Best use of time + 4 more

Baba

Best use of time

Namaskar,

When embarking on any voyage, the first question is, “Which route is safe, secure, and will facilitate reaching the destination?” Similarly, in the journey of life, every human being wants the right path. We are fortunate that we are moving on the path of bliss—Ananda Marga. While on the spiritual path, one needs constant guidance; otherwise, there is the possibility, indeed likelihood, to go astray.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Those who are not intelligent depend on someone other than Guru to guide them. But that is a bad approach. The best way is to have a direct connection with Guru, and for that Sadguru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji has given tens of thousands of pages of discourses. And His teachings are not very difficult to understand. Even then, many may complain that they do not have time to read His teachings on a daily basis. Here then is a very simple solution.


What true sadhakas do

If we do not give our mind something positive to think about, then it will find its own pabulum—which is not always beneficial, or can even be harmful. One may worry unnecessarily about the future or engage in baser thoughts etc, because— “an empty mind is the devil's workshop”.

So during mundane duties one should fill the mind with something great and something sublime—His divine teachings in recorded form. That will be most beneficial. Because, as we all know, the science of mind also dictates that “as we think so we become”. So what we think about is extremely important.

No time to sit down & read Baba's books

All this leads to a few natural conclusions:
(1) We do not have much time to sit down and read Baba's books, but we have lots of time during the course of the day to listen to His books.
(2) Listening to His books gives the mind a positive abhoga, proper food, by which it can grow in a dharmic way. Plus listening is something that can easily be done again and again. Memory needs repetition, and by that way those teachings can be fully absorbed by the mind.
(3) In this fashion, we will come to know, understand, follow, and be capable of doing viprocita seva with the help of spreading His grand philosophy.
(4) Best is to start with easier books like Ananda Vacanamrtam and progress from there.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

The mind always needs some food—something to think about. So while doing mundane chores it is very helpful to engage in listening to His discourses / teachings. This psychic food is good for the mind. By this way, we can best utilise our time and learn, understand, and follow His teachings.

Way to listen—directions

Now that we have reached the fact that there are innumerable benefits to listening to His discourses, we need to come up with a practical plan in order to make this a reality. 

Note: In this digital era of AI, there are countless ways to make text to voice a reality. If you are not sure how, then just ask your favorite AI app how to manifest this. Or you can try one of the below options, which also have their benefits. 

(A) One way is for all the members of a particular unit to each record one book that is relatively short—such as Caryacarya part II, Ananda Vacanamrtam, Problems of the Day, or any book of that length. The recording of the book may take just an hour or two hours. Once done, then everyone in the unit can receive a copy of the sound files of each book that others in the unit recorded. In that way, everyone's recording library will grow quickly. Plus one can then start to trade recorded copies with margiis from other units. This type of domino effect will be very great.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

(B) Another approach is to have your preferred device read the book so you can listen and study it. Many computers, phones, and apps have this facility of "speaking". In that case, all that is needed is an electronic copy of a discourse. Then you can order the computer to read it aloud to you. Or you can download various apps that will also do the job. Of course now with AI it is getting easier and easier to convert text to speech; verily, there are innumerable avenues to quickly build a massive digital audio library of Guru’s teachings. 

Steps for listening to Him

By this way, all can get recorded copies of Baba's books in their mother tongue. And then the only job is to cultivate the habit of listening during the time of daily duties. At first, it may take a little bit of discipline, but quickly the mind will become habituated, and soon you will not like to do any mundane chore without having some food for the mind—i.e. you will have the desire to always be involved in listening to His sermons while doing daily duties.In the natural course, one's understanding of His teachings will grow exponentially; plus the mind will be nourished with positive food—ever drifting in that bliss. 
 

Conclusion

Those who cultivate the habit to read or listen to Baba’s teachings on a regular basis will experience how their mind will become more and more pure. That is the effect of outer suggestion. Indeed, their behaviour, conduct, and mental composure will change. Svadhyaya—reading Baba’s spiritual teachings—is very essential for doing dharma pracara. Without that people propagate dogma in the name of Ananda Marga. So regularly studying or listening to Baba’s teachings should be part of one’s daily routine. There is no other way.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar,
in Him,
Shriideva

By listening and reflecting upon Guru’s teachings throughout the day makes our mental arena suffused in His thought and ideation. It is a very practical and easy many to make the mind light, inspired, and filled with dharmic teachings. 

Ananda Marga ideology says, "A'bhoga means occupation or pabulum. Not only the physical body but the mind also requires a pabulum; whatever object the mind confines itself to, that is its pabulum...mental pabulum is called a'bhoga. The object with which the mind is preoccupied or obsessed is its psychic pabulum or a'bhoga." (1)

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, The Hub of Universal Activities

*        *        *

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

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Staring at Him

PS Intro: Throughout this entire song, the bhakta is speaking directly to himself. 

Note: Only those who sincerely practice the higher lessons of sahaja yoga meditation can understand this song in the depths of their heart. 

"Balir e ba'ndha diye ki, ba'ndhabe tumi bha'loba'sa'y..." (Prabhat Samgiita #4912)

Purport:

My mind, do you really expect that with the dyke of sand you will be able to capture and obtain His boundless love. You should understand that the overflowing prema of Parama Purusa cannot be bound and attained by religious dogmas or superficial sadhana. You should know that by external, ritualistic worship and showy meditation, you can never get His infinite, ever-flowing grace. That is why after destroying all my crudeness and staticity with a big, loud bang, I am just staring at Him. To get His sweet compassion and boundless affection I am fully depending on Him. That is the only way to receive His krpa.   

