Key point about “bright side” + 5 more

Baba

Key point about “bright side”

Namaskar,

In His elaboration of "See the bright side", Baba has explained that everything in this universe is a mix of the three gun'as: sentient (sa'ttvika), mutative (ra'jasik), and static (ta'masik). Everyone and everything contains at least some amount of both sentient qualities, along with mutative and static qualities. If sattvagun'a is more dominant, we call that person or thing "good"; and, if tamahgun'a is more dominant, we call that person or thing "bad".
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Take the case of sentient food like rice, bananas, or spinach. That food is dominated by the sattvika quality, but it is not 100% sentient. All sentient foods have lesser quantities of mutative (rajasik) and static (tamasik) qualities. And when the static property dominates it means those sentient foods have become wilted, slimy, or rotten etc. In a similar manner, every inherently tamasik food item has some small degree of sentient aspects.

When one wishes to study painting and realizes that the top painting teacher is an opioid user then one has to overlook that drug habit of that teacher and embrace their unparalleled quality as a painting teacher. That is what is meant by, “See the bright side.” And, by this way, one will be able to learn a lot about painting from that teacher.

The great benefit is that ignoring the bad qualities and focusing on the good qualities allows us to learn easily.

Conclusion

Sadguru Baba has given us this great teaching, "See the bright side." If one wishes to learn something from anyone then one should overlook their bad qualities and try to find some good even in bad people. That is how to utilise, “See the bright side” formula. 
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At the same time there are occasions when “See the bright side” should not be applied, such as when you want to bring someone on the right path or make that person better. Then don’t use, “See the bright side”, rather point out their flaws and sins, and force them to change.

Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Mahesh

Where to use “see the bright side” & where not

Above an example was given where “See the bright side” enabled a person to learn. But there are many instances where “See the bright side” should not be used. Those who are naive think it should be used everywhere. And they invite misery.

Here is one tiny example. Take the case of an intruder who forcibly entered Tom’s house using military weapons. Seeing this, Tom was mesmerized by their shiny weapons. When reporting this incident to the police Tom showered effusive praise upon those the intruder for having ultra-modern weapons etc and forgot to tell what they stole. Everyone immediately understood that Tom is so foolish. The intruder took away all Tom’s money and still he is praising their weapons, talent, and ammunition.
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So bear in mind that “See the bright side” is not used everywhere. The teaching, "See the bright side", should only be used when you have to learn from that person; and, it should not be used in other circumstances. But naive people do the opposite.

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The below section is an entirely different topic, unrelated to the above material.
It stands on its own merit as a point of interest and ideological awareness.

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== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Build a new world

“Mánavatár ketan sammukhe dhari, egiye calechi tava pathe…” (Prabhat Samgiita #0878)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, raising the flag of neohumanism at the forefront, on this beautiful morning with the golden sunrays, holding the weapons of satya and cardinal justice, I march forward on Your path.

Baba, the refulgent lamp of hope glows in my consciousness. With Your grace, I shall build a new world based on the principles of neo-humanism. The wealth of Your krpa and karuna is with me, so I shall not fear any obstacles.

Parama Purusa, Baba I must confess that some delay has happened in establishing the era of neo-humanism. Still humanity is suffering. I have wasted time in lethargy and worthless actions. Today, holding a wee-bit of Your grace on my head, I advance onwards on Your path without looking back. My eyes are fixed on that lofty goal of building a new world based on neo-humanism…

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Boundless knowledge

  Ananda Marga philosophy states, “On the practical level, what happens is that the unconscious mind is all-pervading, integral and immeasurably vast. Through spiritual practices the riches of the unconscious mind are brought down into the subconscious mind. The spiritual aspirant then understands everything; he discovers the secret signs of knowledge. Then, according to his or her needs, he or she is able to bring this acquired wealth of the subconscious mind into the conscious mind and use it in the external world.”
   “How much can book knowledge help a person! It goes in one ear and out the other. If, by means of sádhaná [spiritual practices], a person can bring into the subconscious mind the boundless knowledge that resides in the unconscious mind, then that becomes transformed into lasting riches which then are, or can be, employed extensively for the welfare of humanity.” (1)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika - 2, Indukamala to Iyatta (Discourse 7)

== Section 4: Important Teaching ==

Hidden repository

Ananda Marga ideology states, “The remedies for illnesses or answers to questions that a person receives at the shrine of different gods and goddesses is not due to the greatness of those gods and goddesses. As a result of sincere longing a state of one-pointedness arises in the mind and if, at that time, that person falls into deep sleep because of physical tiredness then the answers to his or her questions may descend from the unconscious mind into the subconscious mind. There the person receives the answers to his or her questions about illness or other questions according to his or her mental conceptions and beliefs. The person thinks that he or she has perhaps received these answers due to the grace of such-and-such god or goddess. Actually, thanks to the grace of the Supreme Consciousness, his or her unconscious mind is the hidden repository of infinite knowledge. Due to one-pointedness, the person has been able to temporarily submerge part of his mind within the boundaries of that profound knowledge.” (1)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika - 2, Indukamala to Iyatta (Discourse 7))

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Really, unite the various religions?

