Key aspects of sadhana + 4 more

Baba

Key aspects of sadhana

Namaskar,

Sadhana is the mainstay in the life of each and every human. It is an integral part of one’s existence. At the same time, we all know that progress in meditation is systaltic: It moves through periods of speed and pause - sometimes smooth and sometimes difficult. It is a constant endeavour for each and every sadhaka to become more involved in their sadhana. This requires both sincerity of heart and dedication to the spiritual ideal as given by Baba. In that case, every sadhaka can deepen their spiritual practices, by His krpa’.

The points expressed herein do not pertain to those just doing 5-10 minutes of sadhana prior to taking food. The ideas expressed in this letter are related to those deeply committed to sadhana who allot a proper amount of time to their practice on a daily basis. In this regard, during holidays and vacations etc, all should try to spend more time focused on sadhana. Great people have a focused mind and commit maximum time for sadhana.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

When one does their sadhana properly then a certain sweet vibration is generated. A distinctive blissful energy sweeps through the body and permeates the mind and the aspirant becomes spiritually intoxicated in bliss. And this vibration itself is a positive sign that one’s meditation is on the right course.


Practical spiritual science: step by step

From a more introversive perspective, we can say that there are particular stages of our iishvara pranidhana sadhana which represent how the aforementioned sentient vibration results. In iishvara pranidhana, initially, by Baba's blessing and with our iccha shakti (will power), a strong desire arises to get the Cosmic Entity. In result, the mind gets concentrated. Then step by step the next stages unfold. A sense of surrender is cultivated and with that intimate feeling and yearning, combined with bhakti, one begins their mantra japa - mantra repetition. As the practice of mantra japa with bhakti continues, then mantra'ghat occurs. That is, the mantra strikes on the kulakundalini and the kundalini begins to rise up. This causes a wave of sentient blissful feelings to spread throughout one’s existence, and the mind gets spiritually intoxicated in bliss.

This is not just a bookish idea; any sincere sadhaka can experience this. Ananda Marga sadhana is very scientific and all AM ista mantras are charged siddha mantras. When properly repeated with bhakti, the siddha mantra works 100% of the time. Immediately, it generates spiritual waves. It does not take months, years, or ages of sadhana practice. This is akin to turning on the switch and immediately the fan starts running; it does not take time. Spirituality is even more instantaneous. Anyone who knows the proper process and recites their siddha mantra with the sincere feeling of bhakti will instantly feel a spiritual vibration and the mind will become spiritually intoxicated in bliss. Every sadhaka can experience this. What is written here is the very first step. Anyone can realise this very easily. Ananda Marga sadhana is so unique in this regard. But without bhakti (i.e. love for Parama Purusa) nothing will happen.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

So with a focused mind and the right practice of meditation, a blissful flow consumes our existence and the mind gets spiritually intoxicated in bliss. That is a sentient vibration is aroused.

In dry sadhana: no spiritual vibration comes

If we do not feel any vibration when doing sadhana then we know the mantra was not being recited properly with bhakti, and the mind was running hither and thither. In that case, that session of sadhana was not well utilized. When one is able to recite the mantra with full ideation and bhakti then a sentient vibration always arises. The arousal of a blissful vibration indicates a certain degree of "success" in sadhana. But, this is not the full culmination of one's sadhana. Rather at this point one has reached an initial crossroads.

#1: The aspirant can continue to focus on their mantra japa with bhakti delving deeper into their meditation.

#2: The aspirant loses their focus on their ista mantra in sadhana, and the sweet vibration wanes.

Some important points to know:
(a) The worst type of sadhana is if one does not feel any spiritual vibration in their practice.
(b) One step better is to attain some spiritual vibration but have it diminish due to the diversion of mind.
(c) The best is focusing on and repeating the ista mantra with bhakti all the while cultivating an intense longing to get Him; the outcome will be a blissful spiritual vibration.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

We should remember that sadhana is not some type of external show or superficial presentation; sadhana is completely internal. Those who try to fake it in sadhana, in order to impress others, are the worst of the worst. Due to their hypocrisy, they never proceed one step ahead in their spiritual journey. Such persons are cheating themselves and ruining their practice due to their fake display. The basic quality of a sadhaka is simplicity.

Conclusion

One’s personal ista mantra is a divine tool for calling Parama Purusa. And with a heart full of bhakti one should continue their mantra japa with bhakti and focus exclusively on that in sadhana. Then when any sentient vibration is aroused one will easily be able to cross that threshold and become further immersed in His divine flow - in the kingdom of bliss.

Regardless of the state or quality of one’s sadhana, this much everyone should do. When sitting in sadhana, focus the mind on one’s personal ista mantra - knowing its meaning and consciously repeat it with full ideation and bhakti. If one tries then the mind will settle down. Otherwise if one is sitting in sadhana and thinking about something else, then the whole thing is a waste. Ananda Marga mantras are charged (siddha) so when doing mantra japa with bhakti they are effective 100% of the time.

Namaskar,
in Him
Ananda

We should always aim to keep the body motionless and the mind focused on the mantra and reach closer and closer to Him. If in any sitting one does not feel any vibration then that is the lowest quality of sadhana.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


~ In-depth study ~

Whenever possible one should leave the house and go outside for sadhana for an extended period of time to practice meditation. Then one will leave behind all worldly distractions and be able to focus the mind on their mantra and call Him with the love of the heart. By Baba's mercy we will all move ahead in our sadhana and internally experience His cosmic bliss. By His grace may every sadhaka be blessed with the opportunity to please and serve Parama Purusa in their sadhana.

