Baba
Life of a bhakta
Namaskar,The cream of life is knowing and remembering Parama Purusa. A sadhaka has practically realised this. Ananda Marga ideology preaches this eternal truth: The main theme of human existence is to realise one’s intrinsic link with Him. And He guides us that we are to constantly make efforts towards this great endeavour.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "He is your everything. You cannot do without Him. Your relationship with Parama Purus'a is like the relationship of a fish with water. So it is futile to forget Him; try to remember Him always." (1)
The overall guideline is that each moment one should keep Parama Purusa in the mind - in the heart. Yet in this busy world many thoughts might come in the mind. In this modern era, there are so many duties and appointments, and so many jobs and responsibilities. In that rush, invariably some may encounter difficulty remembering Him.
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Meeting a bhakta
While moving through Delhi sector, I came across one sadhaka in our Ananda Marga who practiced manan, shravan, and nididhyásana throughout the day in many unique ways. With this sadhaka's permission, I share some of his approaches with you.
Actually - ever since, after carefully watching and observing this sadhaka over the years, it is Guru’s blessing that this sadhaka has been able to devise and practice many ways to do manan, shravan and nididhyásana. Here first is a brief explanation about these terms.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "To attain Him human beings have to take recourse to shravana (constantly hearing His name), manana (constantly ideating on Him) and nididya'sana (constantly meditating on Him). The Supreme Entity is Gurha, that is, He is lying hidden in the innermost recess of the human entity. To attain Him one must penetrate deep within oneself, and for that the development of an introversial outlook is essential." (2)
Mantra - embroidered shirts, letters on both the front and back
I observed first-hand the numerous ways how this margii sadhaka follows Baba's above divine teaching of manan, shravan, nididhyásana.
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* On the front door of his house there is a 'door plate' engraved with Baba Nam Kevalam. By this way whenever he leaves or enters the house that bhakta remembers Him.
* The sadhaka keeps a 'Baba Nam Kevalam' keychain to hold his house and office keys, so whenever he takes them out he remembers HIM.
* Plus he has a number of embroidered shirts that say "Baba Nam Kevalam" in big, bold, easy-to-read letters on both the front and back. The mantra is written in the local script so everyone can read it, even the children. Wherever he goes around town or in the market, the children always recognise me and joyfully cry out, "Baba Nam Kevalam, Baba Nam Kevalam, Baba Nam Kevalam." The bhakta smiles and encourages those young kids and they go on repeating Baba Nam Kevalam as he strolls around the market. This sadhaka has enough of these professionally embroidered & silk-screened shirts to wear them everyday - winter or summer, rain or shine. So all year long, wherever he goes he is surrounded by a chorus of kiirtan. It is Baba's grace.
Practicing manan, shravan, nididhyásana
* On his desk in his office there is a card facing him that has the term -'Baba' - inscribed on it.
* Plus whenever his screen-saver comes across the computer screen then it carries His sweet name - BABA.
* The sadhaka further has a BABA license plate on his car so whenever he goes to my car he sees HIS name. Others have asked him what that means and then he thinks of HIM even more."
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By observing all these techniques, I became awed and inquired further. I asked him how he got all these ideas in his mind. Then he just told that all this comes from Sadguru Baba's guideline.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "The scriptures tell us to remember three points in order to return home. They are shravana [hearing about the Supreme], manana [ideating on the Supreme] and nididhya'sana [meditating on the Supreme with an unbroken flow of mind]. We know that the vibrational faculty converts subtler waves into cruder waves in the phase of creation. Hari katha' [bhakti discussion] provides subtler vibrations. You must allow yourself to receive these subtler waves...The importance of Hari katha' in spiritual development is great..Therefore wherever there is an opportunity, listen to His name and speak it to others." (3)
Other ways to practise manan, shravan, nididhyásana
All in all I witnessed first-hand how in numerous ways he follows Baba's sacred teachings of manan, shravan, nididhyásana.
* This bhakta has a tape recorder, CD alarm clock, and mp3 device that has a tape or CD or digital file of BABA dharsans and Baba Nam Kevalam. So he wakes up to HIS voice always. Then he immediately looks over to HIS very clear varabhaya mudra photo on the wall on his left side. Then he immediately starts Guru Sakash. In this way each and every day begins."