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Some intellectuals are in favour of respecting all religions. I say that such people cannot do anything to promote the solidarity of the human race, for most religions demand blind faith rather than rationality from their followers. “Don’t argue,” they proclaim. “Accept the teachings of the scriptures for they are the direct word of God.” The cunning intellectuals of the past imposed the importance of blind faith on the minds of their gullible followers. They told them to obey the teachings, rational or irrational, otherwise there would be no respite from the endless suffering of human life, no other path to take them to the eternal bliss of heaven.” (1)

Note: These days it is looked upon as great to respect all the religions. Especially when a tragic event occurs, the government organises various multi-faith prayer gatherings and rituals etc in an attempt to cultivate social harmony. But, as per Baba’s above teaching, that is the wrong approach. Indeed, these multi-faith types of gatherings featuring all the religions bring a fleeting tinge of good-feeling that is as temporary as a bubble of water. It will burst in a second. And then their internecine feuds and acts of exploitation rage on. 

The root cause is that those who strictly follow a religious doctrine do not use logic and reasoning, and they do not develop genuine love for humanity. Rather, they misguide their followers into believing that their outlandish belief and faith is the greatest, i.e. they alone have the real God, and all others are fake, just lowly heathens. So their approach is wholly defective. 

Then what is the way to proceed? The only way to unite all the peoples is to guide them that they must use their brain and become true human beings. Animals and religious followers do not use their rational intellect, only true humans do. So one should not follow any illogical precepts, regardless of the religion. If people understand and adhere to this fundamental code, the religions will fade away. People will realise this truth that humans evolved from chimps. And chimps have no race caste, colour, or difference; they are all one. With this understanding, there will not be anymore massacres on the basis of caste or race. The problem of human infighting will be solved. Unifying all the religions is a mirage. Religion will only bring disharmony in society. So the well-wishers of humanity should be keen to discard religion. As a dharmika, don’t try to unite the various religions.

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 7, Form and Formless

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Capitalists are diseased & Prout’s cure

Prout philosophy states, “The aspiration to become rich by exploiting others is always a kind of psychic ailment. Capitalists argue, “We amass wealth through our intellect and labour. Let others also amass wealth in the same way if they have the intellect or capacity to work. Who will stop them?” They do not want to accept that the number of consumable commodities in the world is limited, but all need their basic necessities. If one person is rolling in wealth this will generally mean that others will be deprived of even their minimum requirements. The failure to recognize the needs of others is itself a disease. But the victims of this ailment are also our brothers and sisters, members of the same human family. Either through human appeals or circumstantial pressure, these people must be cured of their psychic ailment. In order to do this we will have to channelize their obsession with material wealth in a mental and spiritual direction. At the same time as people’s physical hunger and thirst are being satisfied, everyone should be freely taught scientific processes to fulfil their psych[o-spiritual] longings.” (1)

Note: Here above Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar is pointing out the psychic defect of capitalists. They amass a huge amount of material wealth by exploiting others and justify their haul by inviting everyone else to do the same. Yet, the materials object of this world are finite. So their justification has no merit. It is not possible for each and every person to accumulate a huge amount of wealth, i.e. far more than they need. Ultimately these capitalists exploiters have to be cured of their mental disease. The solution is to divert the minds away from material wealth and towards the psycho and spiritual realms.

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 5, The Responsibility of Society

== Section 5: Links ==

Postings to Read

Workings of this cosmos

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/09/difficult-question-easy-answer.html

Misuse of omnkara

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/04/wild-dogma-of-onmkara.html

AM teachings: for the present moment

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2023/07/am-present-future-generations.html

Vital point: controlling baser propensities

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2023/05/lower-vrtti-control-2-more.html

Query: use lottery to fund AM projects

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/01/baba-story-lottery-5-more.html

Outlook for learning + 4 more

Baba

Outlook for learning

Namaskar, 

A person may be a thief and a confirmed sinner, but that person may also be an excellent planner and organiser. They may have a great talent to prepare for a given task. In that case, as sadhakas, one should have the broadness of mind to see that goodness within that thief and learn from their unique talent. By that way, one can progress. That can only happen, however, if a person is able to utilize all. If we just think that person is a thief - a bad man - then we will never be able to learn anything from him.
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To learn anything, one must utilize all. Even a confirmed criminal has some bright spots. As sadhakas, this is our approach. In that way we can learn from everyone. That is Baba's special guideline about utilizing everyone’s potentiality. Whereas if one looks at that same thief and just thinks he is a useless sinner who has no redeeming qualities, then one will not be able to learn from him.

Here the point is not whether the thief should be absolved of their crimes. The operative factor is how we view that person. If we utilize everyone’s inherent abilities, then we can find whatever goodness they invariably possess and learn from them. Because, after all, everyone has at least some good qualities. No one is 100% bad. Understanding this, we can learn from their good characteristics. The basic spirit of utilizing all is to be able to learn something from everyone. That is Baba's special message and explanation.


