Ants & premature death? + 2 more

Baba

Ants & premature death?

Namaskar,

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “Even if an ant dies a premature death, it is bound to jeopardize the balance of the entire universe. ” (1)
 
The entire creation, including human beings, everyone and everything, is in the mind of Parama Purusa. Although human beings are His mental creation, He has additionally given them a limited degree of freedom. In this regard, their situation is like that of a caged bird. The bird cannot fly away, but it is free to walk or fly around the large enclosure. If the bird wants to sit quietly or walk around or fly it can do that. The condition of a human is like that of a bird living in a large cage.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Whatever an animal does, Parama Purusa is responsible because those animals do not have free will. The Cosmic Mind is responsible. Whereas, whatever humans do, they are responsible for their actions. But, overall, without His wish human beings cannot do anything.

• Humans do not take birth by their own volition, nor do human beings have any control regarding their death. On this point, they are bound, i.e. they have to die one day, against their wish. All this is controlled by Prakrti, and Prakrti is controlled by Parama Purusa. Everything happens according to the wish of Parama Purusa.

• Human beings have some freedom within a particular domain; beyond that boundary they cannot go. But whatever limited degree of freedom Parama Purusa has given human beings, that freedom is also granted and controlled by Parama Purusa. The reason being, while on the long journey of saincara and pratisaincara, gradually they reach the stage where they get their first human life. And that was His wish. If He had not desired it so, none of this would have happened. So the existence of human beings is His wish. Granting humans domain freedom and supplying them energy to act is also His wish. If a human does something bad, then surely that individual will be punished. And if he does good, he will be rewarded. But overall, this entire panorama of creation is controlled by Parama Purusa. So on the macroscale, Parama Purusa is doing everything.

• Parama Purusa is the Supreme Controller.
  

Conclusion
 
Ananda Marga philosophy says, “Even if an ant dies a premature death, it is bound to jeopardize the balance of the entire universe.” (2)
 
So that ant and human beings are both in His mental arena. And whatever He thinks, both will do accordingly. There is no question of prematurely dying etc because everything is based on His thinking.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 
Namaskar,
In Him,
Pus’pa’

~ In-depth study ~

Why an ant cannot die prematurely
 
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Even if an ant dies a premature death, it is bound to jeopardize the balance of the entire universe. ” (3)
 
This vast creation is the thought projection of the Supreme Entity, God. Everything that we see and do not see of this expressed universe - the galaxies, stars, etc and the entire creation - exists because the Cosmic Entity is thinking in that way.
 
To make this more clear, you can imagine that if you close your eyes and start thinking about one elephant walking in the woods, that elephant is in your mind. It is your mental creation. As long as you think about that elephant, it will exist; and, when you stop thinking about it, it will vanish from your mind.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 
In the case of the ant, that ant is in the mind of Parama Purusa. Parama Purusa is thinking about that ant. As long as He thinks about it, that ant will exist. The ant’s life will progress according to how Parama Purusa thinks about that ant. So it is up to His will. Whether Parama Purusa wants to keep that ant on this earth or withdraw that ant - it is His will. The point being that in this entire creation everything is dependent upon His wish, His mental projection, and His thought. 
 
There is no question of prematurely dying etc because everything is based on His thinking. That is why an ant cannot die prematurely.
 
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Even if an ant dies a premature death, it is bound to jeopardize the balance of the entire universe. ” (4)


Indirectly related point
 
Human beings are also in His mind. They are His mental creation, but He has given them limited freedom. Their situation is like a caged bird. The bird cannot fly but it is free to walk or fly around the large enclosure. If the bird wants to sit quietly or walk around or fly it can do that.
 
Whatever an animal does Parama Purusa is responsible because those animals do not have free will. The Cosmic Mind is responsible. Whereas, whatever humans do they are responsible for their actions. But ultimately without His wish human beings cannot do anything.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 

Remotely related teaching
 
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Devotees say that fate is simply the collection of unrequited saḿskáras. A person who performs an action has to undergo the reaction to that action. If his body is old, the reaction of that action may not be expressed in this lifetime. Only when the same person is reborn will his unserved saḿskáras be expressed. He cannot remember the action of his previous life because he has acquired a new brain. So he takes the expression of those saḿskaras to be his fate. In fact they are not his fate – they are merely the reactions of his previous actions of his previous life. The philosophers contend that astrologers are able to predict people’s future by preparing their horoscopes. They may be correct, for in this universe everything follows a particular rhythm. Nothing is isolated, everything is interconnected. Even a tiny ant does not die a premature death. If an ant does die prematurely, the entire universe becomes unbalanced and loses its rhythm. Everything in this universe, whether great or small, is a dignified member of the universal family. To enjoy equal importance; none should be slighted.” (5)
 
