Baba
How to heighten spiritual potential
Namaskar,
When a person (a) practices sadhana sincerely with a pointed mind, (b) is regular and strictly following all the dos and don'ts, conduct rules, and asanas, and (c) is graced with bhakti for Parama Purusa, then certainly that sadhaka's personality gets wholly transformed. All those great people in the past, with their love for Parama Purusa, understood the feeling of suffering humanity; their love was not limited to a particular tribe, or community, or color, or race. Those extraordinary human qualities are just the expression of spiritual potentialities in the life of a sadhaka. Those devoid of true spiritual feeling do not have this.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Spiritual development enables one to help others
If a person is physically sick, they are quite limited in what they can do. Their body is weak, and they will not be able to perform their own designated duties, let alone help others. Similarly, if a person is psychically ill and suffering from depression etc, that person will not be in position to help and serve others. In both the physical and mental spheres, one needs energy and strength to reach their potential and serve society.
That is why in their selfish way, big corporations try to tend to the physical and mental well-being of their employees. This is done to maximise their productivity and output. When people are physically and psychically well, they are more effective in their job. They can reach their potential.
This theorem applies in the spiritual realm as well. If a person is spiritually developed they can overcome all kinds of difficulties, and they will be able to help and guide others in all the realms of life. They understand another's pain and can solve their problems. That is what is meant by gaining spiritual strength and utilising one's spiritual potential. Having spiritual potentialities does not mean doing all kinds of tricks like fake yogis and magicians who make gold watches appear and disappear etc. Those types of avidya tantric pursuits have nothing to do with fulfilling one's spiritual potential.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Sadhakas ready to serve using spiritual potentialities
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "You will have to provide a soothing touch to the physical, physico-psychic and psycho-physical spheres of life, otherwise human existence will become meaningless...We will have to locate the source of these troubles...we will be removing the miseries...permanently remove those afflictions, which will rectify the sources of troubles in the proper way. (1)
According to the above teaching, when one has bhakti then they can understand others' pain and difficulties and they are able to help and serve them. This is the proper explanation of Ananda Sutram, Sutra 5-14. Because it is about spiritual potentialities.
Sutra 5-14: Vyast'isamas't'isha'riirama'nasa'dhya'tmikasambha'vana'ya'm' caramo' payogashca
Ananda Sutram states, "There should be maximum utilization of the physical, metaphysical, and spiritual potentialities of unit and collective bodies of human society." (2)
So the above sutra is about developing bhakti wherein they have sincere concern for all. And each and every margii has such feelings, to varying degrees. Numerous margiis were meat-eaters before getting diiksa, but after doing sadhana they developed genuine feeling for the well-being of animals. And not only that, more subtle faculties developed, and they naturally cultivated love for all. Now, day and night, they are busy serving others. They do not feel that their own problem is any problem. Rather, just they are busy relieving others' suffering. This happens only due to sincerity and bhakti. Their spiritual potentialities developed and that changed their entire behavior.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
If a person does not have that feeling in their dealing and behavior, it demonstrates they could not develop genuine love of Parama Purusa. Instead they engaged in self-propaganda, self-prestige, and other worldly longings etc. In that unfortunate circumstance none can say that Ananda Marga sadhana has some demerits, rather such persons could not practice or follow those spiritual teachings.
So the above Sutra 5-14 on Prout is about utilising one’s spiritual potentialities. According to Prout, those who are elevated spiritually will have to render service to the society by using their spiritual potentialities.
Those spiritually strong will render spiritual service
Here is an English summary from the original Hindi teaching from Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4:
I have told in the Prout philosophy we will take spiritual service for the society from those who have spiritual strength. Such sadhakas who sit in Himalayan caves doing penance but do not teach anybody or guide anybody - that will not be approved. They will have to serve. They will have to do spiritual service. To them I do not say pull a rickshaw, but if they do not do spiritual service, and if they just sit in Himalayan caves and do not come in contact with the world, and instead proclaim that the world is illusion, yet at the same time they go on eating fruits and roots and accept such service from other human beings of this world - these things will not continue any longer. That has been going on for a long time, but it will not continue any longer; those days are over. (English summary) (3)
They will have to do spiritual service by teaching sadhana, lecturing about spiritual life and sadhana, inspiring others, conducting sadhana shivir programs, conversing with others about God, doing pracara, and encouraging and bringing others onto the path of Ananda Marga sadhana etc
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conduct is the main thing
By their conduct we can see one's character because a person’s conduct is the mirror of the mind. By that way we can see who is who etc. Here the point is that those who do sadhana will have more refined conduct. Whereas if someone's conduct shows tendencies towards narrow-mindedness, groupism, and mean propensities then we have to think and understand that that person is not doing proper sadhana. So on the basis of one's conduct we can see who is a genuine sadhakas and who is not, i.e. how far someone is pointed and committed to Ananda Marga ideology and to what degree that is reflected in their conduct. Conduct is the main distinguishing factor in understanding who is who and what is what.
