Spiritual success & gurupujanam + 5 more

Baba

Spiritual success & gurupujanam

Namaskar,

Many become confused and ponder what is meant by spiritual success. This is especially the case with crude people as they generally equate success with getting a good paying job, having financial security, and having worldly possessions etc. But those material things are transitory - they do not last; they are not permanent.
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What is success in spiritual life

Spiritual success is completely different. It means getting that which is lasting. Parama Purusa is the eternal Bandhu. To get and realise Him is spiritual success in the true sense. So our view and aim is 100% different from the material approach. As every sadhaka easily understands, spiritual success means reaching the Goal - becoming one with Parama Purusa. That is our perspective in Ananda Marga.

Parama Purusa is bliss-personified; naturally, as one progresses along the path and gets closer to Him, His divine qualities will be reflected in that sadhaka. In which case, one will feel a greater sense of peace, happiness, and bliss. Their spiritual standard will be higher, and their sadhana will be deeper. Most importantly, one reaches closer and closer to Him - always feeling His divine presence.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In that state, all tension and degrading tendencies drift away as one is firmly advancing along the path of bliss - Ananda Marga. Spirituality becomes a practical aspect and driving force in one's day to day life. By sincerely understanding and adhering to gurupujanam and the other factors for success, one will surely become more established in the realm of spirituality and make their life successful -  by His grace. They will become one with the Goal, Parama purusa.

Guru puja and gurupujanam are two different things; they are not the same. Gurupu'janam is an all encompassing approach to life - following all dos and don'ts and mandates. That will bring success in the spiritual realm as one will feel linked with Him. It is one of the factors for attaining success in spiritual life.

Factors for gaining success in spiritual life

Here is a list of all the factors for gaining success in spiritual life wherein gurupujanam stands as only one of the seven factors needed for success in spiritual life. Any single factor by itself is not enough. They all work together in complementary fashion.

Here then are all the seven factors as given by Baba for gaining success in spiritual life:

1. vishva'sa (firm determination to achieve success)
2. shraddha' (deep reverence and surrender to Guru)
3. gurupu'janam (obeying Guru's order)
4. samata'bhava'va (mental balance; no complex any type)
5. indriyanirgraha (control over motor and sensory organs)
6. pramita'ha'ra (nutritious and balanced sattivika food).

Ananda Marga ideology says, "saptamam naeva vidyate – There is no seventh factor." (1)

Those aforementioned six factors are all that is needed to achieve success in the spiritual realm. Sincerity in those six factors will enable one to reach their cherished Goal. And as Baba guides us, no seventh factor is needed when the first six are followed sincerely. For more clarity please continue reading.
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Conclusion

As sadhakas and disciples of Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji, everything we do should be done to please Him. Gurupujanam means doing as per His desire and following the guidelines from all His Ananda Marga books. We are to read, study, understand, and sincerely follow all His given teachings. That is the practice and spirit of gurupujanam, or pleasing Sadguru Baba.

Achieving success in spiritual life demands being vigilant in gurupu'janam - i.e. obeying Guru's teachings and orders. As bhaktas, we should actively take part in this practice and make it not just our habit but our nature. Doing those things which please Baba is gurupujanam.

Doing the 3 rounds of Guru puja after sadhana is our dharmic approach, but that is completely different from the practice of gurupujanam. Gurupujanam, as explained above, means doing all kinds of physical and psychic services that Guru wants us to do.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar,
In Him,
Anandeshvar Deva

Essence of life in bhakti

I can never forget how when Baba is happy then His whole face lights up in a beautiful manner. And He says, "Yes, my boy did a very proper job. My girl did very nice work." Those present in various reporting sessions have witnessed Baba express His happiness in this way on countless occasions. No sadhaka can forget this; it is a most blissful remembrance.

We should not think that pleasing Baba is just something theoretical or hypothetical etc - nor is it a thing of the past. Just as in those pre-1990 days in reporting sessions when Baba would express His happiness, still today, in this era also, we can please Him whereby He expresses His happiness.

