Search This Blog

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Important AM theorem misunderstood + 3 more

Baba
Important AM theorem misunderstood

Namaskar, 

Baba’s grand tenet of “subject approach through objective adjustment” is a unique and revolutionary teaching, but is sadly often misunderstood - and in some cases even misused. First let’s gain a clearer understanding of this guideline and then investigate how it is being misapplied by some nowadays. 

(A) Subjective approach means that the purpose of life is for realising Parama Purusa. That is the chief and only aim: attaining Him. To that end, all one’s thoughts and works throughout the day are for the sole intention of spiritual advancement. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

(B) Objective adjustment means that all one does in the mundane world should be in support of one’s subjective approach. For instance, the food one takes should be 100% sentient as that will aid one on the path of sadhana; it will help one progress along the path of supreme subjectivity. Taking rajasik, and especially tamasik food, will derail one’s movement on the path of God realisation. 

(C) The main equation is that one’s objective adjustment should increase one’s speed along the path of subjective approach. It should make one’s journey faster towards the Supreme Entity. That is the proper application of objective adjustment as it leads to one’s final liberation. 

(D) In contrast, if one’s objective adjustment decreases or retards one’s speed along the path of subjective approach, then one is involved in negative pratisaincara. That is slowing down one’s journey towards the Cosmic Entity, i.e. going in reverse gear. If one is smoking, stealing, engrossed in sensual lust etc, then that will hamper one’s progress. That is not objective adjustment, rather it is gross indulgence.  

(E) One’s adjustment with the world should always be aligned with the Supreme Goal and make the journey faster unto Him. One’s objective adjustment should never undermine one’s movement on the path of subjective approach, i.e. realising Him. 


A few case examples

The following case examples are given with the idea in mind that one’s worldly dealings should reflect proper objective adjustment, i.e. actions that hasten one’s journey towards the Supreme. 
  • If someone engages in pornography then that is not objective adjustment as it degrades the mind and pushes one farther from the goal, i.e. the Cosmic Entity.
  • If one resorts to drinking alcohol and opens a wine shop then that is not objective adjustment as this crude intoxication and sinful earning retards one’s movement on the path of supreme subjectivity. 
  • If one falls into the rut of cronyism or groupism then those dealings are not in concert with objective adjustment as those factional activities divert one away from the Supreme Entity, Parama Purusa. 
  • If one chases after name and fame then that way of living cannot be called objective adjustment as those selfish and small-minded pursuits undermine one’s ability to go close to Taraka Brahma, rather one drifts endlessly away from Him. 

An action only comes within the umbrella of objective adjustment when it hastens one’s journey unto Him. Doing longer sadhana, following Sixteen Points, serving others, preaching the ideology, and engaging in all sorts of pure, selfless, and virtuous deeds are all within the scope of objective adjustment as they lead one closer to the Supreme Entity.  

How it is misunderstood or misused nowadays

Nowadays, those who fail to abide by the tenet of subjective approach vs objective adjustment fall in one of two categories: 

(#1) Genuinely confused: These naive people simply do not understand Baba’s teaching of “subjective approach through objective adjustment.” Instead of ensuring that their day to day dealings are in concert with and accelerate their journey on the path of supreme subjectivity, they get lost in the mire of the prevailing mundane values etc. For instance, if they go to a relative’s house during the holidays then in the name of objective adjustment they may eat onion and garlic, or partake in the feast while those around them eat turkey etc. Or if one is busy and time is short, then in the name of objective adjustment the first elements one cuts from their routine are sadhana and asanas. Such persons are not well established on the path of Sixteen Points and spirituality. Rather they are just half-sadhakas or half-margiis. They compromise on points of dharma at every turn, naively thinking that that is what is meant by objective adjustment. Due to their naivete and misunderstanding they fall far from the path, sadly enough. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

(#2) Conniving mentality: These persons are cunning to the bone. They know the difference between right and wrong; and, they understand the spirit of “subjective approach through objective adjustment”. But, to satisfy their lustful, greedy desires, they plunge themselves into gross sensuality and materialism, and then cunningly justify that they are only doing this because of “objective adjustment”. A classic example of this is those avadhutas who gossip with, hug, tease, and massage etc members of the opposite sex and then openly proclaim that they are only doing this to “adjust” with the local culture. With their tall talks and haughty demeanor, they befool others in the name of “subjective approach through objective adjustment”. In their heart of hearts they know what they are doing is not objective adjustment, but using their guile and wily manner, they preach their bogus philosophy so they can continue to indulge in their degraded way of life. 


