Yoga hijacked by materialism + 2 more

Baba

Yoga hijacked by materialism

Namaskar,

In India, thousands of years ago the science of yoga was started by great rishis and yogis. With their keen sense of intuition, they introduced dharmic practices based upon universal principles that led to self-realisation. But now if you go and see the "yoga" of European countries and the Americas you will be astonished. This journey of yoga started in India and reached European / western countries where it became metamorphosed. It has been grossly mixed with the colour of pseudo-culture and materialism.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

• The sattvika diet / sentient food has been grossly forgotten.
  
• Yama and niyama have been watered down to an unrecognisable degree.
  
• The system of appropriate dress has changed to pseudo-culture garb.
  
• The open mixing of the genders has become rampant.
  
• Various dogmatic rituals and idol worship have been introduced.
  
• The overall sense of discipline and connection to God has been lost.
  

Tricky tactics of opportunists

Verily, opportunists have added so many ways to captivate people into “yoga” where it has become merely an exercise. The notion that yoga is based on the glands has been left by the wayside. And yoga is no longer practiced to achieve a union with the Supreme, rather yoga is for self-beautification, especially for females. To keep people interested and challenged, the opportunists have invented many very strenuous twists and turns that have nothing to do with yoga. To entertain new customers they brought in their own rituals, dogmas, fake chants, and an assortment of activities.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

So the thoughtful and intuitive manner by which sages presented yoga is nowhere to be found; instead, it is all done for show as arduous exercises with exotic names to retain and attract new enrollees. That is why nowadays there is hot yoga, females and males mixed, and other degrading allurement to kindle the lower vrttis. It has just become one rajasik or tamasik scene that has lost its connection with God. All the dharmic standards of discipline have been lost somewhere.

Now this yoga has returned back to India in its new, negative form; and, it is polluting Indian soil. So you see, everything is getting affected by pseudo-culture. Yoga which was originally introduced by the great sages and rishis has become a form of pop culture. And this imposition of pseudo-culture is not only limited to yoga.

Noose of pseudo-culture everywhere

All the media of entertainment has become polluted: radio, television, dance, drama, literature, books, magazines, and publications etc. Verily, all the fields have gotten a serious blow from this capitalistic exploitation. And Baba warns us to be aware of this capitalistic monster: pseudo-culture.

In neo-humanism Baba teaches us how wealthy exploiters infuse pseudo-culture through the media of vulgar cinemas, movies, television, and internet programs etc to pollute the public mind, especially youths. When the public becomes intoxicated, capitalists create the circumstances and take away all their resources. And the common public, indulged in vulgar activities, remains oblivious about how they are getting exploited by those capitalists.  So due to the capitalists, these days anywhere you look, things are painted in the light of degenerating values.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

This widespread disease is disturbing all the arenas of life. Here Baba explains how rich capitalists impose sensual forms of entertainment on those whom they want to control.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Suppose, a particular community has a high standard of arts (theatre, cinema, etc.) but the number of rich people in that community is comparatively few. On the other hand, the culture of another community is very undeveloped, but there is a greater number of wealthy people among them. Now, the latter [wealthy exploiter] group wants to maintain its exploitation over that [simple public] group having a more developed cultural heritage, and one of the ways to paralyze people in the psycho-economic sphere is cultural exploitation--to impose vulgar cinemas and dramas upon these good people." (1)

So in this above paragraph Baba is giving a clear picture how step by step rich people spread their net to exploit the common public by indulging them in degenerative entertainment, programs, movies etc.


Mind affected by its environment

Next Baba describes more about how the human mind functions. And how the mind of the innocent common public gets easily attracted towards negative and crude sensual pleasures and entertainment. It is the common tendency that most people like to watch crude negative movies and listen to negative songs. And in so doing the common people get trapped in the net of capitalist exploiters.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga says, "As you know, the mind has a natural tendency to degrade itself; it flows more easily downwards than upwards. So if some people, by virtue of their wealth, impose vulgar cinemas and dramas on others this will break the lattersʼ spines and they will become paralysed. And those paralysed, spineless people will thenceforth never be able to stand unitedly against cultural or any other kind of exploitation. They will never be able to do so, because mentally they will be completely dead – their capacity to raise their heads in protest will have been crushed forever. How can they raise their heads again?" (2)

Sadly, under this influence of vulgar literature, cinema, dance etc, the backbone of the common public gets smashed. By this breaking of their backbone they get paralysed. And they cannot stand erect. The common public is bound in the spell of this sensual attraction & they are even incapable to think about what is happening to them. How they are getting exploited and what their living conditions are like.