When one does as per His wishes, then their entire mind will be vibrated by His divine grace. One will feel His bliss. His happiness has a very practical and tangible effect. If anyone tries sincerely to please Him, naturally Baba will be gracious. The more we communicate internally with Baba, the more we will understand what makes Him happy, as well as how He expresses His happiness. This is the essence of devotional life: communicating with Him and getting His sweet response.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Reference
1. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 12, 21 May 1979 evening, Timmern, West Germany

*        *        *

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 ==

Here, there, & everywhere

"Ainjan enke dáo ánkhir pare, ákásh vátás suśamáy bhará..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1432)

Note: If you are at the dinner table talking to your close companion who is seated next to you and looking directly at you, already you have their full attention. In that case, you need not address them by saying “O”. If you say “O” they may get irritated. So prefacing an appellation for God with “O’” such as in O’ Lord is not appropriate in our Ananda Marga. Saying “O’ Lord” signifies that that Divine Entity is far away - i.e. in the 7th sky or heaven - and that one must cry out to reach them. And that goes against the spirit of bhakti. The exception to this rule is melancholic songs. 

Purport:

Baba, kindly place such a spiritual ointment, collyrium, in my eyes and grant me vision so I can see You all around, everywhere. Please open my optical nerve of bhakti in the realm of prema, so I can see Your universal expression and gaze upon You to my heart's full satiation and contentment. Now the sky, earth, and breeze  - everything is filled with Your exquisite beauty.

My Supreme Entity, You have filled this entire cosmos with Your sublime spiritual vibration and spread Yourself in all directions: In the blueness of the firmament, in the longitude of the mountain ranges, as well as in the leaves, flowers, fruits creepers, shrubs, trees, far and wide. Parama Purusa, today please let me realize this. Baba, please apply that unique collyrium of bhakti in my pupils so I may see look upon You in every iota of this universe.

My Parama Purusa Baba, You have mingled and interwoven Yourself in various forms ubiquitously: from the nectar of flowers to the distant moon, planets, stars, body of the nebulae, and all those celestial bodies, to the light and darkness, to every nook and cranny, far and wide, near and far, high and low, 'here, there, and everywhere'.

Baba, please bless me with divine sight so I may see Your all-pervading form...

Note: In our Ananda Marga, we know that Parama Purusa is watching us always. He is never far - always He resides in the heart witnessing all we think, do, and say. Hence there is no need to call out to Him using the phrases, “O’ God”, “O’ Lord etc.” One may simply address Him in a natural manner without the “O” preface and He will certainly listen to your call. The exception to this rule is melancholic songs. 

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Respect the disrespected

   Ananda Marga ideology states, "Human beings neglect many things in this world without any plausible reason. They forget that Parama Puruśa resides in every object, even the most neglected one. They fail to look at the world with proper social benevolence. Suppose a pig is writhing in pain. The onlookers casually say, “Well, it's only a pig – let it die,” and thus neglect Parama Puruśa in the form of a pig. Such an error will result in their overall progress being retarded. One should not detest anything as everything is a manifestation of Parama Puruśa. Parama Puruśa cannot hate anyone or anything in this world – how can He, all are His manifestations – so on what grounds can humans hate anyone or anything. If one hates His manifestation it means that one hates Parama Puruśa Himself. Let no human being be so arrogant.”
   “It has been said, “Amáninam mánadeyam” – “respect the disrespected.” Those who are disrespected and rejected by society should also be recognized by us as manifestations of Parama Puruśa. We must respect them with due honour as Parama Puruśa has chosen to manifest them in that particular way. We should always be very courteous to them. Hence the third duty of a devotee is to respect those people whom no one respects. We must approach those who are unloved, ridiculed, and in need of affection, and tell them we care for them. By honouring them and restoring their dignity we will make them happy; their minds will become filled with joy." (1)

Reference
1. Anadna Vacanamrtam - 7, How Should a Devotee Behave?

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Proutistic view of population growth

   Prout philosophy states, “Vested interests do not favour population growth because this will mean sharing mundane property at the cost of their hoarding. Capitalism would like the extinction of the intellectual class as this would give it free scope for exploitation. The intellectual class usually belongs to the middle income group. Capitalists encourage family planning and birth control to check the growth of this middle class, thus these measures are a creation of the capitalist order.”
   “Due to age-old superstitions the common people do not take help of these measures. It is the middle class intellectuals who adopt these practices and become the victims of them. A Proutistic order would vehemently oppose this move. There is immense potential for maintaining the population of the world. By scientific advancement it may be possible for human beings to live on tablets. The real glory of humanity lies in creating conditions for adjustment with natural processes rather than in curbing normal processes by artificial measures.”
   “Artificial sterilisation means making males or females artificially sterile. This has certain adverse effects on the mind and body of human beings. Sterilisation brings glandular changes and changes in the hormone secretion of the glands which ultimately affects mental expression. Due to these changes a man may become like a eunuch.” (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell Part 15

