावातीत लोक में मेरा मन और हाथ पकड़कर सदा ले चलो। हे बाबा! आज, भय और लाज को भूलकर मैं तुम्हें अपने हृदय में बसाये और मन में याद करते हुये तुम्हारे चरण कमलों में बैठा तुमको ही स्मरण कर रहा हॅूं । कृपा कर, मुझे भूल न जाना मैं तुम्हारा ही हॅूं।
মুরলী-ধ্বনি সাধকের কানে ধরা দেয়
“পরমপুরুষ যে অভিব্যক্ত হচ্ছেন ছন্দে, সেই ছন্দে রয়েছে রূপ, রাগ, বর্ণ, আৰার সেই ছন্দেই রয়েছে মাধুর্য় ভারা শাব্দিক স্পন্দন | এই শাব্দিক স্পন্দন বিভিন্ন ভাবে, বিভিন্ন সৃষ্টির মাধ্যমে, বিভিন্ন রকম অভিব্যক্তি ঘটাতে-ঘটাতে এগিয়ে চলেছে | এবং তার ফলে, তার ভেতর দিয়ে এই যে শব্দ, অনুরণিত হচ্ছে, তাকে ৰলা হয় কৃষ্ণের মুরলী-ধ্বনি, বংশী-ধ্বনি | এবং সামগ্রিক ভাবে, তা ওঁকারের নামান্তর মাত্র | এবং বিভিন্ন স্তরে, সে বিভিন্ন ভাবে মানুষের কানে সাধকের কানে, সাধকের কানে ধরা দেয় | ঠিক, এটা তোমরা সাধনায় যখন যেমন এগোৰে সেই ধ্বনিটাও শুনতে পাৰে | এই সকরর্ণেই শুনৰে |” (1)
Reference
1. ১ মার্চ ১৯৮০ Vasantotsava
प्रभात संगीत 358
Dakhin'a' va'tas'e malay suva'se mridu hese hese ese chile
दखिन वातसे मलय सुवासे मृदु हेसे हेसे ऐसे छिले।
भावार्थ :-
महकती तरोताजा समुंदरी हवा में मधुर मुस्कान लिये तुमने मेरे हृदय की गहराई में प्रवेश कर मेरे ऊपर कृपा की। ए बाबा ! तुम सर्वाधिक दिव्य हो, मैं तुम्हें नहीं भूल सकता और न ही भूलना चाहता हॅूूं। तुम्हारी कृपा से तुम्हारी दिव्य स्मृति को, मैं अपने मधुर प्यार में डुबोये, अपने हृदय और मन में हमेशा जीवित रखता हूँ।
हे मेरे प्रभु तुम मधुर मुस्कान लिये मेरे हृदय की गहराई में आये।
हे परमसत्ता, ए मेरे प्रभु, ए मेरे मन के सबसे प्यारे! ए मेरे मन के सबसे पूजनीय! मैं तुम्हारी पूजा अपने मन के अंदर करूंगा और तुम्हारी भक्ति के अमृत को इस विस्तीर्ण संसार में सब जगह फैलाऊंगा। बाबा! तुम अपनी दिव्य लीला की सुगंध लिये, मेरे प्रति कृपालु होकर , मेरे मन में ही निवास करो और अपने लीला छल के द्वारा अपनी दिव्य सुगंध से मुझे मदहोश कर दो।
हे मेरे प्रभु तुम मधुर मुस्कान लिये मेरे हृदय की गहराई में आये।
हे भावातीत के प्रभु! कृपा कर मुझे भावातीत लोक में मेरा मन और हाथ पकड़कर सदा ले चलो। हे बाबा! आज, भय और लाज को भूलकर मैं तुम्हें अपने हृदय में बसाये और मन में याद करते हुये तुम्हारे चरण कमलों में बैठा तुमको ही स्मरण कर रहा हॅूं । कृपा कर, मुझे भूल न जाना मैं तुम्हारा ही हॅूं।
== Section: Bangla Quote ==
মুরলী-ধ্বনি সাধকের কানে ধরা দেয়
“পরমপুরুষ যে অভিব্যক্ত হচ্ছেন ছন্দে, সেই ছন্দে রয়েছে রূপ, রাগ, বর্ণ, আৰার সেই ছন্দেই রয়েছে মাধুর্য় ভারা শাব্দিক স্পন্দন | এই শাব্দিক স্পন্দন বিভিন্ন ভাবে, বিভিন্ন সৃষ্টির মাধ্যমে, বিভিন্ন রকম অভিব্যক্তি ঘটাতে-ঘটাতে এগিয়ে চলেছে | এবং তার ফলে, তার ভেতর দিয়ে এই যে শব্দ, অনুরণিত হচ্ছে, তাকে ৰলা হয় কৃষ্ণের মুরলী-ধ্বনি, বংশী-ধ্বনি | এবং সামগ্রিক ভাবে, তা ওঁকারের নামান্তর মাত্র | এবং বিভিন্ন স্তরে, সে বিভিন্ন ভাবে মানুষের কানে সাধকের কানে, সাধকের কানে ধরা দেয় | ঠিক, এটা তোমরা সাধনায় যখন যেমন এগোৰে সেই ধ্বনিটাও শুনতে পাৰে | এই সকরর্ণেই শুনৰে |” (1)
Reference
1. ১ মার্চ ১৯৮০ Vasantotsava
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Zero occult powers for Him
Ananda Marga ideology says, "For living beings, omniscience (evedaḿ) is certainly a recognized occult power. That is right. But for the Supreme Entity it is not a recognized occult power; He does not get it as a result of cult…To know everything is His nature. That is why He is omniscient." (1)
Note: The entire creation lies within the mind of Parama Purusa so Parama Purusa sees everything. Because it is all in His mind. Whereas human beings acquire knowledge from outside themselves. For humans, knowing something entails the psychic assimilation of external objectivity. According to the definition of the faculty of knowledge, for a person to know something then they must look outside the scope or periphery of their own mind. But with Parama Purusa nothing is outside His mind. That means that He does not 'know' anything per se; rather, He intrinsically sees everything as it is all going on within His own mind.
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, The Omniscience of the Causal Matrix
== Section 4: Links ==