Conclusion

Sadguru Baba’s dharmic teaching of “subjective approach through objective adjustment” is the ideal method for leading spiritual life. In the past, seekers were never given the right guidance of how to live on this earth as a sadhaka. And in the end, they fell victim to various dogmas or harmful ways. Whereas, the teachings of Ananda Marga shine a bright light and present the exact way to proceed along the path of supreme fulfillment. First and foremost, there must never be any compromise on spiritual values; that is what is meant by subjective approach. Secondly, those actions are consistent with objective adjustment if they hasten one’s journey towards the final goal, Parama Purusa. With this perfect formula of “subjective approach through objective adjustment”, one is sure to be successful, by His grace.

In Him,
Vibhuti

~ In-depth study ~

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “You are all human beings. You are all dignified human beings. Forget all fissiparous tendencies that sometimes function within human mind. Remember, you are the loving children of the Parama Puruśa, and your goal is the Parama Puruśa. Your goal is the Supreme Entity. Yours is a subjective approach through objective adjustment. Your movement is towards the Supreme Entity. But while moving towards the Supreme Entity, you are to do all your worldly duties in social, economic and all other spheres. That is, your hands should be engaged in worldly duties, and your mind moving towards the Supreme Entity.” (1)


Harmful ways of the past => Why phrase came into existence

Although the aspect of subjective approach was embraced by certain eastern religions, their overall method was filled with dogma as they ignored the world. This is best evidenced by Shankaracarya’s dogmatic teaching of maya vada, or illusion theory. Those followers did not accept the world as something real. And, in result, they were completely impractical, and instead of advancing along the path of spirituality they ended up harming themselves. For instance, they would stand on one leg in the freezing, cold water all night long in hopes of gaining virtue. But during that time of torture in torment, they did not think about the Supreme, just their were focused on their own pain and suffering. And when they emerged from their water in the morning their nerves and muscles were harmed. Nothing was gained; there was only loss.  
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

References
1. A Few Problems Solved Part 4, Subjective Approach through Objective Adjustment


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Take the fast track

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Suppose you have incurred a loan of a thousand rupees. If you repay the loan in monthly instalments of one rupee it will take you a thousand months to clear the loan. One rupee being such a small amount, this will hardly cause any suffering at all. But if you want to free yourself from the debt quickly, you will have to pay a larger amount every month, which will obviously cause more suffering. Likewise, if one does not feel the need to be freed of one’s reactive momenta quickly, one can undergo less affliction, but then one may have to wait ten or twenty lives to exhaust all the reactive momenta. Moreover, within those ten or twenty lives one will probably undergo psychic degeneration, and due to one’s mean actions imbibe new reactive momenta.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 8, Sádhaná




Labels: ,

Story: loss of spiritual flow + 2 more

Baba
Story: loss of spiritual flow

Namaskar,

It was the beginning of 1960, and Baba told me to go out and do pracara. So I went to one village in Monghyr district and organised a tattva sabha (small spiritual meeting). Taking Baba's name, I gave a talk on Ananda Marga philosophy. Thereafter, by His grace, many persons became inspired and 20 people took initiation.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Confronted by angry person

After that, one person approached me, and he was extremely angry. I came to know that he was a disciple of another guru, and he was furious because some of that guru's followers from the village had just taken Ananda Marga initiation after my talk.

The person exclaimed, "Do not teach meditation to disciples of my guru."

I quietly told him, "I do not know who is a disciple of whom. I did not ask anybody anything about that. I simply taught those who expressed interest and requested me to teach them Ananda Marga meditation."

He then challenged me, "If you show your power then you can teach meditation here, otherwise leave this village immediately!"

I explained, "Spiritual power is not to be displayed or exhibited." But then I thought I should try to convince this person, otherwise his mandate will completely hinder and negate my pracara efforts in this area.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


My misuse of powers

I told him, "Okay, come and sit by me."

