Undoing cultural imposition + 4 more

Baba

Undoing cultural imposition

Namaskar,

Are you curious why the general Indian public is abandoning 'namaskar' and instead involved in 'shaking hands', or why 'using water' has been swapped out 'for wiping with toilet paper', or why 'laungotas' have become a thing of the past and 'western underwear' is now the only way to go, or why India is now importing more meat than ever before into its borders.

All these above changes-- as well as others like them by various native communities in other countries-- are fast taking place today, and have been in the making for a long while. That is the sad and unfortunate plight of so many of these previously colonised nations and subjugated peoples.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Here the point is not to only highlight India. Such transformations are also occurring with Blacks in the US, Middle-Easterners in Europe, Native Indians in Brasil, and so many others. It is happening wherever people have been made to believe that their own culture is 'lowly'. That is the reason why so many communities around the globe are departing from their traditional or cultural heritage and instead adopting lowly ways of another more dominant culture. That is why McDonald's, Levis, martinis, and just about everything western is being embraced in so many lands. Here is more about this most tragic human tale.

Countries demanding return of artifacts

It is well-known that colonial powers took away precious artifacts from various lands and now certain countries like Greece are asking for their artifacts back - as well as many of the African nations etc. This is a big issue nowadays. Plus, it was discussed that those colonial powers took those artifacts not for their monetary value, but rather because those imperialistic nations wanted to exploit those local and native people to the very bone. So those cultural artifacts must be returned to those native lands etc. This is all part of the current conversation.

Tragic effect is lasting

Actually, it is not only that those cultural artifacts should be returned. It is not just a simple case of thievery of an old artifact. Tragically, the common people from the lands of South Africa, India, Greece, Vietnam, Mexico, Nepal, Morocco, and so many places have been stripped of their cultural pride. And we see the ill effect still to this very day. Because the stealing of an artifact is only the very beginning of a long chain of events.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Just see: The main way to exploit an entire people is to first rob them of their own cultural identity and legacy, and then impose new cultural norms, i.e. those of the dominant country. Take away their history, heroes, habits, language, and customs, and then instead inject the same from the dominant land.

That will shatter the backbone of a people and cause them to fall into an inferiority complex-- such that they will openly renounce everything about their own cultural background and history, even the most positive aspects. Their language, their dress, their history, their music, their everything will be dropped into one dark chasm, and instead those oppressed and embarrassed people will run after everything associated with the more dominant but lowly lifestyle, i.e. they will embrace the ways of their exploiters. Because they have been brainwashed into being totally ashamed of their native ways.

Next step in exploitation process

The next phase is that wherever artifacts have been taken, in that land pseudo-culture has been imposed, and the people suffer from an inferiority complex, such that they are totally ashamed of who they are, and then they end up as prime targets for economic exploitation. So in any land, where people are swapping out their own cultural heritage for a lowly and debauched way of living, or the ways of a more materialistic and crude lifestyle, then it is sure that those people are getting exploited in one way or another. Baba has pointed this out in so many discourses.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Baba says, "A particular group which is motivated by socio-sentiment to exploit others, tries to destroy the local cultural expressions of other groups. It forcibly imposes its language, dress and ideas on other groups, and thus paves the way for exploitation by paralysing those people psychologically. This is how people guided by socio-sentiment perpetuate exploitation in cultural life." (1)

That is why this whole issue is not just a simple case of thievery wherein artifacts can be returned and then the whole matter is done. It is not like that. Because when certain people do not like to speak their mother tongue even in their own kitchen let alone in public, and when some people do not like the shape of their hair or the colour of their skin, and where people think that all that is good comes from outside their borders, and where people feel that the traditions from their country are of no value, then this all speaks to the point that those peoples have become ashamed of who they are. In that case, inferiority complexes and exploitation must also be nearby.

Such is the devious and harmful effect of pillaging a country of their cultural heritage and artifacts. And that is why all across the globe innocent people are chasing after Euro-American manners and ways. Because they have been brainwashed into thinking that that is the only and best way to live.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Returning the artifacts is not the only point

So it is not just that the museums of New York, Paris, London, Sydney, San Francisco, and elsewhere need only return thousands of artifacts to nations like Zaire, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Jamaica, Peru, and Greece. Rather, centuries and centuries of cultural oppression and suppression need to be undone.

Innumerable lands were forced to forget about their own cultural heroes and figures as they were wiped clean from the history, and instead they were taught to honour exploiters like Christopher Columbus, Vasco De Gama, US Presidents, Marilyn Monroe, Walt Disney, Bill Gates, Michael Jordan, Jane Fonda, and the list goes on and on.

On the surface it all may look innocent, but the undercurrents of such cultural imposition is horrific. As people have been brainwashed into thinking that their own way of living and their own history is negligible or even sub-human. And still today, in their conscious mind they are unaware that this has happened. The scar is that deep.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Further reflection: whom to blame

So it is a painful and unfortunate twist. And it is not right to think that the current events story begins and ends with the returning of artifacts to a native area. Rather those stolen artifacts were just the starting point of the demolition of entire cultures.

And it should also be known that still today those museum curators in New York, Paris, London, and Chicago have absolutely no intention of even returning the cultural artifacts to those distant lands from where they came.

Another aspect is that as we speak the younger generations in those exploited countries have no idea why they are running after western values and western ways. They are just plunged in the idea that those things are better. From nightclubs to McDonalds, from pants to neck ties, from lipstick to cartoons, from coca-cola to the English language, inside and out, the long-term effect of having their cultural artifacts stolen is stinging the youths in those lands.

The people of India, Vietnam, Mexico, Greece, Philippines, Zaire, etc are not to be blamed. It is not the fault of those colonised nations that they have fallen into this trap.

