Two options for depressed people + 3 more

Baba

Two options for depressed people

Namaskar,

The formula is well known: Humans have infinite longing, and the only way to satisfy that infinite desire is to goad the mind towards something infinite, i.e. the Supreme Entity. Humans can never be satisfied by limited material gains which are finite. 

That is why in today’s materialistic era, most people are in a terrible quandary that ultimately leads to their own misery, degradation, and demise. Humans have a developed mind, but instead of using that mind for its intended purpose, people become overwhelmed by all its trappings. Yet it need not be like that as we were born for something far greater. First we should better understand the problem at hand and then help our brothers and sisters, i.e. those of our universal family members who are in need.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Blessing and curse of developed mind

The equation is straightforward: Humans have been blessed with a developed mind, but instead of reaping the benefits of that developed mind, people drown in all its complexities. For instance, the main quality that separates humans from animals is that humans have a reflected consciousness. With that developed mind or reflected consciousness, people are meant to do sadhana, and by that way they can bask in supreme bliss and take shelter in Parama Purusa.

Unfortunately, in this materialistic era, people fail to direct their minds toward the spiritual realm and instead indulge in materialistic allurements. The chief issue is that people have a developed mind which gets misused and becomes overwrought with fear, worry, anxiety, stress, and all kinds of psychic machinations including depression. Naturally, sadhana clears the mind of all those psychic diseases and ailments. But when one leads a life devoid of sadhana, as is the case in materialism, then people turn towards various degrading tendencies and “fixes” to temporarily alleviate themselves of their psychic burdens. This leads to substance abuse, intoxication, addiction, and animalistic pursuits etc. That brings about their ruination. So that is the dilemma that is rampant throughout any materialistic society. Humans have a developed mind with infinite longing, but instead of basking in the brilliance of that mind by goading it towards the Supreme, they suffer from the psychic complexities of their developed mind. At that point, human life becomes a curse.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

For instance, humans are fearful about the uncertainty of the future, or worried about mistakes they made in the past, or concerned about their own mortality. In addition, with the advancement of science, life has become so much faster and more complex whereby the mind is overrun with problems and difficulties, both real and perceived. Verily, there are countless everyday and existential issues that haunt the human mind. All of which can be resolved through spirituality, but when one is submerged in a materialistic flow of life, then that higher functioning of mind is obscured. And one is left to wallow in those lower propensities, desires, and worries.

Ignorance of animality or bliss of spirituality

In contrast, animals have no such problem. Their minds do not have infinite longing so they are quite satisfied and happy with their material surroundings. They do not yearn for anything more. And since they do not have a developed mind they cannot do sadhana. However, since their minds are undeveloped they do not suffer from all kinds of worries, anxieties, fears, and addictions that beleaguer human beings. Saved by their ignorance, animals are quite content in their animal life, while humans are besieged with troubles in their human life.

At this point, there are only two options. Those depressed humans can either take rebirth as animals and live peacefully in that ignorant state, or they can embark on the path of spirituality and develop an inner link with the Supreme Entity Parama Purusa, by His grace. Those are the only two pathways to get rid of their psychic afflictions.

There are some who are drowned in maya and are seemingly enjoying themselves, but that intoxicated state does not last long. Invariably, they will hit the wall of materialism and despair over the fact that this world is impermanent and that one day they will invariably lose everything they have. And when they reach that point, either they will be blessed to receive diiksa, spiritual initiation, or they will turn towards degrading allurements and intoxicants which will only compound their problems.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Real solution: proper education

The root cause of this entire ordeal and disaster is a blatant lack of proper education. In materialistic societies, people are taught and rewarded for collecting inanimate objects, i.e. crude, material wealth. In that case, they fail to receive the answers they need to find a lasting sense of peace and security, hence they inevitably suffer from melancholia and depression etc.

A neo-humanistic approach towards early childhood education empowers young learners with all the tools to have a successful human life, free from worry, anguish, and mental disease. From the outset, children are taught of their inherent connection to the Divine Entity. This key spiritual component provides a base of human understanding whereby they grow into aspirants and sadhakas and that changes their entire outlook. Instead of trying to satisfy themselves materially, they view this world as a changing phenomenon and divert all yearning towards the Supreme. This enables them to live peacefully in this world, free from worry and distress, forever engaged in the thought of the Great.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Conclusion

Humans are born with a reflected consciousness, i.e. infinite longing, and when that developed mind is used for the spiritual practice then one will bask in His bliss, never overwrought or depressed about the worries and losses of this mundane world. Failing that, human life becomes a curse.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “One of the numerous benefits of sádhaná is that it keeps the mind free from psychic disease and encourages the natural growth of the mind.” (1)

In Him,
Dhrtiishvara

~ In-depth study ~

   Ananda Marga philosophy states, “It is only the well-reflected consciousness which differentiates human beings from animals. Is it then not imperative for human beings to make use of their consciousness? If their consciousness lies dormant behind their animality, people are bound to behave like animals. They in fact become worse than animals as, even though endowed with well-reflected consciousness, they do not make use of it. Such people do not deserve the status of human beings. They are animals in human form.”
   “The nature of consciousness is to seek for the Infinite or realize the Cosmic Entity. Only those who make use of their consciousness and follow its dictates deserve to be called human beings. Therefore, every person, by making full use of his or her reflected consciousness, earns the right to be called a human being and finds his or her dharma or nature to be only the search for the Infinite or Cosmic Entity. This longing for the Infinite is the innate quality or dharma which characterizes the human status of people.” (2)

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Sádhaná, therefore, is to unify the two into one – the internal “I” and the external “I”. Two-ness in one single personality is a disease. The more the gap between these two “I’s”, the more you will undergo psychic torment. You must remember that in this second half of the 20th Century people are feeling much gap in between their internal “I” and external “I”. Because of the trouble in adjusting these two “I’s” there is an increase in mental illnesses. This is the greatest disease in the 20th century.” (3)

References
1. A Few Problems Solved - 7, The Faculty of Knowledge – 3
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 1, The Dharma of Human Beings
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 19, Parama Puruśa

*        *        *

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 ==

Your unbounded kindness

“Sumadhur tumi sushobhan…” (Prabhat Samgiita #0581)

Purport: 

O’ Parama Purusa, You are very sweet, exquisitely attractive, and stunningly ravishing. You are kśamá sundar. You are ever-forgiving. Due to your forgiving nature, You are very beautiful. With Your divine touch, the world has become very charming. You have made this earth pleasant. 

