Baba
How occult powers ruin sadhaka life
Namaskar,
In this world of ours, some people believe that occult powers have great value, but this is not the case in Ananda Marga. Why is this so?
Material desires in sadhana
One of the main yogic tenets is: As one thinks so one becomes. And this applies to both spiritual life and mundane existence. For example, if one is doing sadhana and has a desire for money, then they will get money. Before practising sadhana, one did not have money; one just had the desire to have more money. Then, after practising sadhana for some time, the sadhaka acquires a lot of money.
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In our lives, we might have seen many such sadhakas. Money is just one example, but it can be any other materialistic pursuit such as prestige, power, recognition, etc. When one does sadhana, one will get whatever one thinks. In dharma sadhana, the sadhaka concentrates on Parama’tma’ and wants to please Parama’tma’. If the sadhaka concentrates on Parama’tma’, but at the same time is thinking about how to get more money, then one will get money because Parama’tma’ will provide what the sadhaka wants. If the want is materialistic, then the sadhaka will get that, but not realize Parama’tma’ because the want was for something materialistic and not Parama’tma’.
Example of baby & mother
Let us consider another example. If a baby is crying and the mother gives it a toy, then the baby stops crying. So the mother does not need to do anything else to fulfill the wants of the baby. The mother will give the baby a toy and keep doing her work. But if the baby continues to cry even after receiving the toy then the mother does not have any other option but to take the baby on her lap. The same is the case in spiritual sadhana. If the sadhaka wants only Him, then surely Parama Purusa will be gracious and bring that sadhaka on His lap.
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His liila is colourful
Parama’tma’s creation is full of maya. If no one is trapped in maya and everyone strongly desires to realize Parama’tma, then all will be liberated. That is why in this creation there is vidya maya and avidya maya, phases of lightness and dark, wisdom and ignorance. Parama’tma likes to do His liila. With His liila, this creation is colourful, just like in a play where there is a hero, a villain, and a comedian, etc. Similarly, in this creation there are those who are wise, dumb, wealthy, poor, duplicitous,, and spiritual, etc. Everyone has different wants: They debate points, have friendships, undergo struggles, and that is how this creation is colourful. This play of His creation is called His liila.
Obstructions in sadhana
On the path of sadhana, maya is an obstruction. When one does sadhana, then various types of obstructions arise. When one first starts sadhana, then there will be obstructions from the outside such as from family members, neighbors, friends, etc. Slowly those external obstructions will no longer be problematic for the aspirant, and instead internal obstructions will mount. And if a sadhaka persists with sadhana, then slowly the mind will become calm and not be bothered by either internal or external obstructions. The mind will become focused and the sadhaka will be inspired to do more sadhana.
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The next obstruction will be in the form of occult powers, i.e. the temptation to attain and use them. If a sadhaka aspires for occult power, then s/he will get it, but this will result in the downfall of the sadhaka. How? With occult powers one starts to put more emphasis on one’s own self. For example, what one says, that will happen because of the power of sadhana. The person with occult power may get offended or their self-esteem may be hurt if someone else says something that is not pleasing to them. In return, the person with occult powers may curse that other person and think about how to take revenge on that individual . With such types of actions, the sadhaka with occult powers becomes degenerated, as they will have to undergo the reactions of such actions later. Moreover, their sadhana was also adversely affected because they wanted occult powers and not Parama Purusa .
How people use occult power
In ancient times, when no weapons were available for punishment, people used to bite others or beat them by hand. Slowly, people used stones, sticks, etc., and now people use guns and other weapons. If one does not use physical objects to hurt others, but uses psychic powers, then that also results in harming others as well, bringing about the downfall of oneself. If one commits any bad action, then one has to suffer the consequences.
On the path of sadhana, avidya maya poses a number of obstructions such that the sadhaka struggles to advance further. Occult power is also a type of obstruction. With occult power one feels that whatever one says will happen. So, in front of other people, one will try to show their occult power with various demonstrations in order to get recognition from others and for prestige. The use of occult power brings about one’s downfall as the goal is to praise oneself and / or enhance their prestige. So sadhakas should not pay any attention to occult powers.