Most of the time the common public is not even aware that they have been trapped in the quagmire of pseudo-culture. Or that they are getting exploited by wealthy people. For the common public, over the course of time pseudo culture just became their way of life. In the recent past people had some time to think about social service and helping others. But now most of the public are busy, day and night, satisfying their selfish desires. Those animalistic propensities are far more dominant than the divine propensity.

The horrible effects of pseudo-culture

To understand more please read how the human mind works and how it is prone to crude enjoyment. And ultimately the mind gets degenerated; by this way, capitalists exploit the common public. Step by step, this happens. Please read the following Baba quote.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Baba says, "This [pseudo-culture] will break their backs and they will become paralyzed. And these paralyzed, spineless people in future will never be able to stand unitedly against cultural or any other kind of exploitation. They can never do so because mentally they are completely dead--their capacity to raise their heads in protest has been crushed forever. How can they raise their heads again?" (3)

Baba is furthermore explaining below that this pseudo-culture is very detrimental and dangerous. So we have to recognise that the majority of people are already trapped in pseudoculture. Without taking them out, there is no way for their emancipation. So Baba is telling that the duty of good people is to help others. To save others from pseudo-culture, i.e. their attraction towards crude dance, negative movies, literature, and their indulgence in crude gossip using slang.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "This exploitation in the cultural sphere is accomplished by the propagation of pseudo-culture. Every honest, virtuous and rational person must fight against this pseudo-culture, and inspire others also to do the same." (4)

Pointing out problem & giving solution

Excuse me, the story does not end here. Baba is warning that it is the duty of bhaktas, margiis, sadvipras to save humanity. And if it is not done then humanity will face its doom. So whatever we propagate in terms of social service programs, superficial help, or any other type of developmental project, that will not suffice. Because this sex instinct which capitalists magnify can have a horribly dominating effect in life. If a perverted mentality is dominating in the mind then nothing glorified can be achieved in the entire life. Whole life will be turned into utter frustration in the end.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

For clear understanding please read out this Baba's quote.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "If this is not done, the future of humanity will be sealed. It is proper for human beings to struggle for political freedom, for social emancipation; but if their cultural backbone is broken, then all their struggles will end in nothing--like offering clarified butter to a sacrificial fire which has been reduced to ashes. If one's spine is shattered, it is impossible to hold one's head erect. Can those whose necks and backs are crushed under the weight of pseudo-culture, be expected to hold their heads high in any sphere of life?" (5)

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "It is the bounden duty of every rational person to save innocent people from pseudo-culture." (6)


Conclusion

The whole idea is that in materialism, pseudo-culture has become enmeshed in every aspect of life. It is surrounding and permeating around one’s entire existence. It is an on-going, pervasive problem that in one way or another we all are facing in our day to day life. So we have to be cent-per-cent vigilant and strict in Sixteen Points and in our Ananda Marga way of Life. Failing that, our own personal life and family life will be adversely affected. And our kids will also fall prey to this disease and children are the most impressionable and susceptible.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

We Ananda Margiis should strive to remain free from pseudo-culture, and help guide others as well. By taking these immediate steps now, it will not be long before our Marga will be leading the way and giving light to the entire human society for their all around salvation.

Ananda Vanii states, "...You are the spiritual soldiers, you are the worshippers of Life Divine, hence I call you to adorn this crimson dawn deluged with glorious light. Victory is surely yours." (7)

In Him,
Amriteshwar

Pornographic way to ruin society

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Psycho-economic exploitation is the latest form of dangerous and all-devouring capitalist exploitation. It is a special type of exploitation which first weakens and paralyses people psychologically in various ways, and then exploits them economically. Some of the methods of psycho-economic exploitation include, first, the suppression of the indigenous language and culture of local people; secondly, the extensive propagation of pseudo-culture, exemplified by pornographic literature which debases people’s mind and particularly undermines the vitality of the youth; thirdly, the imposition of numerous restrictions on women, forcing them to be economically dependent on men; fourthly, an unpsychological education system with frequent political interference by vested interests; fifthly, the negation of dharma in the name of secularism; sixthly, the balkanization of society into numerous castes and groups; seventhly, the damaging of society by the use of unnatural and harmful methods of birth control; and eighthly, placing the control of different mass media, such as newspapers, radio and television, in the hands of capitalists. Both intellectual exploitation and psycho-economic exploitation are great dangers to the human race today.” (8)