Those who do not know You think that You are harsh. Those who have not realized You mistakenly think You are unkind. They see Your liila and cannot understand You. They are unable to grasp that You are love-personified and the essence of benevolence. By Your grace, I know that You are extremely charming and unparalleled. No one is above You; nor is anyone Your equal. You stand alone and control all. You are beyond all comparisons. You are paratpara - the Supreme Controller.

O’ Parama Purusa, by Your love and affection that dormant consciousness (kulakundalinii) gets aroused. That subtle spiritual energy transforms their existence. Those who love You feel Your unbounded kindness and attain the supreme rank. You are guńádhiish; You are the Lord of maya. You are the Purusottama; You are the Supreme Entity, and everything and everyone revolves are You. Baba, You are the remover of darkness in the physical, mental, and spiritual spheres, as You shower Your divine light upon one and all….

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Association with Him

Commonly people think of themselves as weak and isolated. That is because in that moment they do not have a connection with Parama Purusa in their mind. So they cannot draw divine energy from Him. The moment one starts thinking about Parama Purusa and makes a connection with Him then they become very strong. This can be felt and tested when facing tough situations or when confronting someone stronger than yourself - such as when surrounded by a bunch of thugs. Then certainly those negative, anti-social elements will be defeated, and victory will be attained. The connection is very simple - just repeat your Ista mantra and you will be linked with Parama Purusa.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "However little one's capacity might be, if one constantly remembers that Parama Purus'a is always with him, that they are in the closest contact with Parama Purus'a, they will be able to do everything. They are not as small as they think themselves to be. And as long as they remember this closest association with Him, they can do much more than ordinary human beings. When this idea becomes permanently established in their minds, they become great. This is why no one should be disappointed or depressed in any circumstances; let everyone constantly perform great deeds, remembering that the flow of their capacity is coming from Parama Purus'a, and thus they can do everything." (1)

Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 3, Genius and Technician

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Water crisis: deep well irrigation

Namaskar, 

Although some may think that impending water shortages and resultant disaster are fear mongering, but that is not the case. There is a limited supply of underground water. Around the globe, people are using underground water for drinking and irrigation by using pumps etc. Using underground water for drinking is ok, but it is extremely harmful to use underground water for irrigation purposes.

In the above photo, see the desertification that has taken place. Twenty years ago this whole area was a lush, highly vegetated region, and  now it is turning fast into a desert. By this way, the water table is rapidly diminishing and a severe water crisis is threatening the earth.

Due to a lack of proper knowledge, serious problems are cropping up around the globe. Our duty is to follow Baba’s guidelines and educate others. To overlook the problem is cataclysmic.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Deep well irrigation creates desert

Because of deep well irrigation, the water table is dropping. Plants and trees become dry and brittle. Extreme dryness invites fires. The vegetation gets destroyed. Without trees, there is no more rain. This brings drought which then leads to starvation, and ultimately death.

This is the eventual outcome wherever groundwater irrigation is in vogue.

So then what is the answer? How to irrigate? Rain water should be collected in ponds and reservoirs and used locally. That will solve the problem and offer an environmentally sound, renewable resource for our water needs, most critically, irrigation.

Ananda Marga philosophy states:

”Question – What are the drawbacks of well irrigation?”

“Answer – Well irrigation causes the level of the water table to go down until the subterranean flow of water eventually dries up. Shortages of water due to well irrigation are not easily perceptible.” (1)


And eventually becomes infertile

Ananda Marga philosophy states: “The negative effects of well irrigation include the following:”

“(1) All neighbouring shallow wells dry up creating the problem of the lack of drinking water.”

“(2) Trees, orchards and large plants don’t get sufficient water so they may wither and die. Green countryside will become a desert after 30 to 45 years of intensive well irrigation.”

“(3) In some deep tube wells elements or minerals which are harmful to the soil get mixed with the water, causing salinity, for example. As a result the land becomes unfit for cultivation and eventually becomes infertile.”

“(4) When the flow of well-water stops, irrigation tanks supplied by these wells also dry up.”

“Thus, well irrigation should be used only as a temporary measure because of the devastating effects it can have on the surrounding environment. Alternative methods of irrigation are river irrigation, irrigation from reservoirs, shift irrigation and lift irrigation.” (2)


Situation of California and other areas

When all the trees of an area are chopped down, then rain clouds stop forming in that area. With the reduction and ultimately elimination of rain, the whole area turns into a desert. That is what has happened in southern Rajasthan (India). 
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Another pathway towards desertification occurs when deep well irrigation is not banned. Because these deep wells lower the level of the water table. In turn, trees suffer from a lack of water and begin to die. As the trees are wiped out, less rain clouds are drawn to the region. This vicious cycle escalates: Less rain -> deeper and deeper wells are dug -> due to lack of rain dust forms and ultimately the entire region becomes a desert. Overall deep well irrigation also causes the soil to be more saline (salty). 

Unfortunately, large land tracts in California are sliding towards this fate. The situation has become so grim, that the water table dropping fast - and wells are drying, and deeper and deeper wells are dug. A few years back a 250ft well was treated as extreme but now in order to get water the well must be 1200 feet deep. And those underground aquifers have limited water. That is why this entire cycle is a kind of death bell. 

If any green fertile region does not get any rain for several years then it will become a desert. 


