Search This Blog

Saturday, August 10, 2024

Rakhii dogma undermines females + 3 more

Baba

Rakhii dogma undermines females

Namaskar,

Sadguru Baba's dharmic proclamation is "dogma no more, dogma no more." Thus when we see any dogma taking root in our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha then we must be vigilant to yank it out. And around this time some of our Didis make their plans for participating in the upcoming dogmatic Hindu ritual named raksha bandhan, or simply rakhi.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Yet this ritual radically undermines the status of females and reinforces male domination. It is completely against the dharmic codes of Ananda Marga ideology. So we must take swift steps to derail raksha bandhan dogma.


How the dogmatic raksha bandhan is observed


Many outside Delhi sector may not be familiar with the Hindu dogma of raksha bandhan. So here is a very brief description. Each year on or around the occasion of Shravanii Purnima, females tie a special string or bracelet - known as  a rakhi - around the wrist of a male they trust. By this way, such females are acknowledging their own weakness and requesting that particular male to protect and guard them.

Sadly, this annual dogmatic ritual reinforces the inferiority complex that females harbour. All know that in India the rights of females are limited - there is a long history of female exploitation and male domination. So a ritual like raksha bandhan, where females surrender to their male protectorate, only further undermines the status of women. Yet sadly, some Didis plan on participating in this dogma. They are selecting various Dadas with whom they wish to tie a rakhi. And apparently they have been doing this the last few years, so already this dogma is taking root. Yet, prior to 1990, no one dared do such a thing.

And verily, Baba's guideline is that everyone on this earth - male or female - should stand tall. And He delivers a staunch warning never to bow down at the altar of dogma and pseudo-culture like raksha bandhan.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "If one’s spine is shattered, it is impossible to hold one’s head erect. Can those whose necks and backs are crushed under the weight of pseudo-culture, be expected to hold their heads high in any sphere of life? Hence it is the bounden duty of every rational person to save innocent people from pseudo-culture." (1)


Organised female humiliation ritual


Yet, by participating in rakhi, year after year, innocent females are cementing the idea in their mind that they are unable to stand up for themselves. Females are surrendering to male superiority, and this begins at a very young age. This raksha bandhan ritual is the epitome of pseudo-culture - it is wholly irrational, illogical, and debilitating.

Our Didis are supposed to pave the pathway for smashing such cultural dogmas like raksha bandhan. But instead, they themselves are participating in this ceremony of female submission. This runs completely counter to the spirit of tantra and what it means to be a wholetimer Didi. Such Didis are literally ruining themselves and throwing society back into the stone ages by accepting this raksha bandhan ritual.

The raksha bandhan dogma violates our AM way of life entirely and crosses the line of humiliation and degradation. For any sister to senselessly surrender at the altar of male domination year after year does not amount to protecting and advancing the female cause. Rather it undermines the very stature of women.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

So raksha bandhan is a degrading and humiliating ritual. No one should think that it carries any spirit of welfare. Nor is it just one innocent gesture or cute game etc. Rather, it is a veritable poison for society.


Naive girls are duped

One part of the raksha dogma not mentioned above is that after the girl ties a rakhi on the male's wrist - and they may do this with many males - then those males give that girl a gift - in cash or kind. So some females think that, "This is great I will be getting some money." But the real result is that they are selling their soul and losing their humanity by subjecting themselves in this way. Doing this for money is not good.

Now is the time to step forward and end this dogma of raksha bandhan. And the first move is that our respected Didis must refrain from supporting and participating in this dogma. So we hope those didis who plan on participating in raksha bandhan this year reconsider their decision.

Lastly, this dogma is not a one-sided affair, no Wt Dada or margii brother should accept a rakhi from any Didi / sister - not under any circumstances.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


More points against the rakhi dogma


(a) Males are physically stronger, and females are inherently weaker on the physical plane. So we should not turn this natural disparity into a business relation whereby only if you tie a rakhi will males protect you. Rather males should always help and defend females because it is their duty.

(b) In Caryacarya, Sadguru Baba has enlisted the festivals that are celebrated in Ananda Marga. And raksha bandhan is not listed there. It is wrong to add this dogmatic affair of raksha bandhan to our dharmic and neo-humanistic selection of Ananda Marga festivals.

(c) By creating a women's militia, Sadguru Baba gave the silent message that females are not inferior or subservient. Yet raksha bandhan goes against this ethic and infuses the dogma that females are dependent upon males.


