Baba
Warning: addiction of greed
Namaskar,
Around the world, greedy people regularly resort to lotteries and gambling in hopes of generating income - and at present gambling has reached an all-time high.
Here is an overview of the effect of gambling and lotteries on the human condition - according to the stand of Ananda Marga. We should all be aware of how gambling and lotteries affect people spiritually, emotionally, psychologically and socially.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Disease of "I want more"
The main problem with gambling and lotteries is that they increase greed: A person thinks that they can get more money - free, with little effort. This hankering creates a feeling in the mind of malcontent. Because the gambling and lottery addicts always feel, "I want more." In that case they can never have peace of mind. Gambling goes contrary to yama and niyama. It ruins any sense of santosa and goes against the code of aparigraha as well.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Tośa means the state of mental ease. Santośa, therefore, means a state of proper ease. Contentment is not at all possible if the individual is running after carnal pleasures like a beast. As a result of extroversial analysis, the objects of enjoyments go on increasing both in number and abstraction and that is why one’s mental flow never gets any rest. Under such circumstances how can one attain perfect peace of mind?” (1)
So when any vrtti (psychic tendency) is encouraged, like greed, then it multiplies and one becomes intoxicated by that vrtti and one loses their sense.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The peculiar nature of these propensities is this: if they are given indulgence, they increase." (2)
Those involved in gambling utterly destroy their mental structure and lose any semblance of mental equipoise and inner peace. This is the root problem with gambling and lotteries. From this aforementioned psychic problem, so many social ills result.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Gambling & lotteries ruin whole family
A gambling addict destroys their family because of their addiction. They will spend all the family's money and resources on their negative habit (addiction to gambling and lotteries) and overlook basic needs like food, clothing for the children etc.
When someone gambles they invariably lose all their material wealth and in turn become psychically depressed. That leads to the destruction of the family as people often use alcohol and other drugs as a "crutch" to alter their depressed mood. That invites so many marital problems like divorce and abuse. In sum, one's home-life is ruined.
Gambling addicts perpetually need more money to cover their losses and support their addiction; and, often they resort to cheating, theft, robbery and deception in order to get more money. They will even cheat and steal from their loved ones, as well as commit crimes in the general society. A gambling addiction will ruin one's own health: physically and mentally - in all kinds of ways. Because gambling and lotteries are intoxicants. Intoxicants need not always be something you ingest like wine and drugs; gambling and lotteries and other sorts of bad psychic habits also intoxicate the mind.
The array of problems associated with gambling is vast. It is not just three or four points but many. Where there is gambling a plethora of social crimes and psychic problems mushroom. Gambling and lotteries invite a dark, downward spiral. Put it this way: If the casino business were a losing proposition then would greedy moguls enter into this enterprise. The "house" or the casino never loses. In the end, the casino always wins and the common people suffer. This itself is proof that those who gamble are bound to lose.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Various forms of gambling
Sometimes people think of gambling only as going to a casino. When in fact there are numerous forms of gambling:
LOTTERY: Participation in lotteries is a form of gambling. Buying a lottery ticket is not an innocent pursuit but rather a degrading habit and Baba condemns all kinds of lotteries, whether they be conducted in an office, or by the state, or anywhere.
HORSE RACING & SPORTING EVENTS: Betting on horses and sports teams are also forms of gambling because the intent is to wager money to gain more. This is highly addictive and many have ruined their lives in this way.
BETTING ON POLITICAL ELECTIONS: In this materialistic era, now people can even bet on the outcome of political elections. Odds are given and a wager is made. This is no different from betting on sporting events etc.
STOCK MARKET: The present day stock market is also a form of gambling which is one reason why Baba has mandated that the entire share market be fundamentally changed. Those who (a) aggressively invest in the stock market, (b) check their investments multiple times a day, and (c) are always thinking about the money they hope to make are most certainly addicted. They are like gambling and lottery addicts, even if they hold a so-called respectable place in society.
How dominance of lotteries makes Prout an impossibility
The exploited, impoverished masses are goaded by the exploiters to purchase lottery tickets. The poor are brainwashed into thinking that by this way they will be able to overcome their poverty and become rich. And when they invariably do not win the lottery and their poverty multiplies, those impoverished people blame themselves for being unlucky. Side by side, the exploited mass believes that the rich are fortunate and that is why they have money. They do not realise that the rich have gotten that way by exploiting others.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
The poor believe that, “Due to my misfortune and bad luck, I do not have money.” They fail to realise that their poverty is the result of systemic exploitation, low wages, and numerous other tactics implemented by the wealthy. So wherever people are dominated by the idea that the lottery is their ticket out of poverty, it is extremely difficult to raise their awareness about economic exploitation. They fail to understand that exploitation is the driving force behind their poverty because they are engrossed in the notion that they are just unlucky and if a stroke of fortune comes their way then surely they will become rich.