Many of the locals have been forced to sell their rangelands

~ Courtesy of Live Science ~

“The wells are being blamed for lowering aquifer levels deep beneath the desert of Chihuahua, causing the more shallow wells of the Mexicanos (a term used by the Mennonites to describe local Mexican farmers and ranchers) to drop in production or completely dry up in some cases. As a result, many of the locals have been forced to sell their rangelands to Mennonites.” (southwestfarmpress)
   "People around the world are pumping so much water out of the ground, and releasing it back into the environment, that it’s causing oceans to rise, a new study reveals. The effect is bigger than you might expect. The research estimates that by 2050, seas will rise about one-third of an inch (0.8 mm) per year due to groundwater pumping, and it may rival melting glaciers as a primary cause for rising seas."
   "Groundwater pumped for irrigation, drinking water and industrial uses does not typically end up back underground. Instead, it flows into streams or rivers or evaporates into the atmosphere, eventually finding its way to the ocean."
  " Other studies have shown that many aquifers — natural underground lakes that have built up water over millions of years — are being pumped dry. The ground tends to compact when the water is extracted, and once pumped dry, often an aquifer can never store as much water as it once did — sort of like a sponge that’s lost its elasticity etc." (Courtesy of Live Science)


Conclusion

This is not well known science - deep well irrigation creates so many problems. It ruins the soil, region, and environment, and good land becomes a desert. That is why Prout policy is that well irrigation should be completely banned and rain water should be collected for agricultural purpose. 

Namaskar, 
in Him, 
Manas Ranjan

References
1. Prout in a Nutshell – 14, Questions and Answers [on Society] – 3
2. Prout in a Nutshell – 14, Questions and Answers [on Society] – 3

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Special elements of our DC chant

   Ananda Marga ideology says, “Just see the case of air, light, water, respirations and everything. The need for these things is the same for all individuals. There have been no differentiations. These differentiations that we see in society are creations of vested interests, creations of depraved persons, of degenerated, immoral people. So you should not support these actional defects of immoral persons. You should follow the divine vibrational system, that is, you must not try to find any differentiations among individuals. “Devábhágaḿ yathápúrve saḿjánáná upásate.” It is the wont of divine expressions that there be no differentiations, no class of exploiters and exploited. That is, this wont of not creating any differentiations was not only their duty, it was their upásaná, the desideratum of their existential march.”
   Ananda Marga ideology ways, “Samáni va ákuti”. When everything cometh from the same source, from the same Progenitor, and when finally everything goeth back to the same desideratum, there must be the same aspirations, the same longing, in the heart of each and every individual. But due to the depraving actions of immoral people, those exploited, those downtrodden people are forced to forget their goal. They are drifted away from the desideratum of their life. This should not be done. Everybody should get the chance to develop their natural longings for Him.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Saḿgacchadhvaḿ

== Section 4: Links ==

Postings to Read

Pitfall of free will

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/11/your-desires-are-not-meaningless.html

Style of each Mahasambhuti

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/06/pessimists-dont-like-to-understand-this.html

Yogic science of breathing

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/11/very-useful-but-rarely-practised-point.html

How to prevent a bad marriage

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/06/way-to-bring-tragedy-2-more.html

Story: how sadhana cured

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/09/story-sick-became-healthy-due-to.html

Experiencing His divine vibration

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/08/my-memories-with-baba.html

PTSD & AM remedy + 4 more

Baba

PTSD & AM remedy

Namaskar,

Tragically, this globe is now full of grave injustices where people are terribly wronged and suffer a lot. The term "post-traumatic stress disorder" (PTSD) has become a common phenomenon, especially in the west. Yet, unfortunately, in the east this problem is also starting to take root.

Basically, when people are overwhelmed by a traumatic or terrifying experience of the past such as (a) the death of their child, (b) marital abuse, (c) tragedies of war, (d) sexual abuse, or (e) being held hostage etc - then their mind shuts down and they are often buried in a state of psychic upheaval, revisiting those awful scenes again and again. They undergo a terrible mental crisis and extended suffering. In result, they fail to return to a normal frame of mind and are unable to function properly in life.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Post-traumatic stress disorder

Such victims have often been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - a terrible, psychic malady. Many techniques have been tried to cure such patients through counseling, rehab, work-programs, drugs, support groups, relaxation, hypnosis, and even various types of meditation. But often those patients continue to suffer from their mental despair and PTSD for the remainder of their life. They are never the same again.

Psychiatric and health-care professionals do not have a proper approach or cure.

Ananda Marga has the remedy

When traditional western approaches (counseling, drugs, therapy, hypnosis, etc) and when other meditative practices cannot cure those patients, then something else must be tried. The world is looking hard for a remedy for PTSD, as this mental ailment is rampant and becoming more prevalent as the pressures and tragedies of the day mount. As Ananda Margiis we know that Sadguru Baba has given the real remedy. And that remedy is Ananda Marga sadhana and devotional cult. Only Ananda Marga sadhana can remedy the situation and bring the patient back into a proper frame of mind.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


How only AM sadhana can help

The question then is how Ananda Marga sadhana is the remedy and not any other type of meditation. The answer is that only Ananda Marga sadhana is based on incantative power, pulsative force, and ideative method. For more about this read Baba's spiritual discourses like 'Mantra Caetanya', 'Tantra and Sadhana' etc. Plus only Ananda Marga sadhana is fueled by the grace of Parama Purusa and utilizes siddha mantras. Even our Baba Nam Kevalam mantra is enough to cure patients of PTSD.

In Ananda Marga sadhana, the mind is vibrated by a mantra and goaded toward Brahma. Then the mind can no longer hold onto old, hurtful thoughts. The mind is forced to shift away from those tragic days of torture as the mind becomes ensconced in a peaceful, blissful vibration.

Indeed, there is a vast philosophical and rational base behind the scientific system of our Ananda Marga sadhana. When the mind is engaged in this approach, then all kinds of psychic ailments can be cured, including PTSD. By Baba’s grace, soon the world will discover this.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Help create conducive environment

To cure PTSD patients, the main thing is that those victims of torture and pain must be placed in a proper environment to properly practice Ananda Marga tantra sadhana. Sadhana camps, sadhana shivir, akhanda kiirtan, spiritual retreats are the perfect atmosphere to ensconce the mind in psycho-spiritual practices. Those with PTSD should be encouraged to attend these functions. Then, with guidance and practice, they can really be cured of their psychic maladies. Then they will not look back at those past events of pain, but their mind will surge ahead in a positive flow that will bring psychic equilibrium, stability, and the ability to greet life in a new way.