No matter how thick the fog, or the degree of negativity, or much hopelessness and despondency envelopes and grips my entire being and clouds my movement towards my Goal, I have only the singular desire that my longing may move me forward towards Him. By His mercy, I only want that my yearning may push me ahead towards that very most cherished One - towards my Dearmost Supreme Entity.

My Parama Purusa Baba always graciously resides in nitya'nityaviveka. He remains in my heart. And with His cosmic presence He beautifies all the jinana, bhakti, and karma of my entire being with the pure consciousness of samvit.

My Dearmost Parama Purusa stays in my heart. I am fully depending on Him. Without His kindness nothing is possible…


Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #4912:

[1] Nitya'nityaviveka: Ananda Marga ideology says, "Nitya'nitya viveka [is] discrimination between permanent and impermanent). Whenever an intelligent person ponders over something, he or she discerns its two aspects-- the permanent and the impermanent. The attempt to accept the permanent aspect after due deliberation is called nitya'nitya viveka. The permanent is not dependent on the relative factors of time, space and person, whereas the impermanent is the collectivity of the relative factors. The best way to recognize the impermanent is that if one of the three relative factors is changed it will undergo an immediate transformation. Nitya'nitya viveka enables human beings to realise the necessity of observing dharma. It helps them to understand the fundamental differences between dharma and religion, or doctrine. Religion is something entirely relative whereas dharma is a permanent truth..."
  "Nitya'nitya Viveka is an inseparable part of the practice of dharma. Dharma lays down clear guidelines for moving ahead in perfect adjustment with the prevalent situation. Dharma is the throbbing vital faculty of living beings. In dharma there is no scope for the accumulated inertness of staticity." (1)

[2] Samvit: "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. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 7, 'Five Types of Conscience'
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Brahma Cakra

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

How to overcome suffering

According to Baba, human beings generally suffer from the three types of afflictions: (1) a'dhibhaotika, (2) a'dhidaevika, and (3) a'dhya'tmika.

If a person is undergoing hardship in the mundane sphere and not getting their minimum requirements met, that is a'dhibhaotika suffering. If one is suffering from mental tension and psychic stress, that is a'dhidaevika suffering. And, if one is in despair, feeling separate or distant from Parama Purusa, that is a'dhya'tmika suffering. These are the total afflictions of all humans.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The jiiva experiences three types of suffering-- a'dhibhaotika, a'dhidaevika, and a'dhya'tmika. A'dhibhaotika suffering is mundane, that is, it derives from shortages of food, clothing, medicine, education, shelter, etc. If we change the structure of society this misery will be ended. So we must do this, we should do this. Regarding a'dhidaevika suffering -- if we prepare our minds through sa'dhana', all the mental cares and worries that result from a defective mental structure will come to an end. The feeling of separation [from Parama Purusa] is a'dhya'tmika suffering. This can be eliminated by spiritual sa'dhana', that is, by dhya'na, dha'ran'a', pra'n'a'ya'ma, pratya'ha'ra, etc." (1)

Reference
1. Discourses on Krsna & the Giita, Krśńa Unparalleled

== Section: News Oct 2020 ==

Infighting in pseudo-Proutist parties

Namaskar 

In fact it is a curse of infighting in AMPS. Ac Santoshananda dada has encouraged many Proutists to contest election on PBI tickets and Vimalananda dada has appealed to all Proutists to contest elections on PSS ticket. 

Just like the three groups in AMPS, Proutists have also been divided into two groups - PSS and PBI. The truth is that neither PSS nor PBI leaders are following Baba's instructions. Baba instructed us to start revolutions in the name of Samaj movements. For example - Amara bengali, Magahi samaj, Angika Samaj, Bhojpuri Samaj, Utkal samaj, Sahayadri samaj etc.

Contrary to Baba’s instructions, Ac Raghunath ji and later on Vimalananda dada instructed all to contest elections not in the name of their samaj, but in the name of PSS. They combined all 44 Samaj of India and created PSS. 

Baba has not given the word PSS (Proutist Sarva Samaj). After 1990/ 1992, Ac Raghunath ji created PSS and got it registered with the election commission of India. Ac Raghunath ji was thinking that PSS should be recognised in India like the BJP, Congress parties etc, not in the name of 44 samaj independently...

Baba says,  “Only Sadvipras have the right to engage in politics; other people should be swept out from the field of politics.” (Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on PROUT, Paragraph – Political Parties, July 1961, Ranchi)

Contrary to Baba’s above instructions, Tom, Dick, Harry, etc are being allowed to contest elections. These PBI & PSS candidates neither follow 16 Points nor Caryacarya. All of them are sycophants of Vimalananda dada and Santoshananda dada. 

Prout philosophy says, "Sadvipra leadership is the ideal form of leadership. Such leaders will be physically fit, mentally developed and spiritually elevated. With their help and guidance, revolution will be materialized." (Prout in a Nutshell - 21, Nuclear Revolution)

Kindly see the below Hindi news....

