Baba
Today’s educational standard
Namaskar,
Parama Purusa Baba says that several hundred years ago the education system was comparatively better. Unfortunately, thereafter, the standard of education began to decline.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Wrong values turn humans into animals
Today, the standard of education has become very poor. In contemporary education, the lessons of humanity are not taught, and instead humans are reduced to machines that can only earn their livelihood and eat food. This has led to a society full of differences leading to clash, stress, and violence. The prevalent education system is based on wrong values which gradually turn humans into animals. A newly-born child does not know anything and has no psychic distortions. However, the environment that the child is exposed to shapes the mind. For example, a child raised in an environment with racist outlook is more likely to develop a racist mind.
NH: think about helping others
Education should be based on neo-humanism. From the very beginning, children should be taught that all belong to the same cosmic family originating from the same Cosmic Hub and all have to live together. Neo-humanism teaches us that we should not give importance only to our own small problems but rather try our best to solve the problems of others as well. The aforementioned values are the very basic teachings of neo-humanism and must be provided early on to children. Such teachings can help in alleviating many endemic psychic ailments.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Self-centered & greedy
At present, the approach is completely the reverse. People do not give any importance to others’ problems and do not think beyond their small ‘I’. Due to the prevailing ways of materialism, they have become self-centered and greedy. As a result, most become victims to the feelings of loneliness and related psychic ailments like depression, alienation, and even thoughts of suicide. This is primarily due to the feelings of differentiation between oneself and others; there is a basic lack of connection which a neo-humanistic approach to education wholly inculcates.
Conclusion
The education system should be based on neo-humanism wherein the roles and responsibilities of being human, including having a proper lifestyle, are taught as the main curriculum, while material-based science should be taught as supplemental education. This change in the system of education will certainly occur in the near-future. Now the deficiencies of the existing self-centered education system are being acknowledged by society at-large, and efforts are underway to fix the same.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "For the purpose of training this turbulent mind, what should be done? We will have to educate the mind properly, along the lines of neohumanism. This neohumanist education will impart proper training to the mind. And at the same time there should be spiritual practice for proper psychic transformation. This is what we require most. There is no alternative." (1)
In Him,
Bhakti
~ In-depth study ~
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “When the propounders of an education system are obsessed by chauvinistic nationalism, they often, in the name of preserving the national character, try to keep the students of that country segregated from the rest of the world. It must always be borne in mind that the bonds that afford opportunities for mutual contact and understanding between people should never be weakened but should always rather be strengthened, for in this lie the seeds of collective welfare. In order to create a feeling of genuine collective welfare, extreme nationalistic zeal may have to suffer a little jolt, but intelligent people will have to absorb that jolt and make a tremendous effort to overcome that prejudicial zeal.” (2)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "The system of education prevailing today was formulated or evolved long ago, mainly with a view to suit the needs of the capitalist class. For the last three to four thousand years, the same type of education is being imparted. The main purpose behind this sort of educational system is to create persons with slavish mentality: this sort of education is fundamentally defective."
