Baba
Managing food & sadhana
Namaskar,
Some were wondering why Baba has given the rule that sádhaná should be done first and then after food should be taken. They were also wondering why God likes to starve His bhaktas. They were curious why food should not be taken first so that in a blissful and satisfied mood, one can do sádhaná. According to them, that will be the projection of the true, loving feeling between bhaktas and their Lord. Just like when a mother sees her young child after returning from school, then she takes the child on her lap and offers some food. That is the loving expression. In the same manner, they were thinking that morning and evening sádhaná should be done after taking food.
After all, when people gather for social programs in the society, then food is always served. Or if anybody comes to your home then you will naturally offer some food or a snack first. But Baba has made the practice of sádhaná in a completely different way.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
On the one side, Baba is telling that Parama Purusa loves bhaktas. That means that between bhaktas and Parama Purusa there is a loving relation. And on the other side He made the rule, "First sádhaná, then eat. Even if you are hungry."
Proven tips to improve sádhaná
However, more seasoned sadhakas have experienced first-hand how food and sádhaná are quite closely related. Side by side, there is the rule to do sádhaná just before sleep. They were trying to do this every day, i.e. eating and then doing sádhaná before bed. But it is very difficult because after taking food, drowsiness overcomes the body and mind.
Sometimes in midday when one does sádhaná and they are feeling hungry, then concentration is far better. And if they drink anything other than water, then sádhaná is very poor. The same thing happens with morning sádhaná also. When they get up and do Guru Sakash it might last 10 minutes, sometimes 20 minutes, and sometimes half an hour. And that sádhaná is very good by Baba's grace. One of the reasons is having an empty stomach.
In contrast, when the stomach is heavy and digestion is poor then Guru Sakash is adversely affected. Taking any type of beverage other than water will also disturb the entire early morning routine of paincajanya and the various sádhaná lessons become completely affected. Constipation also makes sádhaná difficult. And snacking too is a problem.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
When there is food in the stomach, then a certain portion of one’s energy is involved in digesting that food. In that case, the brain is not getting sufficient energy to help the mind concentrate. Due to this reason, Baba made this rule that sádhaná should be done on an empty stomach and thereafter food can be taken. Just to clarify, here food does not only mean a full meal, it also means small snacks etc.
At our WT camps
Snacking is especially a problem in the evening hours. When people come back from the office or other work, they often like to take a snack before starting their evening sádhaná. And sometimes people will offer you a snack after work or upon returning home. In that case, best is to avoid their offer as that will adversely affect your sádhaná. But sometimes one can get caught up in greed and then their sádhaná gets disturbed. So when it comes to sádhaná and food, one should be very strict.
For example, even when some were attending the ERAWS camp then in the evening hours, camp in-charges were providing hot drinks to dada and margiis around 30 minutes before evening sádhaná. And when they took those things, they invariably felt drowsy in sádhaná.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conclusion
Baba made the system of upavása so that on our fasting days one will not just refrain from eating but also live close to God. The point is that doing sadhana on an empty stomach is very advantageous.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "On certain special days (the days should be fixed according to the almanac lest people forget them), people should give greater importance to spiritual practice than to mundane responsibilities; that is, their time and energy during those few days should be devoted more to spiritual practice than to worldly activities. These fixed days are called upava'sa days, since during these days people, keeping their minds engaged in spiritual matters, "live closer" to God, and any possibility of mental degradation is averted: their humanity is not endangered by the lengthening shadows of annihilation." (1)
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "In fact, fasting keeps the body free from disease, pure and makes the mind a fertile field for sa'dhana' by removing its impurities." (2)
Namaskar,
in Him,
Sambhunath
~ In-depth study ~
Some were confused about this topic and perhaps others might be also. Because they always took fasting days as a time to pass the time with little sádhaná as the body is so weak. That was always their approach. So when one margii brother showed them Baba's below discourse, they felt surprised. This was completely new for them. And then they practiced and realised the benefits. They experienced directly how when the stomach is empty then the mind quickly rises to the upper cakras, by His grace, and becomes immersed in deep meditation.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Anashana, fasting vs upavása