Dogma: "We women too weak to stand up for ourselves"

Some may naively question, "What is wrong with tying a rakhi - it is an innocent thing to do." But those who know better understand what a dangerous dogma this is. And to best understand it one must put themselves in their shoes. For instance, if you ask any male in India if they want to tie a rakhi around the wrist of a female and accept that female as their protectorate, they will balk at the offer. No male will subjugate themselves in this way. It would be absolutely humiliating - they would become the laughingstock of the town.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

So from afar it may look innocent, but if you ask someone else to do this they will not like to accept this lowly and demoralizing position. The message is basically, "We women are too weak to defend or stand up for ourselves, so we surrender to males for our protection and we bind ourselves to them by tying a rakhi. In the mundane plane we do not trust the women’s militia created by Baba. We think women are weak so those women's militias cannot protect us. Instead we are surrendering to our male counterparts to protect us. That is why we tied a raksha bandhan - thread of security - onto a male’s wrist." No rational person would accept such subjugation.

I would like to request the supporters of this dogma to open their eyes. Baba has given equal status to males and females. We should not allow anyone to impose this degrading mindset and belittling attitude upon our young girls.

Namaskar,
in Him,
Radhika’ Singh

~ In-depth study ~

Such didis should reconsider their plans

For this upcoming raksha bandhan certain didis once again have specific plans to submit themselves to male domination by participating in the raksha bandhan dogma. Already these below didis are involved in planning and identifying which brother(s) they will tie with rakhis. However their names have not been placed here below as they have ample scope to change their mind and rectify their dealing - i.e. not participate in this raksha bandhan or rakhi ritual.

(1) Avadhutika  …. Acarya
(2) Avadhutika  …. Acarya
(3) Avadhutika  …. Acarya
(4) Avadhutika  …. Acarya
(4) Avadhutika  …. Acarya
(5) Avadhutika  …. Acarya

And there are many more - and we will release their names if those other Didis fail to give up this ritualistic dogma.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Parents even call their daughters as "son"

To further understand the plight of females, some parents even call their daughters "beta" which means "son." They do this because the term for daughter - "beti" - has been so badly stigmatized. The term "beti" (daughter) itself has become lowly. Such is the inherent condition of females in India. Thus to support or participate in the Hindu dogma of raksha bandhan that perpetuates male domination is unacceptable. Rather staunch efforts must be made to empower women.

References
1. The Liberation of Intellect: Neohumanism, Disc: 7
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 17, Suppression, Repression and Oppression


*        *        *

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 ==

Mindset of atheist


Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Self-awareness develops through clash. The awareness that develops through physical clash is termed jadábuddhi [crude physical intellect] because it is associated with jadá [matter]. The consciousness of animals and undeveloped human beings is matter-oriented. But even in developed human society, if someone is an atheist or a materialist, we can only term their intellect as jadábuddhi. Such people deny the existence of spirituality in order to hide their intellectual deficiencies. Their denial betrays their moral and intellectual bankruptcy. It does not speak of their glory, nor does it diminish the value of spirituality." (1)

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Devotion plays a positive role in the process of clash. Had there been no factor to maintain the balance among all the objects created within the Macrocosmic Mind, the entire structure of the universe would have fallen apart. For the sake of harmony and balance within the universe, there is a mutual attraction among all the objects; each microcosm attracts the other microcosms. All finite microcosms – the innumerable manifestations of the Supreme Entity – are entitled to that universal love with which It has bound each microcosm to Itself, entitled to the wave of that universal love, in which Its divine ocean of bliss is perennially flowing. Attraction is the innate characteristic of microcosms. When this attraction is for finite objects, it is called káma [“physical longing”], and when it surges towards the Cosmic Entity, it is called prema [“divine love”]. Of course, káma is nothing but a limited form of prema. When microcosms rush towards Parama Puruśa [Supreme Consciousness] attracted by the irresistible force of divine love, it is termed “devotion”. Since clash drives the microcosms towards subtlety, it follows that clash must be the sustainer of devotion." (2)

References
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 8, Cosmic Attraction and Spiritual Cult
2. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 8, Cosmic Attraction and Spiritual Cult


== Section: Important Teaching ==

No place for private ownership

Prout philosophy states, “We must not forget, even for a single moment, that the entire animate world is a vast joint family. Nature has not assigned any portion of this property to any particular individual. Private ownership has been created by selfish opportunists, as the loopholes in this system provide them with ample scope for self-aggrandizement through exploitation. When the entire wealth of the universe is the common patrimony of all living beings, can the system in which some roll in luxury, while others, deprived of a morsel of food, shrivel up and starve to death bit by bit, be said to have the support of dharma?" (1)