"A new educational system must evolve to produce sadvipras: we have to thoroughly revamp the entire educational system. But it must be remembered that unless and until a new system is developed, we cannot demolish the old one, in spite of our aversion to it. Until you catch hold of a new branch, you cannot let go of the previous one. But it is certain that this type of education which serves the capitalists' interests is not at all suitable. This sort of education creates obstacles in the evolution of humanity." (3)Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Proper attention should be paid to the physical, psychic and spiritual development of small boys and girls. Just as they sit and study to develop their intellectual capabilities, they should also sit to do their spiritual practices with their parents. That is the way they will develop their spiritual practices. They should take diikśá [spiritual initiation] from an ácárya(á) [spiritual teacher] when they grow up. They should practice the lessons of sádhaná – japa, dhyána, ásana, práńáyáma, etc. – along with their regular academic lessons. All that is necessary for their trifarious development, and it must be perfectly balanced. One should remember that the absence of a proper balance will harm not only the individuals, but also the society as a whole." (4)
References
1. A Few Problems Solved Part 5, Education and Neohumanism
2. Human Society - 1, Education
3. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, Taking the Opposite Stance in Battle
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 22, Táńd́ava and Kaośikii
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Could not forget Him
PS Intro: This song depicts that initial time when Guru first comes into the life of any bhakta. In that special moment, it often happens that one does not really understand the great importance and pure divinity of that charming Personality. But then later on, after further reflection and sadhana, one gradually develops an inner appreciation of the greatness of that Sadguru. Then the sadhaka wants Parama Purusa's proximity more and more. With this feeling, the sadhaka will look back upon those old memories with repentance. Because when Parama Purusa first came to the sadhaka then he - the sadhaka - was not able to receive Parama Purusa properly in his heart. The sadhaka could not fully grasp the true value of Sadguru's gracious visit. So now when the sadhaka has a more developed longing and yearning for Parama Purusa, then he feels that he foolishly wasted that earlier opportunity when Parama Purusa Himself came in his life. Because now at present it is not so easy to get Parama Purusa by oneself - by one's own doing. That type of scene is expressed in this following Prabhat Samgiita.
"Path cine esechilo aja'na' pathik, mor duya're ks'an'ik da'nr'iyachilo..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2371)
Purport:
How gracious that Divine Entity is. Ajana Pathik came to my home with great intent and stood directly in front of my door for a moment. Tragically, that time I was not aware about who He was so I did not invite Him to come inside. Thus with His sweet and gentle smile He slowly went away that time. Afterwards, the tender image of His sweet, charming face was floating in my mind again and again - I could not forget Him. A few moments passed like that.
After some time, I realised my blunder and I opened the door and desperately ran outside as fast as I could and looked around trying to find Him - hoping to find that divinely charming Entity. I searched for Him in near and far places, but that was all in vain; He was not there. Alas, I could not find Him; only His ma’la’ was there. Where has He gone.
Today, I feel deep repentance. In human life, so many mistakes happen; and, people also feel remorseful for those past wrongdoings. So now I am summoning Him again and again with a very deep, heart-felt longing and with an upsurge of emotion. But I do not know if that call is reaching His ears or touching His heart.
When I was not aware about who He was then at that time He came, but I did not receive Him. And now, by His grace, I feel love for Him in the inner core of my being, but He is not paying heed to my yearning for His proximity. My Divine Entity, please do not play hide and seek with me any longer. Please come, You are my everything...
Note for Prabhat Samgiita #2371:
[1] Ajana Pathik: The term Aja'na' Pathik means 'The Divine Entity Parama Purusa Who moves around this entire universe, and resides everywhere and knows everything; irrespective of where one goes, He remains along with you'. That is one of His many unique attributions and that is the speciality of the name 'Ajana Pathik'. The name 'Ajana Pathik' denotes this special quality.
Literally, Aja'na' means 'unknown' and Pathik means 'traveler' or ‘tourist.’ But this is just the word by word, literal translation; and, proper nouns are not meant to be translated. So we cannot call Him the ‘Unknown Traveler’ or ‘Unknown Tourist', or Unknown Vacationer', or 'Unknown Backpacker', or 'Unknown Visitor', or 'Unknown Globetrotter', or 'Unknown Daytripper', or 'Unknown Hitchhiker.’ The spirit and meaning is then lost.
The inner sense of the name Ajana Pathik is that Parama Purusa is always moving throughout this vast cosmos and He is constantly present with everyone, all the time. He is in the Cosmic Nucleus, yet at the same time through His ota and prota yoga He is everywhere - carefully watching & lovingly guiding everyone. This unique aspect of His grand Personality is treated as Aja'na' Pathik. Because He is constantly traveling yet present everywhere. He is in the nucleus as well as throughout this entire universe.
As the Ajana Pathik, Parama Purusa Baba moves and moves and moves. In their spiritual approach bhaktas feel that wherever they go the Aja'na' Pathik will always be there to shower His blessing. By His grace, bhaktas can always get His intimate company and companionship. With this mystical link, sadhakas understand that Parama Purusa is present everywhere, yet side by side He travels on and on throughout this entire cosmos. Thus He is Aja'na' Pathik.