Sadhana: why must keep back straight

#1: In the Senior Acarya Diary chapter on Iishvara pranidhana, section - “shuddhis”, Baba is describing that when sitting in meditation (padmasana, siddhasana, viirasana) one must keep the back straight so that the kundalini has the passageway to rise upward from muladhara to sahasrara.

#2: Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "They should be taught to sit in padmásana [lotus posture], but instead of interlocking the fingers, they may rest one palm upon the other; and keep the spine erect.." (1)

#3: Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Tailless apes can be taught sádhaná after some effort. The tailed bipeds will not be able to do sádhaná like the tailless bipeds because the backbone of the tailed bipeds, containing the controlling points of the five fundamental factors, does not come in one line. The controlling points fall on a curved line, hence they cannot perform sádhaná properly.” (2)

#4: Ananda Marga philosophy states,” Mono-sided, straight or erect beings can perform sádhaná very well because all the five controlling points of the fundamental factors fall on a straight line...You see how fortunate you are to have a human biological structure. You have got a human frame. Humans should be obliged to Supreme Consciousness for this favour.” (3)

#5: Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The one who has followed the straight path of the sus'umna' canal upwards becomes one with Parama Purus'a." (4)

#6: Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Ujure uju cháŕi ná leo re báḿka. The word “uju” in Saḿskrta is derived from the Saḿskrta word “rju”. “Rju” means straight. The meaning of this line is “don’t accept the crooked path rejecting the straight one”. That is, just proceed along the path of “suśumná” not along the path of “id́á” and “piuṋgalá”.” (5)

Eight types of occult powers

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Hence the spiritual aspirant must not run after these inconsequential occult powers, although while practicing spiritual cult they may develop. You must not forget that all your achievements must maintain adjustment with the main propensities of the mind, and in the process of adjustment, all these eight types of occult powers present themselves to the spiritual aspirant.” (6)

Occult powers like dust on the roadside

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “While practising spiritual cult, it should be remembered that spiritual aspirants must not practise in order to acquire these occult powers. The goal of spiritual practice is to realize the Supreme Entity. To search for any other thing is wrong. Occult powers are just like the dust on the roadside. The attraction for Parama Puruśa is the most valuable object – all else is only the dust of the earth.” (7)

Sadhana is the pathway of life

Here Baba again reminds us that the path of sadhana is the most meaningful endeavour in life.

Vrtha' janma...

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "The ideation on Brahma should be done scrupulously, or else you will later regret and bemoan the futility of your life with the last drop of your tears at your last hour. You should make your life worthwhile through your sadhana. How much can your worldly friends and relations do for you? After your death your relatives may perhaps ask, 'How much money has he left behind?'. Your friends may go to the crematorium and indulge in flattering reminiscences about you. Your husband or wife may cry out for you for about ten or twelve days and then regain their normal composure. Your lot will be only a profound sigh-- a record of the futility and frustration of your life. So do not waste your time lest you later have to repent." (8)

Sincere sadhana: mental vibrations cause radical changes

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “When the mental flow of a spiritual aspirant moves along the introversial phase of Macrocosmic meditation, one’s animative force, having the potentiality of divinity itself, rises above all tendencies – all saḿskáras – and proceeds towards Eternal bliss. In this state the mind is vibrated with Cosmic feeling. The unexpressed divine qualities of the higher glands find expression and the resonance of the mind vibrates the nervous system. This gives rise to pious expressions in the physical body. In the case of those people whose occult feelings are not physically expressed due to causes associated with the nerves, the mental vibrations cause certain radical changes, in the various glands within the body. These occult feelings are basically of eight types: stambha (astounding), kampa (trembling), sveda (sweating), svarabheda (hoarseness of voice), ashru (tears), romáiṋca (horripilation), vaevarńa (change of colour) and pralaya (fainting fit). There are other feelings associated with these major feelings. For examples, nrtya (dancing), giita (singing), viluńt́hana (rolling), kroshana (weeping), huḿkára (roaring), lálásráva (salivating), jrmbhańa (yawning), lokápekśá tyága (indifference), at́t́ahásya (bursting into laughter), ghúrńana (whirling), hikká (hiccoughing), tanumot́ana (relaxation of the physical body) and diirghashvása (deep breathing).” (9)

By superficial look the above reactions may seem strange but these are blissful expressions and if one experiences this then they will long for that again and again. Here it should be noted that a given aspirant will undergo only one of those expressions based on their inherent samskara. So it is not that a particular aspirant will experience multiple or all of these reactions. Although the Ananda Marga sadhana system is very scientific - those not doing proper sadhana - i.e. those having dry sadhana - will never experience these reactions.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Vácanika & upáḿshu japa are useless
 
   Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The probability of such signs is very little in the case of vácanika and upáḿshu japa. That expression is very natural in case of those who have learned the correct process of sádhaná. These are associated with pleasure, and not with pain of any kind. Therefore, those who do not practise sádhaná should not be unnecessarily afraid of these signs.”
  ‘When such occult symptoms appear, the sádhaka also should not worry in any way. In this state if the sádhakas pay attention to expressing those signs, their progress will be retarded. If they suppress these occult feelings, their bháva or ideation itself will be disturbed and their minds will become detached from Iishvara prańidhána. You should always remember that Cosmic feeling is above everything else; it is unwise to waste time paying attention to the external symptoms of the ideation or bháva.”
   “These occult symptoms disappear as soon as the mind is detached from Cosmic objectivity. When sádhakas attain the capability to establish themselves in Cosmic feeling for long periods, those ideations are confined to the mental body only and the physical body becomes calm to a great extent.” (10)

