Baba
Remembering madhuvidya
Namaskar,
While feeding a beggar there are a few ways to think:
(a) Worst way: I am serving food to this hungry beggar.
(b) Mediocre way: I am serving food to a hungry beggar who is the manifestation of the Supreme.
(c) Best way: Parama Purusa is serving the beggar through me, and Parama Purusa is also in the form of a hungry beggar. It is His liila.
Why is option (c) the best ideation for performing second lesson, for the answer please continue reading…
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All-knowing Baba: someone forgot to do 2nd lesson
One time during reporting Baba was talking about dhruvasmrti, or fixed memory on Brahma. Baba was explaining that Brahmabhava means remembering Parama Purusa always. To achieve this, when is not doing sadhana, one must use Guru mantra before each and every action in order to keep the mind ensconced in the thought of the Supreme. Then one will be established in Brahmabhava.
Baba then looked at everyone in attendance – there were a few dozen people present that day – and Baba lovingly said, “When coming into the hall today, some forgot to repeat their Guru mantra. ” Everyone fell silent.
Then Baba said, “Those who forget to repeat their Guru mantra should stand up.” Then around 6 or 8 Wts stood up. Baba scanned the room and said, “Really that is all. Everyone else recited their Guru mantra. Stand up - still there are some who are trying to hide.”
That day there were a number of purodhas present, and some had forgotten to recite their Guru mantra; but, they figured that Baba would never know. So they remained quiet in the back, hiding behind others.
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Baba said, “Why don’t those last three people who forgot their mantra also stand.” And then all-knowing Baba called out each of their names. Then in shame, those purodhas rose to their feet. They were completely shocked Baba knew. Baba said, “Yes, now we have everyone.”
Then Baba explained further, “When taking food or eating rice, if one is thinking that this is rice etc, then one’s mind is not fixed on Brahma. In that case, the person is not established in Brahmabhava (ideation of Brahma). One should instead think that this rice is Brahma. Then one will be properly practicing 2nd lesson and become established in Brahmabhava.”
In that same DMC discourse, Baba also told that if you love your son or daughter as a son or daughter, then that is not consistent with the practice of 2nd lesson. Rather, one must think that the person before me is Brahma in the form of my son / daughter. One must view all as expressions of Parama Purusa. Then that is second lesson, otherwise not.
Sadguru Baba says, “Do you love your son? No, no you don’t love your son. You love Brahma in the form of your son. By loving your son as a son, you cannot love the Lord. Where there is the feeling of son, there is no Lord and where there is the Lord, there is no son. Where you exist He does not and where He exists you are no more.” (1)
Baba’s guideline and discourse that day was all about how one should see Brahma in each and every object. That is the right practice of second lesson and leads to dhruvasmrti. Merely repeating the mantra itself is not enough. Side by side one must ideate on the idea that all is Brahma. Then one’s practice of second lesson is proper. That was the very meaningful teaching Baba was emphasizing that day.
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When Guru mantra & when Ista mantra
Before starting any work one should repeat their Guru mantra with proper ideation. And while engaged in that work the sadhaka should recite their Ista mantra. Then again Guru mantra will be taken when they start a new work or project. That is the system.
(Note: This letter is about Guru mantra. But in the case of Guru Mantra, the term ‘Guru’ does not mean ‘Preceptor’, rather it means 'very important.')
Proper practice of second lesson
Every sadhaka understands that all thoughts and actions in this world are binding. For that reason people take birth again and again, from one life to the next. That is the way of action and reaction theory. He has blessed us with the process of second lesson whereby we can live in this world yet not incur further samskaras. In that case, we can live a reaction-free existence and attain liberation, by His grace. Because when one ideates on Brahma and views all as Brahma, then the unit ego is not involved. So no samskaras are created. Such is the great value of second lesson. At the same time one is to remember that second lesson must be practiced properly, otherwise it will not have any effect.
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As Baba has explained, merely repeating Guru mantra is not enough. Second lesson must not be recited mechanically like one parrot. It must be accompanied by the feeling and idea that everything and everyone is a manifestation of the Divine. If one hastily recites second lesson and feeds a poor person thinking that the person before me is one helpless beggar, then that second lesson is not proper and that action will be binding.