Some lotteries are worth huge sums of money. This gives the notion that societal systems are not founded on rewarding those who work hard and gain success, i.e. meritocracy, rather it is all just due to luck. People rely on the luck of the lottery to enhance their lot in life. A distinct portion of society operates in this way. When people think that chance and good fortune - not hard work and ingenuity - are the cause of one's success or lack thereof, they have fallen into a very dangerous and harmful outlook.
So wherever lotteries are embraced by the people, Prout can never be established. In order to propagate Prout, the first step is to open the eyes of the common mass. They have to realise the presence of exploitation and give up their bad habit and false hope of lotteries, gambling, and stocks etc. Only then will they be able to understand that capitalist economic exploitation is the cause of their poverty and suffering. Their economic woes are not because of not winning the lottery but due to extremely low wages.
Conclusion
As with all addictions, Baba guides us that one must be removed from the negative environment and channelise the mind to more subtle pursuits. Gambling itself - in all its forms - is a disease and a social ill that degrades both the individual and the collective. Neither citizens nor the state should try to increase their financial status through gambling - the overall outcome will be horrific.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
The central idea is that the object of ideation should be Parama Purusa, not something mundane. When it comes to lotteries and gambling, those addicts only think about money and more money. That unit mind - that microcosm - becomes wholly involved in money. And that is extremely dangerous because in that depraved state of mind at the time of death one will become negative microvita or take existence as a piece of gold etc. That is the very reason - and real danger - why Baba is so opposed to lotteries and gambling. It ruins one's spiritual growth. The theorem is: "As you think so you become." If you think about money you will become money etc. That is that very warning Baba is delivering. As a bonafide human being one should ideate on Parama Purusa and attain life divine. Otherwise - when indulged in gambling and lotteries etc - one will fall prey to materialistic pursuits and be reborn as a stone etc.
in Him,
Ramdeva
Due to greed people try to win more money by gambling and lotteries. If such an instance has occurred in your unit, it should be dealt with readily and the person rectified of their problem.
~ In-depth study ~
How to heal those addicts
Here below is Baba's guideline for how to heal those who suffer from an addiction or bad habit like gambling.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The best psychological cure for addicts is to put them in an environment where they will be unable to think of their object of addiction for any length of time. To proclaim, “Don’t do this, it’s bad,” is futile, for it is a negative approach. If you say, “Don’t drink wine”, you are still injecting the concept of wine into the alcoholic’s mind, thus making it impossible for him to forget it and kick his bad habits. You are giving alcohol negative publicity, and it again becomes his mental object. Thus whenever he gets the opportunity he will certainly drink it again. And it may be that this negative approach encourages the alcoholic to become even more addicted. It is a defective approach."
"These days the sign “No smoking please” is placed in many public places, but it will not reduce the amount of smoking. If society wants people to stop smoking, its approach should be to divert the smoker’s mind to other objects. A chain smoker should be encouraged to get involved in various pursuits such as music, dance, songs, culture of fine arts, etc., for if the mind remains engaged in these things it will forget its object of addiction. But the person who thinks, “I’ll stop drinking wine the day after tomorrow – no, let me see, why not tomorrow” can never kick the habit, for wine remains the mental object. The mind will try to materialize whatever it thinks about in the external world – this is its nature." (3)
Why avoid all forms of gambling & lotteries
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The habit of making wagers is extremely undesirable. You must avoid lotteries and gambling." (4)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "One may earn money by gambling but it is also not a proper occupation. One’s occupation should be pure. It must not go against the interest of the collective body." (5)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "There are many instances of affluent people also indulging in drink, drugs, gambling, licentiousness, luxurious living, gluttony, etc., in order to forget their psychic problems or to gratify their instincts. Due to their addiction, they lose their wealth and finally get into debt to finance their bad habits. Eventually, when it becomes impossible for them to pay off their debts, they get involved in a wide variety of criminal activities which have a highly deleterious effect on society. Privation is clearly the superficial cause of such crimes, but society is not responsible for this type of privation as it is entirely self-created. It is imperative to take corrective measures to reform such types of criminal. In order to be able to reform them, it is essential to cure them of their addiction." (6)
How the greed of vices brings destruction
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The irrational thirst for acquisition of material things is termed “greed”; whereas the endeavour to assimilate things in the spiritual world is harmless and blameless. And the attempt to assimilate something in the psychic world, if it is directed towards the welfare of humanity, is also harmless. Otherwise, it pollutes the minds of people and makes them intolerant: it leads to conflicts between dogmas and theories and degrades people to the level of animality."