Our Ananda Marga sadhana has that requisite force. And it is our duty to create the right environment for those in need. By our sadhana camps and spiritual retreats, many PTSD patients can and will be cured.

In jail: wts & margiis basked in spiritual flow

Here we are not presenting this without any practical evidence. Who can forget those days when Ananda Nagar was under siege in 1967. Step by step our Ananda Marga was under attack from communists. So many nefarious things happened and countless Ananda Margiis were jailed and tortured. But those jails turned into spiritual havens for our brothers and sisters of the Marga and so many Wts were created. It was really a phenomenon.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

This was most evident during the Emergency period. Those days, many groups, religions, and radicals were thrown in jail by Indira Gandhi's dictatorial regime. And those detainees often fell into woe and suffering. But not Ananda Margiis. Rather in jail, those workers and margiis created a whirlwind of spiritual flow. Huge dharmacakras and akhanda kiirtanas were held. Margiis on the outside were coming to attend. And there was a surge of psycho-spiritual force.

Indeed, it was the talk of the town - people were wondering why Ananda Margiis were not discouraged, depressed, or sunken into woe. The answer of course is Ananda Marga sadhana and intuitional practices. That is why Ananda Margiis could rise above the torture of life in jail, whereas other detainees were depressed and falling prey to psychic maladies like PTSD etc.


Ananda Marga sadhana is the remedy for today

Today there are so many psychic ailments, diseases, syndromes, and afflictions that are causing people to lose their mental balance. Thus far, western medical professionals and eastern meditative approaches cannot relieve patients of their mental suffering.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

And western drugs and therapy sessions are not the right way. Drugs bring so many problems and side-effects, while therapy attendees end up talking about their problems, again soaking the mind in those painful memories. That is why to this day, Vietnam war veterans and similar types of victims continue to suffer from mental imbalances, depression, fateful memories etc. They may try eastern techniques or western approaches, but a cure is not found.

The world however has not stopped looking for solutions and very soon they will come to realize that our Ananda Marga sadhana is the remedy. Then so many people can be benefited, including those suffering from PTSD.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "A correct spiritual ideology is the only solution to the problems confronting the world. From this perspective we can call Ananda Marga ideology the philosophers’ stone. Just as the philosophers’ stone is meant to transform everything into gold, Ananda Marga ideology can, most definitely, find a just and rational solution whenever it is applied to any problem." (1)

Namaskar,
In Him
Dayasagar

This is yet another striking example of how our Ananda Marga sadhana - and not any other sadhana or therapy - really is the panacea for today's modern world.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

References
1. Problems of the Day, Point #36

*        *        *

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 ==

Infinite streams of bliss

“Báre báre jiiver tare, áso tumi e dharáte, devádideva sambhútite…” (Prabhat Samgiita #3899)

Purport:

My Parama Purusa, You come here for living beings again and again. You are devádideva and take advent on this earth in the form of Mahasambhuti, age after age. Time after time, You come for the all-round welfare of humanity. The Controller of sriśt́i (creation), sthiti (preservation), and pralaya (withdrawal) - i.e. You oversee the birth, death, and the maintenance / conservation of this entire cosmos. You are love-personified and spread infinite streams of bliss and compassion.

Baba, no one knows where You reside nor why You never take any rest. You go on playing Your liila continually all the 24 hours - consistently. There are so many things that I do not know about You. You are ever-present and do not come and go. Parama Purusa, in this elaborate divine drama of Yours, You make everyone dance according to Your sweet will. 

Baba, Táraka Brahma, my Dearest One, You are the most adorable Entity, the Goal of everyone’s meditation, and You have all virtues and noblest attributions. With Your ota and prota yoga, You are always with all. Kindly provide me shelter at Your feet...

Note for Prabhat Samgiita #3899

What is ota-prota yoga - 1

[1] Ota-Prota Yoga: By way of analogy we can best understand this term. Suppose a mother has five children. When she loves any one of them individually then that is akin to her ota yoga relation with that particular child. She has this type of ota yoga relation with each and every one of her children on a personal, individual level. In contrast, when that same mother loves and cares for her five children all together as a whole, collective family then that is akin to prota yoga.

Similarly, Parama Purusa has an individual loving relation with every entity on a personal, individual level. Whatever that unit being thinks and says then Parama Purusa lovingly listens and cares for that entity. So that is the very personal relation of ota yoga. And when He thinks about the entire creation and the welfare of all at the same time, then that connection is prota yoga.

In their own personal life, everyone should appreciate Parama Purusa’s relation as ota yoga - i.e. a very intimate, personal link; whereas, lower grade life forms relate more to Parama Purusa via His approach of prota yoga.

In Subhasita Samgraha part 17 (Gwalior DMC in 1984), Baba has given the meaning of ota yoga and prota yoga in English. Ota yoga is "individual tactuality" between Parama Purusa and the unit entity; and, prota yoga is "collective tactuality" between Parama Purusa and all the entities, simultaneously.

The above definition describes the intimate relation between Parama Purusa and His jiivas through His ota & prota yoga. This same term has been explained in a slightly different manner in the following discourse.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "What is ota-yoga? He as the Cosmic Father has a direct relationship with each and every entity of this world...All are His affectionate children. This is His ota-yoga. Each and every entity, animate or inanimate, has a direct link with Him. Just as ota yoga means the Cosmic Father's relationship with each entity individually, prota yoga means His relationship with all collectively." (1)

And here is more about ota-prota yoga:

What is ota-prota yoga - 2

Otahprotah yogábhyáḿ saḿyuktah Puruśottamah.

[Puruśottama is linked to each entity individually and to all entities collectively.]