* Play BABA audios and Baba Nam Kevalam on a portable player while going to market and to work etc. This can be done if one is walking, or on the train, bus, or auto-rickshaw etc. Or if one uses their own vehicle then listen on the car tape player to and from work.
* Keep notebooks with one's BABA dreams, special meditations, and personal devotional experiences with Him.
* Then he told how his own telephone is registered in HIS name: 'Parama Pita Baba'. This shows up on the caller ID screen whenever he calls anyone. And his email account has a similar remembrance of Baba. This way before writing or calling anyone he thinks of Baba and that soon he will be communicating with one of Baba's infinite expressions. The other party involved is also benefited by this same type of remembrance.
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* Then, he added, "I also remember Him through the usual methods of Guru mantra, bath mantra, and fasting."
* "I also keep BABA quotes and sayings - His divine words - around my house & office to complement the Baba Nam Kevalam and Guru Mantra magnets that have placed been placed around the house for over several years."
* Plus there is also the expanded 16 points chart where by Baba's grace there are a few more columns added related with manan, shravan, and nididhyásana. This includes the regular watching of my favourite Baba's video from a DMC that beautifully shows Baba's divine blessing and varabhaya mudra.
* And there are many more things that can be done in order to remember Him.
Listening to all this I became inspired and amazed by all of the wonderful ways this margii sadhaka remembers Baba throughout the day. In this manner, he can remember and propagate Baba's divine name always.
Conclusion
By this special encounter, I learned many ways to heighten bhakti in my own personal life. This has had a highly beneficial effect on sadhana. Because the more I am able to remember Baba the easier and deeper sadhana becomes. Learning about all these unique types of reminders have wholly transformed my spiritual life, by His grace.
Namaskar,
In Full Surrender to Baba,
Bhakti Lekha
Privacy
The said margii has his own sleeping room which no one else enters, neither during the day nor at night. That is why it is ok for him to have his mudra photo out and accessible.
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Baba's guideline on Guru sakash
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "They should do sitting in siddha'sana [perfect posture] or any other convenient a'sana [posture], on the same blanket, skin, seat or bed as they had used for sleeping, immediately after waking up and before doing any other work or before having any other thought -- even before performing their morning duties or any other task. This will be a high category of Gurusaka'sha...it is essential to remember the Guru early in the morning after overcoming sleepiness. If this is done, they will meet with success or illumination in each and every subtle and spiritual task that they perform in the course of the whole day." (4)
Importance of manan, shravan, nididhyásana
Here is another of Baba's famous teachings on the point of manan, shravan, and nididhyásana.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Shravana therefore enables one to cross the vibrational faculty. Manana enables one to cross the primordial faculty. And nididhya'sana makes it possible to merge with the Supreme Entity. This is God-realization...What is important is to have proper shravana, manana and nidi-dhya'sana. If one does this, one will no longer find it difficult to learn to do anything." (5)
The life of a gopi
Here is Baba's ever-gracious way of reminding us about the true spirit and nature of our devotional life.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Where the devotee is worshipping Him for pleasing Him there the devotion is of purely spiritual nature. There does not exist the feeling of duality here. Such a devotee is called Gopi. The term connotes one who worships God to please Him--'Gopa'yate Yah Sah Gopah'." (6)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "The devotee says, 'I serve Him, I worship Him, because I want Him to get bliss from my devotion or service or worship. I don't want anything for myself. I want Him to enjoy the bliss.' This type of devotion is called ra'ga'tmika' bhakti, and the type of devotee having this sort of non-attributional devotion is called a gopa....Gopa'yate yah sa gopah - in Sanskrit, the word gopa'yate means to give pleasure - 'A gopa is one who gives pleasure to Parama Purus'a, one whose very nature is to give pleasure to Parama Purus'a'." (7)
The best smrti - i.e. memory
"What should be the best smrti [memory] I think your ácáryas told you that you should repeat and recite your Iśt́a mantra whenever possible; I think this was the instruction of your ácáryas, was it not? Internally, Iśt́a mantra and guru mantra. But you forget it. Because your smrti is very dilute. So the best object of smrti is Parama Puruśa. Never forget Him. Always take His name, as per the advice of your ácárya. This is samyak smrti, that is, proper memory. The person who is established, the spiritual aspirant who is established, in samyak smrti, that is, who never forgets the Lord, is called – that particular state of mind is called dharmamegha samádhi, that is, the person is established in proper smrti. That bliss enjoyed by the spiritual aspirant is called dharmamegha samádhi." (8)