"Now the question is: What is the motivation behind this? It is the tendency to assimilate ideas without the spirit of welfare – and, still more than this, the tendency to acquire the objects of material enjoyment in ever-increasing quantities."
"So whether in the material world or in the intellectual world, the predominant tendency that makes today’s people, both individually and collectively, rush headlong without control, is the instinct of greed. The propensity of greed, if not controlled by rationality, or benevolent intellect, or spiritual practices, will lead to premature death. Nothing can save human beings from this. This instinct of greed has brought the present humanity to such a state that people no longer consider anything as sinful. Rather, they consider the “sin psychology” as a mental weakness, and the worst of sins are being glorified as the height of intellect, not only indirectly, but also openly."
"The omniscient Shiva observed the rampant expansion of materialism and its dangerous consequences and clearly stated, Lobhah pápasya hetubhútah [“Greed is the root cause of all sins”]." (7)
References
1. Guide To Human Conduct, Santosa
2. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, (Discourse 16)
3. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell-6, Vyatireka-1
4. Caryacarya - 2, Society, pt #38
5. Subhasita Samgraha - 19, The Path of Salvation
6. Humans Society - 1, Justice
7. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Disc: 10, Shivokti - 5
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Story of Kalachand & defects of idol worship
Prout philosophy states, “The second inviolable principle is that people should not be forcibly converted from one religion to another. People will not leave a religion if it is able to guide them properly on the path of Dharma….”
Prout philosophy states, “There is a well-known story about a Zamindar from Bengal called Kalachand Roy, later Kalapahar, who was a follower of Kálii. He worshipped a stone image of Kálii with great devotion. At that time some invaders, belonging to another religion, started a campaign to destroy all Hindu temples and deities. When Kalachand’s temple was about to be destroyed, he prayed to Kálii saying, “Mother, I do not have the power to protect you, so please protect yourself.” But how can a stone idol protect itself? In due course his temple and idol were destroyed, and Kalachand lost faith in Kálii. He was converted to the religion of the invaders, and became known as Sheik Kaluddin Khan. He launched his own campaign of terror throughout Bengal and Orissa and forcibly converted people to his new religion. He disfigured deities, destroyed temples and threatened people with physical violence to convert them. Once he travelled to Kashi and set about converting a widow who also happened to be his elder sister. She refused to succumb to his threats, and scolded him mercilessly for his bad behaviour.”
Prout philosophy states, “This made him realize the error of his ways, and he abandoned his campaign. If Hinduism had not practiced idol worship, Kalachand would not have been converted. Because of his forcible conversion, Kalachand became extremely hostile towards Hinduism and launched his own campaign of terror against it. A religion [in real sense dharma] should be so strong that no one can be converted from it.” (1)
Note: In the last paragraph the term religion was used but the real sense is dharma. Baba is talking about dharma, because as we know all the religious have defects.
