Baba
Guru’s special blessing
Namaskar,
This letter examines Sadguru Baba's diverse and psychological manner in guiding sadhakas and non-sadhakas along the path of welfare.
Why He speaks more directly to A'nanda Ma'rgiis
Baba would speak more directly to bhaktas than others. The closer one was to Him, the more directly He would speak. For instance, to the general populace, Baba would cite Buddha's teaching about "Cakuna samvaro sadhu" in order to indirectly warn people about the ill effects of misusing their indriyas (external organs). From this, people were to infer that Baba was talking about keeping restraint over the motor and sensory organs, such as not eating bad food etc. And many simply took it as a general guideline about refining their conduct. In that circumstance, Baba was speaking very indirectly and people may or may not have understood His exact intention.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Whereas to Ananda Margiis, Sadguru Baba would outrightly say, “Refrain from eating meat”, or “Do not eat any tamasik food.” There was zero scope for misunderstanding. Baba would use explicit, direct language because Ananda Margiis are closer to Him. He knew they would not run away in the face of His loving scolding. So Baba had more freedom to express Himself. The idea being that where there is more love, one can speak in a more forthright and forceful manner. There is a great benefit to this as well. In a shorter span of time Baba could give more teachings, and we could learn from Him more quickly, by His grace.
So there is great value in direct speech, but Baba could not use this with all. Language is based on the closeness of heart.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (1)
Degrees of closeness amongst His disciples
Even within Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha, amongst His disciples, Baba would employ degrees of directness. With margiis or dadas with whom Baba was closer, either due to their sadhana or His divine grace, He would be even more direct. To one sadhaka who ate on a fasting day, Baba might lovingly punish, strongly scold, or kindly embarrass them in front or all. By this way, Baba would swiftly rectify that bhakta’s conduct. And all those present would also get the teaching to be very strict in fasting. This direct approach is very efficient and effective. Yet to another sadhaka or Dada who was less close, Baba might say, "So I understand you like chocolate." And, by this way, the sadhaka would know that Baba was aware that he ate a piece of chocolate on ekadashii."
So it all depends on the degree of closeness. Those who were more close would receive His blessing in the form of more direct communication and scolding. It is just like how parents do not chastise or scold all the children of the village or community, but certainly they will rebuke and scold their own kids when they do wrong. Because those parents feel very close with their own children.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
And the benefit is that those whom you scold rectify their behaviour more quickly and refine their behaviour. Scolding creates pressure to change quickly. Naturally, parents want their own kids to change and rectify their bad behaviour quickly. Those parents do not feel that same urgency with their neighbors' children; so they do not scold them. And again, this is all dependent upon the degree of closeness, love, and affection one has.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (2)
What happens when Mr X & Mr Y skip their asanas & sadhana
Here is another way to look at the situation:
(1a) If Mr. X loves Baba very much then Baba has greater scope to scold him.
(1b) So if Mr. X skips his asanas and sadhana then due to that closeness Baba will strongly rebuke Mr. X before all. By this way, Mr. X will be greatly benefited as he will have to rectify his behaviour very swiftly.
(2a) If Mr. Y feels somewhat distant from Baba then Baba does not have as much opportunity to scold Mr Y. Rather Baba will address and talk with Mr Y in a very polite manner.
(2b) So if Mr. Y was also neglectful in asanas and sadhana, then Baba would not directly rebuke or scold Mr. Y. Rather Baba might say, “I hear that some are not doing their asanas and sadhana. Better they should do their practices.” By this way, Mr. Y will understand Baba’s point, but Mr. Y will not feel pressured to quickly rectify his own behaviour.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
When Sadguru Baba is communicating with someone very directly then you can understand that that person has a greater degree of love for Him. And, in response, Baba has to love a little more than that. If Sadguru Baba is dealing with someone indirectly then you can understand that that person has less love for Him. That is why Baba is more discreet in His approach.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (3)
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, it was all His liila, Baba loves all, and everything He does and says is filled with His sweet grace and divine compassion. Yet there are some whom He can communicate with more directly than others. Those who have more bhakti and feel closer to Him receive His direct teaching. While those who are less close get His guideline in a more general manner, not by His loving scolding or direct address. And this is still going on today. Those who feel close to Him and have more bhakti will receive His direct communication, as opposed to the more general or theoretical approach.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Namaskar,
In Him,
Manjari
~ In-depth study ~
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Nigrahánugrahe shakto gururityabhidhiiyate. One who loves very much, who loves with all their heart, but who meets out strict punishment when he sees impropriety or mindless action, is the true guru.” (4)
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (5)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “You must try to arouse the seed of benevolence that lies hidden in the inner recesses of the human mind. How can this seed be aroused? Human beings will have to apply all sorts of measures – persuasion, scolding etc.; and at the same time you will have to continue your efforts so that the dormant seeds of psychic potentialities express themselves. And with their expression, the whole society will be benefited. Today human beings must be inspired and motivated, and thus discipline is essential. To impose discipline is not bad. It has been said in the scriptures: Hitarthe shásanam ityarthe anushásanam. “That discipline which leads to the welfare of all human beings is called anushásanam.” Society requires enforced discipline. In the scriptures it is also said: Nigrahánugrahe shakto gururityabhidhiyate: “One who is capable of punishing or rewarding one’s followers is called a Guru, a true teacher”. Only one who can discipline as well as love a person, can be called a Guru.”
