Planned dying? + 5 more

Baba

Planned dying? 

Namaskar,

These days because of the spread of materialism, and the psychic diseases that come with it, euthanasia is gaining more traction. Some are thinking that it should be legalized around the globe.

In the past, because of pressure from the various religions, euthanasia was banned. But nowadays, religion has lost its hold in many parts of the world; so some have started raising this point of euthanasia - assisted suicide. They think human existence is just something purely mundane where there is no soul or mind, just static materials. That is the unfortunate and misguided outlook of today’s so-called civilized world.
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In Ananda Marga philosophy, our approach is 180 degrees, diametrically opposite. We view human life as a part life - connected to one big life. There is birth, death, and rebirth; the cycle continues until one achieves salvation, by His grace. So each life is meaningful and is part of a greater whole; each birth is based on one’s prior life experiences.

So every person should utilise their strength for their all-round progress as long as they survive. Destroying one's existence is itself a sin.


The slippery slope of accepting euthanasia

If euthanasia becomes accepted in the general society then one of the inevitable offshoots is that some will feel psychic pressure to eliminate themselves and end their existence. For instance, suppose Raju and Tom are living in the same locale and are suffering from similar diseases - i.e. Alzheimer's syndrome. Suppose Tom decides to opt for euthanasia for himself. Tom thinks that he does not want to be a burden to his friends or family, neither a financial burden nor a day-to-day burden. So he thinks that the best thing is to simply rid himself from this earth by choosing the path of assisted suicide.

Hearing about Tom’s situation and decision, Raju may feel psychologically pressured to do the same as Tom. Because there will be newspaper articles and talk shows on TV about how those like Tom are sacrificing their lives for the good of society. Such heroes like Tom have opted for euthanasia rather than burden their families, friends, and the overall healthcare-medical system. Such persons like Tom will be praised and glorified for their selflessness. Naturally then, people like Raju will also feel pressure to do the same, i.e. euthanasia or assisted suicide.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

That is the slippery slope we are inviting by legalising and accepting euthanasia. People may stand around and claim that Raju wanted to end his life, but those who understand Raju's mind and heart will know that Raju felt intense social pressure to do this; it was not his desire.

Not only that, if euthanasia becomes an accepted social norm, even if a person is feeling mildly frustrated or a little bit upset, such as because their jewelry was stolen or because they got into an argument with their spouse, then to "fix" the situation and put an end to their worries they may walk to the local clinic after lunch and euthanise themselves.


From terminally ill to mildly frustrated

Here the point is that once euthanasia is approved for the terminally ill then naturally in due course it will be approved for the non-terminally ill. In which case, for all kinds of petty issues, people may resort to euthanasia. First a terminally ill cancer patient is given access to euthanasia, and then someone with minor back pain may exercise their option for euthanasia, until finally it is approved and accepted for people who are physically fine but are mentally stressed or anxious.

That is the negative progression we are inviting by approving and accepting euthanasia. And this is a direct result of a life based on materialistic values where selfishness, greed, money - not cardinal human values - dominate the societal landscape.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


What is the answer

In contrast, those with a spiritual outlook always find hope and refuge in Parama Purusa. Instead of drowning in their own petty, mundane issues that may lead one towards euthanasia, a sadhaka will surrender everything at the feet of Parama Purusa. This will bring tremendous relief and inspiration in life. One will always feel cared for and loved.
 
So no matter how desperate things get, when drowned in any problem or difficulty, a sadhaka will say, “O’ Parama Purusa please grant me strength to serve You.” In that case, a true sadhaka can never think of doing euthanasia or any type of assisted suicide etc.

Tragically, those with a materialistic outlook can never conceive of this idea - they are prone to defective tendencies like suicide. And verily nowadays we see that as materialism spreads and gets more deeply embedded in the human psyche, greater numbers of people are turning towards self-destructive means like euthanasia. This is the nadir point of human thought: annihilating oneself. Thus it is imperative that all understand the inner spirit of one’s human life and its utilisation.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The only aim of life is spiritual practice – the realization of the Supreme. But the body, composed of the five fundamental factors, and the mind, which is related to this body, are in this physical world. So spiritual practice cannot be sustained by ignoring this physical world. People will have to conduct their lives in such a way that their mundane duties are properly discharged without disturbing their spiritual practice, which is the primary goal of life. Thus people will have to continue their spiritual practice as the primary mission in life, and at the same time fulfil their worldly responsibilities, considering them to be allotted by God." (1)


If one kills themselves they ruin their future

There is no positive aspect of euthanasia. It is a faulty plan and foolhardy approach; and instead of solving one’s problems it exponentially multiplies them. Their situation will become worse as assisted suicide itself is a sin. Whereas if they remain alive they have every opportunity to lead a life of supreme fulfillment and realisation. 