Conclusion
When one is an advanced sadhaka and ensconced in the feeling of neo-humanism they can serve the entire humanity - otherwise not. Then only will one have true love for all. Here we are not talking about the expression of superficial love which is limited and narrow: such as when one is loving their own children but hating other children; or when one is dying for one's own race, country, or community but exploiting other countries etc; or when one is eulogizing their own superiority and belittling others' good things.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
There are many so-called good people in the society who have done many things for their personal family, caste, colour, or religion. And there are various so-called monks who have completely dedicated themselves to a particular race and encouraged hatred with other races. They don't hesitate even to engage in mass murder. That is all part of the religious history. No doubt in their own particular, narrow community they may be treated as something great, but in truth they are low because they do not have universal feeling. Their "love" is based on selfishness. They did such service works for spreading their own religion and for their own view or narrow cause, not out of any greater feeling of universal compassion.
The central idea is that when one does true sadhana the mind will expand, and one will have spiritual strength. Those sadhakas will have love for everyone. And they will be able to understand others' pain. And that is what is meant by sutra 5-14. Otherwise, by doing some avidya tantric practices, one gets some type of avidya’ powers and that only brings their degeneration.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Jaideva
~ In-depth study ~
Misuse of occult powers brings ruination
In Prabhat Samgiita #3333 reveals what happens to those who long for occult powers: "- Aes't'ashvaryya tumi cha'r'a'... kare viveka-ha'ra' -"
Purport: O' Parama Purusa only You utilise the occult powers in proper way; whereas all those others who use them destroy their conscience. Means they start doing all kinds of negative things. In trying to show their occult powers they end up destroying and killing others and they themselves will be invite negative samskaras such that they will be degenerated into stone, wood or mud. So what to say about serving others, rather those lusting after occult powers destroy themselves.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Using spiritual potentialities
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "You will surely attain spiritual progress. And because of your spiritual progress, you will come closer and closer to the Supreme Consciousness, you will come in contact with His psychic waves. And in that state you will be able to render still better service to human beings, animals and plants, by means of Neo-Humanism. May you all be blessed." (4)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Sádhaná or intuitional practice means an effort to break through the barrier of this smallness." (5)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "The unit beings that have been in possession of the Cosmic Mind in part and that have been progressing within It, are also conscious of their smallness and this very sense of smallness is their individuality – unit-hood. Sádhaná or intuitional practice means an effort to break through the barrier of this smallness." (6)
Ananda Marga ideology says, "How can one shake off the influence of static inertness? How can one get freedom from the bondages of names and forms? Just as the goldsmith uses a hammer and process of melting (in fire) to extract the real gold from the various ornaments, similarly a practical spiritual aspirant will have to break the bondages of names and forms in this expressed world through the cultivation of knowledge (which is mutative), devotion (which is sentient). By virtue of the heat of the fire of sádhaná and the strength derived from sustained intuitional practice, a sádhaka can overcome the static inertness." (7)
Naturally spiritual strengths develop
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Most psychic diseases, if not all, grow out of the defective control over the objectivated mind. If one is alert, any trouble can be avoided. Those who regularly practise Iishvara prańidhána or dhyána (meditation) can remain free from these diseases, as their minds will remain in a balanced state. One of the numerous benefits of sádhaná is that it keeps the mind free from psychic disease and encourages the natural growth of the mind. This is of tremendous importance since such problems may arise not only in individual life, but in collective life as well. Individual human beings as well as large communities often suffer from some sort of psychic disease. A subjugated people suffer from an inferiority complex towards the sovereign elite, the ruling class. When India was a dependent colony, many Indians used to describe the members of the ruling community as God's children, obviously due to their deep-rooted inferiority complex. Most of them wondered: “Will India ever see the light of freedom? When will we ever win the struggle against the ruling class?” This shows that the entire indigenous community was a victim of inferiority complex, the removal of which would require a group of leaders endowed with enormous mental strength and noble character – a group of mighty personalities. India at that time was not fortunate enough to have such great people, and that is why the struggle for Indian freedom had to be prolonged. Otherwise, India could have gained freedom in a much shorter time." (8)