References
1. Microvitum in a Nutshell, Cult, Inference and Propensity
2. Microvitum in a Nutshell, Cult, Inference and Propensity
3. Microvitum in a Nutshell, Cult, Inference and Propensity
4. Microvitum in a Nutshell, Cult, Inference and Propensity
5. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, Relativity and the Supreme Entity

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Special guideline for improving sadhana

Here is the English summary of Baba’s below Hindi teaching.

After involving in mundane works one is generally plunged in worldly thoughts. So then if one sits in sadhana, in the mind you will think that 'Tomorrow I will go to Arariya town. Indeed I have to go in the morning. I will have to catch the first bus'. You will sit in  sadhana and go on thinking like this. In this situation what should you do? Before sitting for sadhana you should do kiirtan-- either 2 min, or 5 min, or 10 min. So first one should do kiirtan. Because by doing kiirtan the mind will get elevated. After that immediately one should sit in sadhana. Then you will see that there will not be any worldly thoughts. Then sadhana will be proper...Do not worry you have learned sadhana and I am always ready to help and serve you.

Ananda Marga ideology states, ““अधिक दुनियावी चिन्तन के बाद जब साधना में बैठता है, उस वक्त होता है---बैठे हुए हैं, तो भी मन में सोच रहा है कि---'कल तो अररिया जाना है, morning में जाना है, first bus से जाना है' | साधना में बैठ गया, और यही सब सोच रहा है | तो, इसलिए क्या करना चाहिए, साधना में बैठने से पहले, दो मिनट हो, पाँच मिनट हो, दस मिनट हो, कसकर कीर्त्तन कर लो | कीर्त्तन करने से, कीर्त्तन के प्रभाव से मन ऊपर उठ जाएगा | उसके बाद फ़ौरन साधना में बैठ जाओ, देखोगे दुनियावी चिन्ताएँ नहीं रहेंगी |”

“तो, यह तो सब ठीक है | और {घबड़ाने की भी} घबड़ाने की कोई बात भी नहीं है | साधना तुम लोग सीख ही लिए हो | और, तुम लोग को help करने के लिए, सेवा करने के लिए, हम तो तैयार हैं |” (1) Átmatiirtha, V24 25(H), 22 Nov 71 Purnea, Bihar AV 24-25

Note: Every sincere Ananda Margii wants to do sadhana. Yet most of the time this aforesaid problem occurs. And our Guru understands this. That is why He has graciously given such a beautiful solution-- as mentioned above. I think many may be following His divine guideline; and for those who are not, they should do so from now onwards, i.e. sing kiirtan before doing sadhana.

Reference
1. Átmatiirtha, V24 25(H), 22 Nov 71 Purnea, Bihar AV 24-25

== Section 2: Links ==

Postings to Read

Ista & sadhaka life

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/06/let-us-see-who-can-pass_11.html

Pitfall of free will

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/11/your-desires-are-not-meaningless.html

Style of each Mahasambhuti

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/06/pessimists-dont-like-to-understand-this.html

Yogic science of breathing

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/11/very-useful-but-rarely-practised-point.html

How to prevent a bad marriage

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/06/way-to-bring-tragedy-2-more.html

Animal suffering & rhino tale + 3 more

Baba

Animal suffering & rhino tale

Namaskar, 

Human beings undergo the burning of their samskaras through the psychic pleasure and pain that they feel. Essentially, we experience those reactions in the mind, and those psychic feelings may or may not be accompanied by some type of physical event as well. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


How animals are like inmates

The question then arises: Do animals also burn samskaras by the pain / pleasure they feel in their mind? Here is that pointwise response. 

#1: Animals are not mentally developed; they are not even aware that they exist. And they have no such quality to plan anything or reflect on their condition or existence. 

#2: So no one can say that this or that animal is depressed or sad and is therefore burning some type of samskara. Without the power or capacity of self-reflection, i.e. the ability to consider the state of their own life, they do not burn any samskaras psychically. 