Rather those western exploiters from the US and Europe shoulder the blame. Those top politicians and executives are the cause-- not even the general public of those wealthy nations. Because this is all due to the tricks of those cunning leaders.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

And one thing is also sure: That each and every member of the human race must be taught, educated, and made to understand the horrors of cultural imposition. The history should be known, the effects should be studied, and everyone should be fully cognizant of what has transpired. Failing that, the people of those lands will never rediscover their cultural heritage and such exploitation is bound to happen again and again.

Let us all remember that the current events topic of stolen artifacts is not just a simple matter of return, but, rather, a starting point for undoing centuries of cultural imposition and exploitation.

Conclusion

We should fortify humanity with the teachings of neo-humanism as this is the only formula for unshackling the world from centuries of cultural imposition and exploitation.

Baba says, "In that supreme neohumanistic status, the universal humanity will attain the consummation of its existence. Then nothing will be impossible for human beings; they will be able to do anything and everything." (2)

Namaskar,
Shrii Devii


References
1. Liberation of Intellect: Neo-Humanism, Disc: 7
2. Liberation of Intellect: Neo-Humanism, Disc: 11

*        *        *

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 ==

All became very close

"Tumi ele cári dik raunge bhare ut́halo, taruń tapan miśt́i hási hásalo..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0316)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, with Your arrival and advent, everything - all the directions - became inundated with resplendent colours of bhagavata dharma. The morning sun smiled sweetly; due to its beaming joy the world forgot all its agony. Because of Your coming as Mahasambhuti the whole universe is charged with spiritual vibrations.

Baba, in jubilation and delight, all became very close as everyone pulled together. It is Your grace. Today, after forgetting all sorrows, now in an exalted state bhaktas no longer feel suffering as suffering, or problems as a problem. Everything has become blissful due to Your august presence. In one tempo of spirituality, in a singular pull of the Cosmic Entity, in one song of His glory, the entire cosmos is ecstatically dancing in exultation.

My Cosmic Boatman, with a smile, receive the mind which is floating in the streams of divine refulgence; please bring that to the shore. With the attraction of the golden flash, today all are dancing rhythmically with exuberance, in euphoric ecstasy, in Your cadence & divine tempo.

Baba, in the past, people were drowned in misery - now with Your auspicious arrival everything has changed - only there is bliss....

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Need of the hour: more people

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "While dharma in the true sense of the term is based on logic and the realizations of great sádhakas [spiritual aspirants], religion, or dharmamata, is based entirely on irrational blind faith. So religions are always sheltered within dogma. While the propagation of dharma goes on spontaneously, for the propagation and establishment of dogma-based religions, the financial power of the vaeshyas [capitalists] and the intellectual prowess of the vipras [intellectuals] is inevitably needed. What we observe from the history of humankind is that the religions which have come so far have, without exception, taken shelter under the wings of capitalism. While money has been spent lavishly for the construction of beautiful places of worship, money has never been arranged for food, clothing, housing, education and medical care for the welfare of the poor. While for four full years all the state revenues of Orissa were spent for the construction of the Konark temple, during that period not a penny was spent for human welfare. Needless to say, the history of all countries is replete with such examples." (1)

In His above teaching, Baba points out how in the past the dogmatic religions spent their money on material pursuits such as the construction of the Konark temple, while the common people languished in utter poverty, half-naked and hungry. A similar state of affairs has befallen our AMPS where all emphasis is on material construction rather than a man-making mission.

#1: AMPS needs human beings. 
#2: So many ashrams and MUs are empty - now AM needs human beings not buildings.
#3: Those donating to those buildings and types of construction etc are all fools.
#4: Essentially, they are preparing those sites for non-margiis.
#5: Due to lack of occupancy by AMPS others will take over those buildings; that is what happened with the ashrams of other religions.
#6: In Bihar, Kabir followers had tens of thousands of MUs, and now everything is occupied by Bhumihar.
#7: So remain alert; we need humans. 

Reference
1. Ráŕh: The Cradle of Civilization, Ráŕh – 6

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Cannot call them humans

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Human beings are animate beings, they are not animals. What is the difference between the two? Animals remain obsessed with the gratification of their crude propensities; they only try to satisfy their cruder kośas. That is why in the minds of animals, what to speak of the supreme question, even questions related to the mundane world do not arise. Human beings, however, are (and herein lies the main difference between them and animals) mind preponderant beings. They possess the capacity of subtle thought which helps them find answers to increasingly complex questions, answers which have helped them to increase their dominance over nature. The same subtle thinking power has helped humans to attain Brahma, the Source of all psychic thought, and the final answer to all queries. It is the characteristic of all animate beings to seek joy and composure. For animals, that means the fulfilment of the crude propensities, but humans, by virtue of their developed thinking power, seek the deeper joys of life through the constant perfection of the subtle branches of relative knowledge. In the process of self-abnegation they take their psychic thinking back to its Supreme Source and get established in eternal bliss. Those for whom the pursuit of the crude pleasures of life is the be-all and end-all of existence should never be categorized as human beings." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology Way of Life - 8, The Supreme Question – 1

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Spiritual ideals should guide humanity

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Without spiritual ideals true morality based on universal love cannot be awakened. Unless God is accepted as the creator of all, human fraternity is impossible since God’s authority as the universal father is denied. Only spiritual ideals and spiritual desires can lead humanity onto the path of well-being. Universalism, cosmic ideation and cosmic bliss, unlike the material objects composed of the five fundamental factors, are not limited. Therefore, humanity should be inspired to move on the path of spirituality, or else nothing worthwhile will be achieved.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 3, Some Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga Philosophy – Excerpt B, Answer #45