Overall, the name Aja'na' Pathik has one special and unique meaning that goes far beyond its literal translation. And in our hearts we A'nanda Ma'rgiis know and feel that Baba is that Aja'na' Pathik. Indeed in His discourses, in Dharma Samiiksa, and in reporting, in DMC, and in numerous ways Baba has shown this very fact that He is ever-present and always along with us. He is always moving, and wherever we go then He will also be there. Parama Purusa has infinite attributions and one of them is this special quality where He always remains along with us wherever we are in this vast universe. In this way, He is known as - Aja'na' Pathik. In the true sense, as the omnipresent Entity, He does not go anywhere because He is everywhere; but, in a more literal manner He goes from place to place.
Those who use ‘Unknown Traveler’ or ‘Unknown Tourist’ in place of Aja'na' Pathik are naive and ignorant.
PS Intro: This song depicts that initial time when Guru first comes into the life of any bhakta. In that special moment, it often happens that one does not really understand the great importance and pure divinity of that charming Personality. But then later on, after further reflection and sadhana, one gradually develops an inner appreciation of the greatness of that Sadguru. Then the sadhaka wants Parama Purusa's proximity more and more. With this feeling, the sadhaka will look back upon those old memories with repentance. Because when Parama Purusa first came to the sadhaka then he - the sadhaka - was not able to receive Parama Purusa properly in his heart. The sadhaka could not fully grasp the true value of Sadguru's gracious visit. So now when the sadhaka has a more developed longing and yearning for Parama Purusa, then he feels that he foolishly wasted that earlier opportunity when Parama Purusa Himself came in his life. Because now at present it is not so easy to get Parama Purusa by oneself - by one's own doing. That type of scene is expressed in this following Prabhat Samgiita.
"Path cine esechilo aja'na' pathik, mor duya're ks'an'ik da'nr'iyachilo..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2371)
Purport:
How gracious that Divine Entity is. Ajana Pathik came to my home with great intent and stood directly in front of my door for a moment. Tragically, that time I was not aware about who He was so I did not invite Him to come inside. Thus with His sweet and gentle smile He slowly went away that time. Afterwards, the tender image of His sweet, charming face was floating in my mind again and again - I could not forget Him. A few moments passed like that.
After some time, I realised my blunder and I opened the door and desperately ran outside as fast as I could and looked around trying to find Him - hoping to find that divinely charming Entity. I searched for Him in near and far places, but that was all in vain; He was not there. Alas, I could not find Him; only His ma’la’ was there. Where has He gone.
Today, I feel deep repentance. In human life, so many mistakes happen; and, people also feel remorseful for those past wrongdoings. So now I am summoning Him again and again with a very deep, heart-felt longing and with an upsurge of emotion. But I do not know if that call is reaching His ears or touching His heart.
When I was not aware about who He was then at that time He came, but I did not receive Him. And now, by His grace, I feel love for Him in the inner core of my being, but He is not paying heed to my yearning for His proximity. My Divine Entity, please do not play hide and seek with me any longer. Please come, You are my everything...
Note for Prabhat Samgiita #2371:
[1] Ajana Pathik: The term Aja'na' Pathik means 'The Divine Entity Parama Purusa Who moves around this entire universe, and resides everywhere and knows everything; irrespective of where one goes, He remains along with you'. That is one of His many unique attributions and that is the speciality of the name 'Ajana Pathik'. The name 'Ajana Pathik' denotes this special quality.
Literally, Aja'na' means 'unknown' and Pathik means 'traveler' or ‘tourist.’ But this is just the word by word, literal translation; and, proper nouns are not meant to be translated. So we cannot call Him the ‘Unknown Traveler’ or ‘Unknown Tourist', or Unknown Vacationer', or 'Unknown Backpacker', or 'Unknown Visitor', or 'Unknown Globetrotter', or 'Unknown Daytripper', or 'Unknown Hitchhiker.’ The spirit and meaning is then lost.
