Baba
Pervasive ailment nowadays
Namaskar,
Prama means balance. And it is an essential component in the life of any sadhaka.
Loss of prama in today's world
Nowadays, most suffer from a lack of prama in the physical realm. In some cases they lack the basic necessities of life such as food and medical care etc. And in other instances, they suffer from a gross excess in the physical realm which causes imbalances in other spheres of life. As they blindly lust after material gain, they do not place sufficient emphasis on the psychic and spiritual realms.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Wherever materialism has taken hold, the masses take matter to be the be-all and end-all of life. Even after acquiring all sorts of material possessions they still feel: “I am hungry for more material gain.” They may even live week-to-week barely paying their basic bills, yet waste their limited financial resources on junk, pseudo-culture items. This is the iconic example of imbalance in mundane life.
Imbalance in life is bad
Some mistakenly think that those living in materially wealthy countries are not suffering from any problems; but, that is not correct. In those lands of material wealth, psychic suffering is rampant, and their spiritual life has become a wasteland. So most everyone is suffering in one way or another. In both the cases - i.e. where there is physical want and where there is physical excess - there is a serious problem. Prama needs to be attained by supplying the physical necessities to the have-nots, and placing greater emphasis on psychic and spiritual pursuits.
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, “Now, what is the actual meaning of pramá? The word pramá is derived as the root má prefixed by pra and suffixed by d́a and t́á. The meaning of the root verb má is “to measure”, “to fathom”. So the etymological meaning of pramá is “balance”...pramá is indispensable in individual life.” (1)
Here the psychic realm means proper study of rational ideas. A deficiency of the prama in the psychic sphere means wholly absorbing oneself in mundane and material allurements and having no inclination towards dharmic, psycho-spiritual life. The spiritual field means cultivating a rational outlook based in bhakti and embracing Parama Purusa as the Supreme Goal of life. Lack of prama in the spiritual sphere means just involving in religious dogma.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conclusion
Surveying the scene, Baba has given all the requisite teachings to achieve prama - perfect peace. Those who strictly adhere to Sixteen Points achieve prama' in life - and do not incur any such suffering. Even then, some Wts become overly involved in mundane affairs and lose prama and fail to give proper attention to dharmic practices like sadhana. So regardless of one’s dress, all should pay heed to Guru’s warnings and bring prama in life by becoming more and more sincere in Sixteen Points.
In Him,
Jyoti
References
1. A Few Problems Solved - 8, Pramá – 1 / Dynamic Equilibrium and Equipoise
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stands on their own as points of interest.
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stands on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Why suppression is harmful
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "There are activities that provoke, as a reaction, a filthy sensation in the body or mind of a person. This induces in them a desire to stay away from such activities, and creates in them a mentality of over-reaction against such activities. This reactionary mentality is called ghrńá or hatred. Hatred is an imposed psychic bondage. So it is a kind of pásha [eight types of external fetters]. What originates in the mind and expands to the external world is called ripu [six inherent bondages]. That which originates outside and influences the mind is called pásha, as told earlier. An intelligent person keeps his or her ripu in control and fights the páshas. The sages and ascetics do not recommend any mechanism for opposing the ripus, because if a particular ripu is repressed, it tries to find an outlet through another ripu. The same is true about the remaining of ripus (lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride and jealousy). If the propensity of greed is strong in a person and they are compelled to control it under the pressure of poverty – for example, if a person who used to take bribes is compelled to refrain from taking bribes due to pressure from law enforcement authorities–their greed will find expression through anger or some other ripu; that is, they will burst into a rage." (1)
Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika - 4, Ku to Kuiṋjara (Discourse 27)
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Tattoos & negative microvita
Namaskar,
Shabda Cayanika says, "Kinnara microvita is that category of microvita which creates a thirst for beauty – a strong desire for beautification and decoration. The word kinnara means “receptacle of beauty” or “a beautiful and graceful structure”. This category of microvita creates a tendency in the human mind to make the human body as beautiful as the many forms and figures it observes in the external world. This tendency or propensity is called “kinnarii vrtti”. If the kinnaras direct the mind towards crude matter instead of leading it towards the subtler layers, they are considered to be enemy microvita or negative microvita." (1)
Under the spell of the negative / enemy aspect of kinnara microvita, these days many are trying to glorify themselves by decorating their bodies with tattoos. The popularity of tattoos is at an all-time high in materialistic countries. This type of approach is indicative of a degraded, extroverted mind - as Baba guides us in His above teaching.
In addition, recent surveys and research has shown that there are numerous health risks associated with tattoos. And that is the central theme of the news articles appended below.