“One who only punishes a person is not a Guru, and one who only loves is also not a Guru. Rather he or she is an enemy, for excessive love and affection spoils a person. Only one who does both these things is a real Guru. That is why people should be trained with both love and punishment. Where love fails, punishment helps. Medicine is not necessarily always sweet; sometimes bitter medicines are necessary as well. Patients often refuse to swallow bitter medicines; they cry in protest. But the ideal physician will force the patient to swallow the medicine. This is the proper way.”
“Today the entire body of the human society is riddled with numerous ailments of dogmas – as if the whole social body were stricken with leprosy. Under these circumstances humanity will have to undergo the necessary treatment and then move forward.” (6)
References
1. Ananda Marga Caryácarya Part 2, Society, Point #39C
2. Ananda Marga Caryácarya Part 2, Society, Point #39C
3. Ananda Marga Caryácarya Part 2, Society, Point #39C
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 9, The Primary Causes of Success
5. Ananda Marga Caryácarya Part 2, Society, Point #39C
6. A Few Problems Solved - 5, Shrávańii Púrńimá
* * *
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 ==
Right balance in life
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The common people, let alone the master artists, know that sound is not emitted if the strings are loosened too much and the soft and delicate strings snap if they are tightened too much. Human life is also like this. If one practises too much austerity (in some cases, if one makes a parade of austerity), tender human sensitivities snap and break into smithereens’ the soft, delicate parts of the mind get charred and petrified. On the other hand, if life is made akin to a loose string, the nobler yearnings of life will never be fulfilled. In other words, that kind of life degenerates into the life of an animal characterized only by bathing, eating and sleeping. Hence one must never allow the string of life to be loose. But also the string of life should not be left to snap due to excessive strain. The ideal course of life is neither left-oriented nor right-oriented. This kind of life will be conspicuous by the absence of strife, mayhem or horror of the leftists and of toleration of injustices by the rightists in their loose, careless and sloppy life. It is this ideal course that will usher in a life worth yearning for a super-human existence, divinely exquisite and shining brightly on the banner of gold.” (1)
Reference:
(1) Saḿgiita: Song, Dance and Instrumental Music, Invention of Various Musical Instruments
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Prout philosophy states, “The aspiration to become rich by exploiting others is always a kind of psychic ailment. Capitalists argue, “We amass wealth through our intellect and labour. Let others also amass wealth in the same way if they have the intellect or capacity to work. Who will stop them?” They do not want to accept that the number of consumable commodities in the world is limited, but all need their basic necessities. If one person is rolling in wealth this will generally mean that others will be deprived of even their minimum requirements. The failure to recognize the needs of others is itself a disease. But the victims of this ailment are also our brothers and sisters, members of the same human family. Either through human appeals or circumstantial pressure, these people must be cured of their psychic ailment. In order to do this we will have to channelize their obsession with material wealth in a mental and spiritual direction. At the same time as people’s physical hunger and thirst are being satisfied, everyone should be freely taught scientific processes to fulfil their psych[o-spiritual] longings.” (Prout in a Nutshell - 5, The Responsibility of Society)
Note: Here above Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar is pointing out the psychic defect of capitalists. Those capitalists amass a huge amount of material wealth by exploiting others. And they justify their haul by inviting everyone else to do the same. Yet, the materials object of this world are finite. So their justification has no merit. It is not possible for each and every person to accumulate a huge amount of wealth, i.e. far more than they need. Ultimately these capitalists exploiters have to be cured of their mental disease. The solution is to divert the minds away from material wealth and towards the psycho and spiritual realms.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
This cannot be ignored
Prout philosophy states, “Everywhere in the manifested or unmanifested universe there is a ceaseless fight going on between Vidyá and Avidyá. For running a government we require strong military and police forces, for in society there is also the fight between Vidyá and Avidyá. Even within one’s self such a fight will continue. Those countries which cry for disarmament are also preparing within for war. Even after the establishment of a universal government we will require military and police forces for maintaining peace.” (1)
Reference
1. Talks on Prout
== Section 3: Links ==