~ The below is courtesy of WhatsApp ~

पिछले दिनों PBI के संबंध  काफी कुछ लिखा गया ।

काफी प्रपत्र सामने लाये गए ।

मैं आज एक प्रसंगक मुद्दा उठा रहा हु । कोई इसे व्यकिगत न ले । यह मुद्दा उठाना आज आवश्यक हो गया क्योकि मेरे पास खबर आई कि हरनौत विधान सभा से मगही समाज और PBI दोनों कैंडिडेट दे रहे है ।

तो यह जो claim किया जा रहा था कि ये वही PBI है जो 60 के दशक में बनाया गया था ।और 1989 में फला फ़्लान office bearer थे ।

क्या कोई मुझे बताएगा कि क्या 1979 के बाद से जब समाज election लड़ा तो क्या PBI भी वहां से कैंडिडेट दिया था ?

मेरे अनुसार कभी नही ।

पर अब PBI मगही समाज के विरोध में खड़ा हो रहा है ?

अब मार्गी समाज को चिंतन करना पड़ेगा ? समाज आंदोलन की विचार समझकर कर सामूहिक विचार बनाना पड़ेगा ।

~ The above is courtesy of WhatsApp ~

In Him, 
Vya’pti

== Section: Important Teaching==

Scripts of the world

Prout philosophy states, "In the present world there are four types of scripts – Indo Aryan, Semitic, Occido-Aryan and Mongolo-Chinese scripts."

"The Mongolo-Chinese scripts are pictorial scripts – all the letters of the scripts are pictures. They contain about 1055 letters. In the Occido-Aryan scripts there are 20 to 35 letters. In the Indo-Aryan scripts there are about 50 letters, and in the Semitic scripts there are 20 to 30 letters."

"The Chinese and Japanese practice of using Romanized Mongolo-Chinese script is unscientific."

"Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Sindhi, Kashmiri, etc. come under the Semitic scripts and are written from right to left. This is difficult to write and takes a long time to print. Malaya has abandoned Arabic script and adopted Roman script to overcome this difficulty."

"The scripts of Tibet and South-East Asia come under the Indo-Aryan scripts. They are quite good but difficulties arise in joining letters. Through practice it has been experienced that Roman script is the best script. It is the most scientific. Those who oppose it do so out of local sentiments. Proutists won't go against any local script, but they will encourage the most scientific script as the world script. At present Roman script is the most scientific script. Future generations may evolve a new script." (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout

== Section : Important Teaching ==

Is the big boss to blame?

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Without His wish, not even a leaf of a tree, nor even a blade of grass can move." (1)

Parama Purusa oversees everything and all have their role to play - no one can do anything without His approval. He oversees everything. Then how is it that things can go awry? How can "bad" things happen?

One way to understand this is via the analogy of any government when led by an ideal president. Ultimately, the president of any country is responsible for every action of every government office spanning millions of employees. Some may then accuse and blame that ideal president for the wrong and harmful decisions taken by various employees, such as the lowest level clerk taking a bribe in the village. If one thinks more rationally, we can say that there is a system when the president oversees everyone, and he wants for all to follow the rules and regulations. But certainly it has to be recognised that every governmental employee is responsible for their own dealing. The president is not the cause or reason behind an employee’s wrongful action.

The creation is the thought projection of Parama Purusa; everything exists in His mind. Whatever He thinks, that happens. But, at the same time, He has given human beings a limited degree of freedom to choose between right and wrong, to follow dos and don'ts. If human beings go against the codes of universal rules and laws given by Parama Purusa they get punished. Whereas if they follow those codes they get rewarded. So if any human being does something wrong they will be held accountable and punished for that wrongdoing. This is the way this creation works. Prakrti manages this formula of reward and punishment as per the system given by Parama Purusa. 

Reference

1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Do Virtuous Deeds Day and Night – 2

== Section: Hindi Quote ==

उत्सव में भी लोग नाचते थे

“करीब-करीब हर आदमी नाचते थे | मुनि-ऋषि लोग उत्सव में नाचते थे | और यह जो जाड़े में लोगों को तकलीफ़ होती है, जाड़े के बाद वसन्तोत्सव, आजकल जिसको “होली” कहते हैं, उस सब में भी लोग नाचते थे | तो यह नाच का fixed rule था | हम सोचे थे कि गाना हम जैसा re-orientalization कर रहे हैं, ठीक वैसा नाच में भी करेंगे, classicalize करके | किन्तु देखे अगर वैसा हम करें, तो और काम किस वक्त करेंगे, इसलिए नहीं किये | तुम लोगों की राय क्या है जी ?

[सभी उपस्थित मार्गी चुप]

सब चुप रह गया | अच्छा, क्योंकि इन लोगों के मन में डर है, कि बाबा अगर नाचना सिखलाना शुरू कर दिये, तो “हम लोगों को भी तो नाचना पड़ेगा” |

[ऐसा बाबा बोलकर बाबा मुस्कराए | बाबा की बात सुनकर सभी उपस्थित मार्गी हँसने लगे |]

[यह प्रवचन-अंश, बाबा के कैसेट से सीधे लिखा गया है । बाबा का यह असली प्रवचन, अमृतोपदेश है।]  (1)