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell-16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Process to become a neo-humanist
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Human beings also know that Parama Puruśa is their source of impetus, is their Father, and that they are all His children. As His children, they have a brotherly relationship with all other jiivas, or unit beings. Due to this knowledge of brotherhood, the human is superior to all other beings. Parents are greatly pleased when they find that their children have been loved and helped by someone. Similarly, Parama Puruśa will be pleased when you serve His creation – not only human beings, but also plants, animals, and the rest of creation. That is, bhúta yajiṋa, pitr yajiṋa and nr yajiṋa are to be performed. Those who have this feeling are in the real sense of the term human beings. Just having the body of a human does not make a person a real human being, a rational being. Those in whom this feeling has arisen will be called followers of Bhágavata Dharma. They are doing the sádhaná of Bhágavata Dharma.” (1)
Ananda Marga ideology states, “All beings are made of the same consciousness. So although we may find ourselves at different stages of psychic elevation, a Bráhmańa and a Kśatriya, an Indian and an Englishman, a sweeper and a scavenger, a Zulu and a Maori, and even a tiny ant, are all linked by the bonds of fraternity. If we remember this fact, if we work for the well-being of all, then undeveloped human beings will be able to develop their spiritual potentiality when they come in contact with us. Even cows, dogs, tigers and bears who come in close contact with us will develop psychic wealth and gradually acquire spiritual treasures.” (2)
Ananda Marga ideology states, “He is the Supreme Progenitor, and everything in this Universe is His progeny. He is the Supreme Father, and others are His children. Then, when all are the children of the Supreme Father, the relationship between man and man is that of fraternal bond. You have got a universal tie of brotherhood because everything created has got the same father. The source is the same. When the spiritual aspirant knows this fact, he cannot get any kind of inferiority complex or superiority complex in his mind. He is not inferior to anyone, as he is one with his brothers and sister.” (3)
The editors wrote: “Our first step is to realize that the true goal of humanity, the ultimate goal of evolution, is not the amassing of more and more material wealth but the expansion of consciousness. Through proper education and practical techniques of mental expansion, humanity will come to realize that the hoarding of wealth and all the ills of corruption and scarcity it creates, are nothing but the misdirected longing of the human soul for infinite happiness – a longing which cannot be satisfied by money but only by internal bliss. Thus as human attention and activity is directed more and more toward subtler pursuits such as artistic endeavour and spiritual practice, the selfishness and greed which dominate people’s minds today will be replaced by a new feeling of love and brotherhood. As we expand our minds toward the Infinite and learn to share our mundane treasures, we will realize more and more that we are all indeed one humanity, that we are all the sons and daughters of one Infinite Intelligence Who is guiding us all to perfection. Instead of being based on competition and mutual hostility, society will be operated through mutual cooperation and love.” (4)
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, The Requirements for Sádhaná
2. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 8, Sádhaná
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14, Seven Secrets
4. The Great Universe, Introduction
== Section: Important Teaching ==
How to detect fake aspirants
True sadhakas serve others thinking it is their duty to serve one and all; and in return they do not want anything. Verily they do not have even have a remote desire for anything in return. They think those whom they are serving are Narayana God Himself. In contrast, fake sadhakas are opposite. You might have seen in various discussions and gatherings and how such persons come before all and tell, “I have done this and I have done that.” From others they mentally harbour great appreciation and respect for their so-called service. So these are fakes. To make it more clear please read Baba’s following teaching.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Bear in mind that you have a duty towards others, but that no one has any duty towards you. Everyone’s individual duty is fixed. Only one who move forward with this as his or her only thought can do proper service. Otherwise the thought may remain in the mind of the one doing service that I have done such and such work for that person, so that person ought to do such and such for me. The thought must remain in the mind of the one doing service that I have a duty towards others but no one has any duty towards me.” (1)
