Preya + 3 more

Baba

Preya 

Namaskar,

In their life, people do many things. Ordinary humans are commonly propelled by their baser propensities and run towards material allurements without thinking deeply. That is why they often invite trouble. Why is this happening? Because Parama Purusa has given humans the power to choose - people have a lot of options. Whereas animals do not have such choices. Animal life is basically pre-programmed. But human life is different. People have the power of choice and that freedom can be one’s most dangerous enemy or one’s most helpful friend.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Preya brings disease, cancer, & untimely death

For instance, humans have the option to choose between junk food or a sentient and balanced diet. Eating junk food will cause the body to become sick and diseased, and eating sentient food will enable the body to maintain a good state of health. Unfortunately, most often people choose the wrong one - and they suffer. If you watch carefully, you will notice that those things that are alluring to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste) generally yield a bad result. For instance, candy is very sweet and tasty, but those who eat it regularly suffer from poor health, disease, and premature death. And verily any type of addiction like tobacco, drugs, and liquor etc are initially very enjoyable but the end result is horrific. People suffer from illness, cancer, and untimely death.

The unfortunate thing is that ordinary people are attracted towards and captivated by these mundane allurements, without considering the end result. In turn, they destroy themselves. Such allurements are deemed as preya (mundane pleasure). But true sadhakas keep distance from preya (mundane allurements) and go towards shreya (supreme benevolence). In the beginning, shreya may not seem so alluring, but the end result is extremely beneficial and long-lasting.

Choosing preya means going against dharma

Bear in mind cigarettes, drugs, and liquor do not represent a complete list of preya materials. Preya (mundane pleasure) constitutes anything other than following the path of bhagavad dharma. And each and every day we are always confronted by these choices. Here are a few hypothetical examples:

(a) It is a fasting day and you get tempted to eat food. If you eat that food that is preya (mundane pleasure), whereas being disciplined in fasting is shreya (supreme benevolence). If you do not fast then initially you might enjoy eating food that day, but over the long haul by not fasting you will suffer from various ailments and diseases.

(b) You are doing sadhana and the urge comes to break your sadhana before completing all your lessons. If you act on the urge and curtail your sadhana that is preya (mundane pleasure), and if you persevere and do all your lessons that is shreya (supreme benevolence). If you do decide to leave your sadhana, then initially you might enjoy your time doing something else, but over the long term your spiritual flow will wane and you will be more prone to all kinds of material pursuits that degrade the mind.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

(c) It is time for your evening kaoshikii practice, but you want to watch TV instead. If you skip your kaoshikii then that is preya and if you do kaoshikii that is shreya. If you do choose to skip kaoshikii then you will initially like watching TV etc, but ultimately you will suffer various maladies (physical and psychic) as kaoshikii is the cure of 22 diseases.

(d) The alarm clock rings for paincajanaya. If you just turn it off and go back to bed that is being captivated by preya (mundane pleasure), and if you wake up, do Guru Sakash and half-bath, and go to paincajanya then that is shreya (supreme benevolence). If you do go back to sleep then you might initially enjoy that extra time sleeping but invariably the end result is that your body and mind will become more static and lethargic.

(e) You are in the store and there is shiny object that catches your eye. Already you have one at home and you do not need another. So if you purchase that shiny object that is preya (mundane pleasure), whereas not purchasing it is in line with aparigraha and is therefore shreya (supreme benevolence). If you do decide to violate the code of aparigraha then initially you might get some fleeting satisfaction from your purchase but ultimately that will lead to being spendthrift, going into debt, and becoming mentally depressed.

