Ananda Marga Universal Forum: 07/22/26

Baba

How to help non-sadhakas

Namaskar,

Any sincere Ananda Ma’rgii who is propagating the spiritual teachings often experiences a common problem: the problem of people thinking that AM teachings are very difficult to follow to an extent of being “impractical”. After all, in most religions, there is a scope of consumerism which seems so natural to people. Some people do understand the value of the sublime teachings of AM like the use of sattvik vegetarian food but then think that “I cannot manage such a lifestyle as I cannot give up my old habits.” Most people in the world think on the aforementioned lines. The question then is how to help such people and bring them on the spiritual path.
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Can’t give up meat-eating yet practice asanas

Baba has taught about the Ga’yattri Rk wherein a prayer for showing the right path to the Parama Puruśa has been given. Those who cannot follow other teachings of AM should be given the lesson on Ga’yattri Rk. Such people can then earnestly pray to Parama Puruśa for showing them the right path using the meaning of the Ga’yattri Rk in their mother tongue on a daily basis. The proper meaning of Ga’yattri Rk should also be explained to them. With this practice, gradually the desire for Parama Puruśa will arise in their minds. As Baba says, with an intense desire one attains Sadguru. The dogmatic people should be provided the same Vaidiki diiksha’ that the ancient rishis used to do. By the sincere and repeated chanting of the Ga’yattri Rk, they will become ready for the 1st lesson of Ananda Marga meditation.

Ananda Sutram says, “Muktyákáunkśayá sadgurupráptih.

[Out of the intense desire for mukti (liberation), one attains one’s sadguru (perfect master).]

Purport: When a vehement desire for emancipation wakes up in a person, he or she attains his or her sadguru [true spiritual preceptor] on the strength of that desire.” (1)

For those who do not want to believe in God

For those who want to learn meditation but do not want to believe in God should be provided the same lesson that is given to the children in AM. This lesson should be practiced twice daily at least for one minute in the beginning. The duration of mediation has no limit and can be increased based on one’s capacity to 2 - 5 minutes or even more. The meditation should be practiced once in the morning and once in the evening before the meal.
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Like AM but cannot quit ta’masik food

Such people should be taught that they may continue their lifestyle but should practice Kirttana intensely. Even non-margiis can practice kiirtana. By the constant practice of kiirtana, the desire for Parama Puruśa will arise in their hearts and a gradual transformation will begin.

Conclusion

Those non-margiis who cannot follow the teachings of AM should be given the lesson on Ga’yattri Rk. Such people can then earnestly pray to Parama Puruśa for showing them the right path, using the meaning of the Ga’yattri Rk in their mother tongue on a daily basis. By the sincere and repeated chanting of the Ga’yattri Rk, they will become ready for the 1st lesson of Ananda Marga meditation.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In Him,
Bhakti

~ In-depth study ~

Gayattri Rk

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “In ancient times there were two recognized stages in the process of initiation. The first one was Vaedikii diikśá, that is, initiation as per the Vaedik [Vedic] school of thought, and the second one was Tántrikii diikśá, that is, initiation as per Tantra. The most important mantra in Vaedikii diikśá was the “Gáyattrii Mantra”. The spirit of Vaedikii diikśá was to pray to God to get the proper path, the path of bliss; and the spirit of Tántrikii diikśá was to move along that path. In the first phase the aspirant requested God to show the path, and in the second phase the sádhaka had to move along that path. And this “Gáyattrii Mantra” was the most important mantra in Vaedikii diikśá.” (2)

Teaching meditation

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “When children are five years old and attain some awareness, the parents, brothers, sisters or any guardian may initiate them in Náma Mantra [the preliminary process of meditation]. They should be taught to sit in padmásana [lotus posture], but instead of interlocking the fingers, they may rest one palm upon the other; and keep the spine erect. They will then be instructed to feel or imagine that everything around them, and whatever they visualize, is Brahma.” (3)

Why junk food

The main thing is that spirituality brings a deep and irreversible transformation in an individual unlike intellectual persuasion which is superficial. With an intellectual persuasion, one may temporarily learn something, but it does not sow the seed of determination in one’s mind. A person who has learned something out of intellectual persuasion may compromise under extenuating circumstances. This is not the case for one who is guided by the power of spirituality. For example, consider a person who is following sattvika diet due to intellectual persuasion. When such a person undertakes a train journey wherein proper food is unavailable, they begin to think that, “If I do not eat then I’ll die of hunger” and may compromise with whatever junk food is available. One who is basing one’s decision on spirituality will have firm determination. Therefore, the main thing is spirituality; once the spirituality germinates in one’s heart the mind changes irreversibly and one can accomplish the greatest goal of life. Just like a small lit lamp is enough to end the reign of Cimmerian darkness, the ray of spirituality overcomes the darkness caused in one’s mind due to avidya’ma’ya’. With such an approach, the life will be fully transformed.
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References
(1) Ánanda Sútram, Chapter 3
(2) Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 26, Gáyattrii Rhythm and the “Gáyattrii Mantra”
(3) Ananda Marga Caryácarya Part, The Process of Initiation