I took Baba's name and put my right hand on his head and told him to concentrate. I closed my eyes. He sat there and tried to meditate. He was quiet for some time and then after about 20 minutes he opened his eyes and grabbed my feet.

He exclaimed, "I realised what I wanted! I have been following my guru for the last 12 years, and he did not give me anything. But today I got everything I wanted." 

I could see that he was very inspired and thankful. He was now supporting me.

After that experience, when I sat for sadhana, I felt extremely distracted. Sadhana was suddenly very difficult for me. My mind was wandering here and there - it was impossible to concentrate. And the absolute worst part was that I felt no attraction for Parama Purusa. Earlier, whenever I would sit for sadhana, I would immediately feel a strong spiritual pull towards Him, by His grace. But now that was gone. I was feeling quite lost and alone, completely frustrated and despondent.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Baba is unhappy with me

In that utterly desperate state, I reached Jamalpur.

As soon as I was called to see Him, Baba scolded me, "Whatever sadhana you had you destroyed, and now you have become a beggar. Why did you do this?"

I understood immediately that this was all because of displaying my sadhana power.

Seeing Baba's disappointment, I was full of remorse. I accepted my mistake and requested Baba, "Forgive me. I will never do such things again."

Then Baba graciously blessed me, and my sadhana came back to its normal flow. I never did such a type of display again.

From all this, I got the lesson that every Ananda Margii has sadhana begotten powers, whether they know it or not. But that shakti (energy) is for our spiritual growth and development. It is part of our inner journey towards Him, and not to be used for any showy, external display.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Reflection I: clutch of avidya maya

By the above story, as told by Ac B, it is clear that Sadguru, Baba watches over us always and keeps us safe. He does not want our sadhana begotten powers to be used as that will plunge us onto the path of degradation.

It is just like if a small child is playing in the kitchen, then the parents will keep a strict watch to ensure their child remains safe and out of harm's way. Similarly, Baba watches over all His children to ensure they do not fall from the path by using their sadhana powers.

To use such powers is nothing but to fall into the fateful clutch of maya. Indeed, maya wants you to misuse your powers and remain in her clutch. The allurement to use such powers comes exclusively from her, i.e. avidya maya. This Baba has described in His book, Elementary Philosophy.

You may have heard that avidya tantrikas practice for only a few days to get certain siddhis. But for Ananda Margiis, even after years of practice, we often do not perceive that we have power because Baba keeps those powers under lock and key. He does not want His disciples to misuse them and thereby destroy their spiritual future. Baba wants us to advance ahead and reach the goal, whereas displaying such powers puts one in reverse gear.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Reflection II: your sadhana powers are hidden

In those Jamalpur years of the 1950's and early 1960's, many sadhakas got powers by doing sadhana. This was needed in order to show them that meditation is not just some useless or impotent endeavour. Baba wanted them to take sadhana seriously. And they developed powers that were tangibly and visibly perceptible to all.

But when they used their powers as a form of self-display etc, they brought harm unto themselves. So Baba graciously made the system that His disciples will not perceive their power - it will be hidden. Still this is the case today. This is Baba's special way of protecting us and keeping us moving toward our ultimate goal, Parama Purusa.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "People use the power that comes from sádhaná in order to win the admiration of others. The exhibition of one’s supernatural powers would make others extol, respect or even worship one. Others would look upon one as a great devotee (sádhaka). This is the only reason behind the display of one’s powers. A desire to command respect and devotion from others is only being entrapped by vanity (mána) and pride (mada) of avidyámáyá. The use of power for such objects is the pursuit of avidyámáyá, and the pursuit of avidyámáyá leads to degradation. Hence any use of supernatural power brings one under the control of avidyámáyá, which inevitably leads to a fall and to degradation." (1)

Namaskar,
in Him, 
Divyamshu

Note: Family Acarya B of Bihar had many personal experiences with Baba. Here above is Ac B's first-hand account of what happened when he went to one village and did Ananda Marga pracara.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Intuitional Practice and Its Necessity

Plagiary?

It is the accepted international standard and Baba's system not to copy another's work and publish it in your own way. Baba has given a very strict rule on plagiarism. Why is Baba against plagiarism or stealing someone's work? There are many reasons:

1) It is against the code of asteya (non-stealing).