"“Smrti” means “memory” or “recollection” and “dhruvásmrti” means “constant recollection” of Him. One should always remember one thing constantly: Parama Puruśa. This will result in the intellect being constantly full of benevolent thoughts, forever linked with the spirit of benevolence." (9)
How do you if your memory is proper or not
Ananda Marga ideology states, "The goal of one’s life should always be fixed before one’s eyes; it should never be lost sight of. When one remembers one’s goal twenty-four hours a day one develops the actual memory. In the scriptures, this sort of memory is called “dhruvásmrti”. Here, dhruva means “fixed” or “stationary”. The star which remains fixed in one place is called the pole star. A person sitting in a silent place may think, “Let me recollect my Iśt́a for a while”. Then while recollecting the Iśt́a, a pot of tea suddenly comes before his or her eyes and the dilemma starts. Instead of the Iśt́a, the thought of a cup of tea has entered the mind. In this case it is clear that the fixed memory has not yet been established. Dhii means that dhruvásmrti or fixed memory." (10)
Remember Him & drift in His bliss
Ananda Marga ideology 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.”" (11)
Baba's special guideline:
'the very purpose of life is to know Him'
Here below is one of Baba's very inspirational guidelines for moving ahead on the path of devotional and realising Him.
Baba says, "Remember always that the very purpose of our creation is to know Him, the [Supreme] Entity which is in front of you all the time - even if you forget many times because we are not following our true nature."
"Having forgotten our true nature, we have strayed away from the path. So we have got to know our nature. We have got to know that inner self. Knowing one's self is the true dharma, our true nature. The inspiration
comes from inside, it comes always. So do your spiritual practices. Observe the moral principles. Become yourself an example; and that is possible by doing your spiritual practices in a regular manner, in a regular way. That is why you are all here today. The very purpose of your presence, the very purpose of your action, is to know yourself; is to inspire yourself all the time by your internal entity."
"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..."
"To know your dharma, to know your nature, thoroughly, you have got to perform your spiritual practices. There is no second way. There is no second path for a human being. Spiritual practices alone are going to help
you, nothing else."
"In order to perform spiritual practices you have to follow everything [given by your preceptor]. So try to follow all you have been asked to and try to follow all the disciplines which you need to. Then you will know
Him. By knowing Him you will know dharma. By becoming one with dharma you will have completed the true journey of your life. The true journey is completed by knowing Him thoroughly.
"So know Him today, not tomorrow. This day is the most beautiful day. This day has been opened to you; opened to all human beings on this planet..."
"So let us know Him today. In this way we will be able to provide paths for human beings to come. Animals also are marching ahead to know that Supreme Entity. So it is our duty to make the way, to pave the way, in
order for everyone to come on this path. Realize Him. Realize that Supreme Being within you. This is your dharma, this is your path; and let this path be yours, and victory will surely be yours." (12)
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, 'Your Real Friend'
2. Tattva Kaomudii - 3, Integral and Non-Integral Outlook
3. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, Mantra Caetanya
4. Yoga Psychology, 'Under the Shelter of the Guru'
5. 28 May 1967, Allahabad, DMC
6. Subhasita Samgraha - 19, 1/1/71
7. Subhasita Samgraha - 14, 17 Nov 79
8. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, Ideological Flow and the Eight-fold Path
9. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, Remain United with the Supreme Benevolence
10. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, The Ten Characteristics of a Dhármika
11. Caryacarya - 2, Sadhana, pt #10
12. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, 'From the Notebook of Devotees'
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section: Important Teaching ==
The end of sorrow
Ananda Marga ideology states, "During the enactment of a drama, all the characters, the dramatis personae (some are acting as great scholars, some fools, some as extremely happy and some as wretched beings) should bear in mind that they are simply playing the roles allotted to them. They should always think, “In reality, I am neither very happy nor very miserable, I am not an erudite scholar nor a fool. I am merely acting a particular role-be it Emperor Shahjáhán or Aurangzeb.” If people remember this, they will neither be afflicted with sorrow nor elated with joy. This is what is called cosmic inheritance, cosmic heritage."