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Baseline of Prout

Prout philosophy states, “The universe is the thought projection of Brahma, so the ownership of the universe lies with the Supreme Entity...Everything is the common patrimony of all, and the Father of all is Brahma…We must not forget, even for a single moment, that the entire animate world is a vast joint family. Nature has not assigned any portion of this property to any particular individual. Private ownership has been created by selfish opportunists, as the loopholes in this system provide them with ample scope for self-aggrandizement through exploitation.When the entire wealth of the universe is the common patrimony of all living beings, can the system in which some roll in luxury, while others, deprived of a morsel of food, shrivel up and starve to death bit by bit, be said to have the support of dharma?” (1)

Note: So long as one does not feel this above teaching in the inner core of their heart then their understanding of Prout remains nothing but a dream. Only when this teaching is deeply embedded in one’s mind will a person be able to strongly oppose economic injustice and establish the ideals of Prout.

References
1. Problems of the Day, Point #1

== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

बाबा! तुमने कृपा कर मेरे ध्यान में आना स्वीकार किया है

प्रभात सङ्गीत 617, मनेर कोने रोेयेछो गोपने, बृहतेर चेये तुमि  बृहत्....

(जो साधना का 6th पाठ नहीं करता, वह यह गाना नहीं समझ सकता )

भावार्थ

बाबा !  हे परमपुरुष ! तुम बड़े से भी बहुत बड़े हो, फिर भी तुम अपनी अनोखी लीला से मेरे मन के एक कोने में छिपे हुए हो। बाबा ! तुम न केवल  प्रेम से भरे  हो वरन् तुम तो प्रेम के रूप ही हो। अपने दिव्य प्रेम में तुमने पूरे संसार को तृप्त कर रखा है। तुम्हारी लीला की कोई तुलना नहीं है।

हे बाबा !  तुमने हमारी जड़ता और आलस्य को हटा दिया है। हे अखण्ड सत्ता ! हे परमपुरुष ! तुम खण्ड की सीमा में आ गए हो। तुमने कृपा कर मेरे ध्यान में आना स्वीकार किया। तुम मेरे मानसिक कमल के आसन पर विराजे।  हे बाबा ! हे करुणा के सागर ! तुम इन्द्रियों की पहुँच से परे और महान हो।  ।


बाबा ! तुम कुहासा से ढके बहुत ऊँचे सफेद पहाड़ की तरह, मनके भीतर अमृत के सार के रूप में हो । तुम ज्ञान की सबसे ऊँची अवस्था में आनन्द स्वरूप हो । तुम केवल मेरे हो।  मेरे मन में बिलकुल निजी तौर से प्रकट होकर तुमने मेरे ऊपर कृपा की है।  (1) 

References
1. Sadguru Baba says (in GD, Delhi, 26 Feb 1984) that when writing a Prabhat Samgiita purport then very simple words should be used so that the common mass may understand. The above Hindu purport has been written according to that guideline.

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Way to teach universal ​fraternity

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Human beings also know that Parama Puruśa is their source of impetus, is their Father, and that they are all His children. As His children, they have a brotherly relationship with all other jiivas, or unit beings. Due to this knowledge of brotherhood, the human is superior to all other beings. Parents are greatly pleased when they find that their children have been loved and helped by someone. Similarly, Parama Puruśa will be pleased when you serve His creation – not only human beings, but also plants, animals, and the rest of creation. That is, bhúta yajiṋa, pitr yajiṋa and nr yajiṋa are to be performed. Those who have this feeling are in the real sense of the term human beings. Just having the body of a human does not make a person a real human being, a rational being. Those in whom this feeling has arisen will be called followers of Bhágavata Dharma. They are doing the sádhaná of Bhágavata Dharma.” (1)

Ananda Marga ideology states, “All beings are made of the same consciousness. So although we may find ourselves at different stages of psychic elevation, a Bráhmańa and a Kśatriya, an Indian and an Englishman, a sweeper and a scavenger, a Zulu and a Maori, and even a tiny ant, are all linked by the bonds of fraternity. If we remember this fact, if we work for the well-being of all, then undeveloped human beings will be able to develop their spiritual potentiality when they come in contact with us. Even cows, dogs, tigers and bears who come in close contact with us will develop psychic wealth and gradually acquire spiritual treasures.” (2)