Here is the formula: 
(a) They should do sadhana and ideate on the Supreme. That is what human life is for and if one has sufficient strength that is what is to be done - not assisted suicide / euthanasia. 
(b) By doing sadhana one will cleanse themselves of their negative samskaras and sins and develop a tranquil and blissful life outlook. One’s future will be bright. 
(c) Whereas those who succumb to the dark and morose passageway of assisted suicide incur sin by this very act. They invite one disastrous negative samskara to loom over their future which they will invariably have to face in the future when they are reborn as an animal or plant - or even worse, converted into negative microvita etc. 
(d) So what to speak of solving their problems, those who fall prey to euthanasia multiply their woes and incur more sin. 
(e) Thus with whatever strength one has one should adopt the path of sadhana and sublime spirituality, and goad the mind unto Parama Purusa.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Make life successful 

May we all live with the notion that we have come here to serve Him. Then we are sure to lead a successful life, unperturbed by the comings and goings of worldly life.

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Progress along the path of devotion is sweet and smooth. However the one who advances only a short way along the path of knowledge is soon assailed on all sides by the laments of the parched desert. No matter what the nature of one’s sa’dhana’ might be, one will have to practice sa’dhana’ in this world; one will not get the opportunity after death. It is up to you to choose between the path of divinity and the path of animality. But remember, the highest fulfillment in life lies in Brahma sa’dhana’. The attainment of immortality lies in the pursuit of this path. Only through Brahma sa’dhana’ can one properly evaluate life and attain genuine progress. The fulfillment of a bud lies in its unfoldment, not in its withering. Those who spend life in the pursuit of limited mundane objects allow the bud of their lives to wither, and regress along the path of negative pratisaincara to suffer the eventual miserable plight of becoming as inert as bricks, stones or iron, what to speak of dogs or cats. This process of crudification will lead to the total annihilation of their latent humanity. An intelligent person should not follow the path of annihilation, but the path of spiritual unfoldment. The pursuit of dharma is the path leading to progress. Life reaches a glorious culmination and supreme fulfillment only in this pursuit of dharma.” (2)


Conclusion

Remember, if one prematurely kills themselves, they will not get the opportunity to again get human life. Rather, after death, they will be reborn as an animal or a plant. Such is the horrible fate of those who resort to euthanasia or assisted suicide.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “This suicide is not deliberately done by the people. Those who commit suicide, do it when their mind is in a negative state. It is unnatural. Therefore, Sadvipras will remove this unnaturalness with the blows of their hammers. None can check it.” (3) 

Namaskar,
In Him,
Nikhil Verma

Ananda Marga ideology states, “There are some people who die after fasting for thirty or forty days. The members of their community think that they have attained salvation thereby, but one cannot attain salvation by fasting in this way.” (4)


~ In-depth study ~

Horrors of suicide

Baba says, "People who commit suicide due to humiliation, psychic distortion, frustration or the overpowering influence of excessive attachment, anger, greed, vanity, jealousy, etc. get the status of kabandha yoni [negative microvita] after death. Wherever these entities happen to see other human beings under the spell of psychic derangement, they incite them to commit suicide." (5)

The character in the Shabda Cayanika story states, "Today I realize what a horrendous mistake I made. ...This path of suicide that I have taken to save my honour has crudified me so much that even after such a long time I cannot find any deliverance. These days I am utterly helpless...Oh, what a painful bondage! Is there no path left open to me to attain peace! Is there no ointment I can apply which will soothe the burning of my bondage!" (6)


Story about dying father & son

A margii medical student from Gwalior once went to Delhi to see Baba. During that PC, Baba recounted one fateful event from years earlier.

The margii (who at this time had yet to be initiated) was visiting his father who was terminally ill with cancer and on death’s row. The father asked his son to grant him just one wish.