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Result in occult power
On the path of bhakti, Parama’tma’ is above everything. Because of Parama’tma’, this creation exists, and we exist. With occult power, the sadhaka gets disillusioned and puts too much emphasis on the self and forgets Parama’tma’. This results in one’s own downfall. When the sadhaka thinks Parama’tma’ is above everything then that results in the spiritual growth of a sadhaka, but when one thinks s/he is above everything then one becomes degenerated.
With occult power, the sadhaka is not a beginner. So when the downfall occurs it hampers the sadhaka in a significant way, as if s/he has fallen from 100 ft off the ground. Typically, when one falls from ground level then the bodily damages are minor, and when one falls from 10 feet above the ground the damages are a little more, but when one falls from above 100 ft then the damages are significant. So if a sadhaka who has advanced to higher levels degenerates, then the damages are significant, and may result in their complete destruction and annihilation..
In Him,
Nirakara
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “While practising spiritual cult, it should be remembered that spiritual aspirants must not practise in order to acquire these occult powers. The goal of spiritual practice is to realize the Supreme Entity. To search for any other thing is wrong. Occult powers are just like the dust on the roadside. The attraction for Parama Puruśa is the most valuable object – all else is only the dust of the earth.” (1)
~ In-depth study ~
Why you got this body
Baba has warned us not to pay attention to occult powers. The goal of life is to realize Parama’tma’ and not the achievement of material pleasures such as money, prestige, power etc. A sadhaka in advanced stages should never develop this feeling that s/he is more knowledgeable than others, or has more power than others. This type of thinking is dangerous because it is a temporary state only — someone possesses money, power etc. today but may not have that tomorrow.
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World is transitory
For example, one who is a great scholar today may not know a simple thing tomorrow if s/he develops Alzheimer’s disease. With such a disease, yesterday’s scholar may not even remember his own name. This body will not remain on this earth forever — even those born today will only remain for about 100 years. But new human beings will take birth to replace the ones who have left. It is like a play or drama performed on a stage. In that performance there is a stage and many performers. Brother R came on the stage, sang a song, and left; another one came, narrated a story, and left; another one danced and left. Just as in the afore-described play, we are players on this world stage. Players come and go, and their nature is transitory. However, the lamp on the stage witnesses everything that happens in the play. Parama’tma’ is the Witnessing Entity who observes everything that happens in this creation. The play in the creation is never-ending.
We have a duty to perform in this creation. As human beings we have the potential to channel all our energy towards Parama’tma’. If there are obstructions, selfish desires on the way, then they have to be removed. There has to be one and only one desire, and that is to realize Parama’tma’; to move towards Parama’tma’, and merge in Parama’tma’. There should not be any secondary desire. If there are secondary desires, then the secondary desires will be fulfilled, and the main desire (i.e. to merge in Parama’tma’) will be forgotten. There are many sadhakas who are responsible for their own downfall because of secondary desires. Secondary desires are like toys that the mother gives to the child so it won’t cry. Occult powers are like a toy. Parama’tma’ can give those toys to sadhakas if they want, but if the sadhaka wants the toy then they will be diverted from the path and will never be able to reach Parama’tma’.
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How sadhakas fall
But a true sadhaka wants only Parama’tma’. Such a sadhaka’s life is filled with bliss. Many get human birth, but they live the life of animals before their death. There are many people who not only live like animals but do so much harm to others that they do not deserve another human birth. Whatever samskaras they had before getting birth, they accumulate even more samskaras in this life, and hence will not even be reborn as humans in their next life. The majority of people fall into this category— those who do not deserve human birth. There is a small percentage of people who are humans in this birth, and they are reborn as humans because they did not perform so many good actions or so many bad actions in this life. But if the ones who are doing sadhana have secondary desires then they accumulate negative samskaras. If they have desires to accumulate money, then in their next birth they may be reborn into a wealthy family which will diminish their chances to do sadhana in their next life; thus, they become degenerated. There are sadhakas who do sadhana for some time, but they also have secondary desires. Those secondary desires will be satisfied, but they may do harm to others. Hence, they degrade themselves to a position which is lower than they were prior to doing sadhana.