References
1. Caryacarya - 1, The Process of Initiation
2. Yoga Psychology, The Human Body Is a Biological Machine
3. Yoga Psychology, The Human Body Is a Biological Machine
4. Namami Krsnasundaram, Párthasárathi Krśńa and Vishiśt́ádvaetaváda (Discourse 16)
5. Ananda Marga Karma Yoga in a Nutshell, “Kurvanneveha Karmmáńi”
6. Subhasita Samgraha - 18, Cult, Inference and Propensity
7. Subhasita Samgraha - 18, Cult, Inference and Propensity
8. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Vibration, Form, and Colour
9. A Guide to Human Conduct, Iishvara prańidhána
10. A Guide to Human Conduct, Iishvara prańidhána

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Merciful One

"Ámi ár kono kichu bhúli ná, shudhu bhúle tháki tava nám..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0838)

Purport:

My Parama Purusa, I never forget anything mundane; but, it is so unfortunate and painful that I cannot remember Your divine name. I cannot keep You in my mind or  recall my Ista mantra and Guru mantra for 24 hours, without a break. Whereas those worldly dealings always hover in my mental plate. Please grace me. I want to call You all the time - within each and every breath and respiration, but alas it escapes me. O' Supreme Entity, although I fail to ideate on You, even then I can see that You love me. I always feel Your love, especially when I look towards You. It is Your mercy. 

Parama Purusa, the star which came down from the heavenly, spiritual, radiant bosom of Taraka Brahma, a particle of that star’s supreme refulgence filled my mind with spiritual ecstasy. It has inundated my existence in unending bliss.
 
Baba, the Parama Purusa, the immense love which You have poured in my heart and affection that You saturated in my mind always vibrates my being and brings me to the sublime world. The melody that You played within my mind, today with that tune I do sastaunga pranam to You again and again. O’ Prabhu, You are the most compassionate One.

Baba, kindly bless me so that I always remember my Ist’a mantra...

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Capitalists are anti-social creatures

   Prout philosophy states, "In a joint family every member is provided with adequate food, clothing, education and medical treatment, and amenities, as per their individual needs, according to the financial capacity of the entire family. If, however, any member of the family appropriates more grains, clothes, books or medicines than he or she requires, will that person not be the cause of distress to other members of the family? In such circumstances his or her actions will be certainly against dharma – certainly antisocial."
  "Similarly, the capitalists of this modern world are anti-dharma, or antisocial, creatures. To accumulate massive wealth, they reduce others to skin and bones gnawed by hunger and force them to die of starvation; to dazzle people with the glamour of their garments, they compel others to wear rags; and to increase their own vital strength, they suck dry the vital juice of others." (1)

Reference
1. Problems of the Day, Point #1

== Section: News (18 June 2018) ==

News: Where your donation has gone

~ Courtesy to Arun Agarwal who posted the following list in WhatsApp groups ~

------
1. Late Ac Artesha Nand Ji - Delhi,  left ₹ 7,00,000
2. Divyeshwara Nand Ji - Sweeden , left ₹ 25,00,000
3. Akshara Nand Ji - Africa , left more then one khoka including

4. Rainjaneshwara Nand - Australia financed to his brothers to establish mineral water plant at Noida and construct a beautyful house at his native place.

5. Rudrananda has a land in Himachal Pradesh with apple orchard , look after by Col. H L Abrol. Mr Abrol was adviser to Catch Company’s mineral water plant in H P. Mr Abrol was introduced by me in 1990 and initiated by Mr R.

This is not the end rather it is ....
----------×--------×---------
Satyeshvarananda informed following about Nirmohananda in Mumbai:

Nirmohananda Dada had Rs 90,000/- in his Bank account before he was admitted to hospital before his death. In hospital, he realised that someone fraudulently had transferred all his Rs 90000 from his bank account ( on line fraud). He informed about fraud to one WT. And then we came to know............before death his savings was also vanished....

~ Courtesy to Arun Agarwal who posted the above list in WhatsApp groups ~

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Peace: Why this knowledge is useless

Ananda Marga ideology says, "People wish to know everything but the human cranium is small, and the brain even smaller. So how much can one know? Also whatever one learns today one forgets tomorrow. Yes, one who was a Mahámohapádháya, a pandit, would no longer be able to remember the “sabdarupa” of “Nara” if after leaving his or her original occupation he or she became engaged in agricultural work. This is the situation that usually happens. So the main thing is “know all – know one”. What is the use of reading and forgetting so many books? If one reads more books one will forget more things and make more mistakes. So what is the use? No permanent benefit is derived from being a book-worm. I encourage the general education – laokika education – so that people can understand the shallowness of laokika knowledge. (1)

Note 1: Laokika / worldly knowledge: Anything related with the relative world - i.e. all the facts and figures related with this ever-changing expressed universe whether they be mathematical theories, political treatises. All these things fall within the realm of Laokika/ worldly knowledge.

Note 2: In His above divine teaching, Baba guides us that intellectual progress is meaningless in the absence of spirituality. Only self-realisation is the real knowledge. When one does sadhana and studies dharmic scriptures then one realises how intellectual knowledge is completely futile for attaining perfect peace and eternal happiness. Whereas by atma-jinana (self-realisation) one will automatically know the 'ins' and 'outs' of everything. That is why knowing oneself is the real knowledge. Know one, know all.

Note 3: It is not impossible to satiate the heart with worldly knowledge since the human heart can only be satiated with the divine bliss attained through sadhana. But just talking about sadhana the whole day also will not bring eternal peace and happiness; one has to do sadhana. For example memorizing all the facets about sristi cakra (cycle of creation) will not lead to true spiritual realisation. For that one must perform meditation - sadhana.