~ In-depth study ~

In the height of this vaeshyan era, every sadhaka should take proper care not to be pulled into the pitfalls and degenerative ways of materialistic life - where those top capitalists try to pull all into their urn'a'ja'l (spider's web). In His historic June 1990 discourse, Baba reveals how human life is highly significant and that we should always engage in positive thinking.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The psychic potentialities of human beings are immense." (9)

But some negative forces in society have their own way of dealing and try to draw the masses in the opposite direction.


Yoga under the grip of capitalism

As we have all seen, capitalism extends its hands in various ways to grip the whole society, especially the downtrodden communities and poor countries. Capitalist leaders make them into satellite groups so that capitalists can extract their vital resources.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In most of the cases we see that the imposition of vulgar cinema and degrading dance and dramas etc plays a huge role. All these elements are slowly yet systematically imposed by capitalists. Their only motive is to exploit and use the common public, the affected mass of that area, for their profiteering ways.

Especially nowadays, with the help of the Internet, capitalists have spread their negative message and tactics all around. It is saturating and asserting itself in all corners and innocent people have gotten seriously affected - especially youths.

Note: In this extra busy, modern world we must always be careful not to get caught up in the temporary, degenerative allurements of pseudo-culture. Otherwise it has a disastrous effect. We should properly guide our children and adolescent youth away from the terrible ways of pseudo-culture, and onto the path of light.

References
1. Liberation of Intellect: Neo-Humanism, Exploitation and Pseudo-Culture (Discourse 7)
2. Liberation of Intellect: Neo-Humanism, Exploitation and Pseudo-Culture (Discourse 7)
3. Liberation of Intellect: Neo-Humanism, Exploitation and Pseudo-Culture (Discourse 7)
4. Liberation of Intellect: Neo-Humanism, Exploitation and Pseudo-Culture (Discourse 7)
5. Liberation of Intellect: Neo-Humanism, Exploitation and Pseudo-Culture (Discourse 7)
6. Liberation of Intellect: Neo-Humanism, Exploitation and Pseudo-Culture (Discourse 7)
7. Ananda Vanii #26
8. A Few Problems Solved - 9, Capitalism in Three Spheres
9. Yoga Psychology, The Cult of Spirituality – the Cult of Pinnacled Order, '91, p.134

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Will not neglect anyone

"Sabár tare ásá ámár, sabári bhár ámi nobo..." (Prabhat Samgiita #5000)

Purport:

Parama Purusa Baba has sent me here to serve everyone. I have been granted this life not for my own self indulgence - i.e. not for living like an animal in human form. I have come on this earth to help one and all, without differentiating between educated and uneducated, or so-called high and low. Everyone’s problem is my concern. I will take it as my duty to resolve their miseries and suffering and carry the burdens of those in pain. I will always be by their side to console and encourage them. By the grace of Parama Purusa, I will go on remaining very close and lend my support to all my brothers and sisters of our universal family.

Nobody is alien for me - all are my own. Everyone’s home is my abode. I will give love, affection, and camaraderie amongst the entire humanity. Every person is mine. I will pour my heart for the welfare of all. Parama Purusa has sent me here to relieve others of their agony. I will not neglect even a single individual.

In the society, if anyone is plagued by any injustice, I will try to eradicate and rectify that wrong, alleviate their agony, and provide them with justice. I will wipe away everyone’s tears, remove their worries and anguish, and form one human society where peace and tranquility rule. By the mercy of Parama Purusa, I have come on this earth to watch for the well-being of one and all…

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Similarities & differences between dogs, wolves, & jackals

Ananda Marga Shabda Cayanika says, “A dog is a hybrid of the wolf and the vixen. In ancient times wild dogs were rather scarce, precisely for the same reason. There is hardly any dog fossil amongst the available fossils of ancient animals. Nowadays, however, wild dogs are also prevalent. These wild dogs live gregariously in jungles, and even a gigantic tiger has been seen to be flabbergasted and killed by a concerted attack of these dogs.”