Reference

1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 46 (Pure), chapter 2

== Section: Bangla Quote ==

ছিল প্রচুর শক্তি

“বিশ্বব্রহ্মাণ্ডে আকাশ পাতালে এমন কোনও শক্তি নেই, যে আনন্দমার্গকে ধ্বংস করতে পারে | কারণ আনন্দমার্গ ন্যায়-ধর্মে প্রতিষ্ঠিত | পাপ-শক্তি যদি তার সঙ্গে সংঘর্ষে লিপ্ত হয়, তো পাপশক্তি চূর্ণ-বিচূর্ণ হয়ে যাৰে | এক ফুত্কারে ফড়িয়ের  মত শেষ হয়ে যাৰে | কিন্তু ক্ষমতার মোহে, ক্ষমতার মদে মত্ত হয়ে, মানুষ এই চরম সত্যটা ভুলে যায় | তার পরে যখন শক্তিহীন হয়ে যায়, তখন আফ়সোস করে | কিন্তু তখন আর আফ়সোস করে কোনও লাভ হয় না | যা যাওয়ার তা চলেই গেছে | তোমরা জান এক জন এমনই ব্যষ্টি ছিলেন, যাঁর হাতে ছিল প্রচুর শক্তি | তা যার হাতে ছিল, অভ্রংলেহী স্পর্ধা, আস্পর্ধা, ভাবত “আমি সৰ কিছু করতে পারি” | সে জানত না, নারায়ণের একটা নাম হ’ল দর্পহারী, তিনি কারও দর্প সহ্য করেন না | কারণ দর্প পছন্দ করেন না | তাকে গুঁড়িয়ে ধুল করে দেন |”

[“ৰাৰা, ৰাৰা, ৰাৰা !”] (1)

== Section 4: Links ==

Prabhat Samgiita Day - 14 Sep

Starting point of Prabhat Samgiita 

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/08/history-what-devotees-were-singing.html

Postings to Read

Spirituality: essential aspect of nitya karma

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/06/nitya-karma-3-more.html

Golden rule: inherent flaws

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2018/11/self-centered-theology-vs-am.html

Link between sadhana lessons

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/03/why-and-what-about-sadhana.html

Story: how Baba made me victorious

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2023/05/story-how-baba-taught-me-surrender-part.html

Ananda Marga vs dogmas of epic

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2022/04/baba-yudhisthira-dogma-namaskar-in.html

Key point of pracara work + 4 more

Baba

Key point of pracara work

Namaskar,

When doing the dharma pracara of Ananda Marga, we must expect to receive criticism and abuse from non-margiis. It is going to happen. Here's the story of what happened when I forgot this sacred truth.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Backlash doing pracara

Not long back, a margii brother in my unit came over, and then we went to our program to present the views of AM. There was a lot of backlash from various attendees. People from different backgrounds vociferously opposed us. It was not what we expected. The program concluded and we were not sure what to think - did we do something wrong? We did sadhana for about 40 minutes and then referred to Baba's divine discourses in order to gain some clarity and understanding.

Then we came upon the shloka, "Nindantu...". It was then that all our frustration and confusion melted and we understood why we faced so much heated opposition.

Please take this as a reminder. All of us in AM should keep Baba's below teachings in mind. Then we will be able to move ahead without hesitation and do His work - without this understanding we are bound to get frustrated. Baba's words act as a panacea that clearly alerts to what lies ahead and keeps us inspired to move forward courageously on the path of dharma.


Baba's teaching on "Nindantu..."

Nindantu niitinpun'a'h yadi va' stuvantu....

The following are a selection of Baba's divine explanations of the above shloka.

Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, "Let those well-versed in ethics criticize me or praise me, as they so desire; let Laks'mii, the goddess of wealth, either be gracious enough (because of my activities) to reside in my house, or, if she prefers, go elsewhere; let death visit me today or decades later. It makes little difference to me. Wise people will never withdraw from the path of ideology, the path which they accept as their ideal." (1)

Ananda Marga ideology says, "The sha'stras say that a person must stick to his ideals irrespective of whether he receives praise or abuse, whether wealth comes or wealth goes, whether he lives a thousand years or suffers death the next moment. Such a person is called “dhiira”. My direction to you is to be dhiira. You must stick to your ideals in spite of everything. In this lies your spiritual growth." (2)

Ananda Marga ideology says, "If I am too concerned with those who praise or censure me, I will not find time to do my real work. As I have come to this world only for a short period, my only concern should be to keep on doing the duty the Lord has assigned to me. And while doing this allotted duty, I should remember that I belong to Parama Purus'a. I have come form Him, and I will have to return to Him – and to do that, I must complete my allotted duty." (3)

Ananda Marga ideology states, "What am I going to do regarding the mission of life? If logicians and philosophers condemn me, saying, “That is a very bad man,” let them say this. Or if, due to my movement towards my goal, a certain portion of society appreciates my action, let them appreciate it – it won’t affect me. I won’t be assailed by such appreciations. And if, due to my action, Laks'mii (Laks'mii is the mythological goddess of riches) comes and resides in my house, it is good. If Laks'mii says, “No, I will quit you forever, I won’t remain with you.” that is, you will have to suffer from poverty, let Laks'mii quit my house: And if, due to my course of action, du to my ideology, Pluto, that is, the god of death, comes and says, “I’ll take you,” let Pluto do it! I don’t care! Or if, due to my course of action, due to my ideology, I am forced to live here for an indefinite period, I am ready to live here. You know life becomes boring if one lives for a long period, but I am ready to undergo that boredom, that monotony, for the sake of my ideology." (4)

Thus we should all strive to inculcate His above teachings into our own lives. Then we will always hold firm to ideology and not be deterred when confronted by problems and troubles. We will have the strength and awareness to proceed on - regardless of the consequences.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Baba's blessing

By His grace, those adhering to the path of dharma are always victorious. And, in the end, the world realises their great contributions, regardless of how much they were vilified earlier. That is the natural law and Baba's divine proclamation. Hence, we should never be deterred or feel frustrated when facing abuse from non-margiis; just we should move ahead sticking to our ideal, knowing that victory is assured. 