Ananda Sutram Purport: Puruśottama, the Nucleus of the universe, is the witness of and is directly concerned with every unit entity. This association of His is called ota yoga [the yoga of individual association]. Evidently Puruśottama is the collective entity of the universe as well as witness of the collective mind. This association of His with the collectivity is called prota yoga [the yoga of pervasive association]. In other words, it may be said that the one who is associated with His objects through both ota and prota yogas at the same time is Puruśottama. (2)

Ananda Marga ideology says, “Suppose there is a virtuous discussion going on somewhere. If you invite two hundred people to this discussion, you will find that only sixty invitees have turned up, at the most. Out of these participants about ten or twelve people at most listen with patience and bhakti to the talks; and out of these listeners, only some properly understand the subject discussed. Then again, out of this small group that has understood, only a very few may retain in their minds what they have understood. Lastly, only one or two persons of this last group may practice in their daily lives what they have learnt and understood. This is only due to the clash between vidyá and avidyá in the mind, and in this clash the triumph of avidyá or the extroversive force means running from the introversive bent of vidyá. It is because of the saḿskaras of animality that the introversive momentum is rare in the average human mind. The sensuous desires of avidyá continue to infiltrate into every thought process. Such a situation continues for a long time in a sádhaka’s life.” (3)

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 6, The Cosmic Father Has a Special Responsibility
2. Ananda Sutram, Sutra 2-10
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Supreme Benevolence and Mundane Pleasure

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

How to handle selfish persons

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “I have already said that the task of intellect is to properly utilize all the properties of the universe, of the expressed world. But there are some selfish people in the world who are not in favour of the maximum utilization of mundane wealth, because they fear the control of the developed intellect over the material forces; and selfish people do not like that. They do not want anyone except themselves or a handful of their own group to attain any progress. Rather they would be happy to see that the individual and collective progress of others gets jeopardized.” (1)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Self-seeking people do not want the collective intellect of the human race to be utilized for the welfare of the entire human race; rather they, in the name of humanity, want to perpetuate divisive tendencies in society, because if they succeed in creating a rift in human society, that will pave the way for their personal benefit or self-aggrandizement. Thus they concoct various so-called scriptures and formulate all kinds of logic. They maintain to humanity that the different races in this world are not equal. Thus instead of considering the interests of the entire human society, they give preference to the interests of a particular community. This loud-mouthed propaganda in favour of a particular community, this parading of irrational logic, this sort of fallacious argument, all combine to stifle the spontaneous growth of human intellect. This sort of mentality is called dogma." (2)

Key quality of a righteous person

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “A person who wants to promote others’ welfare, a person who wants to serve the entire humanity, must keep away from dogma. In addition to that, he or she will have to staunchly resist dogma. It is not enough to keep away from something which is considered a veritable sin, it is not enough to lodge only verbal protest against sin – one will have to fight against it. This is the greatest criterion of a truly righteous person." (3)

References
1. A Few Problems Solved - 4, The Liberation of Intellect
2. A Few Problems Solved - 4, The Liberation of Intellect
3. A Few Problems Solved - 4, The Liberation of Intellect

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Test your knowledge of AM philosophy

Instructions: Kindly read the below quote from Baba's teachings. At the end of the quote a question has been posed. If your answer to the question is correct then it means you read Baba's books carefully; and, if your answer is wrong or you do not know the answer, then it signifies that you need to pay more attention when reading Guru's teachings. After all, if sadhakas are not diligent in studying Baba's books then who is going to read them - non-margiis?

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Cunning vipras [religious priests], whom I call intellectual satans, tried to turn the minds of the people from practical reality towards an imaginary void by preaching contrived philosophies. The essence of their voluminous treatises and verbose annotations to lengthy aphorisms was: the world is an illusion; therefore renounce the world and do not be attracted to its illusions. Become desireless, detached and self-abnegating by offering all your wealth at the feet of the vipras [religious priests]. Of course such philosophies did not preach that the world was also illusory for the vipras [religious priests] who received the offerings – clearly because it was through such ploys that they were able to achieve their objectives.” (1)


Question: Who is Baba referring to in the above quote?

Most probably, as an Ananda Margii, you know what the answer is. But if not, or if you want confirmation, read on below for the answer for the answer


Answer: In His above teaching, Baba is talking about the dogmatic, exploitative priests from the Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Those Buddhist priests (a) preach the doctrine of nihilism and (b) misguide people to empty the mind and meditate on nothingness. In a similar vein, Hindu priests imposed their faulty view that this entire world is an illusion, mayavada. Thus people were indoctrinated into the idea that they should not protest against exploitation, but rather focus only on the afterlife etc.

References
1. Human Society - 2, The Vipra Age

== Section 4: Links ==

Postings to Read

Pervasive problem: superstition

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/04/superstition-in-amps-elsewhere-3-more.html

Materialism: all are suspects

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/11/mistrust-is-growing-why-2-more.html

Baba's guidelines during Emergency & beyond

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2023/06/starting-of-16-p-2-more.html

Devious selling tactics nowadays

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/11/disease-of-accumulation-2-more.html

PC story: real acarya

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2020/10/free-to-change-acarya-2-more.html

For dedicated sadhakas

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/04/for-committed-sadhakas-filthy-abuse.html

Devious selling tactics nowadays + 4 more

Baba

Devious selling tactics nowadays

Namaskar,

Hoarding is a big issue nowadays in the materialistic, capitalist societies, especially in the west. Essentially, hoarding is a disease of the materialist, i.e. those trying to derive unlimited happiness from finite objects. We should help cure our brothers and sisters who suffer from this with proper spiritual practice & Baba's teachings.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Here is one trick employed by the business community in cahoots with doctors in order to ensure that people keep on purchasing new products. They try to stigmatize "hoarders" so consumers throw away old items and purchase new ones. See how the entire cycle works.

1. At the outset, companies pay huge money to create advertisements that encourage common people to purchase more and more of their products - promising that this will bring satiation and contentment. In turn, those common people buy that merchandise.

2. At the same time those big business executives know that if people buy and buy and accumulate more and more, the people will not have space to purchase new products.

Now see the trick that those corporations do

3. Those companies give a moderate-sized group of psychologists and doctors large sums of money (i.e. payoffs) to conduct research and conclude that those who keep all their old things are diseased - they are "hoarders". The companies do this to stigmatize such persons - then people will be less inclined to keep older products, in which case they will have more space in their house for purchasing new items. This is the trick that is played.