“Although a dog is a hybrid of the wolf and the vixen, it must be said that there are many radical, extreme differences between a wolf and a dog. A wolf is voracious, but a dog feels satisfied with a small meal. It is difficult to tame a wolf, but a dog loves to be domesticated. A dog is extremely faithful and loyal to its master. A wolf is neither faithful nor loyal to its master. A dog is not ferocious by nature. It attacks or frightens someone as part of its duty. A wolf is ferocious by nature. It has no sense of duty. A dog would not normally kill a creature if its stomach were full. But a wolf, even when its belly is full, kills a creature. If it has no capacity to eat it, it carries the carcass to its den and eats it according to its convenience. Dogs do not generally fight with other members of the dog family. They fight with members of the feline family. But a wolf does not observe any such principle. A wolf avoids the strong and unnecessarily attacks the weak. Although there is a family resemblance between the wolf and the dog, whenever a dog is sighted the wolf attacks and kills it.”

Ananda Marga Shabda Cayanika says, “There are many differences between a jackal and a dog. A dog generally moves about during the daytime. But jackals are night prowlers by nature. A jackal moves in the daytime only when it is in danger, it has to change locations or is excessively hungry. A jackal lives in a hole, but a dog never likes to live in a hole. It prefers to live in the open. A jackal cannot be tamed; but a dog can. By virtue of being night prowlers, the jackals periodically howl in chorus to preserve their solidarity and register their presence. However, dogs do not have this habit. They bark collectively only when they have to fight an enemy as a body. Although both jackals and dogs belong to the canine family, a dog chases a jackal whenever it sees one. A jackal runs away at the sight of a dog. By nature a dog is brave and a jackal is cowardly.” (1)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayaniká Part 4: Discourse #27

== Section 3: Links ==

Upcoming Festival: Ananda Purniima - Thurs, 23rd May

• #1: Festival preparation

• #2: AM festival: all-inclusive

• #3: Upcoming festival: dos & don'ts

• #4: Auspicious occasion

• #5: Utsava: new joy & vigour
  

Recent postings

• Guru puja: eyes open or closed

• Sweets: deleterious effects

• Universal query explained

• Baba heard my call

Other topics of interest

• How to advance your dhyana
  

• Those early days
  

• Altered photo ruining dhyana

Supporting grieving party + 4 more

Baba

Supporting grieving party

 
Namaskar,
 
This letter is exclusively directed toward those undergoing any terrible life calamity, especially helping those grieving the loss of a loved one. Baba’s main ethic is that, in a psychological way, people’s minds should be goaded away from their sorrow. Those in mourning should not be forced to suffer unnecessarily.
 
In His discourse, Baba gives us so many practical guidelines for how to help a grieving family. Acknowledgement of their sorrow and diverting the mind upwards are two of the key elements of His guideline. Now let’s take a look at this in greater detail.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 
 
Empathize with the mourning family
 
Once the death is honourably acknowledged in a timely manner, efforts should be made to goad the grieving family and friends toward more peaceful thoughts. They should not think again and again about the loss of their loved one. Here is Baba’s unique and distinct guideline:
 
1A) Upon arrival if you see that the mourning family is crying, first simply sit down, and, if socially appropriate, place a comforting hand on their shoulder, otherwise your presence alone is enough, and let them cry. Don’t tell them not to cry; allow them to cry. This gives tremendous emotional support. The grieving person(s) will think that, “This person sitting with me here is my close relation.” They will feel comforted by your presence. Do not think that they feel that you are bothering them.
 
1B) Remember, the very act of coming and sitting quietly by the mourning family helps divert their mind from their suffering and sorrow. Naturally, they will look towards you and that looking itself is a diversion. So your presence brings relief. And when more visitors and well-wishers arrive on-site that then brings greater benefit and respite to the grieving family. Because each time those in mourning will look to see who has come and that shifts their mind away from the pain and agony of their loss. That is why it is so important for a maximum number of people to go and sit with the family.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 
 
Offer condolences but do not praise the deceased
 
2) After crying for some time, they may begin to look towards you. At that point, express your heartfelt sympathy for the grieving family. If you were crying earlier, you can say, “I was also crying when I heard the news”; otherwise, you can offer, “I am very sorry for your loss”, or any other words that are socially appropriate and express your inner feeling about this sad occasion. Above all, do not start praising the greatness of the deceased. That is the worst thing to do as that accentuates the mourning family’s loss. Best is to simply express your pain about this loss. This is the rational approach.
 