How to recognise preya

To recognise preya (mundane pleasure) is very simple. That means falling away from the path of bhagavad dharma and giving way to mundane desires. By the end result it is easy to understand what is preya and what is shreya (supreme benevolence). If the outcome is negative, then that is preya (mundane pleasure) and one should reject that. Eating junk food and drinking alcohol are preya because they have a very negative effect. And if the outcome is positive, then that is shreya and one should follow that path. For instance, drinking lemon water in the early morning is very advantageous for human health so that is shreya (supreme benevolence). And doing yoga asanas according to the prescribed system is shreya as that makes both body and mind more sentient.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

At first, one may not be attracted to the path of shreya (sadhana, fasting, 16 Points, etc) but with practice one will gain a keen desire to follow that path; and by following shreya the outcome will be extremely beneficial. True sadhakas always run away from preya (mundane pleasure) and move towards shreya (supreme benevolence). By seeing their conduct one can easily recognise who is a preya sadhaka and who is shreya sadhaka.


Conclusion

Everyone should be vigilant to avoid getting captivated by all forms of preya (mundane pleasure) and be keen to help others do the same. As disciples of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji we should follow that path of bhagavad dharma keep away from the path of preya. By this way, we will progress on the path of shreya sadhana and set a practical example to others as well. This is our moral duty.

Remember, those things which are preya are initially extremely alluring and tantalizing but later on they are certain to cause a lot of suffering and pain; verily, the long-term effect of the pursuit of preya is absolutely horrific. Preya (mundane pleasure) means acting on those negative, materialistic desires (junk food, Hollywood movies, alcohol, skipping sadhana etc).

In stark contrast, those engagements which are shreya may be a little difficult or tough at the outset but they are highly beneficial and get easier with time as the body and mind get accustomed to this pursuit. For instance, when one first sits for sadhana they may feel pain in their knee, their back may be uncomfortable, and their mind may be unable to concentrate, but with some effort their body will feel comfortable in that posture and their mind will drift in bliss. Shreya (supreme benevolence) means adhering to Guru’s guidelines like Sixteen Points, yama and niyama, Ananda Marga conduct rules, Caryacarya etc. Sadguru Baba is the dharma Guru so following any of His teachings means adhering to the path of shreya.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar,
In Him,
Tapeshvar
(Tim Garrison)

Consider the immediate delight of eating sugar, yet over time that will cause all your teeth to decay and will rot your overall bodily system. That is why eating sugar is preya. Whereas eating neem leaves may be distasteful as it is bitter, but by eating that neem one's body will become healthy and vibrant. That is why it is shreya. 

Example of preya: E-cigarettes

Due to indulgence in preya, unfortunately this person in the below photo has destroyed his face by using an e-cigarette. It is so painful to see. Now all should take lesson that no one should run after preya. See below how this e-cigarette blew up in this person’s face. For more information, please continue reading.

Due to indulgence and geting captivated by preya (mundane pleasure), unfortunately this person  in the above photo has destroyed his face. It is so painful to see. Now all should take lesson that no one should run after preya. For more information, please continue reading.


Many forms of preya - all are harmful

Even after a lot of warning about e-cigarettes and their dangerous blasts and explosions, sadly these people harm themselves with the material of preya. These are not isolated cases - there are millions upon millions of sub-humans who run towards preya.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Due to indulgence in preya, unfortunately this person in the below photo has destroyed his face by using e-cigarettes. It is so painful to see. Now all should take lesson that no one should run after preya. For more information, please continue reading.

Due to indulgence in preya, unfortunately this person in the above photo has destroyed his face. It is so painful to see. Now all should take lesson that no one should run after preya. 

~ In-depth study ~

Ananda Marga ideology states, "What do the wise people do? First, they judge within themselves with cool heads which is shreya and which is preya. The way of discrimination and judgment is to distinguish shreya from preya after close analysis. Humans are not inanimate but conscious beings. Their dominant feature is their mind with its power of judgment, and through this judgment, their intellect finds proper expression. It is not the way of human beings to run heedlessly after things regardless of whether they are shreya or preya; in every human action there should be the appreciable stamp of their intellect." (1)

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Preya, which is one attained with little or no difficulty, will one day recoil on them with the fiery scourge of a thousand scorpion stings." (2)

References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Supreme Benevolence and Mundane Pleasure (Shreya and Preya)
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Supreme Benevolence and Mundane Pleasure (Shreya and Preya)

*        *        *

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 ==

Irredeemable debts

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “Four kinds of debt are irredeemable – debt to father, debt to mother, debt to ácárya, and debt to guru (divine debt)."