Ananda Marga ideology states, "`Upa' means `proximity'. And `Va'sa' means `to live', `to reside'. The word `upava'sa' means then, `to live near the Lord'. `upavása' - on these days of fasting, what are all spiritual aspirants to do? Mentally they should live near their Lord. On all other days they are to remain balanced between objective adjustment and subjective approach. On these days of fasting, however, on these days of upava'sa, one remains in closer proximity to the Lord than to one's mundane duties. That is why these days are known as `upava'sa'. The word `fasting' does not represent the proper sense or proper spirit. The Sam'skrta term for going without food is `anashana' - `ana' means not, `ashana' means eating - not `upava'sa'. But these eka'dashii, amavasya and pu'rn'ima' days are days of upava'sa." (3)
Decomposed beef: transformed into onion
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “By gradual transformation their mind-stuff reaches a stage where they cannot be called human beings. Who can say that the fire-burnt cane has been transformed into the plantain tree, and the decomposed beef has been transformed into onion through natural changes, and that the rice-water has produced tańd́uleraka leaves? Likewise, no one will be able to recognize you as a human being in your degenerated condition.” (4)
References
1. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Shivas Teachings – 2 (continued) (Discourse 13)
2. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Shivas Teachings – 2 (continued) (Discourse 13)
3. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 6, Upavása
4. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life in a Nutshell Part 1, Spiritual Practice and the Cosmic Science (sádhaná and Madhuvidyá)
* * *
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 ==
Unbearable suffering
"Nayane esechile svapane..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0062)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, You came in my dream. Your presence was so charming, vibrating, and attractive. How You blessed me in my sleep; I cannot ever forget Your closeness. Yet, what is this unkind liila of Yours, i.e. Your divine game of shade and light. When I woke up I found You were no longer here with me. You secretly left. Your absence gives me pain.
O’ Supreme Entity, on the one hand, across the sky, there are bright stars. And in my heart, by Your grace there is a flow of prema of divine effulgence. But on the other hand, Your absence means sadness and misery. Without You I am so alone - so lonely. It is unbearable. I cannot bear this suffering. O’ love personified One, please look towards me.
Baba, O’ Prabhu, what are all these lights and shadows - and rainbow-coloured attachments in this universe. Your creation is ephemeral. You make all completely engaged in this everchanging creation, whereby everyone gets extremely busy in useless pursuits. This is Your special play so they do not do sadhana. What a grand liila of hide and seek You are playing with me...
Dangers of tomb worship
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Those who worship idols, ascribing Brahma-hood to that idol, thinking that the very idol is God, the very image is God; worshipping stone, worshipping wood, worshipping metal. Tantra says, Mrcchiládhátudárvádimúrttáviishvaro buddhayo… [“Those who think that Parama Puruśa is confined within idols made of clay, stone, metal or wood…”] Mrt means “earthen image”; shilá means “made of stone”; dhátu means “made of metal”; and dáru means “made of wood”. And they ascribe Godhood to that wood or to that metal or to that stone. Then what happens? The person is ideating on that stone, or wood, or metal, and what happens? Yadrshii bhávaná yasya siddhir bhavati tádrshii – “A person adopts a body according to their object of ideation.” Their own self is transformed into that entity, the entity which was their object of meditation. Now such people worshipping different forms of Prakrti finally take the form of those entities, and become stone, become wood, become metal. They are called Prakrtiliina. They become one with Prakrti and remain there for an indefinite period. What a durdaeva, I will say! What a painful state of existence!" (1)
Note: Unfortunately, some have introduced the aforesaid dogmas into our Ananda Marga. How did this happen? Because a few have propagated that a particular tomb or a particular stone is Parama Purusa.
(a) That is why in Jamalpur some go and lay prostrate to the Tiger’s grave. Because those worshipers think that only stone is Parama Purusa. That is why some sadhakas take the arduous journey to that spot to convey their feelings.
(b) And that is why some go and do sastaunga pranama to the mahasamadhi spot in Kolkata. Because those people think that Parama Purusa is only in that tomb. That is why some worshipers take trouble to go to that place and express their innermost thoughts.