Ananda Marga ideology states, “He is the Supreme Progenitor, and everything in this Universe is His progeny. He is the Supreme Father, and others are His children. Then, when all are the children of the Supreme Father, the relationship between man and man is that of fraternal bond. You have got a universal tie of brotherhood because everything created has got the same father. The source is the same. When the spiritual aspirant knows this fact, he cannot get any kind of inferiority complex or superiority complex in his mind. He is not inferior to anyone, as he is one with his brothers and sister.” (3)

The editors wrote: “Our first step is to realize that the true goal of humanity, the ultimate goal of evolution, is not the amassing of more and more material wealth but the expansion of consciousness. Through proper education and practical techniques of mental expansion, humanity will come to realize that the hoarding of wealth and all the ills of corruption and scarcity it creates, are nothing but the misdirected longing of the human soul for infinite happiness – a longing which cannot be satisfied by money but only by internal bliss. Thus as human attention and activity is directed more and more toward subtler pursuits such as artistic endeavour and spiritual practice, the selfishness and greed which dominate people’s minds today will be replaced by a new feeling of love and brotherhood. As we expand our minds toward the Infinite and learn to share our mundane treasures, we will realize more and more that we are all indeed one humanity, that we are all the sons and daughters of one Infinite Intelligence Who is guiding us all to perfection. Instead of being based on competition and mutual hostility, society will be operated through mutual cooperation and love.” (4)

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, The Requirements for Sádhaná
2. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 8, Sádhaná
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14, Seven Secrets
4. The Great Universe, Introduction

== Section 4: Links ==

Postings to Read

Mental cleanliness in digital era

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/02/force-feeding-mind-3-more.html

Game plan of vaeshyas

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/12/shortage-of-viksubdha-shudras-6-more.html

Way to increase bhakti

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/11/enemy-of-sadhana.html

Era of degraded stars

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/06/example-ignorant-public-worships-their.html

Bringing new people onto the path 

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/10/sadhana-queries.html

What people really want - peace + 7 more

Baba

What people really want - peace

 
Namaskar,

One day Baba was discussing the 'Seven Secrets of Success', and in that darshan He differentiated between 'worldly success' & 'peace' - stating that 'peace' is the real charm that people want, not worldly success. Then He graciously told that to attain peace in day-to-day life, two more points are needed.

In a nutshell, those two points are [#1] Keeping mind fixed on the Goal of life Parama Purusa, and [#2] Doing abhidhyana intermittently throughout the day. Those are the two very special and highly unique points. And it is these two ingredients which are so keenly important for inviting peace and bliss into one's life. These two points are Baba's special message to us for making our life blissful and peaceful.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

So we should take this time as a special occasion and great opportunity to truly understand what Baba is saying, lest we lose out on the essence of life by not getting peace. Applying these two points in our daily life will bring peace and bliss into our own individual lives. The aforementioned topic about these two points was given by Revered Baba in Diigha on 9 Feb 1989.


Fame brings mental tension

We should remember that worldly success and inner peace are two vastly different things. Worldly success generally means mundane gains such as money, name, fame, prestige, and career. Sadly, this is what people mostly yearn for, due to their confusion. But the results are just temporary. Either such worldly gains or possessions will decay or diminish leaving you in tears; or, you will leave them behind when you depart from this earth. In either scenario, those so-called worldly treasures will not remain with you.

Name and fame bring mental tension, anxiety, and a whole host of psychic diseases. Often such persons become so mentally degraded and deranged that they are unable to even sleep because they suffer from so much anxiety. And ultimately they end up addicted to drugs, committing suicide, or dying in some other tragic manner. Fame and happiness form an inverse relationship. So the more name and fame one has, the more depressed and stressed-out one will become. There is a long and known history how prestige is linked with psychic tension and premature death.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

As Baba says, it is peace of mind, not worldly success, that people truly desire. Peace is something higher and more subtle. Peace means balance and equipoise; in a phrase, peace means being in a spiritual flow and ensconced in His bliss. Ultimately, this is what every human yearns for.


Keep remembering goal of life

Most people on this earth have no true goal in life; indeed most never even ponder, “Who am I, and why have I come here.” In that case, their life will be nothing more than a goalless journey, utterly devoid of any real peace. For Ananda Margiis, our Goal is crystal clear. Parama Purusa is our Goal. And this we should remember - keeping the mind fixed on Him all day long in order to bring peace into our lives.