"(a) The only way to do service to one's father after his death is to help every male member of the universe to progress on the path of highest development."

"(b) The only way to do service to one's mother after her death is to help every female member of the universe to progress on the path of highest development."

"(c) The best service to the ácárya is to work for the comfort and benefit of one's ácárya and his/her family."

"(d) The best service to Márga Guru is to work according to His wishes. But however much service one renders, one will not redeem the four debts until Mokśa (salvation) is attained.” (1)

Reference
1. Caryacarya, Part 2, Society, Point #20

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Cause and cure of psychic undesirable thoughts

  Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Now everywhere, in cent per cent of the cases, there is wastage of human psychic potentiality. The psychic potentialities of human beings are immense, but people do not utilize them because most of their valuable time is wasted in undesirable thoughts, in psychic extravaganza...wasted in petty or useless activities. How much time do
people really get to devote to worthwhile tasks?"
  "This psychic extravaganza should be checked either by physical approach, or psychic approach, or by spirituo-psychic approach..."
  "I have already said that the scope of rationality and rationalization should be increased more and more, and for this, unnecessary waves should be removed from the plane of physicality. From the psychic sphere also, unnecessary waves are to be removed. This will remove many burdens from the mind. 'I must not bother about petty things, because that will waste my time' - people should remember this. This removal or rather withdrawal of unnecessary and undesirable thoughts emanated from the mind will help you in rationalizing the major portion of your mental faculty, so this must also be practised." (1)

Verily, in Baba’s above guideline He he clearly sets forth some key concepts:
(a) One should think of Parama Purusa all the time - i.e. all the 24hrs;
(b) When engaged in any type of mundane work - personal, family, social etc - then one must think and ideate that it is His work.

When a person adheres to the these aforementioned principles then that is proper use of one’s psychic potentiality; failure to follow these principles results in misuse of one’s psychic potentiality, i.e. extravaganza.

Next Baba guides how to treat one who suffers from this type of improper thinking or extravaganza:
(a) Firstly, one should be removed - or remove oneself - from that physical environment;
(b) Next, such negative thinking must be removed from one’s own mind;
(c) Then one must goad the mind to Parama Purusa.
In result, one will have proper sadhana and be free from worry.

References
1. Yoga Psychology, The Cult of Spirituality – the Cult of Pinnacled Order

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Those who die for prestige can't serve humanity

   Ananda Marga teachings guide us, “When for age after age society spins in the murky eddies of evil and vice, when individual and collective knavery masquerades as intelligence, when hypocrisy, bribery and fraud are the yardsticks for measuring the ability to lead – it is then that the genuine followers of Bháratii [the goddess of learning] must struggle on in spite of constant humiliation. Only taunts and insults will be their fate. Those who are afraid of these insults are incapable of offering anything really lasting to humanity. How can people who lack moral strength, under whose feet the soil is not hard and strong, invite anyone into a cool, refreshing shelter and impart happiness to them? It may be possible to drag oneself through life by sucking the blood of others like social parasites, but this will not bring fulfilment to either sáhityikas or their readers.”
   “The artist or sáhityika who assumes the responsibility of leading humanity along the path to light from the caverns of darkness will have to heed the road signs on that path. It is not possible to guide others with mere cheap, superficial knowledge, like a half-baked pandit who reads a half-a-dozen books and then spouts a few mouthfuls of grandiloquence, and who has obtained a doctorate by plagiarizing others’ works. Rather it is necessary for the sáhityika or artist to have a keen and vigorous insight, without which all their endeavours will prove fruitless. Merely juggling words or depicting defects in society will not satisfy the hunger of the human mind – and such creations of art are indeed valueless for social progress as well. One must know the path, and one must also know how to move on it. If those who have not comprehended what the form of society will be, allow the trends of the past that have shaped the present to proceed unchecked, they can never lead society to the path of perfection. They will in fact thrust society into darkness in the name of social reform; they will encourage license in the name of freedom. Instead of modelling a woman after the ideal of a goddess, they will mould the image of the goddess after the ideal of a harlot.” (1)

Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 1, The Practice of Art and Literature

== Section 3: Links ==

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More important letters

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Sádhana (español)

Baba

Sádhana

Namaskar,

El yoga es el esfuerzo sistemático y místico para fusionar la mente unitaria con la mente  Cósmica: jiiva en Shiva. En este viaje, el movimiento de uno no es al azar, sino más bien metódico y preciso. Un aspecto del yoga que apoya este movimiento hacia adelante es el uso correcto de nuestras a'sanas de yoga, y en particular de padma'sana, la postura del loto.

Cómo las posturas facilitan varias prácticas de vida

En la vida y en la ciencia espiritual del yoga, todos y cada uno de los enfoques se realizan de manera sistemática; hay un método particular para cada actividad y acción. Por ejemplo, si uno desea beber agua, acostarse en shava'sana (postura del cadáver) no es el enfoque correcto. Más bien, uno debe sentarse erguido en una posición erguida, ya que esto ayudará en el proceso de digestión y le permitirá beber de una manera cómoda.

Del mismo modo, si uno desea dormir, entonces no es la forma adecuada estar de pie y sostener el pie hasta la punta de la nariz como en granthimukta'sana. Uno nunca podrá dormir en esa postura. En cambio, para conciliar el sueño de manera cómoda y rápida, uno debe descansar acostado de lado, sobre el lado izquierdo. De manera similar, si uno tiene hambre y quiere comer, no debe intentar comer mientras hace kaoshikii o tandava. Durante esos bailes no será adecuado tomar alimentos. El enfoque correcto es sentarse tranquilamente en bhojana'sana, es decir, sentarse con las piernas y los tobillos cruzados de manera cómoda.

Para cada actividad hay una postura adecuada, una pose propicia. Es por eso que Baba nos indica que al hacer sadhana, debemos sentarnos en una postura particular: padma'sana o postura del loto. Para hacer meditación se necesita una mente en calma, y padma'sana ayuda a lograr ese estado especial; ayuda a uno a progresar en el reino psico-espiritual. Por esta razón, Baba afirma directamente que padma'asana es una de las mejores posturas, o incluso "la mejor" postura para la meditación.

Cómo padma'sana ayuda en la concentración

Nuestro sistema de sadhana de Ananda Marga se adhiere al antiguo teorema yóguico: en lo que piensas, en eso te conviertes. Entonces, para lograr ese alto estado espiritual, primero se debe retirar la mente de las propensiones mundanas y estimular la mente hacia Parama Purusa.

Nuestro primer deber en sadhana es evitar que la mente corra hacia el mundo externo a través de los indriyas (órganos). Cuando los 10 indriyas están enviando señales al cerebro y el cerebro se dedica a procesar y recibir esos mensajes, entonces la mente de uno se vuelve extrovertida e inquieta, haciendo imposible la sadhana. Entonces, lo primero y más importante en la meditación es retirar la mente de estos estímulos externos. Eso significa ganar control sobre los órganos motores y sensoriales. Entonces uno puede empezar a ver dentro. Y para este proceso, Sadguru Baba nos indica que padma'sana es la postura más efectiva.