Likewise, if before eating a sweet, one mechanically recites second lesson, but the whole time one’s mind is engrossed in the thought of that sweet delicacy, thinking “this sweet is so tasty”, then that also is not the right practice of second lesson. In that case, one is incurring sam’skara. One must think that this is Parama Purusa in the form of that sweet.
Special tip
Here is the easiest way to practice 2nd lesson. Take a look around you: trees, birds, sky, grass, stars, dogs, leaves etc. And think that all these entities are the expression of Parama Purusa in that particular form. So the tree is not a tree, but Parama Purusa in the form of that tree. And a bird is not a bird, but Parama Purusa in the form of that bird. By this simple and easy approach, one will cultivate an ideal practice of second lesson. When one has achieved siddhi (perfect facility) in second lesson, they will attain a deep state of samadhi.
How to look upon service work
Baba explains how one should interact with the world and perform our service.
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Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Action performed for the sake of action is bondage...As explained earlier the ideation that whatever I do, I do only to please Parama’tma’ is called devotion – Bhaktirbhagavato Seva’. Devotion is service to God. When devotees serve the universe they do it with the feeling that they are serving the manifestation of Na’ra’yan’a only to please Him.” (2)
Thus whether eating or helping the poor or doing anything on this earth, one’s mind must be suffused with the idea that everything is Parama Purusa – the person doing the action is Parama Purusa, the item offered is Parama Purusa, and the person being served is Parama Purusa. Then one’s action comes within the domain of second lesson. Then one will not incur new samsakra. That is why second lesson is so significant. Because when one ideates on Brahma and serves a manifestation of Brahma no new samskara can be formed. The unit ego is not part of the action as it is infused with Cosmic ideation.
So again the key point is that mechanically repeating Guru mantra is not enough. In addition, the mind must be suffused with the sweet feeling that everything is Parama Purusa. It should be noted that even though there are various Guru mantras, the meaning behind them all is the same: Everything is Brahma. That is the singular meaning of second lesson.
Papa & punya are both dangerous
Both papa (sinful actions) and punya (virtuous actions) are binding because they both involve the unit ego.
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(A) When one commits papa then they create a negative samskara and invariably undergo the reaction which given them a lot of pain and suffering. So commiting papa is just an avenue to invite more misery and horror into one’s life. That means on this very earth they will have to experience so much humiliation, torment, and grief.
(B) When one does punya then that also creates samskaras, but of the positive nature. The problem is that when they reap the benefit of those good actions they will achieve a loftier status in society. And then from there their ego grows and they inflict far more harm on others than if they were just a normal citizen. And they bring untold suffering into their life. So reaping the good reactions of one’s virtuous deeds also leads to a horrific outcome.
So both papa and punya are devoid of cosmic ideation and dangerous.
Papa is a chain of iron; and punya is a chain of gold. Here the fact is that they both are chains and bind one in the net of samskara. In that case, one cannot achieve liberation. And when one must return again to face their samskara - either good or bad - then certainly one will involve in wrongful actions, thereby digging themselves a deeper hole. Thus, devoid of second lesson, there is no escape. One will be bound by either their good or bad actions. In which case, one will be forced to return in the cycle of birth and birth again and again to reap the consequences of their past actions. That is why both sinful and virtuous actions are very dangerous.
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Conclusion
The root behind the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth is reactive momenta; i.e. creating more samsakaras for oneself. So the “remedy” then is to stop performing any actions. Then one will not create any new samskaras. But that is not possible. Everyone has to do work to remain alive. So cannot refrain from doing work. And work is done on the purely psychic plane as well. So you are going to do something and that creates a samsakra - and leads to rebirth to undergo that pleasure and pain. To get this cycle of life and death, second lesson is the final solution. How? By imposing second lesson then there will not be any reactive momenta, i.e. no new samsakaras. And gradually your accumulated old samskaras will be exhausted and one day you will be freed. That is called moksa.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Vishvamohan Deva
(Note: This letter is about Guru mantra. But in the case of Guru Mantra, the term ‘Guru’ does not mean ‘Preceptor’, rather it means 'very important.')
~ In-depth study ~
Life is sweet
One final point to remember in this discussion is that by doing second lesson properly, then one will be forever floating in His bliss. The sadhaka will think that everything is Brahma and that all day long he is interacting with and seeing Baba. Then life is so blissful and sweet.