3) You may add, “Why should one not cry; crying is normal after such a loss. The only reason I stopped crying is because I thought that if I continued to cry then you would cry more.”
 
4) Up until this point, the grieving person was crying; then you sat near them and they looked towards you and cried more. When their tears subsided you started talking with them. This act of engaging them in conversation diverted their mind from their loss. Their mind became involved in thinking about something else. Thus, so far you have successfully helped draw their mind in a different direction and thereby relieve them of their suffering – to some degree.
 
5) At this time if the person is still crying profusely, quietly look at them in an empathetic way. This will help reassure them.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 
 
Offer water to ease suffering - diverts mind from their pain
 
6) You should ask another friend – who is not crying – to bring a glass of water. Keep the water near you. After some time, when the grieving individual looks toward you, gently extend your hand holding the glass of water and say, “Please have some water – it is important to drink something.”
 
7) They may say, “I am not going to drink – I am not thirsty.” And that is okay, because by replying to your offer their mind is diverted from their sorrow. So if they look towards the water or acknowledge your offer in some manner, that shifts their focus away from their grief. It breaks the cycle of crying and despair. So this approach is very important.
 
And here are further ways to engage them in having something to drink - as the overall aim is to divert their mind and help them experience some release and reprieve from their sadness.
 
8) So if they choose not to drink, in that case, wait a while. Then after some time, politely offer, “Your throat must be getting dry because of your crying. You do need not to drink a lot but at least put a little water in your mouth.”
 
9) If still they are declining your offer of water, then gently say, “Here, I will just place the glass in your hand – just take one little sip.” Then certainly they will take one sip. (Note: You can also offer fruit juice, lemon water, tea or any other sentient beverage.)
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 
10) If in fact the family member takes a sip, it means their mind was at least temporarily diverted from their grieving. That breaks the cycle of thinking about their loss.
 
11) Remember, Baba guides us that the goal is that the next person’s mind should be compassionately redirected from thinking about the deceased. That is the aim.
 
12) We should also keep in mind that the baseline approach and psychology is a constant. The aim is to divert the mind of those grieving family members to relieve them of their suffering. This approach given by Baba is based on universal human psychology. It is applicable to all.
 
At the same time we must use our viveka and look at each case independently. Although the goal is the same, the particulars may vary according to time, space, and person. For instance, in a very cold country we may not offer cold water but perhaps a sentient hot drink, and vice versa in hot climates. And if a family is not economically well-off we must be sure not to burden them financially. So we should supply beverages in those cases etc.
 
Thus we must always consider the geography and climatic conditions, the financial situation of the family, and traditions of that region etc. Then we can employ the most psychological and suitable choices for how to divert their mind. Then we will best be able to help the mourning family.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


How to handle crying visitors
 
13A) One important point to remember: Be sure to station someone outside the front of the house to watch for visitors. They should stand at an adequate distance so crying visitors will not be audible to the grieving family. No visitor should cry in front of the mourning family. If a visitor starts crying, then the family members will cry more.
 
So tell every visitor, off-site, that the doctor has forbidden anyone from crying in front of the family. Even if a visitor wants to cry, they should not cry when consoling the family. Rather that visitor be taken elsewhere and consoled at a separate location. Those visiting and consoling the grieving family should not burst out into tears uncontrollably. That will only worsen the pain of those close people in mourning.
 
Those around the family should be in a balanced and stable state of mind. If someone needs to cry then they should excuse themselves from that environment. They should not start sobbing in front of the mourning family members. This is also one key point.
 
13B) In some places, visitors come and indulge in fake crying. They think by forcing themselves and putting on a show of crying, then it demonstrates to the mourning family how much they care. They think that by fake crying they are showing everyone how sympathetic they are and enhancing their own prestige. But this is all very bad. It is just dogma. Fake crying should never be encouraged nor supported. Such persons do not cry when they are off-site. They are not really upset. Just they cry in front of others as some sort of public display. This type of superficial ploy should never be given scope of expression as it just worsens the situation on all fronts.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 
 
Why crying visitors or well-wishers should be led away
 
14A) At the same time, if a member of the grieving family bursts into tears, they should be consoled and supported. The worst is to start telling the grieving family that crying is not good for their health. If you tell them not to cry, they will feel irritated towards you, thinking you do not understand their loss. So best is to allow them to cry because telling them not to cry will only make them more uncomfortable and distressed.
 