Cómo y por qué sentarse en sadhana

El loto (padma) echa raíces en el lodo y crece a través del agua turbia del estanque hasta que finalmente crece y florece en la superficie del agua. A pesar de vivir en un entorno sucio, la flor de loto mantiene su pureza prístina. Del mismo modo, los seres humanos vivimos en este mundo ajetreado donde todo está bajo la esclavitud de maya, pero nuestro objetivo es mantener la mente por encima de este mundo quinquemental, hacia el reino espiritual. Para este esfuerzo, padma'sana es muy beneficiosa. A continuación, Baba nos indica cómo sentarnos en la postura del loto y al mismo tiempo describe la importancia especial de padma'sana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

En un resumen en español de Táttvika Diipiká (Paiṋcama Parva), Baba nos dice: Padma'sana es la postura de sentarse con el tobillo derecho sobre el muslo izquierdo y el tobillo izquierdo sobre el muslo derecho, la lengua empujando los dientes hacia afuera. Solo en padma'sana, la visión se puede fijar en trikuti - el punto medio entre las cejas. Así como el loto florece en el agua, también en esta postura la mente tiende a evolucionar. Es por eso que esta postura se denomina padma'sana (padma - loto, a'sana - postura) Esta es la mejor a'sana para la meditación. (resumen en español)

Entonces, al sentarse en padma'sana, la mente se dirige naturalmente hacia los cakras superiores, lo que ayuda a uno a tener éxito en la meditación. Es por eso que padma'sana es la mejor postura para sadhana.

Conclusión

Progresar en la sadhana no es fácil, exige un fuerte compromiso y un esfuerzo decidido. Todos y cada uno de nuestros aspectos de la meditación deben ser adecuados y precisos. Entonces, al hacer meditación, uno simplemente se sienta perezosamente en bhojana'sana (postura para comer con las piernas cruzadas) y la sadhana de uno es confusa y sin firmeza porque la mente no está concentrada, entonces seguramente el éxito sigue siendo un sueño distante. Porque para hacer algo grande, se requiere tomar una fuerte determinación y compromiso. Solo entonces se puede alcanzar el estado sutil de sadhana sostenida.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Por esta razón, todos los grandes yoguis hacen ese esfuerzo especial para sentarse a meditar en padmas'ana, ya que ayuda a la mente a elevarse por encima de todas las propensiones y tentaciones mundanas, y permite avanzar hacia esa postura espiritual. Sadguru Baba ha dado un procedimiento paso a paso para hacer sadhana, desde medio baño, padmasana, shuddhis hasta Guru puja y sastaunga pranam. Si falta alguno de estos pasos, incluido padmasana, entonces eso califica como sadhana perezosa.

Namaskar,
En Él,
Vishuddha

"Como un loto que trasciende las impurezas y la suciedad de la mente"

Con el fin de establecer un ejemplo adecuado para la gente, el mismo Señor Shiva siempre tomaría esta posición.

En un resumen en español de Namah Shivaya Shantaya, "Discourse 20", Baba nos dice: Por lo general, Él [el Señor Shiva] se sentaba en una postura llamada padma'sana. Se llama padma'sana porque es como un loto en plena floración. Así como las raíces y los tallos del loto permanecen bajo el agua y sólo las hojas y las flores flotan sobre ella -- y aunque nace en el barro mantiene su amor por las estrellas -- de la misma manera, las personas sentadas en esta postura de loto y permaneciendo en el mundo, pueden mantener su mentes por encima de su entorno mundano. Es por eso que en el camino de la sa'dhana' esta postura tiene una tremenda importancia. Aunque Él asumió todas las responsabilidades físicas y psíquicas del mundo entero, Shiva, cuando se sentó en esta postura, era simplemente como un loto en plena floración, trascendiendo todas las impurezas y suciedad de la mente. (resumen en español)

En la cita anterior, Baba dice cómo (a) esta fue la postura especial utilizada por el Señor Shiva, (b) cuál es el significado interno especial de sentarse en padmasana y (c) cómo se relaciona con la flor de loto.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