Reference
1. Problems of the Day, point #1


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Human mind derailed into lowly dealings

Prout philosophy states, “In capitalism the rich, in their affluence, misuse the psychic urge and direct their psychic pabula to the pursuit of material gains. And the poor, in their extreme poverty, misdirect  their psychic urges and concentrate their psychic pabula on antisocial activities in their struggle for existence. In communism, the elite and party leaders misuse their psychic urges and direct their psychic pabula towards political manipulation and totalitarian repression. Under the oppression of communist rule the psychic pabula of the general people are suppressed into a state of doldrums. In both cases psychic urges are misutilised for sub-human activities in the physical, psycho-physical and psychic spheres. This must be stopped.” (1)

Note: In His above guideline, the Propounder of Prout philosophy is outlining the defects of both capitalism and communism. In capitalism, rich people direct their mental desire towards material wealth by cheating others. That is their misuse of their infinite human longing which should be used for spiritual pursuits.

Due to capitalist exploitation the general public is reduced to beggars and they survive by involving in anti-social activities like drug dealing, gang warfare, white collar crime, underground trade, human  trafficking and so many other nasty things and vices. Initially they start those vices due to lack of the basic minimal requirements to live and gradually those vices consume them. In result, they misuse their infinite human longing which should be used for spiritual pursuits.=

Up till their death

Communist leaders misuse their infinite desire to ruthlessly control and exploit the masses. Those leaders aim to become ministers and dictators where they will remain in the post up till their death. In communism, the leaders never want to give up the post. That is how they misuse their infinite human longing which should be used for spiritual pursuits.

Due to communist exploitation the common people are reduced to rubble. They are harassed, exploited, and suppressed, and have no scope to develop their free thinking or expression.  Everything is manipulated by communist propaganda and in turn human beings become animals. And the common people also misuse their desire infinite human longing for gross material pleasures when that longing should be goaded towards the Supreme.

Due to these defectives systems those at the helm degrade themselves and the common people are exploited terribly. So these two systems should be discarded.

Now I request AMPS leaders to stop eating off of the same plate as those communists as their bosom friend - thinking such communists to be saviour of universe. Unfortunately, some Prout leaders think communism and Prout are the same thing. That is why the Prout movement is not growing. The general public has well understood that communism is awful so if our Prout leader attach Prout with communism then the people will think that Prout is similar to communism. That is the sad plight taking place these days.

Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 8, The Transformation of Psychic Pabula into Psycho-spiritual Pabulum


== Section 3: Links ==

Shravanii Purnima significance + 3 more

Baba
Shravanii Purnima significance

Namaskar,

Around the globe as we prepare for Shravanii Purnima (19 Aug 2024) celebrations and festivities, it is a time for us to reflect upon the uniqueness and speciality of our Ananda Marga. Unlike other organisations, the starting part of our Ananda Marga is not just based upon the filing of a court paper or government document, nor is it based upon the construction of a building or the purchase of a piece of land etc. The starting point of Ananda Marga is based on sadhana. And on no occasion is this more evident than Shravanii Purnima, as this auspicious day commemorates the historic first sadhana initiation given by our Sadguru Shrii Shrii A'nandamu'rtijii. So the starting point of our Ananda Marga is sadhana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

On Shravanii Purnima the dangerous and feared killer Kalicharan Bandopadyay came to Sadguru Baba's feet and learned the practice of sadhana - by His grace. And by that endeavour the newly initiated Kalicharanji started his release from the confines of human bondage and began his march on the path of liberation and salvation. So Ananda Marga is that path which shatters the bondages and opens the door of divinity. The key point of it all is the practice of sadhana.