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "You should build a new human society at the earliest possible moment. Regarding those who are likely to create obstacles in your path – let them do so. You should remember that those who are the actual pioneers, the real vanguard of the society, are always a microscopic minority, but it is they who are destined to be victorious. Those who once opposed, or are now opposing or will oppose in the future, will in the future admit: “Yes, we are now driving our vehicle safely and comfortably along the very path which that vanguard once opened by clearing the jungle.” This means that those who cleared the obstacles in the beginning will later be recognized as pioneers. The funny thing is this, that people do not give recognition at the time it is due. This is the natural law. And at the same time you should also remember this simple truth: that in a jungle the number of tigers and lions is always few; the jackals far outnumber them. Yet in the jungle the tigers and lions reign supreme, not the jackals. The jackals are sure to howl, that is their nature; but the tigers and lions will not be frightened." (5)

Namaskar,
Nandinii

References
1. Namami Krsnasundaram, Disc: 2
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 1, What Do You Want?
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 12, How an Ideal Person Should Live
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, Shiva's Seven Secrets
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 6, The Physical, Psychic and Spiritual Strata

*        *        *

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 ==

Misuse of pranayama

Note: These days hatha yoga / fake yoga pranayama is becoming quite popular. Yet, in this way, the common people are being harmed because the philosophy of mind is: As one thinks so they become. So if their practice of pranayama is devoid of spiritual ideation, the mind will be submerged in mundane thoughts. Verily, the mind has to think of something; it cannot remain completely idle. Also bear in mind that pranayama multiplies the effect of one’s thinking. So if one is involved in mundane or degrading thoughts during their pranayama practice, that will be very harmful. Then those lower propensities will become more dominant. And that will bring about one’s demise. Unfortunately, both Buddhist pranayama and fake yoga pranayama are mostly like that - i.e. devoid of spiritual ideation. So beware. As sadhakas of Ananda Marga, we should always keenly apply the proper ideation when doing this lesson and bring more onto the path so they can save themselves from the ill effects of bogus pranayama. 

Ananda Marga philosophy states: “Question: What is práńáyáma?”

“Answer: Práńáyáma is defined as: Tasmin sati shvása prashvásayoh gativicchedah práńáyáma. That is, “Práńáyáma is the process of breath control along with the imposition of the ideation of Supreme Consciousness.” It helps the mind in concentration and meditation.

“Question: What is the spirit of práńáyáma?”

“Answer: Pránán yamayati eśah práńáyámah. That is, the word práńáyáma literally means “controlling the práńáh [vital energy]”. The psycho-philosophy behind the practice of práńáyáma is that the spiritual aspirant tries to let the práńendriya [ten vital-energy currents] remain in a state of pause so that the paused unit mind will merge into the ocean of consciousness.”

“Question: How many types of práńáyáma are there?”

“Answer: There are two main types of práńáyáma: hat́ha yaogika práńáyáma and Yudhiśt́hira práńáyáma. When práńáyáma is done without fixing the mind on a particular point of concentration, and without imbibing Cosmic ideation, it is called hat́ha yaogika práńáyáma. But when práńáyáma is performed with the mind fixed at a particular point along with Cosmic ideation, it is called Yudhiśt́hira práńáyáma. [The eldest Pandava, Yudhisthira, was the first person to popularize práńáyáma according to this method.]” (1)

Reference
1. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #11-13

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Modern convenience, psychic tension

Baba says, "Human progress has been steadily increasing in speed. Progress during the last two hundred years has been very fast in comparison to that in the preceding three hundred years...People were carefree on elephants' backs, but they are sufficiently careful when they are driving a motor car or scooter. When going to the moon or Mars, people should be sufficiently cautious. The body and mind should be properly adjusted. This is called environmental adjustment. A'sana, pra'n'a'ya'ma [yogic postures and breathing], etc., help us in this adjustment." (AV-33)

Note: Nowadays in this present era, the speed of scientific advancement is increasing more and more, but the mass of people are completely lacking in internal adjustment, i.e spiritual growth. For this reason mental tension, frustration, and depression is fast on the rise. That is the disastrous result which happens when people neglect their internal adjustment in the face of speedy scientific development. For this reason, in this ultra-modern era, sadhana is needed-- it is a must. In the past, in those olden days, there were many physical problems and now those physical difficulties have been solved. On that note we can say that life has become comparatively easy. But even then mental tension and psychic stress has become rampant. So sadhana is needed to ease the situation and bring balance between one's mental sphere and external environment. Without that this problem will grow more and more. As Ananda Margii our duty is to a maximum amount of sadhana and teach sadhana to the maximum number of people. Otherwise this entire globe will be filled with psychically ill people and the situation will be totally bleak.