4. Drug companies also get involved in this scam. Their aim is to name or create new diseases for those who "suffer from the over-accumulation of products", i.e. hoarding. The drug companies want doctors to formally label this as a disease so then they (the pharmaceutical companies) can sell drugs for this disease and make a profit. Is it any wonder then that so many "new mental illnesses and diseases" are discovered and identified each year. One report mentioned that 250 new psychiatric illnesses were identified - some or more of which are related with hoarding. When in fact we know that the real disease behind hoarding is materialism itself. With a proper mental outlook people will not purchase so many things which they can never even use in this lifetime like 400 pairs of pants, 75 pairs of sandals, etc.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

5. So see the irony or cheating tactic: Those wealthy people who purchase new products and throw away their old ones are deemed as being fine and ok by the medical world. They do not suffer from any psychic disease - so say the doctors and the psychologists - because those wealthy patrons have space to buy more products. In comparison, those less wealthy people, who accumulate and hold onto their old products, are termed as "hoarders" and are labeled as mentally ill. Because they do not have space to purchase more products. For this reason companies do not like them. So such poorer people are branded as being "diseased" by the medical field. When in fact their mental condition is no different from those who are purchasing new items and throwing old ones. The only superficial difference is that the business corporations want to glorify those who have space to buy new items and stigmatize those who hold onto old items and do not have space for new ones.


Disease of hoarding & santos’a

6. The whole thing is one big scam to stigmatize hoarders and convince others to purchase new items and throw away old products. Those who purchase new and throw away old are "OK". Psychologists do not have any problem with the ultra wealthy buying more than they can use, whether it be 500 shoes, 2000 saris, 100 cars, etc. So long as they are buying and supporting those capitalist companies, they do not suffer from any disease.

7. Certainly we all know that anyone looking for peace in the external plane by constantly buying new things is a hoarder. The root cause of their problem is materialism, not how messy or organised their house is, nor how often they throw things away. Buying more products than one can use in order to satisfy their mental longing is the definition of a hoarder, and their disease is materialism. Until we show such persons the path of santosa, aparigraha, and sadhana, they will continue to try to fulfill their infinite desires by mundane avenues like accumulating material possessions. But their approach will be futile and they will suffer.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Here Baba describes how collecting material items can never bring lasting happiness or contentment, i.e. santosa.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "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 enjoyment 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? Achieving the desired objects may give one pleasure for an hour or so, but that will not last long. The mind will again run in pursuit of new objects, leaving behind the objects already tasted – the long-cherished objects will lose their importance. This is the rule; this is the law of nature." (1)


Conclusion “I need more, I am hungry”

Human beings have infinite longing - they want more and more. They are never satisfied by a limited amount. They think, “I need more, I am hungry.” This feeling permeates the mind. Regardless how much one gets, their hunger remains. If a beggar becomes a billionaire still he will not be satisfied; he will want more. To satisfy this voluminous, insatiable hunger, ignorant people choose to devour material things. They waste their whole life and never get satisfied. Those who are a little intelligent goad this longing towards the psychic world. They also never get satisfied. If they are selfish they harm others also. And those who are most intelligent goad this longing towards spirituality. In due course they feel completely satiated. The instinct of accumulation is good. The problem arises when it is diverted to the material sphere. That incites all kinds of problems and ultimately the hoarder gets killed by the load of their accumulated objects. So watch out if anyone around you falls in this category, then steps should be taken to help them and guide them onto the right path.  
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar, 
In Him,
Cinmay

Sinful ways of hoarders 

Baba outlines how over-accumulation of physical wealth leads to a debased mental state and mean-minded dealing.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Where there is over-accumulation of physical wealth several problems occur. Human beings do not have many needs. Primarily they need satisfying meals and clothing, according to their necessities. Most people do not even want many things. The desire to accumulate money is actually a mental disease. The accumulators do not accumulate to fulfil their basic needs as human needs are few. For instance, if a person has a mango grove which yields 500 mangoes and a family of five [with no option to sell them], what will he do with so many mangoes? In cases of over-accumulation there is very little chance of utilization. Hence, if the sadvipras are not vigilant, where there is over-accumulation, non-utilization will occur. Moreover, where there is over-accumulation people tend to misutilize wealth by indulging in their baser propensities rather than their finer ones. Therefore you will mark, as I am making it crystal-clear to you, that most of the kings and Nawabs of ancient times were, and most of the aristocrats and wealthy people of today who have nothing to do are generally wicked and mean-minded. In addition, you will see that government officers who do not have psychic and spiritual interests also become mean-minded. When we have to judge, we must be frank. It can be observed that it is natural for people to move towards sin if over-accumulated physical and psychic pabula is not utilized. If people have developed intellects which are not properly directed, and there is no administration of the Sadvipras, people become polished satans and inflict sufferings on others." (2)

Baba's story about wealthy mundane hoarders 

Here below is the story from Baba’s story book. The story depicts how one lady was very addicted to material hoarding. After her death she became a so-called, and she continued to hoard, i.e. accumulation.

This is a wonderfully humorous and satirical story that is related with this entire topic of hoarding. The remarkable story - from "In the Land of Hattamala" - examines the disease and degrading ways of the hoarder / materialist. The villain of the story is one witch who just wastes her money and time accumulating things. She is a real hoarder who collects saris and other items for her so-called psychic satisfaction. You can say that Baba's below story is a hilarious satire on hoarding / materialism.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Here then is story:

The witch said to Bodha Mukherjee: “Today, I’m going to Dhaka. I shall board the plane wearing my sky-blue, saffron and violet coloured sari. When I get off the plane I shall wear my cream, green and red coloured sari. Bodha Mukherjee, is it clear?”

[The villain] Bodha Mukherjee said, “M’Lady, as soon as I got word of your intended trip to Dhaka, I went and purchased 700 different types of sari from the boutique. Your 7,32,432 saris in the cupboard will remain untouched.”

[The heroine] Madhumita listened in utter amazement. One person needs so many saris? She asked Bodha Mukherjee: “Hey, brother, how can someone possibly need such a large quantity of saris? Where do they all come from?”