Without sadhana mind enveloped by darkness


   Ananda Marga ideology states, "People have to pass through so many relativities, so many troubles and afflictions, before attaining that Supreme Hub. Human beings are subject to triple afflictions – physical, psychic and spiritual – and the psychic and spiritual miseries are as painful as the physical ones."
 "Why do the spiritual afflictions arise? You know that you are the loving sons and daughters of Parama Puruśa. But you don’t feel Him always close to you, you cannot get the chance to sit on His Lap, and because of this you suffer from spiritual afflictions."
 "The supreme panacea to surmount all these triple afflictions is sadhana. So all human beings must do sadhana as much as possible; it is the main duty of the human life. If sadhana is omitted, then one should omit one’s food and sleep also. Just as food and sleep are essential for human beings, similarly kiirtana, the most essential aid for sadhana, should also be done whenever there is opportunity and time. The educated and uneducated alike should do it." (1)

Ananda Marga ideology states, "What is degradation? The divine effulgence earned through the performance of spiritual sadhana dispels the darkness of the spiritual aspirant’s mind. And the moment we turn away from sadhana that darkness comes back to our mind to stay and our mind gradually advances towards deeper darkness." (2)


Personal account of Shravanii Purnima


Here below Baba recounts the scene of that auspicious Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima' when He performed His first initiation.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

   Ananda Marga philosophy states, "This is Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima'. It is an important day. Then I was very young, studying in Vidy'asagar College in Calcutta. One evening a very interesting event took place. Suddenly a wicked person came near me. I use the word 'wicked', but it is not a permanent state of human beings. A person who is wicked today may be a noble person tomorrow, and one who is dull or stupid today may be wise tomorrow. These are all relative matters bound by the bondages of relativity. No one can be called permanently wicked. It should always be borne in mind that one should always try to develop the good and the subtle in a wicked person."
   "That evening a certain wicked person came to me. What could he expect from me? But then he came. In accordance with natural human psychology, I asked him, "What do you want? Why do you adopt this evil path?" In the course of our conversation, he realized that he should change the course of his life, and he took initiation. That was the first spiritual initiation I ever imparted to anyone. And that same day, Shra'van'ii Pu'rnima, has again returned."
   "A long time has elapsed since then. That was perhaps in 1939." (3)

On this magnificent occasion of Shravanii Purnima, may we again remember and reflect upon the starting of our Ananda Marga and with renewed effort undertake the practice of our sadhana. This is the time to strengthen our meditation practices, realise our sadhana in our practical life, and take grand steps along the path of divinity, by His grace.

Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Keshava

~ In-depth study ~

Poor sadhana, mind degenerates - groupism sprouts

When importance is not given to sadhana, and greater emphasis is placed elsewhere, then the influence of avidya maya increases and the mind becomes cloudy. Then various types of narrow and selfish tendencies take hold. In that case, infighting, groupism, and other isms erupt. That is what is happening these days, unfortunately.

Whereas when the goal is Parama Purusa and everyone's mind is moving in that direction - i.e. towards Him - then there is unity. Then the collective flow is sentient. But when the goal is something mundane, then the mind is rushing towards a different direction and petty issues arise. That is the standard rule.

Nowadays sadhana is not given importance and so we are facing the consequences; without sadhana, no matter how many sit-down talks or unity meetings are held, those gatherings will not help. Sadhana is needed.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Unfortunately, now some in our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha - especially some so-called leaders - have forgotten their sadhana which is why we are witnessing degrading and divisive tendencies these days. Without the regular practice of sadhana, the mind degenerates and constricts; then people lose that sense of universality and instead cling onto something else - something restrictive and narrow like groupism and selfish agendas. That is the degenerating process happening to certain leaders of the WT camps - i.e. those who have forgotten their sadhana.


Answer to groupism

This is the time to embrace the inner essence of our Shravanii Purnima festival in our mind and heart - before, during, and long after our Shravanii Purnima celebrations. Maximum effort should be placed on spiritual practices as sadhana has tremendous importance in life; it makes a person great.

Ananda Vanii says, "...Be great by your sádhaná, by your service, by your sacrifice." (4)

So sadhana is the key aspect for leading a dharmic life. Now some are splitting our Ananda Marga society, but they too can be rectified and make valuable contributions to the world, if they sincerely take to the path of sadhana. But empty efforts and tall talks will not do; sadhana is a cult - that is, it must be practiced.

Some organisations are based on the establishment of something mundane like a building; while other religious organisations base their membership on old, outdated dogmatic ritualistic activities. The path of Ananda Marga is entirely unique. To be a positive and contributing member of Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha, one has to be pointedly engaged in sadhana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

The Supreme Command says, “...It is the bounden duty of every Ananda Margii to endeavour to bring all to the path of bliss. Verily is this a part and parcel of sadhana, to lead others along the path of righteousness.” (5)

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 22, Kiirtana – the Panacea for All Afflictions
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 9, Parama Puruśa – the Source of All Momentum
3. A Few Problems Solved - 5, Shrávańii Púrńimá
4. Ananda Vanii #20
5. The Supreme Command


== Section: Important Teaching ==

The baseline of marriage

This following quote is well-explained and shows how marriage is only between a male and a female and not two people of the same gender. Since the inception of marriage during Lord Shiva's time, marriage has been between a man and a woman. And that is what Baba has approved for AMPS. So when the point of same sex marriage is raised then one should give Baba's teaching that it is always between a man and a woman - not between a man and a dog etc. In the west, some so-called open-minded people are confused and are always trying to bring some argument in favour of gay marriage, but according to the purview of Ananda Marga philosophy, their logic has no legs to stand upon.

