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Showing posts with label smoking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label smoking. Show all posts

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Harmful competition: take a look


Baba

Harmful competition: take a look

Namaskar,

Ananda Marga ideology says, “You know there are different divisions in propensities." (1)




Above, a cigar ash competition is going on. For more on this, please see note 1.                                                                                         

Humans beings have have so many propensities (i.e. mental occupations)—up to 1000 vrttis. And these can be broadly divided into four categories.


Suffering is in the beginning and also in the end


#1 Kliśt́á vrtti (beginning suffering, end suffering): Those who choose to move on the path of kliśt́á vrtti engage in endeavours which are uncomfortable and painful from the very beginning up to the very end, and the end result is also bad. 

Ananda Marga ideology says, “The propensities that become the cause of pain in the beginning and also in the end are called Kliśt́á. Suppose, for instance, someone is travelling without a ticket. There is a heavy rush in the train. Naturally he will have to undergo suffering and inconvenience. If the checking staff come, another misery befalls. So here the pain is in the beginning and also in the end. This action of his is Kliśt́á-vrtti.” (1)

Some squish themselves and battle the crowds to visit a holy land and then get trampled to death in a stampede. Likewise, suppose a thief was undergoing hardship walking in a hailstorm and then got arrested by the police. In both of these instances the beginning and end is bad—problematic. So these are related with kliśt́á vrtti.




Happy in beginning but suffering in end


#2 Akliśt́á Kliśt́á vrtti (beginning pleasure, end suffering): Those who choose to move on the path of akliśt́á kliśt́á vrtti, engage in actions which start out as pleasant and joyful, but yield very bad results. There are many activities and works that fall in this category.

For example, if one is eating rasagolla (sweets) in their house but then later on they suffer from constipation, gas, and bloating. That act started out as enjoyable but concluded as something painful. Also smoking and drinking etc come in this category. So these are related with akliśt́á kliśt́á vrtti.

Same is the case with those who enjoy dancing and partying all night, and then have to suffer the ill effects of fatigue and nausea the next day. So these are related with akliśt́á kliśt́á vrtti.



Suffering in beginning but happy in end


#3  Kliśt́á Akliśt́á vrtti (beginning suffering, end pleasure): Those who choose to move on the path of kliśt́á akliśt́á vrtti, engage in actions which start out as uncomfortable or painful, but yield very positive and beneficial results.

For instance, eating bitter foods like neem leaves may not be a pleasant experience but the overall effect is very good as the blood, gums, liver, and kidneys are greatly benefited. Similarly, studying hard for an examination is not easy and may likely involve discomfort and even suffering. But in the end, getting success in the exam is a very positive outcome. So these are related with kliśt́á akliśt́á vrtti.




Happy in beginning & bliss in end


#4  Akliśt́á vrtti (beginning pleasure, end pleasure): Those who choose to move on the path of akliśt́á vrtti engage in actions which are blissful right from the start, and yield blissful results. Which endeavour is like that? Sadhana or intuitional practice. Sadhana with bhakti is very soothing and filled with anandam. It starts blissfully, continues blissfully, and concludes blissfully; and the final outcome is also blissful. So these are related with akliśt́á vrtti.

Most often, human beings involve in such types of works and hobbies which fall in the first three groups. And due to this they suffer a lot of pain in their life.  But those who are fortunate utilize their human potentiality to pursue dharmic engagements that fall in this fourth category. They learn sadhana, practice it, and see everything as Brahma. By that way, they always do good things and make their lives happy through spiritual practice. If worldly works are done while ensconced in brahmacarya, then that makes even worldly works blissful. But the main thing is to keep a sadhana oriented life—that is the best utilization.


Conclusion


For Parama Purusa everything is blissful beginning to end. Humans have all four of these types of vrttis or mental occupations. But Parama Purusa only has one. For Him everything is blissful from beginning to end. If one does sadhana, that comes in the category of aklista vrtti because the beginning, middle and end—everything is blissful. By doing sadhana life becomes full of anandam.

In Him,
Dharmadeva



Note 1: About the above photo


The person in the above photo falls in the first category—kliśt́á.  That woman chose to involve in a cigar smoking competition. A contestant participates in the longest ash competition during the annual cigar festival in Havana, so she is forced to inhale a lot of smoke. Due to the pressure of this competition, she is uncomfortable smoking that cigar, but she is doing it in hopes of getting victory. The goal is to generate the longest ash in the shortest time, without letting the ash break and fall down. But the end result of such a competition is lung cancer. So that activity is problematic from beginning to end. This is the worst category. So many human engagements fall in this category, unfortunately.