Final Note: The grand conclusion of Baba's above teaching is that the reason why intellectual knowledge is highly needed is so that one can understand its uselessness and futility. 

Reference
(1) Ananda Vacanamrtam - 6, Self-Realization Is the Real Knowledge

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Women: privacy of their households

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Those who want to keep their daughters away from the “infection of modernity”, and so are reluctant to send them to schools and colleges, perhaps do not realize that modernism had already entered into the privacy of their households quite a long time ago without their knowledge. So their efforts to save their daughters as well as themselves by hanging window curtains or by covering their daughters with veils are entirely farcical. The trend of the age is irrepressible, for in this too there is dynamism. It is the duty of the wise to channelize it to the path of benevolence by applying their own wisdom to the task. To thwart the spirit of the age is beyond the power of any individual or any collective force. That dynamic spirit of the age – that Zeitgeist – speeds ahead unabated with all force, throwing down anyone who tries to stand and thwart it, and that floored, sprawling creature with imbecilic and glum eyes keeps staring vacantly at progress.” (1)

Reference
1. Human Society - 1, Social Justice

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Preparation pre-revolution - 2

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “At first, the demon was quite unwilling to hold any discussion with them. At last, seeing them many in number, he said with reluctance, “Well, I have no objection to talk with some of your representatives.” In the course of discussion, the demon pretended that he did not deny that the demands of the humans were legitimate but where is the money? “In order to rebuild the state,” he said, “expenditure has to be curtailed; exports have to be increased and imports decreased, and it is necessary to accelerate the production of agricultural and industrial goods. If people today are busy with trifling demands, how then is it possible to rebuild the Very Odd Kingdom? So people should raise only one slogan today ‘Labour – more labour – and still more labour!’ Demands of housing, education, medical treatment – we have heard enough of your demands! Now I advise you, forget your demands for the right to higher wages, education, medical treatment, and better accomodation, for the time being – and go and labour hard!””

“The representatives of the human beings said “How wonderful! But then the question is, if you don’t accept our right to live how can we labour hard?””

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The discussion was interrupted. The demon and his associates now became active to create divisions among the youth. They said to the religious leaders, pundits, priests and mullas (religious leaders), “Do you see what is happening? Religion is becoming polluted, society is becoming polluted, everything is spoiled. After some time perhaps these loutish youth will say, ‘These pundits, priests and mullas, they are the parasites of the society; They suck the lifeblood of humanity by taking advantage of the weakness of their minds!’ So a big group of priests, pundits and mullas joined the demons. They declared, ‘What people are saying now is sheer injustice. People starve as a consequence of their own sins committed in their previous lives. So to fight for the establishment of their rights is to try to overmaster God!’”

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “But there were some good people even among the priests and mullas and pundits, of course. They declared, “What the prince’s group, the human beings, are saying, is right. To support them is right”. Ministers and vice-ministers were giving them high posts in government service. Some were trapped in this way, too, but most of the people said, “We are going to be deceived by such temptation no longer – we have long been cheated for our foolishness, but no more!!””

“The Strange Demon noticed that each of his arrows was missing its target. Then he captured some good orators by spending much money. The work of these orators was to make the rank and file of human beings understand that the proper way to achieve their demand was to bear injustice silently and not resort to struggle. “By tolerating injustice,” they said, “When a person becomes non-violent, a kind of spiritual power awakens in him. And as a result of this spiritual power peace and equality prevail throughout the country. So you should rather engage yourself in the practice of self-purification than have recourse to struggle.” But the humans paid no heed to this either.”

“Now the demon became restless. He began to run to and fro like an insane person, tearing his hair and shouting violently. In no time his mask of gentleness was rent asunder. Then he started crying out loudly in his demonic tongue.”

“O devils, O demons,
Man-eaters, ghost-children,
Where are you my friends and comrades
Come and save me from the humans.
O black-marketeers and bribers,
O pot-bellied
Come, O come! Where are you??
I am going to be killed by Humanity.” (1)

Reference
1. The Golden Lotus of the Blue Sea

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

Remarkable story from reporting session

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/08/who-is-your-acarya.html

Misunderstanding / fallacy / confusion about culture

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/09/remaining-oblivious-brings-disunity.html

Harmful to spiritual flow

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

Important to avoid this comparison

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

Samadhi, but not really + 5 more

Baba

Samadhi, but not really

Namaskar,

Every so often we hear how at a particular retreat some people went into samadhi. The common view is that samadhi is a very high, blessed state - i.e. something quite extraordinary. Side by side, we should remember that in His discourses Baba clearly tells us that there are various types of samadhi: some high and some of a more worldly nature or lowly.

In our unit, one or two people were also experiencing "samadhi". At the time it was an anomaly as they were not very involved in following Ananda Marga practices, and, on the whole, their conduct was not very exemplary. By examining Baba's teachings we can understand how and why such persons  were getting "samadhi”, and whether it was lowly or high.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Examples of lower crude samadhis

Samadhi is not just of one type. There are many types of samadhi. Some are spiritual and some are of a more worldly nature, i.e. jara samadhi. That means that the mind can become suspended either in a sublime ideal or in a more mundane state. For instance, just by thinking about the money they lost, some persons faint. That is also one type of samadhi. And sometimes when someone loses a dear friend to disease and death, they cry and faint. That too is samadhi.

Also when the amount of fear is beyond what a person can tolerate then they may fall into samadhi. An example of this occurred in the Mahabharata. Jayadratha was extremely fearful of his own death, and that is why he was constantly thinking about the enemy and crying in sheer paranoia, "Save me, he is going to kill me, he has come here to get me." Yet there was no enemy in sight. Just his mind became fused in that state.