== Section: Topic ==

आध्यात्मिक  कथा के चोरों को चेतावनी

हमारे नेटवर्क से बाबा की कथाओं की चोरी की जा रही है| चोर चुराई गयी बाबा कथा को अपना कहकर फेसबुक, वाट्सऐप, ब्लॉग, गूगल+, टम्बलर, इत्यादि माध्यमों द्वारा प्रसारित करते है| इस घोर चोरी के कारणवश कई भक्तगण नयी कथाओं को लिखने से कतराते हैं| वे सोचते है कि चोर उनकी कथाओं को चुरा लेगा| ऐसे कुछ ही लोग है जो इस प्रकार चोरी करते हैं| अधिकतर मार्गी  ऐसा सोचेंगे भी नहीं|

निरंतर चेतावनियों के उपरांत भी ये साहित्यिक चोर अपने कृत्यों से बाज़ नहीं आते| मौका मिलने पर कथाएं चोरी कर लेते है परन्तु नयी कथाएं नहीं लिखते|
इसका दुखद परिणाम यह है कि हजारों भक्तों के पास बाबा कथाएं तो है परन्तु लेखकों का भीषण अभाव है| यदि कथाओं को समय रहते नहीं लिखा गया, तो कालांतर में ये भक्त इस संसार को छोड़ कर चले जायेंगे, और उनकी कथाएं सदा के लिये अनकही रह जाएँगी|

Baba's stories are being stolen from our network. The thieves broadcast the stolen Baba Katha as their own, through Facebook, WhatsApp, Blog, Google+, Tumblr, etc. Due to this gross theft, many devotees hesitate to write new stories. They think that the thief will steal their stories. There are few people who steal like this. Most Margie would not even think so.

Despite constant warnings, these literary thieves do not desist from their acts. When given a chance, they steal stories, but do not write new stories.
The sad result of this is that thousands of devotees have Baba stories but there is a severe lack of writers. If the stories were not written in time, then in time these devotees would leave this world and go away, and their stories would remain forever untold.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

मेरी धर्मसमीक्षा
बाबा,
नमस्कार,

हमें भी धर्मसमीक्षा के लाइन लगा दिया गया। यह बाबा के कमरे में हो रही थी। तथा वही पर एक लम्बी कतार लगी हुई थी। बाबा के कमरे में एक साथ आठ - दस आदमी बैठते थे। जब मैं अपनी बारी में बाबा भगवान के कमरे में गया तो वहाँ का दृश्य देखकर मन में कहा - “हे परमात्मा, आज मालुम पड़ता है कि हमारा भी उद्धार हो जायेगा|” देखा, बारी – बारी से बाबा भगवान एक – एक को अपने सामने करते है। उनसे प्रभुजी पूछते हैं कि उसने मार्ग का क्या कार्य किया है? वह कहाँ से आया है, क्या नाम है है? इत्यादि। फिर उसने समाज में यदि कोई अनैतिक काम किया है तो सबों के सामने कह देते है या फिर उससे पूछते है कि क्या वे (बाबा) सबके सामने उसके कुकृत्य को कह दें? फिर उसको बहुत डाँट पिलाते हैं। साधक द्वारा गलती मानने पर और फिर न करने की शपथ पर बाबा प्रभु तुरंत ही नवनीत की भाँति हो जाते है। उसे प्यार करते है, फिर उसके रोग के बारे में पूछते है। जिस रोग को साधक नहीं भी जानता है – प्रभु जी उसे भी बताते है और बताते है उसकी दवा इत्यादि। फिर, प्यार से उसे विदा देते हैं। साधक के  अवगुण बताने के बाद, बाबा देखते यदि वह साधक अच्छी साधना करता है, नैतिकवान आदमी है, तो उसे बहुत प्यार करते है और उसकी प्रशंसा करते हुए कहते हैं कि वह एक नेक इन्सान है। मैंने देखा कि सभी लोगों से बाबा लगभग इसी तरह पूछते है और डाँटते है, प्यार करते है, दवा और आसन बताते है। वहाँ उपस्थित दो - तीन अवधूत दादा जी लोग उपचार को तुरंत अंकित कर लेते हैं|

Baba Katha: My Dharma Samiiksa’

We were also put on the line for Dhrma Samiiksa’. It was happening in Baba's room. And there was a long queue on it. Eight - ten people would enter together in Baba's room. When it was my turn I went to Parama Purusa Baba’s room and seeing the scene there I said in my mind, "O’ God, today I know that I too will be saved." I saw, in turn, Baba one by one blessed. Prabhu Baba asks him what work he has done for Marg. Where does he come from, what's the name? And so on. Then if he has done any immoral work in the society, then He says in front of everyone or asks him if He (Baba) should tell his misdeed in front of everyone? Then Baba would give him a lot of scolding. Baba Prabhu immediately becomes soft and tender like butter after the sadhaka accepts the mistake and pledges not to do it again. Then Baba showers His love and compassion and asks about his illness. The disease which the sadhaka does not even know - Prabhu ji also tells him and tells his medicine etc. Then, lovingly Babs allows him to leave. After pointing out the sadhaka’s demerit, Baba would see that if that sadhaka does proper practice of sadhana and if he is a moral man. The Baba graces him very much and praises him saying that he is a noble man. I saw that Baba asks all the people in almost the same way and scolds, loves, talks about medicine and asanas. Two - three avadhutass present immediately noted down the treatment.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Special point of social equality

Prout philosophy states, “Diversity is the law of nature. So there cannot be any hard and fast rule about guaranteed minimum requirements. They will vary according to time, space and person. A few persons with extraordinary physical, metaphysical or intellectual ability may demand something more than ordinary people. Special amenities have to be provided for them. Certain items like food, housing, education, clothing and medical facilities are minimum requirements.”

“Nothing is stationary; everything is moving. So the minimum requirements and special amenities will also undergo changes with the changes in time, space and person. What should be the approach of Proutists? There should be a never-ending endeavour to minimize the gap between minimum requirements and special amenities. Minimum requirements will take the place of special amenities and extraordinary persons will get more items as special amenities.”