== Section 4: Links ==

Postings to Read

Story: after death experience

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/10/how-dada-k-misconceived-baba-story.html

Be wary of bad jobs

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/02/why-this-is-sinful-job.html

Prout's answer to global economy

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2019/08/local-vs-global-prout-3-more.html

Yogic method of service & mental shaoca

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/07/way-to-have-his-darshan-3-more.html

Understanding bird-crocodile relation

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/02/crocodile-bird-and-service-3-more.html

Misunderstanding / fallacy / confusion about culture + 4 more

Baba

Misunderstanding / fallacy / confusion about culture

Namaskar,

Commonly people think there are so many cultures: African, European, Native American, Chinese, Russian, Indian etc. Indeed, various terms like multi-cultural, plurality of cultures, bicultural, cultural pluralism etc are very commonly used. People think humans differ according to their own "separate culture". It is often thought that there are many different cultures on this planet.

In that case, people look upon others as being different. They aim to tolerate differences, yet ultimately feel that "such persons are not like me - they are foreign - we can live together by tolerating differences - but their culture is different from my culture."
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

According to Baba's teachings, this is neither correct nor should this be our outlook. We must embrace one and all as our own and cultivate feelings of love and cordiality - not tolerance. Human culture is one - not many. As Ananda Margiis, we must fully understand Baba's sublime teachings on culture, and gain clarity on how human culture is one.


What is culture

First and foremost, according to Baba Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji, culture is the collective name of various human expressions: approach to education, eating and food, way of salutation and greetings, types of songs, ways to dance, raising children, social interactions, responsibility toward others, values and social norms, style of dress, friendships etc. Every human group has these kinds of expressions. Some of which have been addressed below. The sum total of all these expressions is known as culture.

Baba says, "Culture…is the collective name of different expressions of human life." (1)


Human culture is one: greetings

Let's examine a few practical examples to better understand what is culture.

As we know, when people meet, they greet each other. This practice of humans greeting each other when they meet is pervasive. It happens everywhere. A person in the hills of North Korea greets their friend; and, a person from a valley in California greets their friend. In both cases, in some way, they greet their relations. This is a common practice. This is culture. And because it is everywhere, culture is one.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Certainly, people from different lands may express their greetings differently, but those different ways of greeting do not stand as different cultures, but rather as cultural expressions.

For instance, in Ananda Marga we do namaskar or pranam; in some lands, people bow to one another; in other countries people wave their hand and say hello; in some places people say shalom; in other lands people embrace one another or kiss; and many resort to handshaking also. Thus there are many ways that people greet each other. But these various types of greetings do not represent different cultures. The act of greeting is itself human culture and singular; and, the various ways that greetings are done are various cultural expressions.


Human culture is singular

So culture is the act of greeting, irrespective of how it is done. On this point, all human beings share a common thread; they all greet one another. The practice of greeting a friend or neighbor etc is shared by all peoples in all lands. The very act of greeting another person is itself our human culture. Thus, human culture is singular - not many.

Some may try and bifurcate the society by dividing people into this culture or that culture. But, in truth, there is a common thread that is shared among all. The act of greeting a fellow human being is one such common point. Again, there may be various ways of greeting a friend, but, in reality, people from all various places are all doing the same thing, i.e. performing greetings.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

It should be very clear that the greeting itself is culture, while the way people greet one another is a cultural expression, which may be innumerable but culture itself is one. That is how human culture is one - not many.

Here we have to remember that internally humans are one, and human culture is singular in number; only externally there are a multitude of cultural expressions and variations.

Human culture is one: expressing one's happiness

Let's take another example: All over the world people express their joy or happiness. This expression of happiness is common to all. This is culture. If someone is happy in Thailand then they express their happiness, and if someone is happy in Alaska or Siberia then they too express their happiness. Expressing happiness is the culture of human beings: When they are happy then they express themselves in some way.

It may be through art, dance, laughter, drama, music and so many ways. But human happiness itself is a common point everywhere. So human beings are one, irrespective of their geographical area. Because their culture is one, i.e. when they are happy they express their joy.

And they may do this in various ways: some may laugh loudly; others might just smile; some might dance half naked in the street; while still others might decorate their dress with flowers. Around the globe, people express their happiness differently.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Cultural expression is different in various lands

People of Thailand may dance in a way different from residents of Alaska or Siberia. But that difference in style is the cultural expression of that area. Human culture is one: To express happiness.

One should not confuse culture and cultural expression. Culture is the trunk of the tree and the cultural expression refers to all those branches, and limbs that stem off of the main tree trunk. So human culture is one, i.e. expressing happiness when they are happy.

In other words, in different lands, people express their joy or happiness in various ways. Some sing, some dance, some clap, some whistle, some smile, some laugh, some slap hands, and others hug. There are so many ways people express their happiness. These variations are not culture, but rather local cultural expressions which are different in various lands. The main theme is that when they are happy, they express their happiness. That is common everywhere. That is culture and that is one.
 
All human beings are one, and human culture is one: (a) everyone greets, (b) everyone expresses happiness, and (c) many practices can be included in this list such as feeding their loved ones, working, bathing, caring for children, expressions of sorrow, decorating the home, constructing buildings, celebrating during festivals, conducting funerals, feasting with loved ones etc. 
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Irrespective of their so-called caste, language, so-called race or geographical areas, literate or educated, all are part of the same human culture. Everyone greets, everyone expresses happiness, and everyone feeds their loved ones etc. Thus, inherently, human culture is one. By superficial review, it may seem like people live in different cultures and express themselves according to different cultural tenets, but these are just local variations of our singular human culture. And we call these local variations as cultural expressions.