So these are some of the various types of mundane samadhis where a person is essentially stunned or grossly overwhelmed by worldly events and their mind gets suspended. In that case, temporarily, they can no longer function normally.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Baba's graphic explanation of bad samadhi

Here Baba describes another type of samadhi where those who fail to follow yama and niyama quickly become stunned by hearing even a few minutes of spiritual kiirtan, and then again indulge in their worldly dealing.

   Ananda Marga ideology says, "Viks'ipta Sama'dhi is that when the mind is engrossed in some higher thought for a time and then the very next moment it cuts adrift to its meaner propensities. Those that do not follow Yama-Niyama (codes of self-restraint and austerity) -- those that endeavor to attain God without the Sadhana of Samyama (Self-control), betray a plethora of distractions."
   "If a man without self-control indulges excessively in hallelujahs or divine songs (Kiirtana-bhajana), it is noticed that his mental proclivities temporarily get inclined towards the Divine Bearing during the time of kiirtana-bhajana, his body too shows evidence of pious traits, tears come into his eyes and he attains a Trance of Subjectivity (Bhava-Samadhi) as well. But the very next moment, i.e. immediately after his kiirtana-bhajana, his unrestrained and incontinent mind races towards mean propensities with a greater momentum."
   "That is why such types of Sadhakas take to very dishonest ways of life during the rest of their daily occupations. In other words they give themselves up to acts of depravity, deceitfulness - to defrauding their own relatives. The people also are a little chary of such types of carol-singers. The man without self-control does indeed enjoy a bit of transcendental happiness by forcing his mental flow towards the auspicious name of God, but soon after the stoppage of this divine panegyrics or 'hymn' (nama-kiirtana), his sand-dammed mind bursts and races towards the inauspicious names with re-doubled speed, i.e., at that time he appears to be more inclined to scandal-mongering and rudeness. You mark minutely how blatantly those that are bereft of self-control among the bhajan-singers, indulge in scurrilous languages under a little provocation." (1)

That is the reason why irregular sadhakas who lack yama and niyama come to akhanda kiirtan and get the aforesaid type of lower samadhi - and faint, shed tears, and cry loudly. Seeing the attainment of their crude samadhi, many naive sadhakas give them a lot of respect.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Why some get crude samadhi in spiritual kiirtan

Let's examine further the case of irregular sadhakas in kiirtan whose mind gets suspended, i.e. samadhi of a low type. As Baba has described, this primarily happens with those whose conduct is not proper. When they participate in kiirtan or sing bhajans, then in a very short time their mind can go a little high and that vibration cannot be tolerated by their body. In that case, their body reacts and they begin to cry or faint etc, i.e. enter into a low state of samadhi.

So when some people come and do a little sadhana and kiirtan, they lose control due to even a slight spiritual vibration. These new people start doing simple japa and cannot manage the spiritual vibration, whereas established margiis easily tolerate that same vibration. That is why some newer people go into samadhi with the slightest bit of spiritual vibration, while regular sadhakas can easily reach a much higher spiritual state and not fall into samadhi - the benefit being they can continue on and advance even deeper into their sadhana, by His grace.


Samadhi analogy using rock & bag

Here is one good way for determining why some new, irregular, sadhakas quickly enter into a state of samadhi. By this analogy, it will be clear that they got samadhi not because their mind was high but because they were deficient in aspects of yama and niyama.

Suppose you place 30kg of solid rock in one strong sack and lift that sack in the air or hang it from a tree. Then notice how the sack is able to manage the weight; it is not ripping or breaking. That means that that bag is strong enough to hold the 30kg of rocks.

Next, place just 5kg of small rock pieces in a thin, plastic bag. Then when you lift the plastic bag you will see that those small rocks are ripping the bag and ultimately all the rocks fall due to gaping holes in the bag. This occurred because that fragile bag cannot bear the weight of even 5 kg of rock. One should not conclude that the 5kg in the thin, plastic bag was heavier than the 30kg in the strong sack. Rather the proper conclusion is that thin bag was not as strong - indeed it was much weaker than the rugged sack.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

This same theory applies to sadhakas. A new sadhaka whose nerve cells are not adequately developed cannot manage even a little spiritual vibration. So they are like that weak, thin plastic bag, whereas established margiis can manage a much greater vibration just like that strong sack can hold a much heavier amount of rocks. In the above analogy, the bag is your body and the heaviness of the rock is the degree of spiritual vibration.


Worst: no vibration in sadhana

Here I do not want to give the impression that only new or indisciplined persons weak in yama and niyama get samadhi-like experiences, and seasoned sadhakas get nothing.

When a true sadhaka, strict in yama and niyama, sits for meditation then immediately when the mantra strikes a strong vibration resounds within. One will feel the presence of Guru / Guru Shakti. The sadhaka however will be able to maintain their composure even though they are feeling this intense, spiritual, blissful vibration.
 
On certain occasions, with Guru's grace, a sadhaka may indeed fall into samadhi. But that samadhi will not be of a lower state; it will be grounded in a deep feeling of bhakti. So all can get samadhi, and the height of their samadhi is based on the strength of one's nerve cells and nerve fibers. Naturally those strict in 16 Points will be able to withstand a greater vibration in sadhana. Hence their mind will rise up and up so when they do get samadhi it will be of a deeply spiritual state.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Everyone should feel vibration in their sadhana, even if they do not get samadhi per se. Rather, many who do not get samadhi are experiencing very deep realisations in sadhana because their nerves can manage a strong spiritual vibration. The worst case in all these circumstances are those who do not feel any vibration in sadhana. If when the mantra is repeated and no vibration comes then that is indeed problematic. At that point one should be more and more sincere in their spiritual practices and ask Baba for His grace.