~ Estudio en profundidad ~

En un resumen en español de Caryacarya - 3, "Ásanas", Baba nos dice: La relación entre el cuerpo físico y la mente es muy estrecha. La expresión mental se produce a través de los vrttis, y el predominio de los vrttis depende de diferentes glándulas del cuerpo. Hay muchas glándulas en el cuerpo y de cada una hay una secreción de una hormona particular. Si hay algún defecto en la secreción de hormonas o algún defecto en una glándula, ciertos vrttis se excitan. Por eso, encontramos que a pesar de tener un deseo sincero de seguir el código moral, muchas personas no pueden hacerlo; entienden que deben hacer meditación, pero no pueden concentrar sus mentes porque sus mentes se vuelven extrovertidas debido a la excitación externa de tal o cual propensión. Si una persona quiere controlar la excitación de estas propensiones, debe rectificar los defectos de las glándulas. Las ásanas ayudan al sádhaka en gran medida en esta tarea, por lo que las ásanas son una parte importante de la sádhaná. (resumen en español)

En un resumen en español de Ananda Vacanamrtam - 22, "Táńd́ava and Kaośikii", Baba nos dice: Se debe prestar la debida atención al desarrollo físico, psíquico y espiritual de los niños y niñas pequeños. Así como se sientan y estudian para desarrollar sus capacidades intelectuales, también deben sentarse para hacer sus prácticas espirituales con sus padres. Así desarrollarán sus prácticas espirituales. Deben recibir diikśá [iniciación espiritual] de un ácárya(á) [maestro espiritual] cuando crezcan. Deben practicar las lecciones de sádhaná – japa, dhyána, ásana, práńáyáma, etc. – junto con sus lecciones académicas regulares. Todo lo necesario para su desarrollo en las tres esferas, y deben estar perfectamente equilibrados. Uno debe recordar que la ausencia de un equilibrio adecuado dañará no solo a los individuos, sino también a la sociedad en su conjunto. (resumen en español)

En un resumen en español de Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-Glands", Baba nos dice: Al realizar ásanas [posturas para el bienestar físico-psíquico] regularmente, los seres humanos pueden controlar las propensiones asociadas a cada chakra y, por lo tanto, los pensamientos que surgen en sus mentes y su comportamiento. Esto se debe a que las ásanas tienen un efecto profundo en las glándulas y subglándulas. ¿Cómo? Todas las ásanas tienen un efecto presurizador o despresurizador sobre las glándulas y subglándulas. Por ejemplo, mayúrásana [postura del pavo real] tiene un efecto de presión sobre el mańipura cakra. Las secreciones de las glándulas y subglándulas del mańipura cakra y las propensiones asociadas con ellas se equilibrarán más si esta ásana se practica con regularidad. Si alguien tiene un gran miedo a hablar en público, significa que su mańipura cakra es débil. A través de la práctica regular de mayúrásana, se controlará esta propensión y se eliminará el miedo. Otras ásanas pueden tener un efecto despresurizador en el mańipura cakra, y si estas ásanas se realizan con regularidad, las glándulas y subglándulas asociadas con el cakra se volverán menos activas. El aumento de las secreciones glandulares generalmente hace que las propensiones sean más activas y viceversa. Practicando asanas regularmente, uno puede controlar las propensiones y aumentar o disminuir su actividad. Así que los aspirantes espirituales deben seleccionar las ásanas que realizan con mucho cuidado. Este efecto de las ásanas sobre las glándulas y subglándulas nunca antes se había revelado. (resumen en español)

- Here is a link to the original English posting: Sadhana

- Here are more Spanish postings

- Here is a link to Spanish Prabhat Samgiita

What to do + 3 more

Baba

What to do

Namaskar,

Guru’s below guideline is one of the most misunderstood teachings. People often take it in a diametrically opposite direction, and apply it in the wrong way. When in fact these are some of Baba's special teachings only for carrying out pracara work. Here Baba guides us about the best way to spread the teachings of Ananda Marga ideology.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Where not to criticise

Below Sadguru Baba is describing how to propagate Ananda Marga ideology in the campus of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, so-called brahmins, atheists, Zoroastraians, gays, Mormons, etc. Criticising and pointing out the defects of the dogmatic religions in front of those dogmatic followers will not bring success. Rather they will become inimical towards us. So criticising the various religions or political parties when doing pracara in regions dominated by either Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, so-called brahmins, atheists, Zoroastraians, gays, or Mormons, etc will be counter productive.