14B) The whole aim here is to gently goad the mind of the grieving family away from their suffering. To this end, we follow a natural pattern of diverting their mind so they do not feel so burdened by their loss. Along these lines, it is very helpful if visitors can behave in a composed way in front of those family members. Of course, some visitors may also feel overwhelmed by the loss and they may wish to cry. And they should be allowed to cry, however they should not cry uncontrollably in front of the grieving family members. Those visitors overcome with emotion should be gently led away to a separate room or brought outside where they may freely cry. That way the family in mourning will not be adversely affected.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 
 
Avoid philosophical talks
 
15) Here is another key pitfall to avoid. One should not start giving big philosophical lectures.
 
Do not say: “This world is changing and whoever takes birth, one day they are going to die – everyone dies at some point – so there is no need to cry.”
 
One should never give this type of lecture. It is irritating to the grieving party and they will only cry more. In addition, they will feel offended by your words. So do not speak philosophically about the nature of this ephemeral world. That is not good. One must know that such type of preaching is extremely unpsychological.
 
That is why one should follow Baba’s aforesaid guideline – that is psychological and sentient.
 
 
Warning: do not sing glories of the deceased
 
16) Remember this warning: Do not remind the grieving family about the deceased person’s star qualities, attributions, dedication and greatness. Do not remind them how that person always sacrificed for others’ welfare. That will only redirect the mourning family toward their loss. This type of praise and eulogy should be avoided. It is wrong to do so on this occasion, regardless of how much one is tempted to praise the deceased. It will only intensify the agony and pain of the grieving family, and they will cry more.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 
17) No one should mistakenly think that by this approach we do not care about the deceased person. Here the goal is not to eliminate the memory of the deceased; this is not our way in Ananda Marga. We know well that the mourning family is not ever going to forget their loved one. The approach we are taking here – diverting the mind away from their loss – is only a temporary measure during this very delicate and sensitive period immediately after the time of death. When this loss is such a raw and painful wound for the surviving family members, best is for them to have their mind diverted away from this painful memory. It is not good for them to constantly think about the loss of their loved one, as that worsens their grief.
 
 
Only PS & sadhana should be done, not Guru puja
 
18) When all the above approaches have been taken and everyone has become calm, request someone to start singing Prabhat samgiita etc. Be sure to arrange everyone so they sit facing the pratiik and not the deceased. With the singing of Prabhat Samgiita, naturally the family members will also sit and listen. In that way their mind will be diverted towards the sweet chanting of Prabhat Samgiita, kiirtan and they will feel more calm. Here the aim is to channelise the flow in a devotional way. Although this is a challenging circumstance to organize a dharmacakra with Prabhat Samgiita and a Baba story, this is the only rational approach to be done to alleviate the pain of the loss and mental agony. There is no other way.
 
They should be sure to sit facing the pratiika - and not sit encircling the deceased. And only Prabhat Samgiita and sadhana should be done, not Guru puja.
 
Ananda Marga samaja shastra says, “Before cremation or burial of the dead body, collective Iishvara Prańidhána should be performed.” (1)
 
Again, only Prabhat Samgiita and sadhana should be done, not Guru puja.
 
19) After the dharmacakra is complete and over, ensure someone tells a spiritual story (not a story about the deceased but rather about Parama Purusa), does a reading, or leads svadhyaya.
 
 
Conclusion
 
Here are key points to bear in mind:
1. Don’t tell the mourning family not to cry; allow them to cry
2. Look at them in an empathetic way.
3. Bring a glass of water.
4. Compassionately redirect them from thinking about the deceased.
5. No visitor should cry in front of the mourning family.
6. One should not start giving big philosophical lectures.
7. Do not remind the grieving family about the deceased person’s star qualities.
8. Request someone to start singing bhajans.
 
Namaskar,
In Him,
Murlidhar Deva
 
This letter addresses – in a universal manner – key points for helping those grieving or suffering a drastic loss of any kind. Here above we review Baba’s teachings on this important matter and understand our Ananda Marga way of mourning.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 
 
Worshiping the dead?
 
