Photo, death, & santośa + 2 more

Baba

Photo, death, & santośa

Namaskar, 

It is a well known fact that if you constantly think about what you lost then your life will be miserable. That ruins one's psychic peace and tranquility. For instance, if someone has lost a large sum of money, then by thinking over and over again of that financial loss that person will feel tormented and suffer terribly. That is why intelligent people never dwell mentally on what they lost. Rather, they direct the mind towards Parama Purusa. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Out of sight - out of mind

Along those lines, nothing in this world is permanent. Our loved ones eventually die. And if we put their photo on the wall that is a constant and perpetual reminder of our loss. No doubt we will never completely forget our deceased family members and loved ones, but placing their photo on the wall actively reminds us of that person’s death again and again, and that exacerbates our grief and misery. Then one becomes stuck in a period of mourning, and there is no closure. One is unable to move ahead. Rather, they fall prey to bondage and carry the burden of the past, unable to live in the present. Verily, placing a photo of our deceased loved one on the wall is akin to placing an albatross around our neck. Indeed, it may even lead to one’s own premature death as it is quite common for a surviving husband or wife to die within a year of losing their spouse. In that case, they die of a broken heart, i.e. remembering and missing their loved one. 


Recipe for burden-free life

As sadhakas, we should live a life that is burden-free and the way to achieve this is to depend fully on Parama Purusa. Only then can we keep the mind balanced amidst the comings and goings of this earthly stage and remain ensconced in His bliss. So it is His photo, and not that of our deceased family member, that should be placed on the wall. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Conclusion

In our bhukti, we can propagate this truth so others do not make similar mistakes. If everyone understands this ahead of time then at the time of death it will not become an issue. 

In Him, 
Chandrika


Best way to honour deceased

Mahadev ji was a strong margii who was strict in following Sixteen Points and regular in sadhana etc. In that case, upon his death, Mahadev ji was surely blessed to achieve mukti / moksa. Thus, Mahadev ji lost his individual existence at the time of death and merged into Parama Brahma, i.e. Baba. Then the best way to honour Mahadev ji is to keep a Baba photo on the wall, not a photo of Mahadev ji. Because Mahadev ji has merged into Parama Purusa Baba. 

In earlier times, that same Mahadev ji was in animal form, but he developed and gained human form, and was born as Mahadev ji. And then with sincere sadhana, Mahadev ji ultimately became one with Parama Purusa. This is the very normal stage of development for a sadhaka: from animal life to human life, and from ordinary human life to life divine, and ultimately merge into Parama Purusa. Just as we recognised Mahadev ji as a human when in human form - i.e. we did not hang a photo of Mahadev ji in his earlier animal form - similarly, now that Mahadev ji has attained mukti / moksa, we should not hang a photo of him in human form, as Mahadev ji has since become one with the Supreme Entity / Baba. In its place we should have a photo of Baba.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Another way to look: Ganges River example 

Here is another way to look at this issue. Suppose you want to worship the Ganges river of 50 years ago, then there is no need to go to Varanasi or Allahabad because that is the Ganges river of the present. To see the river Ganges of 50 years ago you have to go to the Indian ocean because all the water that comprised the Ganges River 50 years ago has since entered into the Indian ocean. It is no longer the Ganges River.

Another point: One should not satisfy one's own selfish desire, but try to see the desire of the person whom you want to please. For example, if a smoker wants to please a margii he might think to offer a cigarette, but the margii will not be pleased so that smoker offers the margii a sentient meal instead. Similarly, if the deceased understands well that it is Guru’s photo that should have the sole place on the wall, then the surviving family members should honour the deceased’s sentiment. 


Why use Baba photo 

The endgame is that the deceased - Mahadev ji - was a good sadhaka and is now one with Baba, according to the Supreme Command. So Mahadev ji  - who is now one with the divine Parama Purusa - will not be pleased by big photos of his old persona as a human being, rather he will like photos for his current form - i.e. Parama Purusa. He will like Baba photos to be glorified on the wall.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Those who are hanging old photos of Mahadev ji in human form undermine the greatness of the sadhaka who becomes one with Parama Purusa. Those hanging his old photo put forth the idea that the deceased person - Mahadev ji - had low bhakti and could not get Parama Purusa, just like some athlete going to Olympics but could not get a medal.


Question of bhakti

One day the margii grown son returned back to his home and was shocked to see what was up on the wall. His auntie had framed and hung a large-sized photo of her deceased father who had died the week prior. The son was taken aback by this - for multiple reasons. Firstly, the photo was much larger than any of the Baba photos present anywhere else in the house. And second, he knew that his auntie’s father would not appreciate having his own photo hung in this manner, as he (the father) understood that one should focus on Baba’s photo, not that of any deceased human being. 