Everlasting freedom achieved only by sadhana
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "One thing which helps in getting remission, or nivrtti, is called artha [that which provides temporary liberation from mundane desires]. But artha is purely physical, so it can bring only physical and temporary remission. For everlasting freedom from duhkha, Paramártha [that which provides permanent liberation] is the only remedy. Paramártha does not bring only temporary remission, but everlasting freedom from duhkha. Atyantikii nivrtti can be obtained only by Paramártha which relieves one of all duhkha: physical, mental and spiritual. This Paramártha can only be obtained by sadhana, that is, spiritual practices. For maintaining peace psychic equilibrium is necessary, and for maintaining this equilibrium freedom from all duhkha forever is necessary. Freedom from duhkha or atyantikii nivrtti can be obtained only from Paramártha, and Paramártha can be achieved only by sadhana, or spiritual practices." (9)
Intuitional practice helps one overcome
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The attraction towards earthly things born out of lust (káma) and attachment (moha) makes conjugal relations a necessity. Intuitional practice helps one to overcome this need. One becomes indifferent to it." (10)
Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, "A sadhaka, in order to attain spiritual progress, require the help of Vidyámáyá, but at the culminating stage of sádhaná, Vidyámáya has no further value. A sádhaka performs sádhaná to tear away the veil of darkness of the variegated world created by Avidyámáyá and to strive to established himself on the path of pratisaincara." (11)
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The endeavour to remove inferiority complexes from the mind leads human beings slowly but surely to the Supreme Entity and establishes them in universal humanism. Hence it will not do for those who are determined to solve the problems of humanity to accept inferior ideals; along with this they must also acquire the strength they need to implement their ideals. The active endeavour to acquire this strength is called sádhaná – the sádhaná of the Supreme. It should be borne in mind that no theory will ever bring people salvation. In fact, it is the inner strength gained from spiritual practices which helps to expand the individual mind. The tremendous force acquired from spiritual practices helps to bridge the gap between the harsh realities of human existence and the supreme desideratum of human life. This is an eternal truth, applicable to all spheres of life – social, economic, psychic and spiritual." (12)
By sadhana free yourself from ignorance
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "“The jiiva and Shiva are the same” – this idea helps the jiiva to become one with Shiva. And “We are different; we are two entities” – this idea compels the jiiva to move round that Supreme Hub. What is your sádhaná? By sádhaná you are to free yourself from this ignorance, from the slumber of ignorance." (13)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Those who have tasted even a little of the flowing nectar of Brahma, know that they can never be impure. This constant thought of self-purity greatly helps to exhaust their samskáras or reactive momenta, as a result of which the samskáras held in the sthirabhúmi of their práńa are gradually destroyed. With the help of sádhaná or spiritual practice the spell of pleasurable and painful requitals ceases both internally and externally. Sádhakas call it the combustion of the seed of action in the fire of sádhaná." (14)
References
1. Neo-Humanism Nutshell - 2, Spirituality and This Panoramic Universe
2. Ananda Sutram, 5-14
3. Summary in English of Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, Hindi
4. Neo-Humanism Nutshell - 2, Spirituality and This Panoramic Universe
5. Subhasita Samgraha - 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 4
6. Subhasita Samgraha - 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 4
7. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 7, Form and Formless
8. A Few Problems Solved - 7, The Faculty of Knowledge – 3
9. A Few Problems Solved - 7, Social Psychology
10. Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
11. Ananda Marga Philosophy - 4, The Influence of Máyá on the Human Mind
12. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
13. Subhasita Samgraha - 24, The Noumenal Progenitor
14. Ananda marga Ideology & Way of Life - 5, The Chariot and the Charioteer
* * *
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 ==
Which guideline to follow
Yuktiyuktamupádeyaḿ vacanaḿ bálakádapi;
Anyaḿ trńamiva tyájyamapyuktaḿ Padmajanmanáh.