We have to put forth our ideas and by that way they will become intrigued, interested, and ultimately convinced. So doing constructive work is the approach for interacting with people in the campus of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, so-called brahmins, atheists, Zoroastraians, gays, Mormons, etc. One should do constructive work in their area: teach asanas, sadhana, and other moral and yogic principles to new people. Merely attacking and refuting the beliefs and ideals of others will not work.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “What is the best way to popularize an ideology? Is it by refuting the ideals of others? Is it by criticizing others directly? Or is it by doing constructive work?”

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Ans.: – The best way to propagate a sublime ideal is by doing constructive work. If one condemns or criticizes the ideals of others, one may enjoy the satisfaction of an apparent victory.” (1)

Constructive work = our pracara strategy

Guru’s above guideline is one of the most misused teachings. It only applies to our pracara strategy, but some people often take it in an opposite direction and thereby misuse it. And by that way they harm themselves and society both.

In Baba’s above teaching, constructive work means presenting the Ananda Marga ideals to people in the campus of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, so-called brahmins, atheists, Zoroastraians, gays, Mormons, etc in a positive manner, and not speaking poorly of their their myths, dogmas, or rituals.

In contrast, the various religions do not have wholly positive teachings to impart to new people. Same is the case with political parties. So they commonly resort to negative propaganda as they have nothing else in their arsenal. Whereas, our Ananda Marga has a tremendous array of positive teachings to impart to people of all faiths and backgrounds. And that is the constructive work. Here then, constructive work means our pracara strategy. There should not be any confusion about this. 
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

That said, there is most definitely a time and place where we should point out the defects of others and take a more forceful approach of bringing them to the fore. 

How to handle drunkards

For instance, suppose a margii walks into a jagrti and there are two so-called margiis drinking a bottle of wine, and already both of them are completely intoxicated and wantonly vandalising and destroying the jagrti. In their misunderstanding of the above teaching about constructive work, some might think that we should not point out those drunkards, and instead we should just do constructive work such as clean up their vomit, give them more bottles to drink, and not point out their wrongdoing. But that is not the right approach. That is the wrong application of Guru’s teaching. Instead, one should intercede with a firm hand and inform those two pseudo-margiis that their conduct is against our dharmic way of life - and apply pressure of circumstance to force them to mend their ways. So this is not the time just to keep quiet. Rather, take a strong stand and if necessary call the police and have them arrested.

Conclusion

Guru’s above teaching about constructive work is primarily for our pracara strategy; it is not made for covering up a sinner’s sin or ignoring someone’s wrongdoing etc. About this, we should be cent-per-cent clear. 

In Him,
Brahma Prakash

Constructive work vs. criticism

Guru’s above teaching is only related with spreading our ideological principles amongst the general society in the campus of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, so-called brahmins, atheists, Zoroastraians, gays, Mormons, etc such as when teaching people about Ananda Marga philosophy, Prout, and neo-humanism etc. If we pay heed to Guru’s teachings and practically show people how our Ananda Marga teachings and principles will benefit them etc, they will be very keen to join, practice sadhana, and take part in our various plans and programs. The above teaching about constructive work is related only with doing pracara with the general populace.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Call them “goody-goodies” but not good people

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "From the social or human viewpoint, everybody has the right to correct the behaviour of everyone else. This is the birthright of every human being. No scholar can dispute the right of people to correct the shortcomings of those with whom they come in contact. The recognition of this right is indispensable for the health of society. " (2)