#3: Rather, the burning of their samskara is expressed by being born as an animal. Nothing more is needed. It is just like someone who committed a crime and was sent to jail. Being incarcerated is itself the reaction; those inmates need not be whipped to ensure their jail time is proper or sufficiently difficult. Just being held in that jail cell is enough. And that same is the case for those who are reborn as animals. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Animals feel physical pain

#4: Animals certainly undergo pain in their life, but that pain is purely physical. For instance, if any animal is shivering in the cold, facing a torrential storm, getting bit by a predator, or being physically abused by a human, in all such circumstances those animals feel physical pain. And, as far as possible, we should aim to relieve them of those physical difficulties. So the work those animal rights groups are doing is meaningful. But again, the pain those animals are facing is limited to the physical sphere - not the mental realm. 

#5: One related point to note is that there are many animals who have never been in human form. That’s to say, they were not humans in the past who were reborn as animals in this life; rather, they have reached animal form by rising up from lower beings. In that case, they have yet to create any samskaras. 


Instinctual

#6: In the case of a mother cat and her kittens, when anyone tries to take or attack one of her kittens, the mother has an instinctual urge to protect that kitten. This is nature’s way of ensuring a species survives. Yet when that kitten grows and if that now grown cat tries to take that mama cat’s food, the mama cat will forcefully attack her grown offspring. This demonstrates that the mother’s care for the kitten is purely instinctual. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Conclusion

#7: The overall conclusion is that being reborn as an animal is itself the reaction of one’s past actions, if in fact that animal was a human in their previous life. There is no need for that animal to undergo any further torment or pain than the basic rigours of animal existence. 

In Him,
Satyadeva

Rhino fable in AM

Along these lines, there is a famous story that is often grossly misunderstood. The basic telling of the story is that one rhino came up to Baba with a tear in its eye as that rhino recognized Baba as his childhood friend from its previous life, and that now that rhino was so happy to again see Baba that it had a tear in its eye. This type of account is wholly fallacious. Rhinos, and verily all animals, have no such power of reflection or understanding. They are completely unaware of their plight. 

The only thing we can say is that Baba showered His grace, and the rhino enjoyed being near Baba. The rhino had no knowledge or understanding beyond that. It is just like how a mother expresses great love for her baby so that baby always wants to be near its mother. The baby has no greater understanding of who the mother is and what the mother’s life is about. Just that baby wants its mother’s affection. That is all. Likewise, that rhino had no idea about Baba’s stature etc, only the rhino wanted to be in Baba’s proximity. That is all. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

So then how did this misunderstanding about the rhino story come to be? Generally, humans have the tendency to project their own feelings onto lesser beings. They project their feelings onto infants, dogs, cats, and even rhinos. Those less developed beings are just behaving according to their own instincts. They have no greater logic, reasoning, or plan beyond their own instinctual impulses. Yet, humans project all kinds of feelings and ideas unto those beings. And that is how this rhino fable became so legendary. 


Further reading

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Due to the lack of manifestation of consciousness and intellectual development animals cannot act independently either to progress or regress. So it is through the centripetal action of introvertive Prakrti (Pará-Prakrti) that they develop gradually without any possibility of regression. But those beasts in human form neglect their inherent higher endowments and are thus lower than beasts, for those who abuse what they possess are even lower than those who do not even possess it." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 5, Matter and Spirit

*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Important Teaching ==

Casting a vote

Here are a few key points related with politics, voting, and governance. 

First Baba guides us that we should not vote at all if the only available candidate(s) is dangerous to the overall well-being of society. 

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Rather than support an [[unworthy]] person, it is better not to exercise one's franchise because to invest an [[unworthy]] person with power means to push society towards destruction knowingly and deliberately." (1)

In His above guideline, Baba is referring to a scenario where at least 50% of the vote is needed to win the election. More about this is explained directly below. 

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “In a democratic system securing the highest number of votes is proof of a person’s eligibility. However this eligibility is not adequately examined in all cases. In my opinion the popularity of a candidate securing the highest number of votes needs to be tested again if he or she polls less than half the total number of votes cast. In this, test arrangements will have to be made so that people can vote either for or against the candidate. If the candidate polls more favourable votes, only then will he or she be declared elected.” (2)

Next Baba guides us that elected officials must live up to their pre-election promises and stated proposals and strategies. Failing that, their election will be negated and they will be removed from office.  

Prout philosophy states, "A candidate must declare his or her policies in black and white. After an election, if it is found that a candidate is acting against his or her declared policies and this is proved to be the case in court, his or her election will be cancelled." (3)

References
1. Caryacarya II, Society, Point #27
2. Problems of the Day, Point #33
3. Problems of the Day, Point #33

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Meaning of Point #1

Guru's teaching is always concise and pointed. What was needed to tell, He has beautifully presented in a clear manner. 