[The villain]  Bodha Mukherjee said: “Every year 20 million rupees are budgeted for purchasing saris.

2000 kinds of saris // collecting clothing

“There are muslin saris from Bishnupur, grey-coloured saris from Burdwan; close knit, wide red bordered saris from Contai; finely woven saris from Antpur; finely striped saris from Phorashdanga; 500 kinds of old-fashioned saris from Dhonekhali made of cotton interwoven with silk; cotton saris from Santipur with wide silver and golden coloured borders; 100 kinds of Santipur saris for casual wear; fully embroidered saris from Murshidabad with traditional multi-patterned designs; the Baluchor  varieties of heavy silk saris, all kinds of saris from Dhaka, saris from Bajitpur, 2000 kinds of saris from Tangail. Besides all these there are pure silk saris from Murshidabad; coloured, pure silk saris from the loom; saris with very bright borders from Boshoa-Bishnupur; the best kind of silk sari from Bankura-Bishnupur; raw silk saris from Tatipara. And besides all these there are the most modern saris which earthly beings have yet to see.”

[The heroine] Madhumita asked Bodha Mukherjee: “What sorts of saris are those, brother?”

[The villain] Bodha Mukherjee said: “For example, one sort is Ding-Dong sari. Do you know what it is?”

[The heroine] Madhumita replied: “Of course I don’t.”

[The villain] Bodha Mukherjee said: “That sari, when worn by the witch, makes a ‘ding… dong…’ sound just as if someone is striking a bell. There are also cymbal saris which when worn, sound just as if someone is playing the cymbals in accompaniment to a kiirtan 34 song. And there are also sitar saris, asraj saris, tampura 35 saris, and so many more I could tell you about! ”

[The heroine] Madhumita listened in astonishment. Bo-Bo-Bo-Bodha Mukherjee further added: “The latest discovery of them all is the cricket sari. We bought one only yesterday. While this sari is worn the musical sound of that produced by crickets is constantly heard.”

Stored in a huge cupboard that scrapes the sky 

Madhumita asked: “Where are all those saris kept, brother.”

[The villain] Bodha Mukherjee said: “In a huge cupboard whose top scrapes the very sky itself.”

[The heroine] Madhumita asked: “What do you do when you want to take a sari out of the cupboard?

[The villain] Bodha Mukherjee said: “We use a ladder. We have 3 or 4 mile-long ladders for the purpose.”

[The heroine] Madhumita asked: “Doesn’t the witch ever give a sari to anyone as a gift?”

[The villain] Bodha Mukheriee said “If anyone goes to ask her for one, the old witch screams out ‘Kak… kak… kak…’ just like a jackal. She says: ‘I need every single sari. Some for wearing when I go to Dhaka, others for wearing to London, some for wearing during my evening strolls, and some for wearing when I go down to Hell to give a lecture.’ If anyone comes to get a sari from her she says: ‘Since you don’t possess any saris and come from a poor family why don’t you go and drown yourself in the River Ganges? These days there’s plenty of water in the Ganges at Calcutta.’” (3)

Note: In this story the witch has a stutter or stammer so when she says her servant’s name, she says, Bo-Bo-Bo-Bodha, when in fact the name is simply Bodha. 

References
1. A Guide to Human Conduct, Santosa
2. A Few Problems Solved - 6, The Three Causes of Sin
3. From "In the Land of Hattamala", Part 1

*        *        *

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 ==

Gently let me know

"Ajáná pathik alakár kathá, shonáo bárek ese..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1580)

Purport:

O’ Ajana Pathik, kindly, just once, come to me and whisper in my ear, the tale of the divine spiritual realm. Let me know how You have created this colourful universe. How is it that nebulae and galaxies are floating in the vast blue sky; and, to which unknown world and direction are they floating away.

O’ Supreme Father, prithee guide and recount to me: Are those perceptions that I receive through my inferences -  eyes, nose, ears, touch, and tongue etc - the only truth? And are those things which I do not perceive with my motor and sensory organs just an illusion? Are those false? Baba, I request You to tell which is unfounded and false and which is the unchanging truth. Make me aware about those things of the past that are no longer here in the present.

O’ my Supreme Guide, gently let me know, are those so-called God’s words that have been written in the so-called scriptures? And, are those ideas that are not in the so-called scriptures meaningless? Baba, enter in my mind, sit on my mental lotus, and whisper the truth to all my queries which I have kept in my mind since long. Merciful Taraka Brahma, move closer and apprise me of the stories of the spiritual land - the sphere of bhakti...

Note:

[1] Ajana Pathik: The term Aja'na' Pathik means 'The Divine Entity Parama Purusa Who moves around this entire universe, and resides everywhere and knows everything; irrespective of where one goes, He remains along with you'. That is one of His many unique attributions and that is the speciality of the name 'Ajana Pathik'. The name 'Ajana Pathik' denotes this special quality.

Literally, Aja'na' means 'unknown' and Pathik means 'traveler' or ‘tourist.’ But this is just the word by word, literal translation; and, proper nouns are not meant to be translated. So we cannot call Him the ‘Unknown Traveler’ or ‘Unknown Tourist', or Unknown Vacationer', or 'Unknown Backpacker', or 'Unknown Visitor', or 'Unknown Globetrotter', or 'Unknown Daytripper', or 'Unknown Hitchhiker.’ The spirit and meaning is then lost.

The inner sense of the name Ajana Pathik is that Parama Purusa is always moving throughout this vast cosmos and He is constantly present with everyone, all the time. He is in the Cosmic Nucleus, yet at the same time through His ota and prota yoga He is everywhere - carefully watching & lovingly guiding everyone. This unique aspect of His grand Personality is treated as Aja'na' Pathik. Because He is constantly traveling yet present everywhere. He is in the nucleus as well as throughout this entire universe.

As the Ajana Pathik, Parama Purusa Baba moves and moves and moves. In their spiritual approach bhaktas feel that wherever they go the Aja'na' Pathik will always be there to shower His blessing. By His grace, bhaktas can always get His intimate company and companionship. With this mystical link, sadhakas understand that Parama Purusa is present everywhere, yet side by side He travels on and on throughout this entire cosmos. Thus He is Aja'na' Pathik.