The father said, “Before I ask, I want you first to promise to carry out my wish. Do you promise?”

The son said, “Yes father, I promise.”

The father made his final request to his son: “Please give me a powerful drug that will take my life.”

The young son was shocked and in a quandary as to what to do. The dilemma forcefully gripped his mind and sent him into a stark downward spiral – a state of deep depression. Overwrought, the young son then decided to take his own life as he could neither bear watching his father die slowly nor could he agree to his father’s request to end his life. So the young man stood at the edge of the Yamuna river just on the cusp of ending it all. His guilt was too much to bear. In that dark night, a strong voice in the distance suddenly shook the young man from this act and that stranger safely led the young man back to his house.

Time passed and that young doctor became a margii.

In PC, Baba asked the him, “Who saved you that night when you were contemplating suicide?” The young margii was surprised by the question, because he did not tell anybody about his attempted suicide. In India attempted suicide is crime so for that reason also he hadn’t mentioned it to anyone. So he wondered how Baba knew about this. He thought that Baba must be the Supreme Entity. And the young margii felt that Baba Himself had come to rescue him.

Baba went on to explain in that PC that as a doctor he should not feel guilty about not agreeing to his father’s request to end his life. A doctor’s duty is to serve and help a patient survive. Never should one assist another in dying. Rather one should feel blessed to be able to serve the patient in life.

Hearing this, the margii felt completely relieved and revived, and thereafter carried out his medical duties courageously and faithfully.
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References
1. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva's Teachings – 2 (continued) (Discourse 13)
2. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life, part 8 - The Supreme Question – 2
3. A Few Problems Solved Part 6, The Three Causes of Sin
4. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 10, Ideation on Brahma
5. Microvita in a Nutshell, Disembodied Souls and Microvita – Excerpt A
6. Shabda Cayanika, part 2, Discourse 9

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Your everything is magnificent

Note: Those who don't do 6th lesson sadhana will not be able to understand this Prabhat Samgiita. This is a song of and for A-grade bhaktas.

"Shudhu tomár priitir áloke tomáke jáno bojhá jáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2132)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, one can only understand and realise You by the effulgence of Your ever-flowing love. Mundane knowledge and one’s petty intellect hold no value in attaining You. It is only possible to get You with Your causeless grace. When you cast an empathetic glance on anyone then their human life becomes successful.

No matter how much human beings study and acquire talent, the periphery of their knowledge is always very limited; that is why their understanding and wisdom is meagre. You are the infinite and eternal Entity. Your everything is magnificent and beyond all limits. Your mind is vast and You shine in Your exquisite sparkle and glow.

My Supreme Entity, when human beings have such little ability and aptitude, how come they glorify themselves and boast about their so-called prowess and strength up to the sky. Why do they hide their ignorance, imperfections, and helplessness. With their grandiloquence they try and cover up their weaknesses with their self-propaganda and hypocritical means. For what reason do they give arrogant and self-centered sermons to cover up their own darkness and deficiencies. This I do not understand. My Parama Purusa Baba, please shower Your mercy and awaken all with Your extraordinary brilliance. Let everyone sparkle in the grand illumination of Your karuna' - endless compassion.
 
Baba, when You shower Your causeless krpa then only can one understand and merge in You. By one's own efforts, nobody can do anything. Baba, Your karuna is everything...


Note for Prabhat Samgiita #2132

[1] 'The base of human beings is limited': The idea is that the intellect works according to the brain and the mind. And the mind itself has its own limitation of time, space, and person. It cannot go beyond its periphery.

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Example of very weak mind 

Namaskar,

Whatever may be the reason, but there are many Wts who have captured a significant post in AMPS, yet they have a very weak mind. And this is due to neglect of sadhana. Here is further evidence of this: In reportings, RDS, and IRSS meetings etc, these Wts argue on meaningless points, and in knee-jerk reaction yell, threaten, verbally abuse, and even worse; they may try to physically attack their subordinates. And while doing so, their face becomes red, their hands tremble, and their blood pressure goes up, and from their mouth spews extremely dirty language. 

This type of scene is not hidden in their inner chamber only. Near Ananda Marga jagritis where non-Margiis are living, they know very well. Because they see and hear this type of filth often. This is unfortunate, but it is happening. And the reason is, lack of sadhana. You can also see practically; put some cameras around your nearby Ananda Marga jagrti.