Every interaction = opportunity to learn

And it is like that with so many people and things. Everyone and everything has its positive aspect and to overlook that good quality is to miss out on an opportunity to learn. A person may be a drunkard but side by side they have great knowledge of computers. In that case one should not just tag them as a drunkard and walk away; one should also be able to learn from their technical abilities as well. But this can only happen when utilizing everyone’s potentialities, i.e. taking note of their finer qualities.

Each and every interaction in life presents us with such an opportunity. Indeed, if we think more deeply, we can come up with innumerable examples of how we can learn from those who are seemingly full of unfavourable characteristics. Because certainly they also have some good qualities. By recognizing everyone’s potential, we will be able to find and learn from their positive attributions.
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Examples how to use utilize all

The above situation of utilizing all is akin to the work of homeopathic researchers. When they see a poisonous snake they do not just think that it is dangerous and deadly and should therefore be discarded; those researchers see that snake in a benevolent light - i.e. they utilize its inherent quality. And by that practical outlook they are able to use the poison from that snake to make a medicine. Because one inherent quality of that poisonous snake is its medicinal properties.

Here is another scenario. In a prison, one of the inmates was a convicted murderer. Yet at the same time he was a very talented musician and guitar player. So the prison officials used to allow him to perform weekly concerts for the inmates; plus he would give guitar lessons. So those officials were utilizing all. They recognised that inmate's musical abilities and allowed him to share that gift with others, so people could be benefited and taught by that murderer.

Similarly, when watching a spider, one should not just think this is a dirty insect. Rather one should take note how the spider works hard and never gets frustrated. The spider spins its web; the wind blows and destroys it; again the spider spins its web. That spider never gets frustrated or perturbed. Always it returns to its endeavour and works assiduously. It is wrong to discard that spider as being dirty, poisonous, or grotesque. As sadhakas we should emulate the working style of that spider. That is what it means to utilize all: To appreciate and incorporate the good qualities of each and every being. Then one can learn from that spider. 
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Conclusion

We should see every occasion as an opportunity to learn, then we will truly embody Baba's grand teaching of utilizing all.

Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Atmatrpti

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Your voice

"Tumi a'ndha'r nishiithe dhruvata'ra'..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1079)

Purport: 

Baba, in the dark of the night, You are the polestar. You are that shining light that guides everyone along. By seeing and remembering You, nobody ever gets lost or loses their direction, Supreme goal. Baba, You are so gracious: If anybody keeps their ideation focused on You, they will never lose the path of divinity - the path of bliss. But those who do not fix their eyes on You lose sight of the goal and wander and stray far off.

You remain eternally side by side along with me. Throughout the beginningless time, we have been together. You are the ever-present effulgent Entity. Your voice is an all-encompassing flow of nectar that saturates everyone. 

O’ the bliss personified Entity, please remain with me up to eternity, flooding the world with nectar, with the sweetness of bhakti…

== Section: Important Teaching ==

World is ephemeral

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Numerous rich and beautiful cities of the historic past are now buried under the earth. Many splendid palaces and mansions, many churches, temples, mosques and synagogues, and many pyramids have been reduced to rubble. With the constant change in the flow of time, how many major changes have occurred in the universe? Similarly, with the change in time and space, people also change. A small two year old child becomes a smart and active twenty-five year old youth. And the same energetic youth becomes an infirm, inactive old person in due course. Thus, nothing in this universe is permanent. Many gigantic animals of the past have become totally extinct from the surface of the earth. Royal pomp and opulence, the pride of power, the vast knowledge of mighty scholars have become things of the past, thrown into the dustbin of history. Many objects emerged in the past, remained on earth for a short time, and then disappeared according to the inexorable law of nature."
    
"The only eternal truth is Parama Purus'a. He is Ana'di, beginningless, endless, all-pervasive; an entity beyond the scope of time, place and person. He is the only eternal, undecaying, imperishable, immutable entity. He is the Supreme Source from which the inanimate, plant and animal worlds have emerged. He is the starting point and the culminating point of everything. Hence, wise people should utilise their physical, psychic and spiritual power to realise that supreme omnitelepathic entity, to become one with Him." (1)

Note: Please read Baba's above teaching again carefully. It explains everything.

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 18, Prápta Vákya and Ápta Vákya

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Even cows, dogs, tigers & bears: sadhana

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “All beings are made of the same consciousness. So although we may find ourselves at different stages of psychic elevation, a Bráhmańa and a Kśatriya, an Indian and an Englishman, a sweeper and a scavenger, a Zulu and a Maori, and even a tiny ant, are all linked by the bonds of fraternity. If we remember this fact, if we work for the well-being of all, then undeveloped human beings will be able to develop their spiritual potentiality when they come in contact with us. Even cows, dogs, tigers and bears who come in close contact with us will develop psychic wealth and gradually acquire spiritual treasures.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life in a Nutshell Part 8, Sadhana

== Section 4: Links ==

Recent Postings

• Both rooted in materialism: cap & comm

• Story: selfless service

• Clear difference: animals & humans

• 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