Overall, the name Aja'na' Pathik has one special and unique meaning that goes far beyond its literal translation. And in our hearts we A'nanda Ma'rgiis know and feel that Baba is that Aja'na' Pathik. Indeed in His discourses, in Dharma Samiiksa, and in reporting, in DMC, and in numerous ways Baba has shown this very fact that He is ever-present and always along with us. He is always moving, and wherever we go then He will also be there. Parama Purusa has infinite attributions and one of them is this special quality where He always remains along with us wherever we are in this vast universe. In this way, He is known as - Aja'na' Pathik. In the true sense, as the omnipresent Entity, He does not go anywhere because He is everywhere; but, in a more literal manner, He goes from place to place.

Those who use ‘Unknown Traveler’ or ‘Unknown Tourist’ in place of Aja'na' Pathik are naive and ignorant.

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

True use of knowledge

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "So why do people bother to cultivate knowledge or action? They do so to make their devotion more intense, not for any other reason. People do not eat pickles to fill the stomach, but only to whet their appetite so that they can enjoy their food more. Similarly, devotees cultivate knowledge and action not for their physical growth, but to acquire more strength to move along the path of devotion with greater acceleration." (1)

Note: Some people have gone astray from this above teaching. They acquire knowledge and do action for reasons of self-satisfaction and self-aggrandizement - so that they can brag to others. They want to misguide people, put simple folks in trouble, and create more dogmas. Yet all this inflates the ego and causes one's degeneration. It is rare that people cultivate knowledge and perform actions solely to serve humanity and increase their level of bhakti.

Reference
1. Namami Krsnasundaram, Vraja Krśńa and Dvaetaváda (Discourse 17)

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Kettle drum not in kiirtana

Ananda Marga ideology says, "It is advisable to play some instrument during kiirtana. A mrdanga [a kind of drum] or some similar instrument should be used, but one should not play any heavy sounding instrument like a dhak [a large drum played with sticks], a dhol [a loud drum] or a gong. The mind prefers to hear a sweet sound, like that of the mrdanga, than a harsh sound. Some time ago I mentioned that Bhola Mayra said that when the cawing of crows and the beating of drums stop, human ears get some relief. People do not like to hear such harsh, unpleasant sounds. The sound of the mrdanga may not be perfect, but it has one quality: it is very sweet. Thus, whenever a distracted mind hears the sweet music of a mrdanga, it returns to the proper place. A remarkable science lies in kiirtana." (1)

Here are two points regarding Baba's above teaching:
(a) During kiirtan, the mind becomes sentient and does not appreciate rajasik sounds.
(b) During kiirtan, sometimes many indriyas are involved: The mouth, ears, hands, feet, nose, eyes, and tongue. When the indriyas are involved in this way, they help keep the mind focused and bring the mind back when it runs away. Here is the philosophical and practical explanation.

In general, the mind runs towards external physicality via the indriyas, i.e. 10 motor and sensory organs. So when those indriyas are fully involved in a spiritual endeavour like kiirtan, then the mind is forced to engage in kiirtan via one or another organ. The mind always wants to run - either by thinking a disparate thought or by stimulus received via the organs. As Baba explains above, when the organs are positively involved in a spiritual practice like kiirtan, then if the mind wanders away from the kiirtan those organs will help bring the mind back to a spiritual flow.

For instance, let's say someone doing kiirtan starts thinking about the market and what they will purchase there. Yet when the sweet sound of the mrdangam is received via the sensory organs, i.e. the ears, then that sound will bring the mind back the sweet spiritual ideation of the kiirtan.

The mind can think any stray thought at any time but if the indriyas are engaged in a spiritual manner, then that will help bring the mind back. That is the special import of singing and dancing kiirtan, along with the sounds of the mrdangam and other low-pitch sentient musical instruments.

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

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Some equal some unequal: Prout

Prout philosophy says, "No two things in the world are alike. So I do not suggest recasting everything into one mold. Still, for humanism and justice, equitable distribution of the resources of the universe is indispensable; co-ownership of the world’s resources is the birthright of every individual. Even a small attempt at depriving someone of this right is gross selfishness. Except when a special favor becomes necessary to give certain individuals impetus and inspiration, all persons must be given equal rights and opportunities in all spheres. Every individual must have equal rights regarding food, clothing, housing, medical aid and education — those things that are absolutely necessary for existence." (1)

Here above you read from the 1987 edition of the boo "Human Society".

Now please read from the same passage from the latest Electronic Edition of Baba'a books 7.5. Some say the previous version is good and some say this one is better. Let us know which version you prefer.

Prout philosophy says, "No two things in this world are identical, so I am not suggesting that everything should be recast in the same mould. However, for the sake of humanism, for the sake of social justice, equitable distribution of all the wealth of the universe is indispensable, and co-ownership of the world's resources is the birthright of every individual. Even the slightest attempt to deprive anyone of this right amounts to gross selfishness. As long as certain difficulties, both great and small, exist in the practical world, however, it will not be possible to grant perfectly equal opportunities to everybody in all instances. Apart from this, all people should be granted equal rights and opportunities, except where it is necessary to inspire some people to undertake activities which will directly benefit society, or as a temporary reward for their distinguished contribution to society. In addition, every individual must have equal rights concerning things such as food, clothing, housing, education and medical care, which are absolutely essential for existence." (2)

References
1. Human Society, Social Justice, Social Justice, 1987 Edn
2. Human Society - Social Justice, Electronic Edition of Baba's books 7.5

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Three types of suffering & solutions

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

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

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

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

== Section 4: Links ==

Postings to Read

PC story: real acarya

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2020/10/free-to-change-acarya-2-more.html

For dedicated sadhakas

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/04/for-committed-sadhakas-filthy-abuse.html

Popular food but toxic

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/06/many-unknowingly-eating-toxins.html

The body: our alarm clock

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2019/04/listen-to-your-bodys-alarm-clock.html

How to address sex crimes

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2018/07/sexual-issues-solutions-3-news-on-dada.html