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That is why another name for second lesson is madhuvidya, that practice or knowledge which brings the sweetness of the Lord’s love into each and every interaction.
The reason why second lesson is both the easiest and most difficult lesson is because it is very easy to practice, yet often times people forget. Remembering to always do second lesson is not easy, rather quite difficult.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Actional bondages remain until one attains liberation. Good action becomes the cause of good reaction. Both good and bad are the cause of action and bondages. The bondage of good action can be likened with a chain of gold, and that of bad action with a chain of iron. But both are bondages. Whether the cage is made of gold or iron is no difference for a bird – both are bondages for it. One has to attain liberation from these actional bondages. The term salvation connotes liberation from these actional bondages." (3)
How we are to interact in this world
Here Baba explains further how one should interact in the world. This is how to do second lesson and view the world.
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Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Thus the mind of one, who has established himself in real vaera’gya (the renunciation of all sensual pleasures) can never become attached to finite objects. Even in their midst he remains beyond the reach of their attraction and gains eternal peace after death.”
“No truck with water while I bathe
With hairs flowing free
Nor woes nor griefs shall ever scathe
Unwet I dip in sea.
Dedicated to God, night and day
Awake, asleep or dreaming be
No lures of world or desires gay
Dare ever come between He and me.”
“Do your work, but do not be caught up with it. A great man said, –”
“Grind spices or be a cook
Touch not the pan you ever
Dance a frog ’fore serpent’s hook
But let it not devour,
In the sea of nectar shall you bathe
Unwet shall remain your hair
Tie the elephant to a spider’s web
Love awaits you there.”
“Here the spider represents the little unit, the sa’dhaka. A sa’dhaka will realize what divine love is like only when he prepares the cobweb of devotion and ties the elephant, the Supreme Entity to it.” (4)
Thus in both of the above poems, Baba is beautifully explaining how with the help of second lesson one can remain permanently linked with Him, never getting attached to any mundane allurement on this earth. In that case that sadhaka will view all as His divine expression and our second lesson will be perfect. They will live in this world, serving one and all, free of any samskara.
Baba says, “Life is intimately bound up with work. If people do their work ascribing divinity to each object they are involved with, then, because of their non-attachment to material pleasure, they cannot be bound by the reactions of their actions. Life also cannot be the cause of such bondage, nor for that matter can the reactions of one’s actions be the cause of future lives. Otherwise a person who lives a long life will perform many actions, thus creating many reactions of greater sorrow to be experienced, and one will be a victim of the actional cycle life after life. (5)
By His grace, the proper application of second lesson allows us to feel and view one and all as divine expressions. That is the right application of second lesson. Then there is no question of any worldly bondage.
In contrast, if one merely repeats Guru mantra like a parrot and fails to ideate properly, then one will be forever bound in the cycle of action and reaction, living and dying on this earth again and again and again.
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Right practice of second lesson
By Baba’s grace, an aspirant should make second lesson perfect. A sadhaka should see Him in each and every thing. When eating sweets, one should not think that, "Right now I am eating one sweet", rather one should take the special ideation that Parama Purusa is in the form of this sweet. Indeed, each and everything in this universe is but the expression of Him in different forms. In that case, life will pass blissfully on this earth and that sadhaka will not be bound by any action. One will feel each and every moment that everything is Brahma. Each cell will be vibrated by this divine idea. Then life really is blissful.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states:
“Whatever you speak or do,
Forget Him never;
Keeping His name in your heart,
Work, remembering it is for Him,
And, endlessly active, drift in bliss.” (6)
Very important teachings on Brahma bhava
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "While feeding your son, you should contemplate that you are not feeding your son, but you are doing your duty to the manifestation of the Supreme Consciousness in the shape of your son. When you plough your land, you ought to contemplate that you are doing the proper action to the manifestation of the Supreme Consciousness in the form of your land. If you properly follow this Cosmic Ideation you can keep yourself aloof from the shackles of actions even though you perform actions. This practice will pervade your exterior and interior with the ecstasy of Cosmic Bliss, and will alleviate permanently all your afflictions. Then the force of ignorance (avidyá) cannot devour you in its ferocious jaws. The glory of the One and only One benign Entity will shine forth to you from one and all objects." (7)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Everything is the manifestation of God. Whether it is land, home, river, mountain, respect, insult, day or night – everything is He and His manifestation as a unit. Make proper use of all objects thinking that they are His gifts to us. To enjoy or endure anything is to enjoy or endure Him. Avoid the attraction of the unit and make contact with the integral whole. When you are able to live this way, the desire to steal the property of others will completely disappear. In Ananda Marga there is a special process through which one can dedicate everything to God. The ascription of divinity to objects means the pursuit of the Infinite, leaving the finite behind. Are you feeding your son? No, no, you are feeding the son-like manifestation of Brahma. Are you tilling the field? No, no you are serving the finite manifestation of Brahma with your plough." (8)