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “After urination, wash the urinary organ with water.” (1)

Baba has given point #1 of Sixteen Points wherein we are to wash the urinary organ with water after urination. And by this way anyone can understand that included in this is the idea of washing the backside after passing stool also. Unfortunately, in most of the so-called advanced societies the general people are only using toilet paper or blotting paper as a means to "clean" themselves after defecation. But this is not proper.

Reference
1. Caryacarya - II, Sixteen Points, Point #1

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

Natural call: keeping clean

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/06/how-to-avoid-incontinence-in-old-age.html

Reply to skeptics: singing His glory

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/10/is-parama-purusa-hungry-for-praise.html
  

Baba’s childhood pledge: obliterate casteism

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/07/baba-story-no-one-is-high-or-low.html

Hilarious scene at DMC

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/12/story-garrulous-announcer-5-more.html

Bhaktas akin to fish in water

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/10/phony-or-true-bhakta.html

Clear difference: animals & humans + 2 more

Baba

Clear difference: animals & humans

Namaskar,

In Ananda Marga, we make clear-cut distinctions between humans and animals. No one thinks that humans are animals. Everyone understands that there is a stark and fundamental difference.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology says, “The old idea of logicians that the human is a rational [animal] is not supported by us. We say the human is not a rational animal. If we say the human is a rational animal, then the human comes within the animal category. Yes, the human is a living being, but the human is not an animal." (1)


Convince & save others

However, in general society, there are many who equate humans with animals, and vice-versa. This is especially true in the west where some advocate that animals should have the same rights as humans, or that humans are part of the animal kingdom. For instance, they will treat their pets like royalty; or, they will openly state that humans are animals, or they will refer to cows, dogs, and pigs etc as “non-human animals”. Indeed, they feel glorified by using the phrase “non-human animals” as they think they are being high-minded, just, or not anthropocentric. 

In AM we respect the life of an animal, but we do not equate human life with animal life. There are distinct differences. If we are aware about these differences then we can best convince others of the unique value of human life.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Failing that, certain people will continue to think that humans may behave as animals - "because that is our natural way" - in which case they will plunge themselves into all kinds of crude activities and ruin their future. Or they will continue to pamper certain animals with all kinds of superfluous luxuries while their fellow human beings die of starvation. So we should all be clear about the below logic and help elevate the standard of humanity.


Why people confused in the west

At present in the west, there is a growing sentimental attachment for animals. For instance, people now keep all kinds of pets such as cats, dogs, iguanas, birds, llamas, fish, chimpanzees, ferrets, and so much more. They give special care, expensive medical operations, elegant spas, special grooming, and sumptuous food to their pets. They treat their pets like royalty and spend huge money on them. They consider their pets as members of their own families and think of themselves as animal lovers. Yet when the vast majority of those pet owners eat meat (i.e. animal flesh) on a daily basis.

The issue gets further compounded when we consider the fact that huge numbers of humans die due to lack of care, yet so much special attention is given to these pets. Indeed, in the US, 124 billion dollars a year is spent on pet care, more than the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of dozens and dozens of countries. Some of the ultra-rich even leave millions to their dogs upon their death.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

On the one side, they share their homes with animals and treat them as family, and on the other side they blindly support animal slaughtering by eating meat at every meal. On the one side, people spend a huge amount of money on pampering their pets, and on the other side, gross numbers of humans go hungry every day. This is happening these days.


Key difference between humans & animals

Amidst all these shocking scenarios we should keep this key point in mind that clearly proves that humans and animals are of distinctly separate categories.

Let's say an owner teaches their dog 10 tricks. Then that is all the dog will know. On its own, the dog will not learn an 11th or 12th trick. Dogs do not have that type of psychic structure. When they are shown, they will do, but they do not have the creative power or urge to go beyond that.

In contrast, within each and every human being is the seed of expansion. So if a human being is taught something, then that human being will take that idea and expand upon it. They will make the idea or action their own and build upon it. Infants, students of all ages, professionals, retirees, everyone does like this. That is the nature of human beings.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Language is a great example. Animals can repeat a word (parrots) or respond to a verbal command (dog) or even use certain words to communicate (monkey), but no animal has the ability to create sentences on their own. That pattern or capability of original thought and expression is beyond their spectrum of knowing.