Conclusion

The conclusion is that fundamentally human culture is one and there are various local differences and those differences are not cultural distinctions but rather cultural expressions. Internally human culture is one, and on the external plane we see a range of cultural expressions. But all those expressions are rooted in one human culture.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Harahar vyomvyom


Summary outline

- Culture: The collective name for all of the different expressions of life -- good and bad, both.
- Within culture, the good expressions are called “samskrti”, whereas the bad expressions are called “krśt́i”. 
- The particular expressions of life which are considered beneficial to others are called saḿskrti.
- The particular expressions of life which are not considered beneficial to others are called krśt́i.


~ In-depth study ~

Unfortunately, nowadays, some people attempt to divide humanity by highlighting differences in expressions and using those differences as proof that people are intrinsically different and that human culture is many. They think others are alien and "not like me." But this is not the right approach. We must adhere to Baba's below guideline and eradicate such feelings of difference and encourage feelings of unity through social mixing and revolutionary marriages.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Culture is an ambiguous term. It is a collective expression of social life and is of composite structure. The Sanskrit words for culture are samskrti and krśt́i. Samskrti is used in a good sense and krśt́i in a general sense. There are certain prima facie local variations, but there is no difference in the subterranean cultural flow of the human society. The difference is external and not internal. Culture is one for the entire world. Common factors for the entire humanity (that is, culture in the true sense of the term) should always be encouraged, but prima facie differences should never be encouraged. Those who encourage these differences help the fissiparous tendencies which endanger human progress. To establish a cosmopolitan cultural outlook, we have to wipe out prima facie differences through matrimony and other socio-economic blendings." (2)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Although according to perfect logic the culture of all humanity is one and indivisible, the exponents of isms do not understand this. They prefer to assert that the different sets of script and language, behaviour and habit, and local variations in expression, are actually the constituents of human culture.” (3)


Ananda Marga propagates culture as one

Ananda Marga wants to unite all and form one human society. This is one of our main themes: to unite all human beings.

Human culture is, by definition, one. It is singular. As Ananda Margiis, we propagate this truth - i.e. that human culture is one - to bring about one human society. Side by side we are to introduce people to more refined and sentient cultural expressions.

When people start thinking human culture to be one it will be very easy to unite all humans. Then peace can be brought on this earth. Disunity invites violence. People divide humanity on the basis of various platforms including culture. By that way so many problems surface. Propagating the truth that human culture is one is how we can unite humanity and bring peace.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Human society is one and culture is one: If we forget this fact and instead think, "I am different, or that person is different" etc, then we will never be able to live together. We should always remember that human culture is one.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "The more human beings live in unity, shoulder to shoulder, the greater the welfare of the human race will be." (4)

One should not confuse culture and cultural expressions. Culture is the trunk of the tree and the cultural expressions refer to all those branches, and limbs that stem off of the main tree trunk. Internally human culture is one, and on the external plane we see a range of cultural expressions. But all those expressions are rooted in one human culture.

References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 5, Discourses on Prout
3. Prout in a Nutshell - 4, Ism and Human Progress
4. A Few Problems Solved Part 3 - Human Society Is One and Indivisible – 3

*        *        *

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 ==

Aroma of marigolds

Note: Only those who sincerely practice the 6th lesson of sahaja yoga meditation can understand this song in the depths of their heart.

Nácera tále chande gáne, ucchal holo áji dhará,
háráno diner háráno sure, sabái holo mátoyárá..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0401)

Purport:

Today the entire world is exuberant with joy - filled with rhythmic dances and enchanting melodies of kiirtana and bhajan. Parama Purusa Baba has come. Those sweet tunes of by-gone days have returned, and those songs that are full of bhakti are divinely intoxicating for all. Everyone is twirling in His bliss.

O' bhaktas, come one, come all - place spiritual collyrium in your eyes so you can see Him clearly. Thread garlands and fill your baskets with the fragrance of flowers to offer Him. Colour everyone with the hues of pollen of your heart; fill them with aroma of marigolds, and make your surroundings aromatic for His auspicious reception in delight.

Today, in the festival of spiritual refulgence, all hearts have accepted Him as their own, their most loving One. Attaining the Citcor, the pollen of the mind is dancing in bliss. With the arrival of Parama Purusa everything is blissful. Baba has come. It is His grace upon all...


Note for Prabhat Samgiita #0401:

[1] Citta-cor / Chit-chor / Citcor: In His role as 'Citcor', Parama Purusa is the Thief or Stealer of the bhakta’s mind. How does He steal the mind? He captivates their mind and attracts the bhakta by His exquisite spiritual charm - whereby the sadhaka cannot think of anything or anyone else. The sadhaka has lost control of his own mind: It incessantly and unknowingly rushes towards Parama Purusa. The One who makes this happen is Citcor - the Stealer of the mind.

And to some degree this happens in the mundane realm as well, though it is degenerating and not long-lasting. There are numerous worldly examples where a person's mind is stolen. For instance, if they lost money, if they are infatuated with mundane attraction, if they are anxious about something - in all such cases when the person's mind runs again and again in that direction. So to some degree their mind has been stolen. The person's mind is no longer their own - they do not have control over it. Over and over, their mind is thinking of something - yet that something is not eternal but rather short-lived. So the effect is degenerating. Because their “I-feeling” has become attached to something mundane. In the real sense that is not citcor, but rather a reflection of a reflection of the stage of citcor.

The Entity that causes someone to lose control of their mind is Citcor - the stealer of the mind. And this is a deeply spiritual state. In the sphere of bhakti, only Parama Purusa is Citcor. The sadhaka thinks of Him, unknowingly. Always the mind is goaded in that direction. Even if the bhakta intentionally tries not to think in this way, still his mind becomes ensconced in the thought of the Supreme, i.e. Parama Purusa. This is an elevating experience and has a wholly beneficial result.