Tattoos & complications
~ Courtesy of FDA gov(dot)org ~
As the popularity of tattoos continues to grow, so does the concern about potential risks. Some risks, such as the spread of infections through the use of unsterilized needles, have long been known. But what isn't clear is the safety of tattoo inks.
Permanent tattoos are made by using needles to inject colored ink below the skin's surface. Permanent make-up is considered a permanent tattoo that mimics the results of cosmetic products such as an eyebrow pencil, lip liner, eyeliner, or blush. While state and local authorities oversee the practice of tattooing, ink and ink colorings (pigments) used in tattoos are subject to FDA regulation as cosmetics and color additives.
FDA has received reports of bad reactions to tattoo inks right after tattooing or even years later. Some people report itchy or inflamed skin around their tattoos in the summer when they've been out in the sun. Recent reports associated with permanent make-up inks have prompted FDA to study tattoo ink safety.
What are the Risks
- Infection – Dirty needles can pass infections, like hepatitis and HIV, from one person to another.
- Allergies – Allergies to various ink pigments in both permanent and temporary tattoos have been reported and can cause problems.
- Scarring – Unwanted scar tissue may form when getting or removing a tattoo.
- Granulomas – These small knots or bumps may form around material that the body perceives as foreign, such as particles of tattoo pigment.
- MRI complications – People may have swelling or burning in the tattoo when they have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). (2)
Dermal conditions
~ Courtesy of Wikipedia ~
Keloid formation at the site of a tattoo.
The most common dermal reactions to tattoo pigments are granulomas and various lichenoid diseases. Other conditions noted have been cement dermatitis, collagen deposits, discoid lupus erythematosus, eczematous eruptions, hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis, and keloids. (3)
~ Courtesy of the Mayo Clinic ~
- Allergic reactions. Tattoo dyes — especially red, green, yellow and blue dyes — can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site. This can occur even years after you get the tattoo.
- Skin infections. A skin infection is possible after tattooing.
- Other skin problems. Sometimes bumps called granulomas form around tattoo ink. Tattooing also can lead to keloids — raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue.
- Bloodborne diseases. If the equipment used to create your tattoo is contaminated with infected blood, you can contract various bloodborne diseases — including tetanus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
- MRI complications. Rarely, tattoos or permanent makeup might cause swelling or burning in the affected areas during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams. In some cases, tattoo pigments can interfere with the quality of the image. (4)
In Him,
Jagadiish
(John Waters)
References
1. Microvitum in a Nutshell - 11, Crude and Subtle Microvita
2. FDA. Gov
3. Wikipedia
4. Mayo Clinic
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
मैं अब उस दिन की प्रतीक्षा कर रहा हॅूं
प्रभात संगीत 3866 आज पड़े मने,गोधूलि लग्ने, तुमी एशेछिले मोर घरे...
भावार्थ
हे प्रभु! मेरे मन में आज भी उस सुनहरी मधुर शाम की स्मृति ताजा है, जब तुम मेरे घर आये थे। तुम्हारी उपस्थिति से वातावरण मधुर हो गया था, पक्षी चहचहाने लगे थे और आकाश में सफेद बादलों के झुंड अपनी आकर्षक शोभायात्रा में आनन्द का स्वागत समारोह निर्मित कर मुस्करा रहे थे। आकाश में पक्षियों के झुंड तैरते हुए उड़ रहे थे।
मेरे समीप तुम्हारी उस दिव्य उपस्थिति, तथा तुम्हें पाने की मधुर स्मृति को, मैं कैसे भूल सकता हॅूं। तुम्हारे मधुर आकर्षक रूप ने, मेरे मन और हृदय को भीतर तक, इतना प्रभावित किया है कि, उसके स्मरण मात्र से मैं आज भी उस आनंद में डूब जाता हॅूं। बाबा! तुम प्यार से मेरे पास आये, और मुझे अपना बनाया... यह तुम्हारी कृपा है।
वह स्मृति मेरे मन में आज भी ताजा है। मैं अब उस दिन की प्रतीक्षा कर रहा हॅूं, जब वही घटना फिर से घटित हो।
== Section 3: Links ==
Postings on Democracy
In the next few weeks and months, many minor and major elections will be held in numerous democratic states and nations across the globe. As Ananda Margiis, we should be cent-per-cent clear about Prout's critique of democracy so we can best educate others and raise awareness about the inherent weaknesses and deficiencies, as well as the positive points, of the various types of democracies that exist today.
Economic democracy is the solution
A few weaknesses in democracy
Postings to Read
Today refugee, tomorrow terrorist
Language reflective of mindset
Ideal avadhuta & for all sadhakas
Growing threat: stampede