Silent goody-goodies are a hindrance to the welfare of society. Truly good people awaken the people about injustices.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "We cannot call people “good” if they cannot lead people of all walks of life towards welfare. We can call them “goody-goodies” but not good people. Those who are truly good people will move bravely forward and provide inspiration and strength to those mute masses to fight against all kinds of obstacles, and give a clarion call to them to march ahead." (3)

So Baba guides that we should never tolerate misdeeds and injustices.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


When burglars break in

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Intelligent people should no longer remain silent...They must not act like goody-goodies, seeing evil but continuing to tolerate it. This is very bad." (4)

That means if burglars enter your house then one should take steps to combat them. One should not just go through one’s daily toils, do concrete work, and ignore those burglars.

Dogma: Earn money doing constructive work, pay a blind eye to burglars who have come to rob the house, and just go on doing one's own concrete work.

References
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - Part 3, Some Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga Philosophy – Excerpt B, Q & A #47
2. Human Society - 1, Justice
3. Serve the Supreme by Kiirtana, 17 May 1982, Kolkata
4. The Liberation of Intellect: Neohumanism, Bondages and Solutions (Discourse 2)

*        *        *

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 ==

Inner truth about dry jinanis

Here is an English summary of Baba’s Hindi teaching: 

There is one defect in jinanis. Two jinanis cannot agree on any point. Among them, many jinanis believe that agreeing means accepting one’s defeat. Indeed there are some godly qualities in jinanis. Such as they can speak in flowery language. Or that with their grandiloquence they can prove day as night, and night as day. If in the daytime one jinani tells to anyone that it is night, or if during the night they tell that it is day, and if the next person does not accept what the jinani is telling, then the jinani will use their logic and reasoning to prove that person as a top-grade fool. And he (the jinani) will make it look like the next person could not understand this one simple thing. Because of this, in the scriptures is it said, ‘Mathitva…’ Meaning: if an unfathomable amount of milk is turned into butter and whey, then jinanis argue and quarrel about the whey and in so doing the butter gets rotten and destroyed. (1) (English summary)

Reference
1. English summary of Varna Victira (H), p. 49-50

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Important lesson of sadhana: Guru puja

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Question: What is pratyáhára?"

"Answer: Pratyáhára is derived: prati – á – hr + ghaiṋ. The word áhára literally means “assimilating” or “taking something within”. As a yogic practice, pratyáhára means “withdrawal of the mind from external objectivity and goading the withdrawn mind toward Parama Puruśa”. (1)

Ananda Marga ideology states, "You must bring about a revolutionary change in the flow of your judgment and thought, and see how, after overcoming your fascination with external colour, your mind becomes tinged with the His glorious colour. In Ananda Marga Sadhana, the method of withdrawing the mind from degrading tendencies, and absorbing oneself in the colour of the Great, is called Pratyáhára Yoga (the yoga of withdrawal) or Varńárghyadána (the offering of colours). All people have a particular attraction for one or another object or activity and as soon as they become attracted to an object, then their minds become coloured with the colour of that object. You can withdraw your mind from the colour of that object and dye yourself in His colour by offering Him the captivating colour of the object that has attracted you: this is the real Pratyáhára Yoga. The word Pratyáhára means “to withdraw” – to withdraw the mind from its object." (2)

Note: In astaunga yoga, there are 8 limbs - one of which is pratyahara. We practice that as Guru puja, and that is part of our regular sadhana routine. Guru puja is very important. After sadhana, one should always do Guru puja, and Guru puja can also be done on its own. After all, it is a lesson. By this way, one's attachment for mundane things slowly fades away. It is a perfect science. If, after practicing Guru puja, one is unable to get rid of their worldly attachments and / or a particular mental weakness, then best is to consult an acarya. In the Acarya Diary, Baba has given a detailed science and method for practicing Guru puja. One should learn how to do this from any acarya, one on one.

Reference
1. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, Question #10
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Vibration, Form and Colour

== Section 3: Links ==

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