(c) And that is why some prepare food and place food morsels on Baba's photo. Because those sadhakas think that only photo is actually Parama Purusa.
Sadly, such margiis will suffer from terrible degradation as those brothers and sisters have mistaken the all-encompassing Divine Entity Parama Purusa for a piece of wood, stone, rock or other inanimate material. By sincerely worshiping that stone etc and merging their mind into that inert matter, such innocent seekers unfortunately degenerate into that very crude matter. So we should be careful if we see anyone doing like this. Our duty is to help any and all sadhakas refrain from this approach, so everyone gets the opportunity to advance along the path of true spirituality.
In Him,
Suvidya’
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Ghosts and Evil Spirits
"Nayane esechile svapane..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0062)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, You came in my dream. Your presence was so charming, vibrating, and attractive. How You blessed me in my sleep; I cannot ever forget Your closeness. Yet, what is this unkind liila of Yours, i.e. Your divine game of shade and light. When I woke up I found You were no longer here with me. You secretly left. Your absence gives me pain.
O’ Supreme Entity, on the one hand, across the sky, there are bright stars. And in my heart, by Your grace there is a flow of prema of divine effulgence. But on the other hand, Your absence means sadness and misery. Without You I am so alone - so lonely. It is unbearable. I cannot bear this suffering. O’ love personified One, please look towards me.
Baba, O’ Prabhu, what are all these lights and shadows - and rainbow-coloured attachments in this universe. Your creation is ephemeral. You make all completely engaged in this everchanging creation, whereby everyone gets extremely busy in useless pursuits. This is Your special play so they do not do sadhana. What a grand liila of hide and seek You are playing with me...
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Those who worship idols, ascribing Brahma-hood to that idol, thinking that the very idol is God, the very image is God; worshipping stone, worshipping wood, worshipping metal. Tantra says, Mrcchiládhátudárvádimúrttáviishvaro buddhayo… [“Those who think that Parama Puruśa is confined within idols made of clay, stone, metal or wood…”] Mrt means “earthen image”; shilá means “made of stone”; dhátu means “made of metal”; and dáru means “made of wood”. And they ascribe Godhood to that wood or to that metal or to that stone. Then what happens? The person is ideating on that stone, or wood, or metal, and what happens? Yadrshii bhávaná yasya siddhir bhavati tádrshii – “A person adopts a body according to their object of ideation.” Their own self is transformed into that entity, the entity which was their object of meditation. Now such people worshipping different forms of Prakrti finally take the form of those entities, and become stone, become wood, become metal. They are called Prakrtiliina. They become one with Prakrti and remain there for an indefinite period. What a durdaeva, I will say! What a painful state of existence!" (1)
Note: Unfortunately, some have introduced the aforesaid dogmas into our Ananda Marga. How did this happen? Because a few have propagated that a particular tomb or a particular stone is Parama Purusa.
(a) That is why in Jamalpur some go and lay prostrate to the Tiger’s grave. Because those worshipers think that only stone is Parama Purusa. That is why some sadhakas take the arduous journey to that spot to convey their feelings.
(b) And that is why some go and do sastaunga pranama to the mahasamadhi spot in Kolkata. Because those people think that Parama Purusa is only in that tomb. That is why some worshipers take trouble to go to that place and express their innermost thoughts.
(c) And that is why some prepare food and place food morsels on Baba's photo. Because those sadhakas think that only photo is actually Parama Purusa.
Sadly, such margiis will suffer from terrible degradation as those brothers and sisters have mistaken the all-encompassing Divine Entity Parama Purusa for a piece of wood, stone, rock or other inanimate material. By sincerely worshiping that stone etc and merging their mind into that inert matter, such innocent seekers unfortunately degenerate into that very crude matter. So we should be careful if we see anyone doing like this. Our duty is to help any and all sadhakas refrain from this approach, so everyone gets the opportunity to advance along the path of true spirituality.
In Him,
Suvidya’
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Ghosts and Evil Spirits
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
बाबा! तुम करुणा निधान हो, दया के सागर हो।
प्रभात संगीत 777 तोमारी भरसाय माझ दरियाय भेसे जाय, जीवन तरी आमार ....