Conclusion

Those who are weak cannot control their organs. Whatever emotion arises gets executed by the organs and later on that person repents when they reflect on and analyse the situation. But those who are ideal sadhakas, their organs are controlled by their mind. When the mind approves, their organs will act, otherwise not.

Namaskar,

In Him

Anandasagar

Baba says, "यह बात सोचनी है कि---"जितना जो कुछ भी word मेरे मुँह से निकल रहा है, वह परमपुरुष का मन्त्र है |" तब क्या होगा ? मनुष्य कुभाषा से मुँह को अपवित्र नहीं करेंगे, शरमाएँगे | मुँह से गाली निकालना उनके लिए सम्भव नहीं होगा | इसलिए मैंने कहा कि....गाली मत दो | उससे तुम्हारा मुँह अपवित्र हो जाएगा |" ["मन पर नियन्त्रण कैसे", V28-04, V32-05, V24-09, GD 3 January, 1971 Patna]

Now kindly review the below exchange on WhatsApp and see for yourself whose mind is weak due to a lack of proper sadhana. 

~ Below image courtesy of WhatsApp Forums ~

~ Above image courtesy of WhatsApp Forums ~

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Human society is one and indivisible

“Human society is one and indivisible, don’t try to divide it. Each and every individual should be looked upon as the manifestation of the Cosmic Entity.” (Ananda Vanii #21)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “You see, in the psycho-physical sphere, many people are guided by – rather goaded by – dogmas. Dogmas have taken root in the human mind. People cannot get rid of these false ideas because they have been injected into their minds since childhood. As a result, one human society is divided into different nations, and one nation is divided into different religions; religions also have different castes, and caste also have different sub-castes – what kind of situation is this? We have only learned how to divide and subdivide humanity, and we never learned how to unite the people. This is all due to the defective teachings of dogmas.” (1)

Note 1: True Ananda Vaniis have a number whereas Fake Ananda Vaniis do not - just as a fake car license plate has no number. By this way, you can easily recognise a Fake Ananda Vanii.

Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 7, Renaissance in All the Strata of Life

== Section: Important Teaching ==

People began to use them as medicine-4

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Where medicines were not effective as external ointments, it became necessary to rub them on the skin or on the nerves where they could be absorbed through the pores. People discovered these rubbing medicines somewhat later. These massage or rubbing ointments were the discovery of a later stage."

"Where there was any poisonous effect of the rubbing ointment, there was no recourse but to use it externally. However, people learned to use them without any poisonous effect in the form of liquid medicines by dissolving them in water or other liquid solvents."

"There are certain ointments which, if ingested in small doses, have no poisonous effect, but which may have a poisonous effect if taken in large doses. Human beings learned to use them by licking them so that they could act effectively through the nerve fibres. They used to swallow those medicines after licking them with the tongue for a long time. Because the quantity is very small there is no harmful effect; rather one gets the full benefit. Such medicines are called avaleha [licking] in Ayurveda."

"People even discovered some medicines that develop certain special beneficial qualities when mixed with other specific substances. In other words, the same medicine when mixed with substance “a” became a medicine for headaches, when mixed with substance “b” became a medicine for diarrhea, and when mixed with substance “c” became a medicine for respiratory ailments. In this case, people gave the name anupána [ingredient] to the substances “a,” “b” and “c”. That is, by discovering that the medicinal qualities varied according to the different anupánas, people began to use them as medicines." (1)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika, Kulya to Kuvela (Discourse 34)

== Section : Important Teaching ==

Create true human beings, not buildings

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: Because 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 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

Specialty of AM schools

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/02/why-baba-wants-primary-schools.html

Unique marriage

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2025/07/unique-marriage.html

Spirituality: asking for His help

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2018/01/for-zealous-practitioner-3-more.html

True brahmacarya

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/03/he-is-watching-me-2-more.html

Uniqueness of RM system

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2018/07/why-it-is-revolutionary-2-more.htm

Euthanasia in AM

Baba

Euthanasia in AM

Note: This letter is only for those who have reverence for Sadguru Baba Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji and try to follow His Ananda Marga ideology.