Those who misuse their bodies in the actions of categories 1-3, they directly degenerate to animal life after their demise. No one should misuse their body by work which is illustrated in these first three categories.




Sunday, April 30, 2017

Should science govern civilisation or vice-versa + 3 more

Baba

Should science govern civilisation or vice-versa

Namaskar,

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “What is science? That which teaches the proper use of material things is science. Where the development of civilization is utterly negligible and science gradually attains the apogee of development, science only paves the way for destruction instead of doing any good to humanity. And so, study and practice of science, though unavoidable, should not be given a higher place than civilization.” (1)
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In His above teaching, Sadguru Baba is giving three key  guidelines:

(a) Firstly He addresses, “What is science?” In His explanation, Baba says that there are a wide array of materials created by Parama Purusa on this earth. And such materials must be utilised in the proper way for humans to exist and grow on this earth. Through science, we learn how to use these various materials. For example, through science we learn how to utilise soil to grow food or grain, and we use rivers to make hydroelectric power. These are examples of science.

Good and bad use of science

At the same time we should bear in mind that science may be used positively and negatively, i.e. for the betterment of society as well as for the degradation of society. Through science we may cultivate tobacco to develop medicines that cure diseases. That is a good use of science. Or one may cultivate tobacco in order to sell cigarettes and other harmful agents. That is a bad use of science.

Ultimately, science itself is a blind force; it all depends upon how science is applied - i.e. how people interact with science. Good people use science to make the world a better place and bad people use science to destroy the world.

(b) Secondly, In any society, there are some people who are are guided by their lower propensities. That means they cannot differentiate right or wrong; they are unable to use their rational mind to do what is best. Such persons are uncivilised. If science is used in that way it will be disastrous. Sadly, that is what is happening nowadays.

Civilised people should have full control over science


(c) Science is very much needed but it must be controlled by civilised people. To begin, people should be taught to be civilised. That means all human actions should be supported by logic and reasoning. For example, e-cigarettes are harmful so those who manufacture e-cigarettes and those who smoke them are uncivilised. They are not using their rational mind. Such persons should only be allowed to interact with science when monitored or under the direction of civilised persons. Science must not be used to satisfy one’s whim or selfish agenda. Civilised people must have full control over science. Unfortunately, that is not happening nowadays as science is used to inflict much harm.


The below photo depicts a bad use of science whereby big business is misusing science to build slot machines for gambling. This is a clear-cut case of the misuse and abuse of science. Gambling is a very degrading habit for humanity. It is addictive and escalates greed. Allured by gambling, and devoured by greed, people often lose their entire salary, instead of feeding their families, paying their rent, or caring for their children’s education etc. Such gambling machines are built to produce big profits at the expense of the well-being of the people. In this instance, uncivilised people are controlling the application of science.



​
The above photo depicts a bad use of science whereby big business is misusing science to build slot machines for gambling. In this instance, uncivilised people are controlling the application of science for negative purposes.

In Him,
Kevalam
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The habit of making wagers is extremely undesirable. You must avoid lotteries and gambling.” (Caryacarya, Part 2, Society, point #38)

“Slot machines are a casino gambling machine that features three or more reels which begin to spin when a button is pressed. Historically, they have also been known as one-armed bandits because previous models had an arm on the left-hand side of the machine instead of the more modern button and also due to the chance of leaving the participant penniless (bandit).” (Courtesy of Wikipedia)


Photo:

E-Cigarette Manufacturing Plant

The below photo depicts a bad use of science whereby big business is misusing science to manufacture and sell carcinogenic tobacco products like electronic cigarettes to produce big profits at the expense of the well-being of the people. Thus, in this instance, uncivilised people are controlling the application of science.



The above photo depicts a bad use of science whereby big business is misusing science to manufacture and sell carcinogenic tobacco products like electronic cigarettes to produce big profits at the expense of the well-being of the people. Thus, in this instance, uncivilised people are controlling the application of science.

Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 6, Civilization, Science and Spiritual Progress


== Section 2: Important Teaching ==

How religious exploiters defeated materialists


Ananda Marga Ideology states, “On deeper analysis we find that the Charvaka and other schools of materialistic philosophy propagated certain doctrines which were more a revolt against the prevailing religions than an expression of a rational and benevolent outlook. They protested loudly against the clergy or religious traders who composed the so-called scriptures in the name of dharma (in fact it was not dharma, but religion); who took advantage of the fear psychosis, in the name of god, to ruthlessly exploit society. The Charvaka and other materialistic philosophies were motivated to strike against religious exploiters. They were fully aware of the way the vested interests exploited society, and they knew that nobody had the right to deprive others of their properties, since every thing of this earth is the common patrimony of all, yet they did not endeavour to lead humans along the path of rationality or formulate a healthy social and spiritual ideology.” (1)

Ananda Marga Ideology states, “The reason for this was that they lacked convincing arguments to stand against the sharp intellect of the vested interests [religious exploiters]. Thus, they merely attempted to negate the fundamental tenets of the vested interests [religious exploiters], often with rather abusive language. Due to the weakness of their argumentation it was easy for the vested interests  [religious exploiters] to emerge and gain strength in the subsequent period.” (2)

References:
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 7, In Adoration of the Supreme
2. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 7, In Adoration of the Supreme


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Animals also use herbs


Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Since the advent of living beings on this earth, medicines have been used. Dogs, cats, snakes, mongooses-- all animals, in fact all beings-- need some kind of medicine in various conditions. When wild animals become sick, they rub their bodies against certain trees and plants to cure their ailments. This shows that all living beings are more or less acquainted with some types of medicine." (1)

Reference
1. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, 95 edn, p.28


== Section 4: Links ==

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This email contains four sections:
1. IT: Should science govern civilisation or vice-versa
2. IT: How religious exploiters defeated materialists
3. IT: Animals also use herbs
4. Links

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Uncivilised habit + 2 more

Baba

This email contains three sections:
1. End Quote: Uncivilised habit
2. PS #619: O' Parama Purusa, You came here to give love and hope...
3. Links


Uncivilised habit

Namaskar,

“We may call those human acts and behaviours “civilized” that give evidence of this discriminative judgement, in a great measure.” (AFPS-6, Civilization, Science and Spiritual Progress)





Smoking is not healthy. Medical research has proven that cigarettes are carcinogenic and toxic. They are poisonous and cause disease and premature death. So the habit of smoking cigarettes is not supported by logic and reasoning.

According Ananda Marga philosophy, when one acts in a way that is not based on rationality, then that action is uncivilised. Thus smoking itself is uncivilised - whether one is aware about the dangers of smoking or not. Those who do not smoke are civilised - in this particular aspect of life.

It does not matter that he was Pope Benedict XVI; his habit of smoking is uncivilised. In other avenues of life, he may be civilised; but on this particular act of smoking he is not civilised. This is just one example.

The overarching rule is that if any behaviour is not supported by rationality then that action is uncivilised. If the majority of one’s actions are uncivilised, then that individual is an uncivilised human being.

In Him,
Yataman
Jesse Reynolds


Note: And persistent reports over the last few years indicate that Pope Benedict XVI enjoys an occasional cigarette – Marlboro Red, it is claimed – in quiet moments, away from prying cameras. For this reason I am reproducing the distasteful photograph above, which I found on the internet: I apologise if it causes offence to anybody. During World Youth Day in Australia in 2008, a bodyguard claimed that the Holy Father had smoked three cigarettes in quick succession. To think of the Pope enjoying a relaxing draw on a King Size cigarette packed with smooth Virginia tobaccos… it only makes me admire him more. (Courtesy of Telegraph)

== Section 2 ==


~ O' Parama Purusa, You came here to give love and hope
to the depressed, the forlorn, the desperate, and the hopeless ~

"Esechile álor srote, hatásháy áshá bhálobásá dite..." (PS 619)

Purport:

O' Parama Purusa, You came here from the source of effulgence to give love and hope to the depressed, the forlorn, the desperate, and the hopeless. O' my Lord, You have come to caress, soothe, and inspire suffering humanity. O' Divine Entity, it is Your grace: I am floating in the divine world of blissful ideation - thinking of You; I am spiritually intoxicated in Your love and affection. You have made me Yours.

O' Parama Purusa, in cimmerian darkness, I was looking for You; I sought “Your help”. I was drowned in misery and nightmares. In the pool of sorrow, I found You very close to me. In my hour of dire need, You were there by my side - to help me. O' Parama Purusa, I have seen You in a musical residue of melody. I have seen You in Your most attractive and intoxicating form - and also in formless rhythms.  You are the most attractive Entity in the entire universe. Having fallen in love with You, I am not attracted towards anything else. It is Your grace.

O' Parama Purusa Baba, in storms and cyclones, I was completely desperate for Your help; then by Your grace, I found You in the soft gentle breeze. After overcoming my drowsiness, I have listened to the mystical sounds of Your captivating flute. My mind was completely ensconced in Your divine tunes - in Your various transcendental melodies. I have found You in various forms - in happiness as well as in sorrow.

Baba, You are always with me - it is Your causeless grace...



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