Ultimately, when this condition climaxes, in that culminating state the unit mind - the jiiva'tma - becomes one with the Supreme Consciousness.

Lastly, another name of Citcor is Makhan Cor (Butter Thief).

A number of dogmatic worshipers think that Lord Krsna is a butter-thief and they portray Lord Krsna as a small child who has stolen butter whereby the child Krsna is eating a lot of saturated fat. The sages tried to teach the common people with analogies but due to a very low standard the people took it in a literal way until finally it became an entrenched dogma. They do not like to hear the real truth of the matter.

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Glimpse into the future

Ananda Marga Ideology guides us, "I have also said that in the future the number of vrttis may further increase. The more complicated social life, family life, the realm of thought and the realm of intellect become, the more vrttis will develop. For example, the vrtti, cunningness, may be expressed in many more ways. To fulfil their desires, people will develop different types of cunningness which may become different vrttis in future. For example, the cunningness required to procure an object by devious means, the cunningness needed to give a promise knowing full well that one will never keep it, and the cunningness required to trick someone into believing that one did not tell a lie when in fact one did tell a lie, may all become separate vrttis in future.” 

"Thus, in the future, as people’s thought processes become more complicated, many new vrttis will develop. The number of vrttis may not stay at fifty. Just imagine the situation that will arise in the future as a result of humanity’s ever increasing thirst for knowledge. To meet these developments the nerve cells and nerve fibres will have to become more complex. Consequently, the human cranium will become larger and the size of the head will increase. The hands and feet will become weaker and weaker and human beings may even lose the ability to walk. Today, the human toes have almost stopped functioning – in spiritual actions we have almost no use for them – whereas at one time, when we used to walk on four legs, we used our toes as much as our fingers. The front legs were used less and less, and were transformed into arms, and thus these days it has become almost impossible for us to crawl on all fours.” 

“There was a time when humans would run on four legs, but today they cannot do that. After a time, children feel uncomfortable crawling around on all fours and try to walk on their hind legs. In the initial stages, when they try to stand up, they soon fall down. Again they stand up, again they fall down. When they finally develop the habit of standing on two legs, there are corresponding changes in the physical structure so that the use of their arms becomes less. In the future, the legs will be used less and less and the capacity to move on them will decrease. The arms will become thin, and the head will become abnormally large.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam-8, Sádhaná, Abhidhyána and Kiirtana

== Section: Important Teaching ==

How to handle prostitution

Prout philosophy states, "Those who shudder at the sight of various social vices and lament, “Everything is lost; righteousness is gone; morality has vanished…” should realize that among all the causes behind this so-called all-round degeneration, social injustice is the principal one."

"Because of injustices against women with respect to their social rights and because women are economically crippled, a section of women is compelled to take to prostitution. Although there are many causes of this profession, these are the main two."

"Ananda Marga recognizes that women are as dignified human beings as men. Ananda Marga, in addition, wants to encourage women to be economically independent of men. The system in which characterless men swagger about in society while fallen women are denied proper opportunities despite their sincere desire to lead an honest life, can never be supported by justice. Women who desire to lead an honest life must be given a respectable place in society." (1)

Reference
1. Problems of the Day, Point #13

== Section: News (Feb 21, 2019) ==

News: Rudrananda is ready to devour AM / Sweden property

Namaskar,

Rudrananda needs money so he has put the AMPS bakery business in Sweden up for sale. in the next phase, he will sell the entire Wt Training Centre in Sweden. Watch for more news reports about this.

in Him,
Jiivesh
(Johann Svenson)

== Section: News (July 25, 2018)==

Re: For better care: Shyamananda wants to shift to Durg

Namaskar,

Due to neglect and deficient care, Shyamananda ji is interested in changing his residence at Ananda Nagar and instead staying with Mantracetanananda. At the same time Shyamananda harbours some concerns of facing backlash by H group. But by Shyamananda ji's statement it is clear he wants to leave Ananda Nagar. He has spoken with Manatracetanananda and expressed his desire to seek care in Durg. This demonstrates that Shyamananda is not fully satisfied with present situation at the SDM building at AN. That is why he is strongly considering leaving. Kindly wait for more info on this developing story.

in Him,
Keshava

Note: Here is a link to the news posted in Hindi - click & scroll down to section three.

- Here is link to the original report in English - Murder case history & Shyamananda health status

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Root query of spirituality

Ananda Marga ideology guides, "Those who have fallen today may become evolved people, great personalities in the future – mahápuruśas. This is why no one should ever be disappointed in life. Parama Puruśa is calling everyone and He will continue to call everyone: all shall find a safe shelter on His loving lap. He does not hate or neglect anyone. Hence the only answer to the question, “kasya tvam” – “Whom do you belong to?” – is: “I belong to Parama Puruśa, to Him and Him alone, because I have come from Him and I am in Him, and finally I will return to Him.” And the only answer to the question, “Kuta áyátah” – “From where have you come?” – is: “I have come from Parama Puruśa and I will go back to Him. He is my permanent abode.”" (1)

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 12, To Whom Do You Belong? Where Do You Come From?