Namaskar,

In select states within the US, some European nations, and other regions around the globe, euthanasia is allowed. It is a growing phenomenon. People turn to assisted suicide or euthanasia when they feel their current condition is unbearable. They think that the pain, suffering, or humiliation is too much to bear and that the only viable solution is to kill oneself. They harbour the dogma that upon prematurely ending their life their suffering will be over and they will find eternal peace. But that act of assisted suicide actually multiplies the problem and one incurs more negative samskaras and suffering.


Defective mindset: Trying to escape suffering by euthanasia

These days if someone is suffering from a terminal illness, and they are suffering a lot, then some materialistic people think that, “If I die, then I can escape from suffering.” But this is a defective mindset. Because they do not realise that it is the mind that suffers - not the body. And after the assisted suicide while the body remains here on this earth in a lifeless condition, the mind moves on and carries the current load of samsarkas that will take expression in future lives. So theirs is a defective mindset to think they have escaped all suffering by annihilating themselves through euthanasia.


The mind was suffering - not the body

When they look at the mindless body it is still and quiet. So they wrongly conclude that the person has found peace. But that is just their irrational outlook to think that that deceased person is now at peace. The reality is something far, far different.

That dead body no longer has a mind associated with it. And it was the mind which was suffering - not the body. That is why the body is now calm and quiet - because it is lifeless and the mind has exited that body. The disembodied mind has moved on to the next stage. And when that mind again takes birth in a physical body it will experience the reactions of its past actions and suffer more. After rebirth and taking form, as an animal, bug, or inanimate object etc, that mind will now have more negative samskaras to face because of the harm they inflicted on their own body. So the deceased does not gain any semblance of peace or eternal peace through the choice of assisted suicide. Rather it multiplies the pain and suffering for its next life.


How onlookers get confused

Onlookers superficially see the lifeless body and wrongly think that indeed that person is no longer suffering. Because earlier that person was crying and wailing in pain and agony and now the deceased bodys is quiet. One should understand that before death both body and mind were together. And after death only the body remains. The mind has left the body and it was that very mind that was suffering. Remember, previously the body was not suffering; it was the mind within the body that was suffering. And after death the situation is the same: The body still is not suffering while the mind has all the samskaras of suffering. In its bodiless state the mind will not suffer, but whenever in the future that mind gets a physical body it will undergod the leftover samskaras which it could not exhaust in the previous life. Having left the body the mind is now seeking a new home (i.e. body) to exhaust those samsakras. So the only difference is that the mind is no longer associated with that body. But mourners and onlookers see the lifeless corpse and think that now there is no pain and the person reached safely to heaven. They wrongly view euthanasia as a win-win situation. The patient is relieved, or they escaped from excruciating pain and reached happily to heaven, and the family members are relieved from seeing the suffering.

Net result of euthanasia is very degrading

Here is a brief overview:

• (a) the body does not suffer; the mind suffers;
• (b) after death the body remains as is, but the mind is not there;
• (c) people wrongly conclude that the suffering has ended at the time of death;
• (d) after death the mind leaves the body and it is seeking another body to undergo its leftover suffering;
• (e) the sinful act of euthanasia abruptly terminated the opportunity to experience one’s samskaras;
• (e) prakrti will provide the deceased with an animal body, or worse, to undergo the leftover suffering plus more suffering that was created due to self-annihilation;
• (f) the mind was suffering before death, and when the mind takes rebirth it will undergo that degree of suffering plus more;
• (g) the net result of euthanasia is very negative.

Thus those who resort to euthanasia are blind to think that peace awaits them after their death. Rather in their next life, when they get a new physical structure, they will have to meet their fate and suffer for their bad action of killing oneself.

Committing suicide = incurring more negative samskara

In the end we can say that euthanasia is a double or triple wrong. With human life one can exhaust their samskaras very quickly but when one destroys their human body the exhaustion of samskaras becomes prolonged. They will undergo their premature physical death, incur more negative samskaras for destroying themselves, and then have to wait for rebirth as an animal. Finally, in animal life they will begin the slow, multi-layered process of undergoing all those negative samskaras - both old and new. Thus it may take a long time - millions of years - to exhaust those samskaras which otherwise could have been finished in just a few days time had they kept their human body and not destroyed it via euthanasia.

With human body one can exhaust their samskara very fast, unlike with an animal body.