The grown son raised this matter in a very gentle way with his auntie but in her emotional and sentimental state she remained adamant to keep the photo of her father up on the wall. The root cause behind this is bhakti. Those with higher bhakti wish to have only Sadguru Baba’s photo on display, while those with lower bhakti are prone to hanging photos of deceased family members etc. If people are taught the correct logic and reasoning ahead of time, then it will not become a sensitive matter at the time of death. Then even those with lower bhakti will follow the proper approach. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

The above are ways to help convince those with lower bhakti not to hang photos of their recently deceased relatives (and friends).

*        *        *

The below section is an entirely different topic, unrelated to the above material.
It stands on its own merit as a point of interest and ideological awareness.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Important Teaching ==

Key advice for every sadhaka

Ananda Marga ideology says, "It is a fact that the force of Avidyá disturbs a spiritualist more than it disturbs an ordinary person. Various situations arise in life such as material difficulties, family unrest, abundant wealth, tremendous reputation, acute financial distress, or extreme humiliation. Sádhakas will have to bravely confront these mundane situations....They must never think in terms of retreat – it would be fatal, for the Avidyá force would stab them as soon as their backs were turned. In all circumstances one must continue the process of sádhaná to gradually enhance one's latent psychic and spiritual power.” (1)

Note: In this world, if you do bad things, then vidya maya will come and try and disturb you. If a new thief tries to commit a robbery, then vidya creates fear in your mind that you will be arrested and sentenced to jail. And if you do good things, then avidya maya will come and disturb you more fiercely. If you do sadhana then avidya maya will become furious and attack you in one or more of the below mentioned ways:

• material difficulties
  
• family unrest
  
• abundant wealth
  
• tremendous reputation
  
• acute financial distress
  
• extreme humiliation
  

The work of avidya is not limited to the above listed points. There are numerous ways in which it can attack you. Avidya maya wants you to give up your sadhana. That is why we see that in the aforesaid situation, 99% margiis run from the field of battle and avidya maya stabs them in the back, i.e. they leave their sadhana. Verily they are defeated by avidya maya. 

So the only way is to fight back. If a sadhaka gets a lot of money or prestige, or undergoes acute financial distress, then they should be vigilant and pointedly understand that this is the trap of avidya maya. And they should be more strict in Sixteen Points. But we see before our very eyes that so many sadhakas after facing the above situations become pseudo-margiis or leave the path of Ananda Marga entirely. If you watch carefully, you will see that various people get the Sadguru and the path of tantra only to run away due to material difficulties, family unrest, abundant wealth, tremendous reputation, acute financial distress, or extreme humiliation, as well as other related reasons. 

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 8, The Supreme Question – 1

== Section 3: Links ==

Recent postings

• Story: where is Baba

• Proper manner: sastaunga pranam

• Myth about MPD song
  

Other topics of interest

• How to advance your dhyana
  

• Those early days
  

• Altered photo ruining dhyana
  

More important letters

• Rudrananda with his main henchmen
  

• Pranavatmakananda spread false things in book
  

• Why abortion is sinful in AM

• Coward writer

Semitic faiths & animal care + 3 more

Baba

Semitic faiths & animal care

Note: This letter is only for those who have reverence for Sadguru Baba Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji and try to follow His Ananda Marga ideology.

Namaskar,

The irony is that westerners commonly feel that they are the ones caring for the animals of the world, whereas those in the so-called developing nations "seemingly do not care and are unable to establish any legislation to protect endangered species etc." This is a common misconception in the west.

How then is it that those dominated by the Semitic outlook, that preaches "animals were put on this earth for our selfish enjoyment", have come to believe that they are more compassionate about animals. Yet often they are the ones embroiled in systemic factory farming and slaughtering of animals to satisfy their palate.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

As our Ananda Marga teachings guide us to eradicate the suffering of all beings, we should clearly identify and carefully analyse the root cause behind such animal suffering. By that way, we can quickly bring about a healthy, universalistic order that ensures the welfare of not only humans, but also plants and animals.