भावार्थ
हे परमपुरुष बाबा! तुम्हारी कृपा से केवल तुम्हारे भरोसे मेरे जीवन की नैया तूफानी समुद्र में भी मज़े से तैर रही है। तुम्हारी देखरेख में मैं अपने जीवन को, तूफानी दिनों में भी, सरलता से चला रहा हॅूं। तूफानों की प्रचंडता या तूफानों के आघातों से मेरे जीवन की नाव रुकती नहीं है, और न ही वह हाहाकार करती है। तुम मेरी सुरक्षा के लिये सदा मेरे साथ हो, अतः मैं राह में आने वाली किसी भयावह स्थिति या समस्या से क्यों डरूं? तुम रक्षक हो तुम्हारे पास सभी समस्याओं का समाधान है, तुम्हारे हाथ में सब कुछ है ।
हे परमपुरुष बाबा! केवल तुम्हारे ऊपर विश्वाश कर , तुम्हारी कृपा से मेरे जीवन की नैया, तूफानी समुद्र में भी मज़े से चली जा रही है।
हे परमपुरुष बाबा! तुम करुणा निधान हो, दया के सागर हो। तुम हर समस्या का समाधान हो , मैं हमेशा तुम्हें स्मरण करता हॅूं, तुम मेरे विचारों में सदा रहते हो। यह तुम्हारी कृपा ही है कि मैं तुम्हारे चरणकमलों में बार बार प्रणाम करता हॅूं, और सम्पूर्णतः तुम्हारे चरणों में समर्पण करता हॅूं। हे प्रभु ! तुम्हारे आशीष से तुम्हारे कृपा कणों को लिये, मैं हंसते हुए आगे बढ़ता जा रहा हॅूं। तुम्हारी कृपा और आशीष मुझे मेरी यात्रा को आगे बढ़ाने में सहारा देती है।
हे परमपुरुष बाबा! केवल तुम्हारे ऊपर विश्वाश कर , तुम्हारी कृपा से मेरे जीवन की नैया सुरक्षा पूर्वक तूफानी समुद्र में चली जा रही है।
हे परमपुरुष बाबा! तुम्हारे लय , राग और स्नेह की मधुरता से, मेरे हृदय के फूल में मधुर पराग भर गया गया है। तुम्हारा चिंतन ध्यान करते हुए, मेरा पूरा अस्तित्व आनन्द से भर जाता है। हे प्रभो! लगातार तुम्हारे नाम, और तुम्हारे गीत गाते हुए तुम्हारी कृपा से मैं अब यह जान गया हॅूं कि सभी के सारतत्व तुम ही हो, और तुम मेरे परमप्रिय हो।
हे परमपुरुष बाबा! केवल तुम्हारे ऊपर विश्वाश कर , तुम्हारी कृपा से मेरे जीवन की नैया सुरक्षा पूर्वक तूफानी समुद्र में चली जा रही है।
हे बाबा! मैं, तुम्हारे चरणकमलों में समर्पण करता हॅूं।
== Section: Important Teaching ==
The dog thinks that the blood oozing
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Under the influence of avidyá, people become so infatuated that they forget the difference between pure and impure; and so greedy that they eat rotten meat, choose to forget that alcohol is bad for health, and even try to prove the unholy as being holy by force of logic. Some people claim that eating meat and drinking alcohol are a part of dharma sádhaná; and some state they eat meat to maintain their health and strength."
"Lost in blind pursuit for finite objects, people fail to realize that the pleasure they derive will actually bring more sorrow in the future. An alcoholic does not understand that heavy drinking severely damages the liver: an opium addict does not understand that the temporary pleasure derived from the drug gradually benumbs the nervous system. This mistaking pain to be pleasure is caused by the influence of avidyá. Those who succumb to this influence can be likened to a dog chewing on a dry bone in a burial ground. The dog thinks that the blood oozing out of its jaws comes from the dry bones and greedily bites even harder, further damaging its jaws. The poor animal wrongly thinks sorrow is happiness." (1)
Reference
1. AMIWL-8, The Macrocosmic Stance and Human Life
== Section 4: Links ==
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