One’s samskaras can only be exhausted while alive and one should use the physical body on this earth in order to finish all one’s past unexpressed samskaras. After death, the mind cannot function without the brain. After death, there is not any difference between a disembodied mind of an animal, plant, bug, or human. It is just a mind along with its unexpressed samskaras awaiting rebirth. And that person who committed assisted suicide may be reborn as an animal, plant, or bug etc, but not as a human.


Conclusion

If a person ends their life intentionally, i.e. euthanasia or assisted suicide, then that creates yet another bad samskara. Because they will face that negative samskara of deliberately destroying their body. Since one can't exhaust their unexpressed samskaras after death, they will have to take rebirth and undergo the reaction. In that case, they will face their newly created samskara of murder by assisted suicide - along with their other samskaras. So they will not get a human body anytime soon.

All in all, it is just like if you bought a special, exotic, top-notch toy for your child and the child destroyed the toy within 5 minutes and threw it in the garbage. In that case, you will not be tempted to purchase another toy for the child right away. Those who commit assisted suicide do not get a human body again easily. They are last in queue - they will have to wait millions of years. Nature gives this punishment. The final conclusion is that assisted suicide creates more sin.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Mrtyuinjay

Plunge deeper on the path of negative pratisaincara

If someone commits suicide, that is very negative. Ultimately that person has killed themselves. And just as killing others is sinful, killing oneself is more sinful. Indeed if someone kills another person, they a commit serious sin. But if someone kills themselves, that generates an even greater amount of sin because God has given you the physical body, and with your own free will you destroyed it. So as punishment, you will not get another human body easily in the future. It is just life you give a small child a children’s book to read. And before your eyes, that child destroys that book and throws it away in the garbage. Then you may not be tempted to immediately give another book to the child because they misused it. In a similar way, the person who committed suicide will have to undergo millions of lives as an animal before again getting a human body. So suicide and assisted suicide pushes on far back along the path of negative pratisaincara.

His grace, not assisted suicide, relieves all suffering

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The reaping of consequences of original actions performed by a human being occurs mainly in the psychic sphere. And if a person attains the blessings of evolved beings and the Cosmic grace in that same psychic sphere, the problem is solved. Pain and misery is bound to come. Depending upon one's inborn sam'ska'ras and the actions performed, tortures and afflictions are bound to be undergone - the expression of one's own samskara [reactive momenta]. Tortures and afflictions will not be as severely painful as before; with the blessing and grace, the psychic afflictions will be removed. Well, when there is pain and the pain is not felt as such, should it then be called pain? In this case, in the psychic sphere, one will remain in a state of bliss. Let the afflictions come. When the affliction and pain are not felt as such, one should not worry about it." (1)

Thus the only way to permanently relieve oneself of any suffering is not to run after worldly allurements but rather get His divine grace. Just a tiny portion of His grace is enough to free the mind of any suffering. Then one will just be in a state of peace - bliss. That is Baba's above guideline.   


~ In-depth study ~

By sadhana eliminate all sin even on deathbed

When the body is debilitated then feelings of helplessness arise, and that brings feelings of surrender – the highest calling in life. Thus this time of life should be used for spiritual growth and not wasted.

Another important aspect is that one cannot do sadhana without a physical body. Baba has said many times that even microvita [devayonis] must get human framework if they wish to gain salvation.

Sadhana only needs the feeling of "I am", "I exist", and "I do" and then one can practice meditation. When on one’s natural deathbed (not that of suicide), then feelings of surrender arise, and all sins get destroyed, by His grace.

But all these opportunities are lost when one resorts to euthanasia - rather one incurs more sin and negative samskaras.


“Please grace me and give me strength to face suffering”

Part of our spiritual approach in life is to ask Baba, “Please grace me and give me strength to face any and all suffering and setbacks in life.” Especially in dark periods of life or when sick, one should take this ideation.

One should always remember that a person can become one with Parama Purusa with the right ideation – it takes just a moment. Proof of this is the terrible robber Valmiki who in the course of a few moments expressed his repentance with great sincerity and thereafter became known as a great saint.

One should not give way to feelings of nihilism (i.e. this world is misery). This is not appreciated by Ananda Marga. We do not agree with Buddha’s teaching. One must not fall prey to feelings of misery and plunge into the sin of assisted suicide. Instead one should cross the ocean of maya and reach unto Parama Purusa.