Dogmatic religious beliefs are the cause

Wherever people live and whatever land they call their home, the common inhabitants become coloured by the religious beliefs of that place. This happens to just about everyone. And as we shall see this is the root cause of the mistreatment of animals in our western nations.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "In this universe there are people whose thoughts, character and behaviour are similar...Characteristics inherent in a particular group get mixed with the internal thoughts and ideas of other groups within a society. This leads to the development of national characteristics. In this way an entire national psychology - its external behaviour, its social outlook, and its philosophy of life - is developed." (1)

So each and every country has a particular way of living: A certain mentality that projects a common mode of behaviour. This Baba terms as prana dharma. And this shared outlook, or prana dharma, touches the very core of the people of that land, region, or country.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Cause of animal (mis)treatment in the west

So in the west, where the guiding philosophy or prana dharma is highly affected by the Semitic religions - Christian thought, Judaic beliefs, and Muslim customs - animal cruelty is systemic. Because the prevailing concept of all these aforementioned religions is that all the creatures exist on this planet solely for the exclusive pleasure of human beings. This is the divine decree of their merciful  "God"; so this is what they believe.

According to these dogmatic religions, animals are for human enjoyment only; animals have no rights of their own; animals have no soul, and don't feel pain etc. This is the Semitic way of thinking.

This approach has affected the preaching of so many western thinkers: St Thomas Aquinas, Emmanuel Kant, and various others. These so called philosophers do not recognise the rights or inherent value of animals. Even Rene Descartes who himself was a vegetarian argued that animals are purely physical entities, having no mental or spiritual substance.

Naturally, the common people living in those nations were affected by the religious and intellectual thought that essentially preached: "Animals have no intrinsic value; they are made for us - they are to be used for our human enjoyment". This is their outlook. With this mentality, the people use and abuse animals. That is what we regularly see happening in our west.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Animal cruelty in the west (cont)

This approach has done untold harm in the past, and led to the rise of horrific factory farms in this present era - farms that systematically and heartlessly bind and torture animals to keep up with the ongoing demand of meats, poultry, mutton, and fish for human consumption. This has been well-documented and anyone can view photos on the web of the heartless, cold-blooded treatment of the animals in such factory farms - where they are packed in very tight cages and can't move properly.

In those same western countries, hunting laws are instituted to ensure that there is 'enough game' so that humans can satisfy their fancy and legally go out and shoot defenseless animals. And there are numerous other examples and inhumane displays of animal mistreatment in the western world that is fed and supported by the faulty Semitic views toward animals.

May pour gasoline on beehives

All this mistreatment occurs because, in the west, the common people have been flooded with the religious propaganda that animals are merely a means to an end - and that 'end' is human enjoyment. This mentality has shaped and molded the minds of the people.

Verily, this is the mentality of the common populace including the kids. That is why children - without even thinking - may pull the legs off of various insects, or pour gasoline on beehives and burn them, or senselessly kill squirrels, rodents, and even cats etc.

The root cause behind all this is the dogmatic belief of the Semitic religions that animals have been placed on this earth solely for the pleasure and enjoyment of humans. So "we can do what we want to those animals - they are made for us." This is what their religious doctrine preaches.

Whereas, our neo-humanism beautifully states that all beings are the divine expression of Parama Purusa and we humans are to act as guardians and ensure the right and proper treatment of all - because all beings, including animals, have their god-given rights and existential value. all have the right to a healthy and happy life.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


How ironic: the west blames other nations

Now that it has been asserted that the western psyche has an inherently harmful approach to animals due to the outlook of the Semitic religions, one giant misconception must be addressed.

At present, the common feeling in the west or so-called developed world is that, "We have made great efforts to halt and curtail the mistreatment of animals, whereas in the so-called developed nations they are unable to protect their jungles and wild lands so elephants and lions are poached, and in the towns the street dogs, cats, and other animals are severely mistreated." Thus those from the Semitic religions feel that it is others who do not treat animals well.


Semitic religions cause animal suffering

Such is the paradox that exists. Why paradox? Because since ages the religions of India like Vaesnavasism, Buddhism, and Jainism have lived in concert with animals - neither eating them for food nor slaughtering them for sacrifices. This is the long-standing tradition that carried on for centuries.

So it was the Britishers and others who indoctrinated the educated, wealthy elite in so-called developing nations that going on hunts and safaris was a civilised and regal thing to do. Whether it be British royalty or US President Theodore Roosevelt, there is a long history of western leaders hunting big game in the "developing" countries. It was only by this way that various kings, ministers, and the educated elite in those non-Semitic nations turned to hunting as a sport etc. They were indoctrinated into the notion that sport hunting was a prestigious endeavour.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Hypocrisy of western powers

Due to massive corporate takeover of their lands by western business, much of their wild animal population was destroyed. There is no shortage of examples of western oil firms and other businesses doing irreversible damage to the habitats of what are now endangered species in order to secure huge profits. In addition, due to huge economic exploitation by western powers, the so-called developing nations were economically crippled. In that state, it is not easy to begin enacting special laws to protect animals when the people themselves are struggling for survival.