Yoga sadhana dangerous when devoid of morality

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Vashiikára-siddhi is only possible for those sádhakas who follow the principles of yama and niyama and perform Brahma sádhaná. Those who do not, do immeasurable harm to themselves and the entire world by the strength of their kśipta, mudha and vikśipta samádhis having attained some degree of control over their organs through the process of yoga sádhaná. In the absence of the sádhaná of self-control they use their mental power for the petty selfish ends. After practicing yoga or Tantra sádhaná for a while these immoral individuals begin to harm others for the sake of their own petty egoistic aggrandizement, and eventually end up in the blind alley of inertness. So I entreat you to follow the right path. The same yoga of self-control which is so beneficial for both individuals and the collectivity, is so dangerous when it is devoid of morality. So everyone must be strict in following the principles of yama and niyama.” (2)


Conclusion

When the body is more pure, then one can digest stronger spiritual vibrations very calmly and easily. And when the body and mind are more static then even a little vibration is beyond their tolerance. This all depends upon the degree one is strict in yama and niyama. Such lower people start crying and tears start rolling down - even when their conduct is mean and they never do asanas. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

The operative factor is that when the body is sentient then it can tolerate many higher vibrations without any disturbance. While if one is not following 16 Points they cannot manage any spiritual waves and they just start crying etc. About all this, Baba describes it perfectly in His  Subhasita Samgraha discourses.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Gopal
(Gary N. Peterson)

List of six crude samadhis

#1: Kśipta Samádhi

 Ananda Marga ideology states, “When mind becomes extremely restless because of crude propensities, then the restless mind tends towards only one object. While tending towards one object, it gets itself concentrated (Samádhistha) all of a sudden therein. That absorption of mind into that object is transitory. This state is known as Kśipta. You might have noticed in your personal life that if you come in clash with a person or if you become angry with him, throughout the day the picture of that individual repeatedly comes to your mind and you fail to concentrate your mind on any object other than that individual. This state of mind is Kśipta Samádhi.” (3)

#2: Múŕha (almost foolish) samádhi

Ananda Marga ideology states, “In the second state (múŕha) a similar thing happens. The mind becomes so attached to something that it repeatedly thinks about it. A person who is greedy for money becomes totally preoccupied with the thought of making money; a person who hankers after name and fame continuously harbours thoughts about becoming famous.” (4)

#3: Ekágra Samádhi

Ananda Marga ideology states, “The next one is Ekágra. Because of the ideation of a particular object, the mind is concentrated at a particular point. This is known as Ekágra Samádhi.” (5)

#4: Anger samadhi

Ananda Marga ideology states, “One’s sense of reality often becomes distorted in a paroxysm of rage (kśipta), and a sort of mental inertia occurs. This is also a type of crude samádhi in which all the propensities of the irate person are absorbed in the object of anger.” (6)

#5: Mudabhútni samadhi

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Mudabhútni samadhi, or the trance of infatuation, is a little higher than this. This is a state of mental stupefaction which results from excessive infatuation, causing a person to lose all common sense. All the propensities of the infatuated person become absorbed in the object of infatuation. This sort of samádhi may even occur in the mind of the most common person if he or she is suddenly fettered tightly by this overpowering bondage. In the Mahábhárata it is said that Jayadratha was a victim of such samádhi due to excessive fear.” (7)

#6: Vikśipta samádhi 

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Vikśipta samádhi occurs when the mind is engrossed in an elevated thought one moment, and the very next moment suddenly returns to its meaner propensities. Those who do not follow Yama and Niyama (codes of self-restraint), those who endeavour to attain God without the sádhaná of saḿyama (self-control); are troubled by a multitude of distractions. If they absorb themselves in singing spiritual songs (kiirtana-bhajana), their mental proclivities are temporarily focused on the Divine One. Their bodies show signs of spiritual awakening, tears flow from their eyes, and they attain the trance of subjectivity (bháva samádhi). But immediately after the kiirtana-bhajana session has ended their unrestrained and incontinent minds race towards mean propensities with an even greater momentum. That is why such sádhakas are very dishonest, depraved and deceitful, and even go so far as to defraud their own relatives. Most people are a little wary of such bhajana singers. People lacking self-control do enjoy a little transcendental happiness by forcing their mental flow towards the auspicious name of God, but soon after the end of the divine singing (náma kiirtana) their dammed up minds burst and race towards the crude world with redoubled speed, and they become even more inclined to scandal-mongering and rude behaviour. You may have noticed how blatantly those bhajana singers indulge in abusive language at the least provocation. These are symptoms of the distractions of the citta.” (8)

Ghosts may be created

Ananda Marga ideology states, “If one surrenders to fear, the fear instinct will increase. One who is timid may see a ghost even in broad daylight. Conversely, one who is brave will not see a ghost even in a burial ground in the dead of night. What is the reason for this? Due to fear psychosis, a kind of internal psychic projection is created. Usually the mind is in one of five states: kśipta – almost mad, múrha – almost foolish, vikśipta – scattered, ekágra – almost concentrated, and nirodha – one pointed. Depending upon one’s internal psychic projection within any one of these five states, ghosts may be created. Even in the dead of night, one can dismiss the presence of ghosts with the help of negative hallucinations. This is just the opposite of internal psychic projection (positive hallucination). Thus, one should have control over fear. How to do this? The only way is to ideate on and take shelter in the most powerful entity – Parama Purusa.” (9)


Questions asked on margii forum

~ Courtesy of Margii Inspiration List ~

09 Jan 2018

In intensive kiirtan, due to intensive ideation some people go very deep and their mind merges in it, resulting in samadhi. In this type of samadhi the person usually falls backwards to the floor.