Along these lines of remembering the goal, Baba brings forth the example of a train traveling from point A to B. There are so many stations between the passenger and their destination. The tendency is to think about the various stops and stations along the way, and even miss their own destination. We should not be like such travelers. Those who forget about the Goal of life misuse their time, miss the opportunity to follow bhagavad dharma, and go astray. As sadhakas, we must always keep the vision fixed on the Goal of life. That is Parama Purusa. Remembering the Goal is the first key ingredient for attaining peace.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Short meditation throughout the day

The second key ingredient for attaining perfect peace, or peace of mind, or complete mental equipoise, is to do abhidhyana throughout the day, many times, whenever one gets that chance. And this is quite manageable because one can do abhidhyana in so many ways. When in between duties or various works, a sadhaka can close the eyes and meditate on Him. Those involved in more physical engagements can do abhidhyana during any short respite. Plus just before eating food one can ideate, as well as just prior to leaving the house we can think of Him by doing abhidhyana. In addition, when on line at the store, while waiting for a friend, while gardening or farming, when riding on a train, when waiting for an appointment - verily on all these occasions and more we can do abhidhyana.

This very instant is an ideal time. Close your eyes, and start doing abhidhyana / mantra japa for a moment, and see the beneficial effects. And, verily, whenever we have a tiny gap in the day, then we should do abhidhyana for a few moments - and one needn’t sit in a meditative posture per se. Just one needs to ideate and these mini abhidhyana sessions will have a magnificent effect on one’s life.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Because when we think of Him, His divine vibration and sweet love consumes our existence. We instantly feel His grace and in turn we get tremendous strength, courage, and inspiration to do anything and everything. Doing intermittent abhidhyana can be done for a minute or two - whenever we have time during the day (or night).

So making abhidhyana a regular element in our daily routine is quite easy and quite beneficial. It is easy in that nothing extra is needed. It is not like doing half-bath which demands having certain facilities; and it is not like fasting which is only done on certain days etc. Abhidhyana can be done just about anytime and anywhere. The more we do it, the more regular and easier it will become. Indeed, instantly, Baba's sweet grace and divine presence will fill one's mental plate. In that case, mental peace will be a natural and inherent element of life.


Conclusion

These above two points - [#1] keeping mind fixed on the Goal of life, and [#2] doing abhidhyana intermittently throughout the day - are quite practical and the effects are immediate. Perfect peace will descend in your life, and your coming on this earth as a human be will be successful.

In Him,
Gurusharan’

~ In-depth study ~

Ananda Marga ideology says, "For everlasting freedom from duhkha, paramártha [that which provides permanent liberation] is the only remedy. Paramártha does not bring only temporary remission, but everlasting freedom from duhkha. Atyantikii nivrtti can be obtained only by Paramártha which relieves one of all duhkha: physical, mental and spiritual. This Paramártha can only be obtained by sadhana, that is, spiritual practices. For maintaining peace psychic equilibrium is necessary, and for maintaining this equilibrium freedom from all duhkha forever is necessary. Freedom from duhkha or atyantikii nivrtti can be obtained only from Paramártha, and Paramártha can be achieved only by sadhana, or spiritual practices." (1)


Until tactual contact with the Supreme Self

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Absolute or permanent peace cannot occur in collective life because the created universe, which is embedded in the process of saiṋcara [extroversion] and pratisaiṋcara [introversion] is, in fact, dominated first by avidyá [extroversial force], and then by vidyá [introversial force], respectively. When the existence of the universe is rooted in the existence of these two, then permanent peace (támasikii or sáttvikii as the case may be) in the universe would mean the cessation of the activities of either vidyá or avidyá, or both. This is why it has to be said that collective peace in the universe cannot occur except in the case of pralaya, and the concept of pralaya is illogical. However in individual life human beings can certainly achieve absolute peace through sadhana." (2)

Ananda Marga ideology says, "While doing spiritual practice, spiritual sadhana, while singing kiirtana and dancing, we should remember the fact that all our spiritual activities are just a dance around Parama Puruśa, lessening the distance, lessening the length of the radius, coming from close to closer proximity to our ideological Desideratum. We should always remember this fact. And there cannot be any peace, any happiness or any beatitude till the aspirant comes in tactual contact with the Supreme Self." (3)