So from the outside, it seems like the western nations dominated by the Semitic religions are very civilised and compassionate in their treatment of wild animals. But that is only from a very superficial, narrow perspective. The inherent belief that stems from the Semitic religions is that, "Animals are here for our enjoyment and that animals themselves have no existential worth or spiritual value - they are merely soul-less creatures."

Whereas, the teachings of Lord Buddha and Mahaviira Jain guided the people to respect all beings and adopt the philosophy, "live and let live." Not only that, so many seers and rs’is of the eastern world preached the well-being and value of all animals. Most religious scriptures of India etc essentially give animals their due status, while this is not the case with the Semitic religions which pronounce that animals are only here for human enjoyment. More about this is detailed further down in this email.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Yet due to various forms of economic and environmental exploitation, the materially wealthy nations dominated by the Semitic religions feel they are the ones safeguarding the world's animals while their counterparts in the so-called developing nations are negligent in this regard. That is the irony of this issue.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Jayanta
(James Davidson)


Hypocritical 'pet' psychology of the west - 1

Right now on this planet we see so much suffering - it is pervasive throughout the globe and not limited to human beings. Animals also undergo terrible suffering, unnecessarily. We can say that cruelty to animals is rampant and, tragically, often openly accepted. This mistreatment and undue harm to animals is indeed rampant. But it has to be admitted that the mistreatment of animals is much more prevalent in the west, i.e. in those lands guided by the Semitic religions.

Those new to the western world or visiting for the first time may naively think that animals have a high place in western society. Because in places like the US, dog owners spare no expense for their pets. There are animal hospitals which primarily treat dogs, plus there are doggie salons, doggie spas, dog groomers, doggie retreats, doggie vacations, doggie massages, and even doggie yoga classes where pet owners bring their dogs to class and do asanas with their cherished pets. So there are thousands of ways to pamper your pet - and it all costs exorbitant sums, i.e. lots of money.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Hypocritical 'pet' psychology of the west - 2

Seeing all this, one may think that dogs and all animals are revered and given high-status in the west. But the prevailing 'pet' psychology in the west falls in their selfish and hypocritical perspective. Those pet owners derive selfish pleasure from their doggie pets and praise themselves for the grand way in which they care for their dogs, yet every night their dinner plate is filled with the remnants of slaughtered animals that suffered in misery their entire life before being sentenced to some painful and deceitful death.

And those same pet owners wear leather shoes and mink coats that only further testify to the fact that they feel they can do anything and everything with animals - because those "animals are made for us". So says their Christian doctrine and so says their conscience. Such is their selfish and hypocritical behaviour, unfortunately. It should also be included that those very same pet owners have started innumerable capitalist ventures that exploit animals in order to maximize profits.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Hence, by seeing the conditions of 'pets', we should not hastily conclude that those in the west / Semitic are very kind and sweet to animals.


Killing animals to please gods?

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "At one time people were told that this world is for human enjoyment only, so the existence of all the plants, of all the birds and animals, in the world is intended merely to provide objects of enjoyment for human beings. Their hopes and aspirations, their intense desire to live, their pains and pleasures, their affectionate family or community lives are simply without value. However much a baby goat may wish to live, the main consideration is how much meat that kid carries on its frame. This defective philosophy has made people ruthlessly violent – even more dangerous than blood-thirsty tigers. Tigers kill only to fill their stomachs, to preserve their physical existence; whereas human beings kill animals mostly out of greed. Generally people have resorted to hypocrisy to camouflage this instinct of greed; they have killed animals on the pretext of pleasing the gods, while actually their main motive in doing so was to please their own tongues. These are all the inevitable results of such defective philosophies." (2)

Note: There are exceptions - for instance, certain sects of Hinduism perform animal sacrifices etc.

References
1. A Few Problems Solved - 6, Práńa Dharma
2. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Disc: 14, Shiva's Teachings – 2 (continued)

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Innate flaw of MPD

In countless discourses, Baba has guided us to think that Parama Purusa is the nearest and dearest One. An aspirant should not think that Parama Purusa is distant or far. Otherwise one will invite their extreme degeneration and ruin their spiritual life. Thinking that Parama Purusa is gone is very detrimental. It is 100% contrary to our life approach. Ananda Marga mantras give the idea: “Parama Purusa is with me.” Only avidya maya, viks'epta shatkti, says that Parama Purusa is far.