== Section 4: Links ==

Postings to Read

Harmful to spiritual flow

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/06/way-to-ravage-ones-sadhana.html

Important to avoid this comparison

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/12/wrong-comparison.html

Mahaprayan of Prof Ravi Batra

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2026/08/mahaprayan-of-prof-ravi-batra.html

How to handle cultural treasures + 2 more

Baba

How to handle cultural treasures

Namaskar,

Every Ananda Margii knows that Baba has given great importance to artifacts and archeology. We should understand why, what our role should be, and how this relates to a recurring issue taken up around the globe. To begin, here is Baba's first-hand account.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Sadguru Baba says, "I went there to do archaeological research on Angadesh, in the Lachmiipur jungle area by the eastern border of the Khirkhiriya (Kśiirakśiriká) Hills. I found there many cave paintings from the Buddhist era. I even came across some artifacts that dated back to the beginning of humankind’s history in old Angadesh. In these hills humankind depicted its existence through many different varieties of drawings. From these it can be understood just how far back Angadesh’s history goes. If Karna is accepted as Anga’s first king, then Anga’s political history is over 3500 years old, but these cave paintings are signs of the first stage of prehistoric humans’ ascension through the annals of history. They are approximately twelve thousand to fifteen thousand years old. No writings are found with them because at that time humankind had not yet invented script." (1)

The key point here is that Baba uses artifacts and archaeology as a means to create a proper history of that area. Thus far, around the world, what is often accepted as "history" presents a poor portrayal of what really happened. Through archaeology and the study of artifacts, Baba presents the proper historical record. And that is what He wants that we should do as well. Ananda Margiis and local archaeologists should unearth the truth about their area and tell the real story of those indigenous peoples. Their greatness and glory should be told, not forgotten.


Artifacts reveal the story of humanity

Baba says, “It heartens me to see young men like you,” I told the young man. “Go ahead and rescue Rarh’s archaeological artifacts from the ground and reconstruct the history….Remove the defects from India’s historical record. Make the history of humankind resonate with the great message of humanity.” (2)

Indeed, the whole of human history needs to be retold based on the evidence gotten from archaeological findings. Because, tragically, up until today, the right and correct history has not been told.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Shabda Cayanika states, "I am a child of Magadha. History has never done full justice to this land of Magadha. Every dust particle of its villages and markets is mixed with the gold-dust of its heritage but no one has properly recognized it or recorded it. The little that has been written about it has been written by foreign historians – some out of sport, some out of merriment." (3)

Outside agents - primarily from imperialistic, western nations during the people of colonization - have created a skewed historical account and in so doing vastly undermined and exploited the feelings and sentiments of those native peoples and communities. Thus a double loss occurred: The right factual history was not presented and an inferiority complex was imposed on native populations. Baba wants archaeology and artifacts used for telling the true history and boosting the morale of local peoples.

Pillaging of artifacts used to subjugate & exploit peoples

To date, western powers have essentially scoured this earth for resources, power, wealth and more. Cultural artifacts were pillaged from lands around the world in order to heighten the economic dominance of those imperialistic nations and rob the local people of their self-worth, dignity, and self-esteem. Instead of using those artifacts as a means of recounting the real history and contributions of those native populations, foreign invaders stripped the land and the people of their wealth and integrity. In prior eras, various Mughal rulers exploited from inside the country (India), whereas western agents came from outside and returned back with their treasures.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Today, the gems and jewels from Lord Krsna’s era are embedded within the British crown. This is the story of so many lands, not just India. Now, various nations exploited in the past are demanding that their cultural artifacts be returned and their legacy restored. From South America to Greece and Turkey, and from the far east to Africa, those nations exploited and colonized by imperialists are demanding their cultural wealth be returned. This has been a recurring dialog, but is often met without much success.

Demand return of artifacts to native lands

More and more countries now want their precious, cultural artifacts returned to their respective homelands.The Greeks, the Egyptians, the Indians, the Filipinos, the Africans, the Peruvians, and so many others are now demanding that museums in places like New York, London, and Paris etc return their precious artifacts.

This stands as one recurring theme these last few years in newspapers, dailies, magazines, blogs, and discussion forums across the globe. Some of the important questions include:

  (1) Why were those artifacts stolen / taken in the first place?
  (2) Who now is the rightful owner of those pieces?

As the issue comes more and more to the fore, it is needed that we discuss, understand, and know the Proutistic position.\
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Artifacts provide a unique window of past

By the term 'artifacts', we are talking about statues, engravings, idols, sculptures, carvings, paintings, books, manuscripts, cave drawings, and pottery etc that are thousands of years old - all of which are priceless and provide a unique window into the cultural heritage of a people. So these artifacts are of great importance, and we should also remember that Baba Himself places a huge emphasis on this as He has spent countless days and tours unearthing and examining artifacts of old.

Baba says, "Each day I would go to one or two different spots in the Suvarnarekha River valley in search of archaeological artifacts of ancient Rarh. One day, while searching in a spot near Muri in the Silli area, I came across a fossilized fragment of a mammoth jaw with part of the tusk still attached. I knew I had found something important. There was no doubt that it would add lustre to the cultural heritage of Rarh." (4)

And indeed, so many of the documented accounts in Shabda Cayanika are about Baba's various archaeological explorations, plus in 1984 He did an entire DMC tour of north India which focused exclusively on the ancestry and archeology of so many regions and places. The overall importance of such artifacts cannot be denied. Certainly, today, all these artifacts have become priceless - whether they be from ancient Greece and Rome or from the hillsides of Nepal or Chile. Even then, money was not always the main aim behind the capturing of those artifacts ages ago. There was something else at stake.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Rob heritage & cultural history & infuse inferiority complex

Imperialist powers stole and / or destroyed artifacts and treasures from whatever lands they colonised and enslaved the local people by injecting an inferiority complex. By this way, those native people became easy targets for further exploitation by those imperialistic powers. The history of those colonies was written by European scholars. They painted the picture as if before they arrived, those indigenous people had nothing. This left a deep inferiority complex upon that populace for future generations. Those local people felt they were the descendants of forefathers that had no greatness or glory. When that is not at all correct. Yet by this way, those local communities were pushed down and exploited by imperialists year after year, generation after generation etc. Here is more of that dark history.