There is no other alternative

Ananda Marga ideology says, "On many different occasions in life, whether big or small, one can hope to attain a certain degree of mental composure, but permanent composure or “prashánti” or “átyántikii shánti” (composure beyond which there is no further composure, and which, once attained is never lost) cannot be attained easily. In war, an army may win one battle thus attaining a certain degree of composure, but they may be defeated in the next battle. Victory, once attained, may not necessarily be permanent. Only vijaya, that is, victory which is never followed by defeat, is permanent. A person wishing to attain permanent composure will have to attain Shiva or Parama Puruśa. There is no other alternative." (4)


Remembering Cosmic Entity always

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The sadhana, or spiritual practices, of the Marga do not teach forsaking the world. They teach the right and correct use of all property, crude or subtle. Our sadhana is a systematic and scientific method for physical, mental and spiritual progress and advancement by which permanent psychic equilibrium, and thus everlasting peace, is established." (5)

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Try to remember Him always. This remembering Him always, in all spheres and all strata of life, is called “dhruvásmrti”. Don’t forget this for a single moment. By dint of your sádhaná, try to develop dhruvásmrti and be one with Him, and in peace, for infinity." (6)


Intermittent abhidhyana

There are so many benefits. The person will no longer get into petty arguments; all doubts and fears will melt away; one will be more self-assured and confident; one will never feel bored; loneliness will vanish; the person will be inspired to do more and more good works; and so many positive results will come. And, on the whole, life will certainly be more joyful, peaceful, tranquil, and calm.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Practicing these two points - keeping mind fixed on the Goal of life & doing intermittent abhidhyana for a minute or two throughout the day - will bring a plethora of beneficial results in the life. By His grace, one will always feel that His presence, and that is the biggest boon of all, forever being ensconced in His grace.

We are blessed to have His divine teachings. By this we will easily be able to bring peace and bliss into our lives, and attain the ultimate Goal of life.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "So the intellect of the sensuous man is wasted over external objects. The human mind that has in it an unbridled desire for mundane pleasure is never at peace. In such a state no one can attain Brahma. When the mind preoccupied with finite objects, can one get the integrated whole? When your longing is towards the crude, you will undoubtedly become crudified yourself. Your mind will leap from one crude desire to another - will run from one object after another in a wild pursuit. Such is the way of the materialistic, isn’t it? But an aspirant, being in the midst of all and making the right use of everything, proceeds towards the supreme goal. Learn the Intuitional Science from the competent preceptor and proceed accordingly." (7)


Self-realization

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Átmajiṋánam is jiṋánam”. What is átmajiṋánam? What is self-knowledge? What is self-realization? You see, it is the natural wont of each and every living being to see others, not to see himself. That is, whenever one becomes a subjective entity, he takes others as objective counterpart, but never the self as objective counterpart. One's subjectivity never merges with objectivity and that is the trouble. You want to know so many things but you never want to know yourself. Your “self” is your nearest entity but you never want to know yourself. That is the pity, that is the trouble. Átmajiṋánam means a stage of objectlessness. Seeing one's own self within oneself and not guiding any cognitive or psychic faculty towards any objectivity. You have got so many psychic faculties. You have got so many cognitive faculties, too but you always try to goad your psychic and cognitive faculties to other objects. But, if you withdraw all your psychic and cognitive faculties and goad these faculties towards yourself and be at peace without coming in contact with any objective world that phase of your mind and spirit that stance of relativity, is átmajiṋánam. It is the true jiṋánam because all other knowledges are contaminated by relativities. This jiṋánam, because of its non-dependence on any second objectivity is of absolute character and it is átmajiṋánam. For acquiring this átmajiṋánam one need not go through volumes of books. One should develop sincere urge to attain this átmajiṋánam and develop love for the Supreme. This is the sádhaná. And in this process, after self-realization, one attains salvation.” (8)

References
1. A Few Problems Solved - 7, Social Psychology
2. Problems of the Day #15
3. 19 May 1979 evening, Timmern, West Germany
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, The Attainment of Permanent Composure
5. A Few Problems Solved - 7, Social Psychology
6. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, Your Real Friend
7. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Desire & Attachment
8. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 2, Agama and Nigama