Ananda Marga ideology warns us, "If someone continually thinks, “Parama Purus'a is far from me”, then He will seem to be truly far from him...If in their ignorance people think that Parama Purus'a is far from them, then He may indeed remain for from them – so far that in future, even if one cries oneself hoarse, one’s cries will never reach Him." (1)

Rather the following should be the approach.

Ananda Marga ideology guide us, "Tadihántike ca: Some people think, “No, Parama Purus'a is not far from me. He is quite near.”" (2)

It is one’s spiritual duty to always remember and cultivate the supreme truth that He is always with you. Remembering His close proximity is bhakti. This creation is His thought projection, and He is the nucleus. So, He cannot be far, gone, or missing. It is philosophically and spiritually wrong to have a dogmatic annual death day program like so-called mahaprayan (MPD) that dictates that Baba is gone.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "You spiritual aspirants, you should remember that Parama Puruśa is always with you and His grace is always with you, and you all are His loving children." (3)

References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 12, The Secret of Dharma Lies Hidden in the Mind
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 12, The Secret of Dharma Lies Hidden in the Mind
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 19, The Path of Salvation

== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

मेरे जीवन के हर अच्छे बुरे दिनों में तुम मुझे बचाते आये

प्रभात संगीत 3161 भूलो ना प्रभु, ए तव कणा रे भूलो ना....

भावार्थ

हे परम पुरुष, कृपा कर अपने इस छोटे से कण, छोटी सी रचना को भूल न जाना, अपने आश्रय में सदा रखना। तुम्हारी कृपा से मैं तुमसे ही आया हॅूं और तुम्हारे साथ ही तुममें ही हॅूं। हे दिव्य! मुझे भुला न देना। मैं तुम्हारी कृपा की भीख माॅंगता हॅूं मुझे पराभक्ति दे दो।

हे प्रभु! इस सृष्टि के ऊषाकाल से, संचर के प्रारंभिक क्षण से ही तुम मेरे साथ रहे हो। मैं कभी भी तुम से पृथक नहीं हुआ | मेरे जीवन के हर अच्छे बुरे दिनों में तुम मुझे बचाते आये । इस मधुर बसंत की सुगंधित समीर में तुम्हारा हृदय मेरे हृदय के समीप हैे। हे मेरे परमप्रिय! तुम मुझसे दूर न चले जाना, मुझे दूर न कर देना, मुझे अपने साथ हमेशा  रहने देना।

हे परम पुरुष बाबा! तुम्हारी दिव्य सृष्टि में अच्छे और बुरे सब प्रकार के जीव है, उनमें सद्गुण और दुर्गुण दोनों हैं। पर मेरा मामला भिन्न है , मेरे पास सद्गुण तो अत्यल्प है पर दुर्गुणों का अंबार लगा है । मेरे सद्गुणों की संख्या से दुर्गुणों की संख्या इतनी अधिक हैे कि सद्गुणों का पता ही नहीं चलता कि वे कहाँ  हैं। हे प्रभु! मैं इस घने अंधकार में जकड़ा हुआ हॅू, मैं कष्टों और दुखों के कारण रो रहा हॅूूं कृपा कर मुझे अकेला न छोड़ना। मेरे प्रति दयालु रहकर मुझे अपने पास ही रखना।

== Section: Important Teaching ==

liberation from the bondage of staticity is a must

  Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The effort to attain liberation from economic bondage, political slavery and all sorts of social dependence in the physical world, is the liberation from staticity in the crude world. In order to attain liberation from worldly bondages of this sort, human beings will have to make conscious efforts.”

  Ananda Marga philosophy states,   “If a certain country is held in bondage to another country, then that subjugated country will have to wage war in order to attain liberation from the chains of slavery. That is why liberation from worldly bondages is essential for human beings. We have noticed that wherever there is worldly subservience – whether economic, political or social – the proper development of the innate qualities, or the genius of human beings, remains remote. That is why in every sphere of life liberation is necessary; liberation from the bondage of staticity is a must.” (1)

Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 4, Liberation From Staticity

== Section 3: Links ==

Recent postings

• Story: where is Baba

• Proper manner: sastaunga pranam

• Myth about MPD song
  

Other topics of interest

• How to advance your dhyana
  

• Those early days
  

• Altered photo ruining dhyana
  

More important letters

• Rudrananda with his main henchmen
  

• Pranavatmakananda spread false things in book
  

• Why abortion is sinful in AM

• Coward writer