Here, the whole point is that animals do not have the quality to do new things. They can only do the things they have been shown or taught. They lack the basic quality to discover anything beyond that. Thus when the psychic faculty of human beings has this unique quality of making new things and when animals lack it, then who can claim that humans are animals or animals are humans.


Propensities in animal & human life

Because animals utterly lack the aforementioned psychic quality, they spend their days involved in satisfying their basic propensities or primal urges. When a physical desire comes then they act upon it. That is the basic quality of animal life. In contrast, human beings are not slaves to their propensities. Either due to social pressure or by their own thinking, humans do not merely act upon their base propensities.

For instance, if a dog is hungry and sees food then it will eat that food, not at all considering if that food is for them or not. In contrast, even when hungry a human being will refrain from eating food that is not theirs. Either they are concerned they will be punished (social pressure), or they do not feel comfortable eating what does not belong to them (moral conscience).
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Thus, physical propensities do not dominate human life, especially not with sadhakas, whereas animals are totally dominated by material pursuits and are content with those limited desires. Humans are never satisfied completely by physical indulgences - always they want something more.


Rarity of human life

With our innate desire to discover something new, humans invariably turn to psychic growth and ultimately spirituality. Animals are not capable of contemplating new things, but humans have an innate urge for the infinite. And it is this quality of mind that is to guide us in our quest, not mere material enjoyment.

Unfortunately, many humans remain engrossed in worldly desires and that leads to their degradation. In that case, they are on the path back to animal life. They will get the body appropriate for their desires.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

As sadhakas, we always proceed guided by mind, not matter. Some respond to social pressure and others by benevolence of mind, but whatever may be, most humans live by using their mind and then deciding how to proceed. Animals never do this. As humans though, we are to use the mind to control our corporeal structure and aim that mind toward Parama Purusa. That is our unique human dharma.


Conclusion

We have been blessed with this human life which is so rare and so difficult to attain. We must be especially sure to goad the mind toward the spiritual realm and not get caught up in crude desires. We must remember we are mind-oriented beings and never classify ourselves as being animals and following that mode of living. We are to do sadhana and reach the Supreme Goal.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Human life is rare and is very precious.” Even the devata's, if they want to do something good or great, will have to come in human frame to work. A devata' as devata' cannot do anything good; the devata' requires a human framework. So human life is very precious, very rare; “and such life is still more rare, still more precious, if it has become successful by dint of bha'gavata dharma, or by dint of sa'dhana'.”" (2)

in Him,
Hariish

The point of free will

One other aspect of this discussion is free will. Animals do not have free will in which case they cannot create new samskaras - bad or good. All they can do is follow their inborn propensities - period. They cannot think or consider doing something different. Their desire is limited and they are content with material life.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Humans have free will, and with that comes a huge spectrum of choices. Ideally we make those selections with a balanced mind. By this entire process, humans can easily go beyond material pursuits and point the mind toward higher thoughts and realisation.

This notion of free will further distinguishes humans from animals.


Why the material west loves pets

Some may wonder why those in the west and, in particular Americans, are so enthralled with having pets. The clear-cut answer is that the more selfish a person becomes, the less they are able to live with others. Many in the US live alone because they cannot adjust with their family and friends. Yet they keep animals. Those animals will listen to them and never talk back. That is the only type of relationship a selfish person can handle. In that way so many get totally attached to their pets. They tell their pet all their worries and fears - that is much easier than having to deal with another human being. So due to selfishness some bond more with their pets than with other humans.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, Ascribe Brahma-hood to All
2. Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 21, Jaeva Dharma and Bha’gavat Dharma

*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Important Teaching ==

Where communism thrives
 
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Countries which have both laborious and intellectually developed citizens have never accepted communism. For example, Karl Marx was born in Germany but his theory was not accepted there. Similarly, England gave shelter to Marx but did not accept his theory. The cooperative movement first started in England and the spirit of cooperation is reflected in many aspects of British society; consequently, Marxism has not been able to get a foothold in Britain. Japan is surrounded by communist countries like the Soviet Union, North Korea and China but it did not accept communism. The citizens of these countries, as well as of some other countries, are both laborious and intellectually developed, hence they have rejected Marxism.” (1)
 
Note: In India there was only one state where communism was accepted for several decades. You are surely aware about that state.
 
References
1. Defects of Communism – Excerpt C

== Section 3: Links ==

Recent Postings

• Gurupujanam: not just after sadhana

• Dos & don'ts about death

• Story: Baba hears & blesses

Other topics of interest

• Story: strength from Ista
  

• Hold onto your money
  

• Clarity of mantras