As long as one is able to think, one can ideate on Him. No matter how grave one’s problems one can always cry for the Lord. One should always cultivate the feeling, "Parama Purusa is mine. I am not lowly or worthless. I am His and He is mine."

All of the above speaks to the importance of keeping one’s physical body as a precious vehicle for manifesting one’s spiritual ideal and surrendering unto Him. There is no scope for euthanasia, i.e. assisted suicide. That will only worsen the situation.

You cannot escape samskara by assisted suicide

Some dogmatic persons think that after assisted suicide or death they will live joyously in heaven. As Ananda Margiis, we do not subscribe to such dogmatic concepts. We know that one cannot escape their samskara. If you die, or deliberately terminate your life, you will be reborn and face that samskara. If you commit assisted suicide then you will also face the negative consequences associated with intentionally destroying your body. So it is a double loss.


उनकी आँखें तुम्हें देख रही हैं

परमपुरुष सर्वत्र हैं | और सर्वत्र तुम क्या कर रहे हो, मन में क्या सोच रहे हो, देख रहे हैं, सुन रहे हैं | छिपाकर तुम सोच तक नहीं सोच सकते हो; करना तो दूर की बात है |
न अन्तलिक्खे न समुद्दमज्झे
न पब्बतनां विवरं पविस्स
न विज्जति सो जगतिप्पदेसो
यत्थत्थितो मुञ्चेय्य पापकम्म
अन्तरिक्ष में छिप गए हो; नहीं-नहीं, वहाँ भी देखोगे कि उनकी आँखें तुम्हें देख रही हैं | “न समुद्दमज्झे”—समुन्दर के अन्दर अगर छिप गए हो; देखो, नहीं, समुन्दर के पानी के अन्दर भी उनकी आँखें तुम्हें देख रही हैं | “न पब्बतनां विवरं पविस्स”—पर्वत के भीतर में, गुफा में अगर घुस गए हो, अन्धकार में; नहीं बच सकते हो; वहाँ भी उनकी आँखें तुम्हें देख रही हैं | तो, विश्वब्रह्माण्ड में इस तरह का देह, इस तरह की जगह तुम्हें नहीं मिलेगी; जहाँ छिपकर तुम उनकी दृष्टि से बच सकते हो | (2)

Here is the English summary:

Parama Purusa is omnipresent. Whatever you are doing anywhere, and whatever you are thinking in your mind, He is watching and listening. You cannot even think anything that is hidden from Him, what to say of doing anything.

Na antalikkhe na samuddamajjhe,
Na pabbata'nam vivaram pavissa,
Na vijjati so jagtippadeso,
Yatthathito munceyya pa'pkamma.

You are hiding in the sky, no, no, you will see that His eyes are also seeing you there. "Na samuddamajjhe," If you are hiding in the ocean, you will see He is watching you there. "Na pabbatnam vivaram pavissa," If you have entered in the cave of a mountain there also you cannot escape, His eyes are watching in darkness too. Therefore there is no space or place in the universe where you can hide from His eyes.

Those who do not believe in samskara theory think that by eliminating their body they can put an end to their suffering. But they do not know that wherever they go they will have to face their suffering. So then why not face it here and now? Those who commit assisted suicide will incur more sin and be reborn as animals and undergo countless tortures.

Their suffering will multiply exponentially

The whole scene is no different from those terrorists who think that by being a suicide bomber then they will reap the rewards of heaven and be surrounded by beautiful women for their gratification up to eternity. This is just their dogmatic outlook. In earnest, they will have to undergo the reactions of their actions. And their suffering will multiply exponentially.


Delays and alters the evolution of that animal

Here is why ignorant persons resort to euthanasia for their pets as well. They think that as soon as the body becomes lifeless - whether it be a human or an animal - then that being is now in a state of deep peace and serenity. So when they see that their pet cat or dog is suffering then they euthanize that pet. But that just grossly delays and alters the evolution of that animal.


References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 6, The Physical, Psychic and Spiritual Strata
2. DMC 19 Oct 1971 Bombay, नाम और नामी, Na’ma aor Na’mii, SS-21 - Ch 7

== Section 2: Links ==

Niilakantha Divas - Feb 12

• #1: How to commemorate this historic occasion

• #2: Niilakantha Divas

• #3: Another angle: Niilkantha Divas

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