What is this type of samadhi called? Which level of the various samadhis is it? How long does it last? What does the person entering this type of samadhi experiencing? Are there various levels to this kind of samadhi?

As it is samadhi, I assume that reaching this state accelerates the ripening of samskaras and result in then getting the ripened ones getting burned.
Any comments, thoughts and analysis on this subject? Is there a discourse where Baba would have discussed this? 

--


~ Courtesy of Margii Inspiration List ~

09 Jan 2018

Namaskar,
We had a discussion regarding Samadhi during a summer retreat in Madhu Karuna about 10 years ago. We had our usual 5 day Kiirtan. At this one retreat we counted a total of 19 Samadhis and all of them were from Sisters. A couple from the same Italian sister, who looked extremely blissed out, as I recall I saw many Samadhis during other retreats as well, but only 1 was from a brother. 99% Sister Samadhis?! That Brother fell backward with a big drum on him. This was in Denmark. Also how can you experience the Samadhi, if you just drop and fall over? Whats the after effect? But this made me question if Sisters have a more elevated state of mind? We thought, maybe due to emotions, but then there were also very emotional Italian brothers. 
Prabhata

References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
4. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
5. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
6. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
7. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
8. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
9. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next

*        *        *

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

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

If I become confused

"Calár pathe prabhu klánti yadi áse, tumi utsáha jugio..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1938)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, if I ever feel fatigued and tired on this spiritual journey of Ananda Marga, the way of enlightenment, then bless me with the inspiration and stamina to march onwards. Please give me the strength and encouragement to progress along the path of righteousness. After engaging in various works, occasionally, now and then, when frustrations and worries arise, then shower me in Your krpa and remove those anxieties. 

Baba, out of greed for the honey of flowers, if the insects of the lower propensities come into my mental garden, then please alert me. When pashas, ripus, and animal tendencies become active in my mind and try to take away the spiritual nectar from the flower of my sadhana, then please help me - save me. If, due to intense rains, black clouds cover and envelop the blue sky of my soul, if lower propensities cover my mind and if I become confused and depressed, then joyfully come with Your soft, sweet smile and bless me with samvit. Be merciful and show me the right way to advance.

Parama Purusa, I am moving with Your vitality, strength, and blessing. You are the owner of all energies. I have no strength - nothing of my own. You are the Cosmic Controller. I surrender unto You completely. My Supreme Entity, the Granter of Liberation, I have full faith that I will receive Your blessings. My time passes in counting the days to receive Your resplendent grace. With mercy, kindle my lamp of hope. Parama Purusa Baba, You are my everything...


Note for Prabhat Samgiita #1938

[1] Samvit: "Samvit means spiritual consciousness, spiritual awakening. A man engaged in bad things all of a sudden feels that “No, I shouldn’t do all these things. No, I should be a good man henceforward.” Such an idea all of a sudden comes in his mind. And this thing, this change of mental tendency, is brought about by samvit shakti of Vidyámáyá. Do you follow? This is what is called samvit shakti. “No, henceforward I must be a good man. No, henceforward I must be a spiritualist. I must not encourage any depraving idea.” Samvit shakti." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Brahma Cakra

== Section: News (2019) ==

विमलानंद को RSS ने ख़रीदा : प्रमाण 
Vimalananda is paid agent of RSS: proof 

Namaskar,

Vimalananda once again wrote an obituary message for BJP leader.

~ The below is courtesy of Vijay Prabhat (PRS of PSS) on Facebook ~

राउटिस्ट  सर्व समाज (P.S.S.) के तरफ से श्री अरूण जेटली जी को भावभीनी श्रद्धांजली!
परमात्मा उनके आत्मा को अपने स्नेहमयी गोद में स्थान दे।इस दुख की घड़ी में हमारी पार्टी उनके परिवार और अपने के साथ खड़ी है।
विजय प्रभात
राष्ट्रीय जनसंपर्क सचिव
(प्राउटिस्ट सर्व समाज)

~ The above is courtesy of Vijay Prabhat (PRS of PSS) on Facebook ~

Vimalananda once again wrote an obituary message for BJP leader.

in Him,
Satyendra Deva

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Women’s issue

Namaskar

  Ananda Marga philosophy states, "In the Vedas, little distinction is made amongst people based on caste, but a large part of the Vedas divide people into different races. That is, the Vedas are full of racial sentiments. For example, the Aryans are described as white and are considered superior to the other races. They are termed deities or Sura. The non-Aryans are described as black and are considered inferior to the Aryans. They are termed demons, Danavas or Asuras. The Vedas are full of inequities. Any attempt the establish equality based on the Vedas will be totally false and misleading.”
   “In the past many unpsychological ideas were imposed on the toiling masses and women. If we examine Indian history, we can see that exploited people took the shelter of Jainism and Buddhism, and later of Islam. This occurred because they did not want 33 to live in an oppressive atmosphere, because they felt suffocated in such an environment.”
   “Today some people advocate Vedic revolution, but how can there be a revolution based on the Vedas when the Vedas themselves are full of dogma? In the past it was the practice in India that if a woman heard the recitation of the Vedas even by accident, molten lead was poured into her ears. This was done because if women were not suppressed they could not be easily exploited and ordered about to do menial work, like maid servants. Today women have started a collective movement to oppose their oppression and exploitation.”
   “In the Vedic age, people were oppressed and felt suffocated by the imposition of dogma. They got their first experience of freedom during the life of Buddha, because he was the first to start a crusade against Vedic dogma. This was the reason why Buddhism was accepted by the masses immediately and spread rapidly." (1)

Exploitation by various classes

Over the course of history, those at the helm have always exploited other sections of society. In the vipran era [rule of the clergy], the ruling religious leaders gained maximum power and dominated weaker groups. In the vaeshyan era [rule of the wealthy], those top capitalists have exploited women and the common mass. The general rule is that as one group gains more power they exert their force to control and manipulate the rest of society.