Ananda Marga ideology teaches us, "In life one can never escape from the need for action. If they do not understand which action is beneficial for them, they should consult others; but they will have to work continuously. Since devotion has awakened in them and they have been endowed with spiritual inspiration, they are sure to attain success in whatever action they undertake. Plunge into action and you will find that you will be able to do anything and everything. Never think that you cannot do a certain work; just commit yourself to doing that work and you will see that you will certainly be able to do it. When you start working for the welfare of society, society can never remain backward; it is bound to progress, and through the advancement of society you will also achieve success in your life." (9)
When to jump into the work
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Whenever performing any action, you must analyse to what extent the action about to be undertaken will ensure physical, psychic, spiritual, social and economic progress, and you must also consider whether your action will truly bring welfare to the world. When you are certain that your actions are truly benevolent, you must immediately throw yourselves into those actions. The inspiration behind your righteous intellect comes from Parama Puruśa, and thus it is He who will provide you with the requisite strength to accomplish the task. When your conscience dictates that the action to be performed is benevolent, you should realize that if the discriminating intellect behind your conscience is convincing you of the righteousness of your action, then that intellect will also surely provide you with the requisite courage to translate that idea into action. Thus when you are convinced that a certain action is good, then you should have no hesitation in your mind whatsoever. Such hesitation will be absolutely useless." (10)
Ananda Vanii states, "You have no right to hate even a single living creature. The best you can do is only to serve. Remember, you are to serve bearing in mind that every creature is verily the living manifestation of the Supreme Consciousness. Remember also that the credit of service is not yours; it is due to the Supreme and the Supreme alone, whose ideation has inspired you to acquire the capability of rendering service." (11)
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Inspiration and the thought of universal welfare are inseparable. The spiritually inspired mind should apply its power on the material world so that matter can be used benevolently for human progress. Trees, stones and earth are not easily moved by spiritual inspiration; nor are people of static nature." (12)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "You cannot be inspired by others all the time, you have got to be inspired by yourself. That means you have to follow dharma; you have to follow the path. Because He is always inside of you; He is always outside of you also. The Supreme Truth is hiding; you are chasing Him and He is hiding behind you. And again you are chasing Him and again He is hiding. It is like a hide-and-seek game. And He is happy about that. You are chasing Him and chasing Him and chasing Him and He is hiding [from] you, and you want to chase Him again." (13)
True human beings
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Only a life thus inspired is the true life. Others may have human bodies, but the minds residing in those bodies are not truly human. You boys and girls have come onto this earth as human beings with human bodies and minds – you should never forget this. Humanity is the criterion of judgment for truth in this universe. When human beings are established in the false glamour of humanity, then truth stands victorious. So in the practical world, the greatest entities are human beings – they are the highest expressions of Parama Puruśa, the Supreme Consciousness. Only they have the capacity to understand the significance of the numerous forms, colours, smells, etc., in which Parama Puruśa is constantly metamorphosing His creation." (14)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Inspiration comes from inside. [Sometimes] we need inspiration from outside; but that inspiration is not lasting. It is momentary. But in order to inspire yourself you have got to know yourself; by knowing yourself you are inspired always. Inspiration from inside will stand for all time; it will inspire you for all time. That alone is going to help you. And by inspiring yourself you are inspiring others. So be an example. Be a true aspirant by becoming yourself what you are; [and by becoming what you are,] you show others what they have to be. So in order to know everything you know one thing. That one thing is dharma. That one thing is the supreme truth, and that truth is hiding in your heart. You have got to know that truth inside yourself. That is why sádhaná has to be performed." (15)
References
1. Subhasita Samgraha – 1, The Base of Life
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 19, Salvation and Devotion
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 19, Salvation and Devotion
4. Subhasita Samgraha – 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 1
5. Subhasita Samgraha – 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 1
6. Caryacarya - 2, ‘Sadhana’, Point #10
7. Subhasita Samgraha - 1, Spiritual Practice and the Cosmic Science
8. Subhasita Samgraha - 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 1
9. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life – 11, Momentum and Attraction
10. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life – 11, Momentum and Attraction
11. Ananda Vanii #23
12. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 9, Shakti and Its Proper Application
13. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, Dharma Sádhaná
14. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life – 11, Momentum and Attraction
15. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, Dharma Sádhaná
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Who accepts communism
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Countries which have both laborious and intellectually developed citizens have never accepted communism. For example, Karl Marx was born in Germany but his theory was not accepted there. Similarly, England gave shelter to Marx but did not accept his theory. The cooperative movement first started in England and the spirit of cooperation is reflected in many aspects of British society; consequently, Marxism has not been able to get a foothold in Britain. Japan is surrounded by communist countries like the Soviet Union, North Korea and China but it did not accept communism. The citizens of these countries, as well as of some other countries, are both laborious and intellectually developed, hence they have rejected Marxism.” (1)
Note: In India there was only one state where communism was accepted for several decades. You are surely aware about that state.