When the various colonial powers scoured the earth in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries and beyond, then their chief aim was power and control. In brief, they wanted to rob and pillage various peoples and communities of everything they had. In order to do that, they needed to break the cultural backbone of those people. So they stripped those people of their very own cultural history and legacy.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Whenever the sentimental legacy of a group of people is undermined, they become easy prey to the economic, political and psycho-economic exploitation of vested interests. Such a strategy of cultural suppression was adopted by the English, French, Dutch, Spanish, American and other colonial powers." (5)

Thus, the taking of those artifacts - like Parthenon / Elgin Marbles or the pottery and artwork of the Incas - was not only done because those colonial powers thought that one day those artifacts would become priceless, but because they wanted to deny those cultures of any self-worth. Then those subjugated peoples would be prime targets of exploitation.

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "It is proper for human beings to struggle for political freedom, for social emancipation; but if their cultural backbone is broken, then all their struggles will end in nothing...If one’s spine is shattered, it is impossible to hold one’s head erect." (6)

So that was the essence behind the thievery. Those colonial powers wanted to annihilate the life-force of those peoples in order to steal everything they had and dominate them. And the fastest method of doing so was denying them of their cultural heritage. That was the chief reason why those colonial powers stole those artifacts. Yes, they wanted to display those precious items in their museums. Yes, they thought those artifacts were priceless. But the main factor was to smother the spirit of the people and thus perpetuate their cycle of exploitation.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Loss of cultural heritage & exploitation

Here below, Baba points out that in order for a people to restore themselves and stand up again, they must become in tune with the immense value of their cultural heritage. Once they develop respect and pride by understanding their own cultural heritage, they can no longer be suppressed or exploited.

To this end, Baba traveled all around to correct the history and make it proper using archaeology as His chosen tool. By this way, He is teaching us that archaeologists and margiis should do the same in their country and provide the correct history to the people. Local communities should not be subjected to exploitation by outside forces. Those native populations should be fortified with their own self-worth. Otherwise they easily fall prey to the prevailing dominant culture.

During his travels, wherever Baba went, He documents the ways and specialties of the common people. He documented their history and highlighted their contributions and efforts such as their crafts and art. This was His regular manner throughout His various travels. Plus in Lake Gardens, He had His own museum to safely store artifacts and fossils found in Ananda Nagar and other local areas. Those items included dinosaur eggs, bones, stones, rocks etc.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Thus, whether while traveling or in Ananda Nagar, Baba did not collect fancy stones or jewels per se; instead He gathered those common items that told the story of those peoples and lands. This was Baba's way of showing us how to document and preserve the talents and dignity of those peoples.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "If local people develop a sublime awareness of their cultural heritage they can readily throw off all psychic inferiority complexes which prevent them from attaining socio-economic self-reliance." (7)

So one's cultural heritage is a key facet of being able to stand up in this world. And here below Baba emphasizes how cultural heritage - such as the preservation of artifacts - is a significant aspect of our samaj theory.

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Those who share a similar cultural legacy and uniform socio-economic potential will then be well-established in each region." (8)


Conclusion

According to Ananda Marga and Prout, the various museums in London, New York, Paris, and Berlin etc must return those cultural artifacts to their respective communities. Today, when the Greeks are asking for the return of the Parthenon / Elgin Marbles, and when museums in the western powers are filled with artifacts made by the ancient peoples of faraway lands, then there is no option but to return the cultural legacy to those respective communities. That is what must be done.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

But it will not come easy. Because at present museum curators in the US, England, France, and Germany etc have their logic and justification. While further discussion and openness is a step in the right direction, the fact remains that still today, the British Museum has retained the Elgin Marbles in their collection. Greece is not the only nation trying to regain ownership of stolen cultural artifacts. Turkey also is seeking cultural artifacts from the British.

On the positive side, there are some few cases where imperialistic nations are returning the artifacts to their country of origin - such as France's return of artifacts to Korea. But such instances are not the norm - still tremendous numbers of cultural artifacts critical to a country's cultural legacy remain in the halls and showrooms of imperialistic nations.

It is our duty to raise this issue and help restore the cultural legacy of the people - helping to undo some of the countless harms done during the Colonial Era. As Proutists, we must encourage all the peoples of the world to stand up and have a voice - and to do that they must be aware of the greatness of their own cultural heritage.

Prout philosophy states, "PROUT always stands for the cause of exploited people, irrespective of race, nation, religion etc., and always opposes all types of exploitation." (9)

Namaskar,
In Him,
Shankar

~ In-depth study ~

(A) This below account from Baba demonstrates how He puts history together from archaeological findings.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

   Shabda Cayanika states, "The first step forward in human civilization was the discovery of fire. The second step forward was the discovery of iron. The third step forward was the invention of the wheel. That human clan of the prehistoric era which first discovered fire was considered the most civilized and advanced clan of its time. Gradually the use of fire became prevalent in all human communities. Thereafter, that community which first learned the use of iron leapt over the boundary of the stone age, bone age and bronze age, and was considered to have the most advanced civilization. The use of iron brought a new unfolding to the movement of human history, a new radiance. At that time the wheel had not yet been invented, and thus there were no vehicles. Later, with the help of iron, human beings produced the wheel. They learned to wage war seated in vehicles mounted on wheels. By sharpening the edge of the wheel they invented a weapon called the discus. The boomerang is also a type of discus used by the Maoris of Australia. In India and Central Asia people learned the use of the wheel in very ancient times, but no matter how long ago they learned it, they learned it after they learned the use of iron. That is, first they invented the chariot wheel, then afterwards turned the wheel into a weapon."
   "At one time, the ancient Mayan civilization of America was more advanced than many other civilizations, but because they lagged behind in the invention of the wheel, they were forced in subsequent times to acknowledge their defeat at the hands of other civilizations. The oldest existing artifacts of the Mayan civilization give evidence to advanced ways of life but no wheel. One should keep in mind that the Sanskrit name for America, Máyádviipa, came from the name of the Mayan civilization. During the Chola, Páńd́ya, and Pahlava dynasties of the Indian Middle Ages there was contact between America and India – this was before Columbus’s discovery of America." (10)

(B) Next Baba recounts how in the past thieves stole artifacts thereby denying people of their cultural legacy.