Kevalaḿ shástramáshrityaḿ na karttavyo vinirńayah;
Yuktihiina vicáre tu dharmahánih prajáyate.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “If a child says something rational, it should be accepted, and if the Supreme Creator says something irrational, it should be totally rejected. It is undesirable to accept something just because it is written in the scriptures, because if irrational sayings are accepted and implemented, the decline of dharma will be the result.” (1)
Reference
1. Human Society - 1, Moralism
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Prout philosophy says, "In the subtle economic sense, the value of wealth is the real wealth. Wealth, if not properly defined, may mean only riches. But the value of wealth is to be measured in terms of its capacity to purchase commodities. That is, the purchasing capacity of wealth is its real value. This real value of wealth has not yet been properly understood in numerical terms by economists." (1)
Commonly in society - especially when dealing with laborers - people demand a certain wage. They think that that wage or salary defines their wealth. When in actuality, the value of that wage is only relative to the cost of living / purchasing capacity. For instance, if a person was making $5 per hour and they got a pay raise to $7 per hour, but the cost of living (food, housing, medicine etc) doubled, then that pay raise is meaningless. Because their purchasing capacity actually decreased. That is why Prout philosophy states that real wealth is determined by one’s ability to afford the requirements of life. That is one’s purchasing capacity. And if one’s purchasing capacity increases then that has value. Because it means they can buy more with the money they have. Whereas if one’s wage or salary increases but their purchasing capacity remains the same or decreases, then that pay raise is meaningless.
Reference
1. Proutist Economics, Questions and Answers on Economics – Excerpt B
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
अन्धेरे में डूबे रहने के बाद अब ,आशा की किरण आई है।
प्रभात सङ्गीत 4699 :तमसार परे आशार आलोक
भावार्थ
लम्बे समय से अन्धेरे में डूबे रहने के बाद अब ,आशा की किरण आई है। पूर्व दिशा के आकाश में गुलाबी रङ्ग लिए सुबह चली आ रही है। धरती पर रङ्ग बिखेरता हुआ सबेरा हो चुका है। हे मनुष्यो ! भौतिक तथा मानसिक संसार की मानवता तुम्हें पुकार रही है । जाग जाओ ! अब और अधिक सोते रहने का समय नहीं है।
नव्य-मानवतावाद के इस युग में,अब कोई भी दबा कुचला नहीं रहेगा। निराशा या हताशा के कारण किसी को दुखी नहीं होना पड़ेगा। अनादर से किसी को भी धूल में नहीं लोटना पड़ेगा। सभी लोग अनुभव करेंगे कि उनके जीवन का भी महत्त्व है। समाज में भावजड़ता और अन्याय के दाग बिलकुल नहीं रहेंगे। घना अन्धेरा छटता जा रहा है और सबेरे की लालिमा दिखाई देने लगी है।
अपनी ताकत के प्रभाव से डराकर, अन्धेरे में रहनेवाले उल्लुओं और राक्षसों को भगा दो। अब निराशा और हताशा में डूबे रहने का कोई कारण नहीं है। सबसे अधिक पास रहने वाले और सबसे अधिक प्रिय परमपुरुष “बाबा” आ गए हैं। उनके दिव्य आशीष से हमें सबकी सेवा करना है और उन्हीं की कृपा से हमें आगे बढ़ते जाना है।
References
1. Sadguru Baba says (in GD, Delhi, 26 Feb 1984) that when writing a Prabhat Samgiita purport then very simple words should be used so that the common mass may understand. The above Hindu purport has been written according to that guideline.
== Section: Ananda Vanii ==
Expansive exaltation of human society
Original Ananda Vanii states: “Clouds cannot overcast the sun for a long time. The creatures of darkness never want the expansive exaltation of human society. Even then, human beings shall march ahead. No one can arrest the speed of their progress. You must be the harbingers, you must be the pioneers of this victorious march. See that not a single individual lags behind.” (Ananda Vanii #36)
Note: Sadguru Baba has assigned a number to all His original and true Ananda Vaniis. In contrast, Fake Ananda Vaniis do not have any number. By this simple formula, one can easily recognise which is a true Ananda Vanii and which is fake. For the upcoming occasion of January 1st 2017, all Ananda Marga units should use one of Baba’s original and true Ananda Vaniis, not a fake one. By this way, one will surely get His blessing.
== Section 3: Links ==