The inner sense of the name Ajana Pathik is that Parama Purusa is always moving throughout this vast cosmos and He is constantly present with everyone, all the time. He is in the Cosmic Nucleus, yet at the same time through His ota and prota yoga He is everywhere - carefully watching & lovingly guiding everyone. This unique aspect of His grand Personality is treated as Aja'na' Pathik. Because He is constantly traveling yet present everywhere. He is in the nucleus as well as throughout this entire universe.
As the Ajana Pathik, Parama Purusa Baba moves and moves and moves. In their spiritual approach bhaktas feel that wherever they go the Aja'na' Pathik will always be there to shower His blessing. By His grace, bhaktas can always get His intimate company and companionship. With this mystical link, sadhakas understand that Parama Purusa is present everywhere, yet side by side He travels on and on throughout this entire cosmos. Thus He is Aja'na' Pathik.
Overall, the name Aja'na' Pathik has one special and unique meaning that goes far beyond its literal translation. And in our hearts we A'nanda Ma'rgiis know and feel that Baba is that Aja'na' Pathik. Indeed in His discourses, in Dharma Samiiksa, and in reporting, in DMC, and in numerous ways Baba has shown this very fact that He is ever-present and always along with us. He is always moving, and wherever we go then He will also be there. Parama Purusa has infinite attributions and one of them is this special quality where He always remains along with us wherever we are in this vast universe. In this way, He is known as - Aja'na' Pathik. In the true sense, as the omnipresent Entity, He does not go anywhere because He is everywhere; but, in a more literal manner He goes from place to place.
Those who use ‘Unknown Traveler’ or ‘Unknown Tourist’ in place of Aja'na' Pathik are naive and ignorant.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Import of mother tongue
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “What does mother tongue mean? That language in which we can freely, smoothly and spontaneously express our ideas in an unobstructed environment, just as we feel loving closeness with our own mother while in conversation, is our mother tongue...The way people can express their thoughts and ideas in their own mother tongue cannot be done in any other language. People feel uneasy when they speak in a language other than their mother tongue. If they constantly feel such uneasiness, their Práńa Shakta or vital energy will be disturbed. Consequently their vital force will be weakened. In such circumstance a sort of psychological crisis will occur in the collective mental body as well as in the individual mind. This will result in the emergence of inferiority complexes which will cause debility in the human mind. Those people whose language is suppressed lose their moral courage, initiative and power to protest. Ultimately a defeatist psychology develops in them, and as a group such people face the prospect of total annihilation.” (1)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “No mother tongue should be suppressed. If a mother tongue is suppressed, the consequences are most dangerous.” (2)
The mother tongue is the first language, the one spoken at home with the family. It is the language the brain first got wired with. The neurons and synapses first learned to connect feelings with words using this language. And when one is in a deeply emotional situation, say one is suddenly facing an emergency, then one's mother tongue is the language in which one immediately thinks and expresses.
To understand this point, one cannot look at gray areas such as if one hasn't spoken one's mother tongue for years and is also extremely gifted in language. Take the common cases which describe huge numbers of people: Latin Americans from Mexico and other countries of Central America going to the US, trying to escape from dire situations in their own countries, and they are unable to speak a word of English. They find themselves having to find work, and, unable to use their own language in this effort, develop a huge inferiority complex in their mind due to which they get exploited into working for almost nothing.
People throughout Bihar have to speak a language at work - Hindi - which they never spoke in their entire lives with family and friends in their village. They ultimately manage somehow but never feel comfortable expressing sensitive or complex matters due to which they develop an inferiority complex and are easily exploited. There are millions and millions of cases like this throughout the world.
Suppose a non-Chinese speaker has to go to China, then they will surely learn a few words. But if they have to defend themselves there in a court of law, how will they be able to do it? That will not be easy. Even the Vietnamese boy brought to the US at the age of 15 months, learned basic Vietnamese at home but from preschool went to English language schooling. Even there, his English skills will not be quite like that of those who spoke English at home with their parents. And his Vietnamese skills will not be highly developed either. Due to lack of development of his mother tongue, he will never be able to express himself with the same ease that those whose mother tongue is well developed can.