Religious exploitation - 1

Here below is more on the religious exploitation of females.

Religions have always suppressed and exploited various sections of society in order to impose their dogmatic ideas. Traditionally, females always suffered terribly at the hands of religion. Time and again, it was the all-powerful clergy who soaked up the benefits. All the rules and regulations were bent in favour of the dominant class, i.e. the male clergy etc. That is and was the common theme of the vipran era - the rule of the clergy.  

So in the vipran era [rule of the clergy], at the height of their rule, various antisocial and harmful activities occurred.

However, the era has changed and society has moved ahead. Now, in this present day, to protect the downtrodden masses, rational people have raised their voice and ultimately the state or government has interceded and declared those religious decrees to be unlawful.

For instance, in the US, the state has finally reversed their old law that blacks and whites should not marry. Although, the dominant white churches have continued to oppose inter-racial marriages, but, the US government has declared such inter-racial unions as legal.

Likewise, in India the government has come forward to make ordinances against the Hindu tradition that the wife must burn to death by throwing herself on the husband's funeral pyre. Now this dogmatic religious tradition is basically outlawed and not done anymore.

Plus in the US, the government has declared that polygamy is illegal - a man can no longer keep multiple wives. So the Mormon religion and related sects in the US can no longer impose the rule that a man can have as many wives as he likes. Even then, still it is going on behind the scenes - but much less so.

In all these circumstances, when religion has put forth hateful and harmful rules against the weaker sections of society, in this present era rational people have taken a stand against those religious dogmas. This we have witnessed in nearly every country around the globe. 

Religious exploitation - 2

The Muslim communities have long imposed the idea that women must wear a veil in public, yet we are seeing more demands by rational people to end this practice. And in some places, great headway has been made.

Radical Muslims use the veil as a way to hide the face of their terrorist attackers. In that case, it is the duty of the government to intercede and declare such veils as illegal. In the present moment, in the name of wearing a veil, both male and female Muslim terrorist bombers sneak into public places to carry out their attacks. In many countries, male policeman are prohibited to ask females to lift their veil. Then that veil becomes a special tactic of Muslim religious radicals to sneak their attackers - either male or female - into public events and carry out their destructive plans. Because anyone can hide behind that veil and go where they like.

Given this, states and governments have no other recourse than to demand that no female should be allowed to wear veil and cover their face for reasons of public safety.


AMPS: female situation in Wt cadre

Unfortunately, within our Ananda Marga WT structure, females are also struggling for their freedom. Those willing to accept male dominance are rewarded with a high post. Due to a lack of awareness of Ananda Marga ideology and Baba's teachings, this struggle is proceeding along at a very, very slow pace. Those who are naive may not agree, but if they know the internal happenings on a daily basis, they can't deny this truth. Females workers are harassed in many ways, and that will be addressed in greater detail in future letters. Although Baba has given equal rights to females, those dadas at the helm are unwilling to recognize this and are unwilling to give up their power and stop their exploitation. There are also other reasons why all this is going on.

Namaskar,
in Him,
Surendra

References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 16, Religious Dogma – Excerpt B

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Making a personal link with Parama Purusa

Ananda Marga ideology says, “Why would He have provided them with a vocal cord?...As He has equipped humans with the means to speak, He will have to listen to them. Human beings will definitely have something to say; they are expected to tell their troubles to their nearest and dearest ones. Otherwise, to whom should they go? To whom should they complain?” (1)

Note: In His above teaching, Baba is guiding us that we should communicate all our joys and sorrows to Him. This should be our regular practice in our sadhana, in dhyana. So all the intimate thoughts and feelings which lie hidden in our mind and heart should be shared with Him. This is our way. And it is this type of sharing which builds closeness in our spiritual life. It heightens one’s feeling of bhakti. So it is a straight and easy equation. He wants that we should communicate our inner thoughts to Him. And by this way we will feel closer to Him. And that feeling of closeness is bhakti - i.e. coming in greater proximity to Parama Purusa. So in His above teaching Baba is clearly showing us how we can come closer to Him.

Reference

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

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Degraded outlook of the capitalist

Prout philosophy states, "The ambition to become rich by exploiting others is a type of psychic disease. In fact, if the infinite longing of the human mind does not find the proper path leading to psychic and spiritual fulfilment, it becomes engaged in accumulating excessive physical wealth by depriving others. If any member of a joint family appropriates food from the family food store by using physical or intellectual force, he or she becomes the cause of misery to others. Similarly, when capitalists declare, “We have amassed wealth by our talent and labour. If others have the capacity and diligence, let them also do the same; nobody prevents them,” they do not care to realize that the volume of commodities on the earth is limited, whereas the requirement is common to all. Excessive individual affluence, in most cases, deprives others of the minimum requirements of life." (1)

Reference

1. Problems of the Day #4

== Section 3: Links ==

Dogma of Father's Day - 16 June 2024

• Father's Day vs debt to father

Recent Postings

• Omnkara: just a logo

• Why praise Parama Purusa

• Workings of manipura cakra

• For Wts - & all sadhakas

Other topics of interest

• How to advance your dhyana
  

• Those early days
  

• Altered photo ruining dhyana