Note: Here sadhaka means everyone who is doing sadhana - whether they be a margii or Wt, everyone from PP Dada to a newly initiated margii.
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 9, The Source of Internal Stamina
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Outlook of those seeking knowledge
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Undeveloped human beings consider themselves to be very intelligent and thus at every step they invite innumerable obstacles in the material world. Later on, after climbing some rungs up the ladder of evolution, they realize form the core of their hearts the hollowness of their psychic capabilities. It is the natural rule of the universe that those who possess immense knowledge are quite conscious of their intellectual limitations, whereas people with superficial knowledge think just the opposite. The genuine way of learning for seekers of knowledge is to consider always that they know nothing.” (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 10, The Cardinal Spirit of Action and the Supreme Stance of Devotion
== Section: Hindi Quote ==
दो approach हैं | दोनों का value है
“collective pressure देकर नेकी का degree बढ़ा लो, तब उसको घेर लो, उसी को कहते हैं physical pressure | तुमको अपने अच्छा बनने में time लगेगा | साधना करने में, अच्छा बनने में time लगेगा | किन्तु समाज तो इसके इन्तज़ार में अधिक दिनों तक नहीं रह सकते हैं | उस समय में पापी बहुत कुछ ख़राब काम कर देगा | तो, तुम्हारा काम है क्या ? Under physical pressure, उसको अच्छा बनाकर रखो--भीतर में तो वह नहीं बना | और उसके साथ-साथ internally वह अच्छा बनने की साधना करते रहे | जब internally अच्छा बन जाएगा, तब external pressure की ज़रूरत नहीं पड़ेगी | इसलिए individual के लिए, collective को अच्छा करने के लिए, दो approach हैं | दोनों का value है | एक है, external pressure, और दूसरा है internal urge | और जहाँ external pressure, internal urge दोनों एक साथ काम कर रहा है, वहाँ longing of the great आवश्यक बन जाएगा | "त्यज दुर्जनसंसर्गं"
[यह प्रवचन-अंश, बाबा के कैसेट से सीधे लिखा गया है । बाबा का यह असली प्रवचन, अमृतोपदेश है। आनन्दमार्ग हिन्दी पुस्तकों में छपे प्रवचन तो नक़ली प्रवचन हैं, असली नहीं हैं -- बंगालीकरण (बँगलाइजेसन) के तहत उनकी बर्बादी की गई] (1)
Reference
1. हिंदी, अप्रकाशित,"त्यज दुर्जनसंसर्गं...स्मर नित्यमनित्यतां" की व्याख्या," Tyaja, NP, DMC (Date, Place unknown)
ধর্ম সরল পথেই চলে
“কোনও রকম বক্রতার কুটিলতার প্রশ্রয় না দিয়ে---যা চরম সত্য, তাকে স্পষ্ট ভাষায় স্বীকার করৰার মধ্যেই মানুষের মহত্তা রয়েছে | স্বীকার করাটা কি ? না, “আমি সত্পথে চলি, আমি অন্যায়কে সহ্য করি না, প্রয়োজন ৰোধায় আমি অন্যায়ের বিরুদ্ধে সংগ্রাম করি” | এইটাই সাধুতার পথ | নইলে তলে-তলে প্রস্তুতি চলাচ্ছি, আর মুখে শান্তির বাণী আউড়ে যাচ্ছি, এটাতে আর যা কিছু থাক না কেন, সাধুতা বা সরলতার লেশমাত্র নেই | এটা কপটতা |” (1)
Reference
1. Giitay Dharma Deshana-2
“collective pressure देकर नेकी का degree बढ़ा लो, तब उसको घेर लो, उसी को कहते हैं physical pressure | तुमको अपने अच्छा बनने में time लगेगा | साधना करने में, अच्छा बनने में time लगेगा | किन्तु समाज तो इसके इन्तज़ार में अधिक दिनों तक नहीं रह सकते हैं | उस समय में पापी बहुत कुछ ख़राब काम कर देगा | तो, तुम्हारा काम है क्या ? Under physical pressure, उसको अच्छा बनाकर रखो--भीतर में तो वह नहीं बना | और उसके साथ-साथ internally वह अच्छा बनने की साधना करते रहे | जब internally अच्छा बन जाएगा, तब external pressure की ज़रूरत नहीं पड़ेगी | इसलिए individual के लिए, collective को अच्छा करने के लिए, दो approach हैं | दोनों का value है | एक है, external pressure, और दूसरा है internal urge | और जहाँ external pressure, internal urge दोनों एक साथ काम कर रहा है, वहाँ longing of the great आवश्यक बन जाएगा | "त्यज दुर्जनसंसर्गं"
[यह प्रवचन-अंश, बाबा के कैसेट से सीधे लिखा गया है । बाबा का यह असली प्रवचन, अमृतोपदेश है। आनन्दमार्ग हिन्दी पुस्तकों में छपे प्रवचन तो नक़ली प्रवचन हैं, असली नहीं हैं -- बंगालीकरण (बँगलाइजेसन) के तहत उनकी बर्बादी की गई] (1)
Reference
1. हिंदी, अप्रकाशित,"त्यज दुर्जनसंसर्गं...स्मर नित्यमनित्यतां" की व्याख्या," Tyaja, NP, DMC (Date, Place unknown)
== Section: Bangla Quote ==
ধর্ম সরল পথেই চলে
“কোনও রকম বক্রতার কুটিলতার প্রশ্রয় না দিয়ে---যা চরম সত্য, তাকে স্পষ্ট ভাষায় স্বীকার করৰার মধ্যেই মানুষের মহত্তা রয়েছে | স্বীকার করাটা কি ? না, “আমি সত্পথে চলি, আমি অন্যায়কে সহ্য করি না, প্রয়োজন ৰোধায় আমি অন্যায়ের বিরুদ্ধে সংগ্রাম করি” | এইটাই সাধুতার পথ | নইলে তলে-তলে প্রস্তুতি চলাচ্ছি, আর মুখে শান্তির বাণী আউড়ে যাচ্ছি, এটাতে আর যা কিছু থাক না কেন, সাধুতা বা সরলতার লেশমাত্র নেই | এটা কপটতা |” (1)
Reference
1. Giitay Dharma Deshana-2
== Section 3: Links ==