   Ananda Marga philosophy states, "He [Lord Shiva] declared that women must be kalatra, which means that women must discharge their obligations to their husbands and their children in such a way that the latter will not have the least difficulty."
   "Those who accepted this new arrangement were declared married, and the other members of their society would be witnesses to the marriage ceremony, to bless the newly-married couple and pledge their cooperation to them. The Sanskrit equivalent for marriage is viváha (vi – vah + ghaiṋ): it means, after the ceremony, the man and woman can no longer live as libertines or as irresponsible so-called family people. They have to discharge their full obligations as bharttá and kalatra, responsible husband and responsible wife." (1)

Reference
1. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Shivokti - 3


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Problem of sleeping too much

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The first bad habit is nidra or sleep. Sleep is a state that creates a feeling of vacuity after it is over. That is, immediately after waking up people forget where they were or what they were doing before sleeping. They lose the sense of time. “What’s the time now?” they ask, forgetting whether it is day or night. If people sleep too much for days on end, this mental disorientation persists for a long time. “Is it day or night? What time is it?” they ask, confused. If this continues, their receptive and retentive powers decrease resulting in an almost total loss of mental power. They become dull, and lack courage to face life’s problems. They may have physical strength, but they lack courage. The ancient people believed that excessive sleep is good for health, but this is not the case. Rather, too much sleep not only impairs the health, but has an adverse effect on the mind." (1)

In materialistic societies, it is taught that 8 hours of sleep is essential. But that is not correct. If one sleeps deeply, then four hours of sleep is sufficient. One will awaken feeling revived and refreshed. In contrast, if one does not sleep deeply then the body will not be properly repaired nor restored. So the amount of time is not the operative factor. Rather, the depth of sleep is the key point. True sleep means a dreamless sleep - then both mind and body are quickly restored. In deep sleep, there is a complete vacuum, and one is not aware about the passage of time. In that state, only a few hours of sleep are needed.

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Bad Habits Which Should Be Given Up


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Root cause & solution of prostitution

Prout philosophy states, "Those who shudder at the sight of various social vices and lament, “Everything is lost; righteousness is gone; morality has vanished…” should realize that among all the causes behind this so-called all-round degeneration, social injustice is the principal one."

"Because of injustices against women with respect to their social rights and because women are economically crippled, a section of women is compelled to take to prostitution. Although there are many causes of this profession, these are the main two."

"Ananda Marga recognizes that women are as dignified human beings as men. Ananda Marga, in addition, wants to encourage women to be economically independent of men. The system in which characterless men swagger about in society while fallen women are denied proper opportunities despite their sincere desire to lead an honest life, can never be supported by justice. Women who desire to lead an honest life must be given a respectable place in society." (1)

Reference
1. Problems of the Day, Point #13


== Section: Important Teaching ==

How to become one with Him

Ananda Marga ideology says, “কৃপা-ভিক্ষা করতে হয় | তিনি কৃপা দিলেন, হয়ে যাৰে | এবং আকূতি থাকলে, আন্তরিকতা থাকলে, কৃপা সে পাৰেই | কারণ পরমপুরুষ তো ৰাইরের লোক নন, দূরের লোক নন | একান্তই আপনার জন | সুতরাং সুখ-দুঃখ, আশা-আকাঙ্ক্ষা আকূতি তিনি ৰুঝৰেন, বৈকি | অণুর থেকে অণু হিসাৰে, যিনি মনের মধ্যে রয়েছেন, মনের কথা তিনি ৰুঝৰেন না তো কে ৰুঝৰে ?” (1)

English summary: In order to be one with Him, what is required is one must ask for His grace. And because He is within your mind in the smallest form, He hears whatever you think. And so certainly your desire and your hopes and aspirations are heard by Him.  And as He is your nearest relative He is your greater self.  So certainly He is to fulfill your logical demands.

References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 16, chapter 4


== Section 3: Links ==

SUBJECTS TOPICS