So a sadhaka needs knowledge of what one should do and what not to do. Occult powers should never be desired and the thought of them should not even be entertained. It is a trap in the play of this creation. It is foolish to be attached to things such as money, power or prestige or taking pleasure in self praise, because everything belongs to Parama’tma’ and the goal of life should be based on Parama’tma’ and not on the self.
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References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 18, Cult, Inference and Propensity
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Sadhaka’s deep desire
“Tumi yadi jagat joŕá, ámi kii jagat cháŕá...” (Prabhat Samgiita #0830)
Purport:
O’ my Parama Purusa Baba, if You are associated with the world through Your ota and prota yoga and care for each and every entity in this entire universe, then am I outside the scope of the universe? Why are You not concerned about me? You have left me by the wayside, completely neglected. If You are the reliever of all sorrow and the remover of everyone’s suffering, then why don't You relieve me of my terrible torment? I am still wallowing in misery. Please be gracious. Being the Supreme Entity, if You are related with the entire universe then am I outside it? I am also part of this world; please look towards me.
O’ Purna Brahma, I do not want happiness, but rather peace. I do not want boons or siddhis from You, just a wee-bit of Your divine grace. Lord, a small shelter above me - a tiny roof over my head - is all that is needed. I do not desire a garland of pearls or anything fancy or luxurious - nor any material gain. But I do want freedom and no longer wish to be imprisoned by dogma or stifled any longer, where my intellect is barred. I want to bask in the vast, unbounded, open-air of neo-humanism. Baba, being the Supreme Entity, if You are related with the entire universe then am I outside it? Certainly, I am also part of this world. Please look towards me.
O’ Parama Purusa, You are great, and I am meagre. You are the vast Cosmic Entity, the Supreme Consciousness, and I am a small, unit being. You are like the sun, and I am like a snowflake. By Your touch, my body melts into water. When my unit mind comes in contact with Cosmic Consciousness, it merges into that and loses its existence. Baba, being the Supreme Entity, if You are related with the entire universe then am I outside it? I am also part of this world; please look towards me.
O’ Prabhu, I want to be immersed in the spiritual colour of bhakti. Kindly be gracious...
“Tumi yadi jagat joŕá, ámi kii jagat cháŕá...” (Prabhat Samgiita #0830)
Purport:
O’ my Parama Purusa Baba, if You are associated with the world through Your ota and prota yoga and care for each and every entity in this entire universe, then am I outside the scope of the universe? Why are You not concerned about me? You have left me by the wayside, completely neglected. If You are the reliever of all sorrow and the remover of everyone’s suffering, then why don't You relieve me of my terrible torment? I am still wallowing in misery. Please be gracious. Being the Supreme Entity, if You are related with the entire universe then am I outside it? I am also part of this world; please look towards me.
O’ Purna Brahma, I do not want happiness, but rather peace. I do not want boons or siddhis from You, just a wee-bit of Your divine grace. Lord, a small shelter above me - a tiny roof over my head - is all that is needed. I do not desire a garland of pearls or anything fancy or luxurious - nor any material gain. But I do want freedom and no longer wish to be imprisoned by dogma or stifled any longer, where my intellect is barred. I want to bask in the vast, unbounded, open-air of neo-humanism. Baba, being the Supreme Entity, if You are related with the entire universe then am I outside it? Certainly, I am also part of this world. Please look towards me.
O’ Parama Purusa, You are great, and I am meagre. You are the vast Cosmic Entity, the Supreme Consciousness, and I am a small, unit being. You are like the sun, and I am like a snowflake. By Your touch, my body melts into water. When my unit mind comes in contact with Cosmic Consciousness, it merges into that and loses its existence. Baba, being the Supreme Entity, if You are related with the entire universe then am I outside it? I am also part of this world; please look towards me.
O’ Prabhu, I want to be immersed in the spiritual colour of bhakti. Kindly be gracious...
== Section 3: Links ==
Postings to Read
AM & subjective approach
How bhakti is permanent
Spiritual way to start the day
Suffering & samskara theory
Sadhana process & mantra