Having a well-developed mother tongue is incredibly important for full development of the language centers of the brain. This is common in India: people don't know their own local language that well, nor do they know Hindi or English that well. Their ability to communicate skillfully and with ease in any language is compromised for life. And that creates a huge inferiority complex, which sets up the field for exploitation. And there is no shortage of people ready to take advantage of these weaknesses.
For this reason Baba gives tremendous importance to the mother tongue. Both to its use in schooling, and also at the workplace. People should know the international language of communication, but should also get full scope to develop their mother tongue and use it in their daily lives including at school and work etc.
In Him
Samadarshii
(Sean Atkinger)
References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 13, The Language Issue
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Ananda Marga ideology says, "The Supreme Truth is hiding; you are chasing Him and He is hiding behind you. And again you are chasing Him and again He is hiding. It is like a hide-and-seek game. And He is happy about that. You are chasing Him and chasing Him and chasing Him and He is hiding [from] you, and you want to chase Him again." (1 )
Note: In His above teaching, Baba is describing the devotional play of 'hide and seek'. But that is not the only definition of the divine play of hide and seek. In Ananda Vacana'mrtam part 13 (Hindi) chapter 7, pg 66, Baba explains the devotional concept of hide and seek in a whole new way.
There Baba tells that when under the spell of maya, then sadhakas think that Parama Purusa is far. So when a sadhaka is thinking like this that is the stage of hide. Because they feel that He is away somewhere-- out of sight. Whereas when they think that Parama Purusa is close then they feel that they have found Him. So by this new definition, the whole liila of hide and seek depends solely upon the unit mind. Parama Purusa Himself is not intentionally going further away or coming more close. Rather, His proximity and presence are just dependent upon the sadhaka's state of mind. By this way, it is evident that the divine liila of hide and seek is not beyond the understanding of the jiivas. Because Baba's explanation from AV-13 (H) gives a very rational explanation about hide and seek where it is just a matter of one's own unit feeling-- nothing more. When we think He is far then that is His hiding, and when we think He is close we have found Him. That is the entire formula.
Furthermore Baba explains this same idea in the following shloka.
Du'ra't sudure tadiha'ntike ca pashyatsvihaeva nihitam' guha'ya'm.
Baba says, "If you think that He is very far from you, He will remain forever beyond your reach. If you think that He is near, He will be so near that you need not move even an inch to attain Him." (2)
References
1. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 31, Dharma Sádhaná
2. Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 5, Microcosm and Macrocosm
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "You will have to advance with the true spirit of genuine social service, because the very characteristic of dharma is to promote the cause of welfare. Dharma and welfare are inseparable. Religion and intolerance have created enormous harm in the world, have caused torrents of blood to stain the rivers red. In the present twentieth century, religions have assumed the form of “isms”."
"The people of medieval times fought among the clans and communities, and the people of today are fighting over their “isms”. Just as religions did in the past, the “isms” are criticizing each other today, betraying their spirit of intolerance as they try to gag each other’s voices. It seems that they have no other goal than carping, criticizing, and slandering each other. They are befooling the ignorant masses by painting rosy pictures of service, peace and happiness. On the other hand they themselves are going far away from the path of selfless service and welfare. To emancipate the masses from the unhealthy influence of “isms” there is no other way than universalism. Only universalism is free from the defects of any narrowisms because every thing of this entire universe comes within its vast periphery."
"It is only with the help of átmánátma viveka that the human beings can emerge from the mire of the present century and move towards universalism with firm steps. By virtue of átmánátma viveka people can realize that Brahma is the Eternal Singular Entity, pure Consciousness." (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 7, The Five Kinds of Conscience
== Section 3: Links ==
Postings to Read
Moral duty of all to protect this
Essence of sadhana
Understanding sexual indiscretions
Baba's presence in sadhana