2) Countless stories of bhaktas need to be published. But some do not want to do the hard work of compiling and writing these stories, so they just steal them from others. But new stories need to be told, otherwise so many unpublished stories of sadhakas will be lost and forgotten forever. So watch out for story thieves, and kindly help them not to steal by posting on social media in their own way. If you want to forward this story then attach the following yellow section with the story: 

“Courtesy of unknown bhakta via Ananda Marga Universal (https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/)”

This will be treated as the standard protocol.


*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Full of nectar & supreme love
 
"Shrávańii purńimár kathá, áj mane paŕe…”  (Prabhat Samgiita #4954)

Purport:

My Parama Purusa, today, the great tale of Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima' is coming in my mind, in my heart. My Bandhu, the memory of Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima' is floating in my mental plate. The glorious charm of that auspicious occasion is still fresh in my psychic temple when the grand play between staticity and divinity began. 

That time, the sweet, fragrant air was saturated with the aroma of the night jasmine flower. It was permeating the entire atmosphere, and the sky was enveloped by clouds. This yuthika' blossom was full of nectar and supreme love. A gentle, mild breeze was blowing and various creatures like frogs were happily singing the chorus with great joy. 

The grace of Supreme Consciousness acted upon the debased mind with the spiritual force of the ista mantra. On that very day of Shravanii Purnima, new sentient vibrations were created on this earth as the radiant effulgence pierced through the fog and the static darkness. The memory of that Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima' is still fresh in my mind, by Your grace. 

Baba, on this observance of Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima', I want only one thing from You - please bless me with parabhakti...


Note for Prabhat Samgiita #4954:

[1]  The first stanza poetically narrates how when Kaliicharanji was blessed by receiving initiation then he started repeating his Ista mantra, and with the incantative power of the mantra his sleeping divinity was aroused.


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Special point about dharmacakra

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The indomitable mental force aroused as a result of collective Iishvara-Pranidhana will help you in solving any problem small or big on this earth. It is for this reason that you should always have a zeal to attend the weekly Dharmacakra regularly.” (1)
 
Dharmacakra means ‘family of dharma’

Note 1: In His Encyclopedia – “Laghu Nirukta” – on page 191 Baba explains that one of the meanings of ‘cakra’ is family, society, collection, or body. Thus the real meaning of dharmacakra is ‘family of dharma’. Similarly, brahmacakra means ‘family of Brahma’. We all know that the family of creation is the entire family of Brahma.

Note 2: Baba is the Propounder of Ananda Marga philosophy, and in that philosophy He has used various Sanskrit terms. To clarify the meaning of those terms Baba has given His own grammar books and encyclopedias etc. So those who want to learn AM philosophy indepthly should study Baba’s teachings on grammar also, otherwise many concepts will remain beyond one’s grasp.

Reference
1. A Guide To Human Conduct, last page


== Section: Important Teaching ==

So easy to exploit when...

   Prout philosophy states, “The exploited people are not even aware that they are being exploited. This is why it is easy to exploit them in the social sphere, then create inferiority complexes in their minds to keep them under prolonged administrative domination and perpetuate the exploitation. This is easily done by the cunning exploiters. And the tragedy is that the exploited mass do not try to understand – they cannot understand, and they even refuse to understand – that they are victims of exploitation. So this is more dangerous.”
   “When the exploitation takes place in economic sphere directly, the people easily understand it, but when the exploitation is perpetrated in the socio-economic sphere or the psycho-economic sphere, the situation becomes complicated. In the case of exploitation is the socio-economic sphere, the people raise a little murmur against the social exploitation, but they fail to take note of the economic exploitation which is the final result of such socio-economic exploitation. And in the case of psychoeconomic exploitation, the people feel a little aggrieved because they are being suppressed from the psychic point of view, but they are not aware that the ultimate result is also economic exploitation.”
   “As regards the psychic sphere, I can say this – there can be numerous modes of exploitation in the psychic sphere, and to comprehend all these, the people must be more educated and more intelligent.” (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 18, Various Forms of Exploitation


Labels: , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

SUBJECTS TOPICS