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Your spiritual brilliance

"Ámi to tomáre bhávini jiivane, tumi mor kathá bhevecho..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0643)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, throughout my entire life I never thought, ideated, or meditated upon You properly, yet with affection You think about me always. Your arrival into my life is just Your causeless grace. In my narrow, shallow, and dry heart, in the deep corner of my mind, You have secretly come and made Your place, making my unhappy life full of bliss. Now You are showering Your compassion; it is Your ahetuki krpa upon me.

Baba, the accumulated clouds of uncertainty and dilemma which were overcasting my mind since ages due to my own ego, vanity, ignorance, and asmitá etc, all that gloom was removed in a flash. With spiritual vibration You pulled me close to You, showering Your causeless grace abundantly. You have done so much.

Parama Purusa Baba, You are the heavenly refulgence of the spiritual world and the life of the lifeless. You are the heart of my heart as well as my most intimate One. Please accept my surrender - my sastaunga pranam. You have showered Your spiritual brilliance and opened my eyes so I may see right from wrong. You have graciously given me patience to remain calm in all situations and lovingly bestowed samvit so that my unit consciousness can merge into Cosmic Consciousness. What have You not done - You have done everything.

Parama Purusa, in my life I never thought of You, nor did I do proper meditation. But even then You have loved me so much. Baba, You are ever-gracious...

Note For Prabhat Samgiita #0643:

[1] Asmita': Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Drkdarshanashaktyorekátmatevásmitá [“When people at the height of their foolishness forget the distinction between the subjective and objective counterparts, or confuse one with the other and say completely nonsensical things, that mental defect is known as asmitá”]. As asmitá is devoid of any discrimination, people with this mental defect lose their power of discrimination. First, they think that since they are so great, there is no need for them to learn anything from others. As a result of this, their further progress comes to a halt. Secondly, the arrogant attitude of this asmitá banishes from their minds the humble psychology of the learner. They lose interest in learning anything useful; so not only in the world of knowledge, but also in the world of practicality, they become misfits in life because of their mountainous accumulated ignorance."
"It is not that arrogance of this sort simply obstructs their progress. The human mind, like the human body, is dynamic. No one has come to remain here; everyone is moving – for movement is a must. Now, the mind whose further progress is blocked will also have to move this way or that; so when one must move, but the path of progress is blocked, one is compelled to move along the path of degradation. Thus the arrogance born of this asmitá will lead people towards their downfall. This arrogance, which makes them want to display themselves, forgetting all other things, is termed ahaḿkára [vanity]. The predominant vrtti behind it is aham [ego]: “I am everything, there is nothing beyond and outside me.”" (1)

[2] Samvit: Ananda Marga ideology states, "Samvit means spiritual consciousness, spiritual awakening. A man engaged in bad things all of a sudden feels that “No, I shouldn’t do all these things. No, I should be a good man henceforward.” Such an idea all of a sudden comes in his mind. And this thing, this change of mental tendency, is brought about by samvit shakti of Vidyámáyá. Do you follow? This is what is called samvit shakti. “No, henceforward I must be a good man. No, henceforward I must be a spiritualist. I must not encourage any depraving idea.” Samvit shakti." (2)

References
1. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Disc: 10
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Brahma Cakra

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Banana uses

Ananda Marga Ideal Farming states, "Banana trees are known more for their fruits than for their fibre. Both the fruit and the flower can be eaten, and when the tree is young the inner trunk can be taken as a vegetable as well. The leaves are used for plates or for wrapping food. Sodium carbonate may be obtained from the banana tree by burning the trunk into ash, and sodium bicarbonate may be obtained by boiling the ash until the water evaporates. There are numerous products which can be made from the banana tree. The fibre is obtained from the trunk of the tree. The greater the size of a tree, the greater the quantity of fibre, but the same rule does not necessarily apply for the quantity of fruit produced by the banana tree. Not more than two offshoot saplings should be allowed to grow from one banana tree. The extra shoots should be cut. There are many varieties of banana." (1)

Reference
1. Ideal Farming - 2, Some Important Crops

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read