“The third Five Year Plan prepared by the planning commission of India presents an unwholesome picture – it presents unsystematic and unplanned government activities and the planned exploitation by vested interests. Though there has been inordinately high investment, the purchasing power of labourers has not been sufficient for them to meet the minimum requirements. Hence, while on the one hand labourers received less consumable goods due to less purchasing power, on the other hand entrepreneurs have captured excessive purchasing power and consumable goods causing excessive disparities in wealth. Economic balance has been upset. The major part of the capital investment went to the entrepreneurs and a microscopic fraction went to the labourers. There is therefore no middle class people in India of the type that existed in pre-independence days. Today well-dressed labourers have become the so-called middle class.” (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

Shraddhá & success 

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2020/09/defeated-sadhakas-2-more.html

When science skews society

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/02/misuse-of-science-in-usa.html

Mindless repetition not sadhana

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/12/what-is-parrot-sadhana-3-more.html

Our special pracara approach

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/08/naked-story-vs-sadhana-5-more.html

PTSD & AM remedy

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/10/psychic-afflictions-and-am-sadhana-3.html

AM: today & tomorrow + 3 more

Baba

AM: today & tomorrow

Namaskar,

We should be fully assured that our A'nanda Ma'rga ideology is immortal and going to flourish on this planet and across the universe, wherever humans go. Because the path of Ananda Marga satisfies human dharma. That is the special formula and the hidden reason why our AMPS will not only survive, but verily thrive.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Why only AM is path of eternal bliss?

Ananda Sutram (sutra 2-5) guides us that every human being has a thirst for limitlessness. All are eager and hungry to find eternal happiness and peace. To that end, humans do so many things and run in so many directions: money, materialism, allurement, power, etc. All done in order to find happiness. But those material engagements are unable to provide real satiation.

In that sense, they are just like small babies who are hungry and chewing on anything they can find: sticks, plastic, pencils, and cardboard etc. But that baby will not be satisfied until it gets mother's milk. Likewise, humans are involved in various material pleasures only because they have yet to find something better. And still they are searching, slowly refining their ways.

Proof being that now, around the globe, so many have joined up in various styles of yoga and other healthy ways of living. People are flocking in this direction and improving themselves. They are on the move. But even that will not entirely quench their thirst, because only Ananda Marga is the path of eternal bliss. So their quest and search will not stop until they find themselves on the path of Ananda Marga ideology.

Baba's special formula is the ultimate combination: He has instilled within human beings an infinite desire and He has given the teachings of Ananda Marga to satiate that innate human yearning for eternal happiness. Each and every human being is on a pre-programmed search to seek out the path of bliss, Ananda Marga. There is no other destiny.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

When speed & pause? (part 1)

Now that we are confirmed that every human being has an inborn desire to find Ananda Marga, the path of bliss, let's redirect our attention to the current scene within AMPS. How is it that we can feel assured that our AMPS will be able to show the path of Ananda Marga to all who come.

Before 1990, our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha (AMPS) was in a phase of tremendous speed. In a few decades, Baba unveiled the plan and programs for the entire future of humanity. No teaching or secret was left untold. He has given everything. Each and every day brought a new revolutionary idea or concept as well as a plan to implement. Our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha (AMPS) was marching at full velocity. That was the need of the day in that pre-1990 period.

At the same time, in that pre-1990 period, we could not digest all of Baba's teachings, like neo-humanism, microvita, and samadhi etc. It was a period of speed to roll out more and more new works, all done at a pace faster than the human mind could assimilate those teachings. It is just like if someone goes to the university bookstore and purchases all the needed books to get a PhD in quantum physics. Buying those books alone does not make one automatically worthy or qualified to have a doctorate degree. Rather it will take years and years of study to assimilate the requisite knowledge to earn that PhD. Same is the case with our Ananda Marga ideology. Just because some people were taking dictation or publishing books about Ananda Marga ideals, that does not mean they are wholly established in those tenets. Rather it takes time to instill all those ideas within one's being.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


When speed & pause? (part 2)

In our period of speed prior to 1990, it was extremely rare for anyone to be able to assimilate the real essence of what Baba was saying and doing. And there are so many examples of this. And still today some are more involved in propagating Baba's miracles - at the expense of Baba’s ideology. And that is not the need of the day. The world and its religions are already full of tales of miracles etc. What is really needed is a rational philosophy. The need of the day is for us to understand and propagate Ananda Marga ideology.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "A study of history will make it clear that a strong and healthy society has not yet evolved on this planet. This is mainly due to the inadequate propagation of an ideology. Although at different times a few people thought of establishing a strong and healthy society, they used argument and debate instead of deliberation and reason to convince others of the need for such a society, and ultimately ended up projecting themselves instead of the ideology. Thus the ideology became secondary and was ultimately swept away because people started worshipping them as mahátmas [elevated souls] or mahápuruśas [spiritual beings]. Due to the absence of an ideology a strong society could not be established, and many defects crept into individual life." (1)

Since 1990, our AMPS has been in a period of pause. The phase of speed finished. So since 1990 the period of learning and assimilation of Ananda Marga ideology has been in vogue. In that light, earlier, it was hard to understand exactly what groupism was and the amount of harm it could do. But now, having had to fully confront it in our own organisation, we are step by step pulling our AMPS out of the mire of groupism. Through study and sadhana, we are aiming to rise above any groupist sentiment.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Sadhakas in AMPS are now learning Ananda Marga ideology. With each and every passing day we better adhere to Baba's teachings and spread His ideals via our conduct, discussions, and actions. Our AMPS is slowly righting itself on the path of ideology.