*        *        *

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

*        *        *

== Section 2: Important Teaching ==

Toss aside burkas & veils

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “A handful of unprincipled, power-hungry men propagated these [religious] doctrines in order to paralyse women’s reasoning, and to inflate men’s vanity. This doctrine is against nature and we have only to look out into this wide world to find numerous proofs against it. Can anybody drape a burka over a tigress? Is there anyone with enough courage to do it? Can anyone dictate to a tigress, “You cannot cross this boundary,” or “You cannot take part in games and sports, for this is prohibited to women”? Those who propagated these doctrines were not only unprincipled, they were also well aware of the inherent loopholes in their arguments. That is why they did not propagate their ideas directly in their own name. On the contrary, they propagated all those ideas in the name of God. They proclaimed them as the gospels of God; no one shall dispute it; one has to accept it without a murmur. When women will develop a sense of self-respect and be like other spirited creatures, they will cast aside the burkas and veils of servitude. They will then be enabled to expand their role in serving society in a balanced and consolidated way.” (1)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika-9, from “Kaomára”

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Fake show of social service

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Fifteenth January nineteen thirty-four में जमालपुर मुंगेर में ज़बर्दस्त earthquake-भूकम्प हुआ था | तो, उस वक्त तो बहुत, मकान के नीचे,  dead body क्या, Wounded persons, जो कि मरे नहीं थे---तो, कुछ लोग कुदाली लेकर ईंटा हटाना शुरू कर दिए | और कुछ दो-चार leader आए, तो एक-दो minute कुदाली लेकर, बस photo के इन्तज़ार में थे | उसके बाद ही चले गए, और सके नहीं | हम देखे थे | तो, ठीक वैसे ही मध्यम group के मनुष्य ऐसे ही होते हैं | काम start करते हैं, देखते हैं बहुत मुश्किल | तब तक करते हैं जब तक उनका [photo]  फोटो  नहीं लिया जाएगा |” (1)

Note: In the above quote, Baba is giving the example of a few hypocritical political leaders. In particular, Baba is recounting the tragedy of the Jamalpur earthquake of 15 January 1934. So many people were buried under the debris and rubble of collapsed houses. Some were dead and some were alive, crying out for help. Sincere local volunteers and neighbors were trying hard to remove the debris and rescue the victims / survivors. In the meantime, a few political leaders came with a cameraman. Those politicians borrowed spades and shovels from volunteers and posed for photos as if they were trying to dig out survivors etc. Immediately after the photo was taken they walked away. That is the eyewitness account Baba is giving in this above Hindi quote.

Only hypocrites do like this; Ananda Margiis should never conduct themselves in this way. In the life of an Ananda Margii, sincerity is the beginning, sincerity is the middle, and sincerity is the end. The main quality of a sadhaka is sincerity - no hypocrisy.

Reference
1. ज़िद चाहिए, Zid Ca'hiye, V24-07

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Study by ears, eyes, and gestures

Ananda Marga ideology states, “मनुष्य ज्ञानार्जन करते हैं, किस तरह से ? कोई आँख से पढ़ते हैं; कोई कान से पढ़ते हैं; कोई इङ्गित से, मुद्रा से, पढ़ते हैं | जैसे प्राचीन भारत में literate का percentage; अ, आ, क, ख, जाननेवालों का percentage बहुत कम था | अर्थात्‌ साक्षर की सङ्ख्या कम थी; मगर विद्वान की, शिक्षित की सङ्ख्या अधिक थी | क्यों ? न, धर्म-कथा, उस सब में वे लोग क्या कहते हैं---उसी से लोग सीख लेते थे | अर्थात्‌ आँख से नहीं पढ़ते थे, कान से अधिक आदमी पढ़ते थे | और आज के लोग आँख से पढ़ते हैं, मगर कान से कम पढ़ते हैं | इसलिए साक्षर की सङ्ख्या अधिक है, शिक्षित की सङ्ख्या घट गई है |” (1)

Note: In His above teaching, Baba is guiding us that people learn in three ways: (a) with their eyes by reading, (b) with their ears by listening, and (c) via gestures in sign language. In Ancient India the number of literate people were less as they did not know how to read and write but the number of scholars and educated people was very high as they were learning and acquiring knowledge by listening to dharmic stories etc. That is how they they were getting their education. But in the present era people are very literate in that they are able to read and write, but they are less educated as they do not assimilate that knowledge. The central idea is that are three ways to learn and we should utilize all three methods to create an educated society. Whatever dharmic things we learn, we should follow and incorporate into our day to day life.