Shabda Cayanika states, "During the Buddhist and Puranic eras, indeed, even during the Pathan era as well, the Dákrás used to gather gold particles from the sand of this river which they would then melt down to remove the base metals and extract the pure gold. During that time many of the archaeological artifacts made in this Suvarnarekha valley were fashioned of pure gold, but they fell into the hands of thieves so they are no longer found today." (11)


Outside invaders imposed deprivation & subjugation

(C) Here Baba explains how those early artisans used to work.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "At the beginning of civilization, the desire to create arts and crafts arose in the human mind. At that time artisans used to work at home, and arts and crafts were produced in cottage industries. Men, women, boys and girls – all participated in the creation of arts and crafts. Later people realized that some arts and crafts could not be produced in every village, so certain artifacts were produced by a few combined villages. If artisans had not combined together, they would have suffered losses in the market place, and their numbers would have been significantly reduced. So gradually human beings started to go and work in places where production was done collectively, or the first factories. At that time the few industries that existed were decentralized." (12)

(D) This following excerpt is a description of one outing Baba made.

Shabda Cayanika guides us, "I had gone at the time to a village in Nawada subdivision of Gaya district in search of archaeological artifacts from Magadha. This place was more or less in the Kśuri river basin. At the southwest it bordered the historically renowned Grdhrakút́ mountain where the Buddha performed spiritual austerities and later gave his spiritual teaching." (13)

(E) This next teaching shows how Asian nations came under exploitation by outside powers.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The Asian countries, in spite of their long heritage of morality and spirituality, have been subject to great humiliation during periods of foreign invasion. While the higher knowledge of philosophy propagated by the oriental sages and saints has been accepted as a unique contribution to the store house of human culture and civilization, the people of these lands could not resist the foreign invaders. The history of all the Asian countries, a region of so many religions, has been dominated by foreign powers for centuries together. This imbalance brought about their material deprivation and political subjugation." (14)


Save our heritage and ward off exploitation & complexes

(F) This is a formula for how people get trapped under a heap of inferiority complexes and become subject to exploitation.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "The use of non-local languages as the medium of instruction only results in the suppression and subjugation of the local language and inevitably means the suppression of the local culture. This in turn leads to psychic demoralization, inferiority complexes and a defeatist mentality. Whenever the sentimental legacy of a group of people is undermined, they become easy prey to the economic, political and psycho-economic exploitation of vested interests. Such a strategy of cultural suppression was adopted by the English, French, Dutch, Spanish, American and other colonial powers. If local people develop a sublime awareness of their cultural heritage they can readily throw off all psychic inferiority complexes which prevent them from attaining socio-economic self-reliance." (15)

(G) Next Baba highlights how museums should faithfully and aptly preserve all cultural artifacts.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Deities should be preserved in museums, and temples should be restored to maintain the cultural and historical heritage of the country." (16)

(H) Here is Baba's call to all peoples in all lands.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "We have to save our cultural life, we have to save our heritage, by linking the bright past to the brighter future with the golden cord of universalism." (17)


References
1. Shabda Cayanika - 2, Discourse: 9
2. Shabda Cayanika - 2, Discourse: 8
3. Shabda Cayanika - 1, Áṋt to Áhiira (Discourse 5)
4. Shabda Cayanika - 2 (Disc: 8)
5. A Few Problems Solved - 9, Socio-Economic Movements
6. Liberation of Intellect: Neo-Humanism, Disc: 7
7. A Few Problems Solve - 9, Socio-Economic Movements
8. Proutist Economics, Developmental Planning
9. A Few Problems Solve - 9, Socio-Economic Movements
10. Shabda Cayanika - 1, Áṋka to Ád́hya (Discourse 4)
11. Shabda Cayanika - 2 (Disc: 8)
12. Proutist Economics, Decentralized Economy - 2
13. Shabda Cayanika - 1, Discourse: 6
14. Prout in a Nutshell - 18, Talks on Education – Excerpt C
15. A Few Problems Solve - 9, Socio-Economic Movements
16. Prout Nutshell  - 16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
17. Prout Nutshell - 17, The Significance of Language

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Why Buddha’s preachings got branded as atheistic

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Buddha opposed those ritualistic religions in clear language and advised people to follow the path of morality. He said, “Prepare yourself and truth will spontaneously  manifest itself before you.” Buddha did not say anything specifically about Iishvara, his views about átman were vague, and he clearly rejected the Vedas; for these reasons the doctrine of Buddha was branded as atheism." (1)

Reference

1. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Disc: 18

== Section 2: Links ==

Postings to Read

AMPS: special & unique history

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/07/babas-way-of-starting-amps-2.html

Mother's day undermines motherhood

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/05/where-and-why-mothers-dont-like-to-be.html

Spiritual life: shelter

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/06/enemy-of-guru-sakash.html

Objective adjustment: self-befoolery

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2020/04/easiest-way-to-befool-oneself-3-more.html