"All have come from one and the same Entity; no one is inferior, no one is small, mean or untouchable. No one is born high or low: all are bound by fraternal and sororal bonds." (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, Supramundane Heritage and Supramundane Desideratum
== Section: Important Teaching ==
How AMPS became divided
Prout philosophy guides us, “Human unity is purely an ideological unity, which means unity in the psychic sphere. Where there is psychic unity, physical unity will also occur. In the realm of unity, unity is always psychic – ideological unity means unity in the subtlest level of the mind. However, psychic or ideological unity may be affected if we encourage the exploitation of one group by another. So to avoid this there should not be any scope for exploitation in society. And to ensure this we have to start a new order to safeguard the interests of the exploited masses. So for a proper social synthesis what we require is a common philosophy of life; that is, ideological unity. But to check exploitation in the physical sphere requires something more than this, and this something more comprises a common constitutional system, a common penal code, and the availability of the minimum essentialities of life.” (1)
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout
== Section: Important Teaching ==
How humans discovered plants as medicines
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Water: Odorless, tepid water, especially if it is sun-warmed, is an excellent medicine for the physical body. It has great healing qualities. Since ancient times, knowingly or unknowingly, human beings and different animals have also accepted water as one of their medicines. It is also said in the Vedas: ápashca vishvabheśajii [and water is a universal medicine]."
"However the quest for medicines on the part of human beings and animals has not been limited to fasting, sunlight, water, air and earth. Initially the medicines that human beings discovered were different trees and plants and the external use of their bark and roots. The human beings of those times used to chew them and smear or rub the diseased part with them. These ointments were the first medicines discovered by human beings. When these ointments did not work externally, it became necessary to ingest them. Humans used to take them as medicine by chewing or swallowing them. This was the second step in the use of medicines in human history."
"There were many such medicines that were only available in particular seasons, not all year round. People used to gather them in the specific season and dry them so as to preserve them. In certain places they would preserve them in the form of tablets with the help of water; in other places they would just dry them normally. This preservation of medicine in the form of tablets or pills belonged to a later stage in the use of medicines in human life." (1)
Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika, Kulya to Kuvela (Discourse 34)
== Section ==
Why moralists of the universe should remain organized - Ananda Vanii #59
Ananda Vanii states, “The more the honest people are firm on morality, the more the evil forces will be active against them. So all the moralists of the universe should remain organized and confront the evil forces unitedly.” (1)
Note 1: The above is one of Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis. These original and true Ananda Vaniis are unique, eternal guidelines that stand as complete discourses in and of themselves. They are unlike Fake Ananda Vaniis.
Reference
1. Ananda Vanii #59
Note 1: The above is one of Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis. These original and true Ananda Vaniis are unique, eternal guidelines that stand as complete discourses in and of themselves. They are unlike Fake Ananda Vaniis.
Reference
1. Ananda Vanii #59
== Section ==
Absolute knowledge vs. relative knowledge
“Common people usually live their lives according to absolute knowledge and become noble and great. That is why we see people like Kabir and Ramakrishna, who even without formal schooling, were highly regarded by tens of thousands of people. In fact, it is doubtful whether learned scholars could bring about even a small fraction of the spiritual progress these great people brought to society…”
“Social progress is achieved to some extent through relative knowledge, but here also there is a great possibility of conflict between relative knowledge and absolute knowledge. Relative knowledge often encourages divisive ideas and the propagation of narrow sentiments such as casteism, nationalism, communalism, provincialism, etc., by extolling the greatness of caste, community, creed, colour, etc. It often tends to suppress other castes, communities, creeds, etc., or wants to annihilate them completely. On the other hand, absolute knowledge teaches human beings that the Dharma of all humans is one and the same. The Supreme Entity is the Universal Father. All the human beings of the world are brothers and sisters. All are equal – no one is low, no one is high." (1)
Reference
1. Tattva Kaomudii - 2, Prápta Vákya and Ápta Vákya