Reference
1. General Darshan 25 July 1970 Purnia

== Section: Hindi Quote ==

मेरे घर में अन्धेरा

“इस मन का जो अन्धकार है, इसको हटाना है | ऐसा नहीं कहना है कि---"घर में दीवाली, मेरे घर में अन्धेरा |" घर में भी दीवाली होनी चाहिए | और यह दीवाली, आत्मा की दीवाली |” [यह प्रवचन-अंश, बाबा के कैसेट से सीधे लिखा गया है । बाबा का यह असली प्रवचन, अमृतोपदेश है। आनन्दमार्ग हिन्दी पुस्तकों में छपे प्रवचन तो नक़ली प्रवचन हैं, असली नहीं हैं -- बंगालीकरण (बँगलाइजेसन) के तहत उनकी बर्बादी की गई]Reference
1. अप्रकाशित भाग, 3rd June 1990, DMC, “The Cult of Spirituality, a Cult of Pinnacled Order”

== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

सभी तुमसे तुम्हारे कृपा कणा की याचना कर रहे हैं

 प्रभात संगीत 3004: ताल तमालिर वनेर माझे

इस वर्षा ऋतु में इन ताल और तमाल के जंगलों में तुम कौन हो जो नये वस्त्रों और नये रूप में आये हो? यह तुम्हारी कृपा है कि तुमने मुझे आपने पास आने दिया। तुमने मुझे मोहित कर लिया है, और मेरे मन के दरवाजों को खोलकर उसे  भक्ति से भर दिया है और अपने कार्य में, साधना में और जन सेवा में मुझे लगा लिया है।

तुम्हारे यहां आने के कारण सूखी पृथ्वी बरसात से आप्लावित हो गई है और गड्ढे तथा छोटे तालाब मिलकर एक हो गये हैं। चारों ओर पानी ही पानी है, ग्रीष्म की धूल जा चुकी है। मेरा स्पंदित मन तुममें, तुम्हारे चिंतन में तुम्हारे ध्यान में और तुम्हारे नन्दन वन की महक से भर गया है। तुम कौन हो जो नये वस्त्रों और नये रूप में यहाँ आये हो?

आकाश  और पाताल सब एक हो गये हैं और एक ही लय में नाच रहे हैं। उसी एक ब्रह्म ज्योति से मतवाला होकर सभी सुध बुध खो बैठे हैं । सभी तुमसे तुम्हारे कृपा कणा की याचना कर रहे हैं। तुम कौन हो जो नये वस्त्रों और नये रूप में यहाँ आये हो?

हे प्रभु! तुम्हारे चरणों में शत-शत प्रणाम ।

== Section: Ananda Vanii ==

Help illuminate those

“All the entities of the universe are on the move. No one has come to rest, to lament unnecessarily. And in this movement lies the success of every entity, the colourful glamour of one’s existence. So move on individually, move on collectively. Let your sincere help illuminate those who have lagged behind on the path of movement.” (Ananda Vanii #64)

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

== Section: Bangla quote ==

এতে প্রতিষ্ঠিত হতে
“এই বারাণসী বা কাশী এখানে প্রতিষ্ঠিত হয়ে গেলে মনকে খুৰ দ্রুত উপরে তুলে ফেলতে হয় | এবং তন্ত্র সাধনা, কপাল সাধনা যা তোমাদের কেউ কেউ শিখেছ, এর ফলে মনে সেই দ্রুতি আসে, বেগ আসে | তখন এই যে বারাণসী তত্ত্ব এতে প্রতিষ্ঠিত হতে একটু সুবিধা হয় | তা না হ’লে, পারৰে সৰাই | কেন পারৰে না ? যে মানুষের শরীর পেয়েছে, সেই পারৰে | “ (1)

Unfortunately, the below English translation from the Electronic Edition of Baba's books (2009) is not up to the mark. It does not accurately portray Guru's original teaching given in Bengali featured above.

“To establish the mind on this point of Váráńasii or káshi, one has to quickly elevate the mind. Those who have learnt the technique of Tantra sádhaná or kápálika sádhaná, know what joy can be derived from this. It helps to establish the practitioner in the cult of Váráńasii. Those who have not yet mastered it, will one day be established in the cult of Váráńasii. Why not? Those who have acquired a human structure will surely be established in Váráńasii.]” (1)

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 7, Where Is Varanasi

== Section 3: Links ==

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