Optimistic outlook for AMPS

Baba has instilled within all the inherent and infinite desire to become great, i.e. to experience eternal peace. Plus, He has given the path of  Ananda Marga ideology, which is the only real avenue for experiencing infinite bliss. And now our AMPS is in a period of pause, so we may best assimilate and understand His teachings. For all these reasons, we can sincerely know, 'Ananda Marga Amar Hai', Ananda Marga ideology is immortal.

That is what the period of pause is all about and with every passing day that we are coming more in line with our Ananda Marga ideology. And, ultimately, by this way humans will carry Sadguru Baba's teachings of Ananda Marga forever and ever. That is why there is a grand feeling of optimism percolating within our AMPS. Not all our problems are solved yet, but one by one they are being addressed as we hold onto and implement Baba's teachings, by His grace.


Conclusion

Human beings have infinite desires, and only Ananda Marga is that path of eternal bliss that can quench the human thirst to achieve limitlessness. And, in this period of pause, we are all becoming worthy media for bringing Ananda Marga teachings to the world.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "This speed and pause will continue. Pause means the gathering of momentum for speed in the subsequent phase. If one closely watches the effect of speed on a particular community or the entire humanity, one sees that generally people eulogize the period of speed. However, we cannot afford to ignore the state of pause, because by judging what the previous state of pause was like, we can discern the speed of the next phase."
   "There are some people who are pessimistic. They say that the society around us is very bleak, that it has no expression of vitality and that it seems that everyone is in a deep slumber. Pessimists say this because they have never made any detailed study of human history, nor do they care to. Had they done so, they would certainly be optimistic, because if they had looked carefully at the symptoms of pause, they would have realized that significant preparations were being made for the subsequent phase of speed. So under no circumstances should human beings be pessimistic. That is why I am always an incorrigible optimist, because I know that optimism is life." (2)

We are now no longer thinking that just because a sadhaka came into Ananda Marga that one is therefore a sadvipra. That is how it was prior to 90. A few thought that simply because they were in  AMPS, therefore they had the birthright to rule the world. Hence the building of the Prout Palace to entertain the world's leaders. Those days, some were just waiting for their coronation as kings of this earth.

But now that dream is over. Now most understand that being in AMPS means that we must personify Baba's teachings in thought, word, and deed. So all are studying, learning, and competing to be better informed about our Ananda Marga ideology and way of life.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Vishvamurti

Why religions cannot satisfy human thirst

The religions have a sense of god-hood, which is why they still have followers. Because human beings are not inclined to become atheistic. But the diminished feeling of god-hood that the religions convey is not enough to keep their followers. Because people want more than dogma in their life. They want to realise something Great and be guided by a flawless philosophy based on rationality. Hence, none of the dogmatic religions can keep their followers forever. Over time, all will come onto the path of Ananda Marga ideology.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 5, The Responsibility of Society
2. A Few Problems Solved - 3, Dynamicity and Staticity

*        *        *

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

*        *        *

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Recipe for success - 6

Namaskar,

Every human being wants to be successful. Who does not want to be successful?  Whether in the realm of art, law, medicine, schooling, business, literature, science, or architecture - or any other field or endeavor - everyone wants to be successful. Knowing how to be successful then is an important recipe. 

Baba has graciously given us His special guidelines wherein He explains how the 'Seven Secrets of Success' apply not just to spiritual life, but to worldly life as well. Here we examine the sixth secret of success: pramitáhára.

Pramitáhára: Just as proper attention to diet and food is needed in spiritual life, it is also needed for mundane success. If a student overeats then they will not be mentally sharp for their examination. Similarly, if a person grossly overeats time and time again, they will become obese, in which case they will suffer from all kinds of ailments from shortness of breath to heart disease, and that will keep them from discharging their duties properly. So food and drink must serve to keep one healthy and fit. Then only can one get success in worldly endeavors.

Baba has blessed us all with great teachings which lead us to success, including how to utilize the Seven Secrets of Success in our worldly endeavours. So we should pay heed to this doctrine not just in spiritual life but in all our worldly dealings as well.

Baba says, "You, boys and girls, should remember the points and do accordingly. It will help you in your all-around success." (1)

Namaskar,
Bhakti Bhusana

1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14, Seven Secrets

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Purchasing capacity: empowerment

Prout philosophy states, “It may be questioned whether it is wise for any government to guarantee the minimum requirements. If the state is to supply cereals, pulses, salt, gram, ghee, butter, etc. to all people then naturally the state has to institute some process of control which people may not like. Hence PROUT’s view is that people should be guaranteed the provision of sufficient purchasing power to meet these requirements. In that case the state need not adopt control measures.”

“The other disadvantage of guaranteeing the supply of minimum requirements is that if consumable goods are supplied to everyone, people will become lethargic. They should therefore be supplied with purchasing power in exchange for their work according to their physical, psychic or spiritual capacity.” (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout

== Section 2: Links ==

Upcoming festival: Ananda Purnima - 01 May 2026

#3: Celebrating AP: food & finances

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/05/handling-finances.htm

#2: Including all in AP celebrations

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/05/what-to-do-in-upcoming-festival-2-3-more.html

#1: Preparing for Ananda Purnima 2026

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/04/upcoming-celebration-3-more.html

Postings to Read

How party system ruins democracy

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/05/why-party-is-bad-3-more.html

Why same mantra

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/10/why-one-chant.html

Be ready for Prout

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2019/05/prout-east-west-germany-3-more.html