References
1. Defects of Communism – Excerpt C
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Why “sensual love marriages” can’t last
Ananda Marga ideology says, “Now when a man gets the chance to enjoy the physico-psychic pleasures, he doesn’t find any interest in physical pleasure, because physical pleasure is not only crude in quality, but also of very temporary nature. It lasts for a short span. On the psychic level, man is the dominating living being. He does something new, he wants to do something new, to get more psychic pleasures, and he invents so many things and engages himself in psychic pursuits. These things cannot be done by animals or even by other developed creatures, and here lies the speciality of human beings.” (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, Beyond Temporary Experience
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
हे बाबा !तुम मुक्ति दाता हो, तुम्हारे लिये कुछ भी असंभव नहीं।
प्रभात संगीत 428 तुमि आलो छाया खेला खेलिते जानो...
भावार्थ
हे परमपुरुष! हे प्रभु! तुम सब कुछ कर सकते हो। तुम यह अच्छी तरह से जानते हो कि लुका-छिपी और सुख- दुख की लीला कैसे खेली जाती है । तुम अपनी इच्छा के अनुसार अपने लय अथवा ताल में लोगों को नचाना जानते हो। तुम्हारी इच्छा मात्र से हर कार्य संभव है। हे प्रभु ऐसा कुछ नहीं है जो तुम नहीं कर सकते।
हे दिव्य सत्ता! तुम गहरे अँधेरे में उजाला और दिन के उजाले में अंधेरा कर सकते हो। तुम सब कुछ कर सकते हो। हे परम सत्ता! तुम्हारी कृपा से गूंगा व्यक्ति भी बहुत अच्छा बोलने वाला बन सकता है। यदि तुम्हारी इच्छा हो तो सबसे उदास और दबे कुचले लोग भी आनन्द और उत्साह से नाचने लग सकते हैं। हे प्रभु ! तुम सब कुछ कर सकते हो तुम्हारे लिये कुछ भी असंभव नहीं है।
हे परमपुरुष! हे सद्गुरु ! हे बाबा ! तुम्हारी कृपा से यह विश्व अर्थात संसार अनेक रूप-रंगों से भरा है। तुम्हारी इस दिव्य लीला में सभी लोग माया (अर्थात परमाप्रकृति) के दास है। हे बाबा! तुम माया के बंधन काट कर मुक्ति और मोक्ष देते हो। तुम्हारी थोड़ी सी कृपा दृष्टि से, पलक झपकते ही माया के बंधन कट जाते हैं। तुम मुक्ति दाता हो, तुम्हारे लिये कुछ भी असंभव नहीं।
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Impediments cannot be more powerful
than your capacity to clear them up
than your capacity to clear them up
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The spirit to fight against all odds alone can solve the problems confronting human beings. March ahead and wage war against all difficulties, every impediment. Victory is sure to embrace you. Difficulties and encumbrances cannot be more powerful than your capacity to solve them. You are the children of the great Cosmic Entity. Be a Sadvipra and make others sadvipras also." (1)
Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 6, The Future of Civilization
== Section 3: Links ==
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