It is against Caryacarya to do Guru puja at the shraddha ceremony.
 
Ananda Marga samaja shastra says, “Before cremation or burial of the dead body, collective Iishvara Prańidhána should be performed.” (2)
 
At such death ceremonies, only iishvara pranidhan should be done, not Guru puja. Furthermore, iishvara pranidhana is done not circling the body but in a little bit away and facing a different direction. Otherwise it is against the sanctity of Marga Guru and contrary to Caryacarya part 1. Best is to perform Guru puja facing the pratik or photo, not facing the dead body.
 
For in-depth study read Ananda Vacanaratam-part 20, chapter 3 in its entirety.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/ 

Guru Puja is done facing Guru - Guru Puja to the dead is very bad

See the deceased’s body along the left side of the above photo. As we all know Guru Puja should be performed facing Guru, not any dead person. So what is going on in the above photo is very bad as they are doing Guru Puja facing towards the deceased. More about this is in the note below after the signature. 

English title is wrong in Caryacarya

Unfortunately someone mistranslated chapter 31 of the English edition of Caryacarya part 1. They titled it as “Disposal of the Dead Body.” But this is wrong and inappropriate. In the Hindi and Bengali editions, that chapter is titled as Shava Satka’r, meaning ‘reverence to lifeless body.’ This projects an air of respect and sanctity. But those publishers failed to give it a comparatively respectful title in English. Instead they called it “Disposal of the Dead Body”, as if one is just getting rid of some trash, rubbish, or garbage etc. Steps should be taken to properly title chapter 31 of the English edition of Caryacarya part 1.

References
1. Caryacarya -1, Disposal of the Dead Body,1956, Jamalpur
2. Caryacarya -1, Disposal of the Dead Body,1956, Jamalpur

*        *        *

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

*        *        *

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Recipe: break one bond & increase another

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "It is the sense of duty that causes one person to renounce everything; and it is the sense of duty that inspires another person to readily accept the burden of caring for his or her family. It is the sense of duty that makes a person great. Of all bonds, the bond of duty is the strongest, and the bond of moha [blind attachment or infatuation] is the worst. Humanity will have to break the bonds of moha and increase the bonds of duty willingly and consciously. This is the law." (1)

Reference
1. Namámi Krśńasundaram, Disc: 13

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Short today & more sadhana tomorrow

Ananda Marga ideology states, "It has been said earlier that the grace of Parama Puruśa is only showered on devotees. His grace is all that matters. It is true that the people of knowledge (jiṋániis) and the people of action (karmiis) may labour harder, but it is the devotees (bhaktas) alone who attain Parama Puruśa. There are two major obstacles on the path of knowledge: lethargy and vanity. A vain person remains far away from Parama Puruśa. Of all the different types of lethargy, spiritual lethargy is the worst. Spiritual lethargy means not to sit for meditation regularly. Those with spiritual lethargy have time for all other actions, but for spiritual practice there seems to be no time. They say, “It's already late today – I'll do a short meditation right now, and devote more time to sádhaná tomorrow.” They sit attentively inside the cinema hall, but in dharma sádhaná they feel sleepy." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 10, The Devotee and the Lord

== Section: Hindi Quote ==

जो हिम्मतवार लड़के हैं

“अधिक से अधिक revolutionary marriage करा लो | और जो हिम्मतवार लड़के हैं, वे, उनके guardian, उनके माता; वे लोग क्या करें ? जात-पाँत को लात से ख़त्म कर दो, चूर-चूर कर दो | एक दल, एक मज़बूत समाज बना लो | और हम लोगों को दुनिया के कोने-कोने में आनन्दमार्ग का पैगाम पहुँचा देना है | इसलिए अधिक से अधिक सङ्ख्या में whole timer worker की भी जरूरत है | कोई whole timer worker बनो | कोई revolutionary marriage करके समाज को मज़बूत बना दो |”
[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]  (1)

Reference
1. PS Purport 1030 + WT Discourse – 2, 1/14/1984 Patna, Not Printed

== Section 3: Links ==

Upcoming Festival: Ananda Purniima - Thurs, 23rd May

• #1: Festival preparation

• #2: AM festival: all-inclusive

• #3: Upcoming festival: dos & don'ts

• #4: Auspicious occasion

• #5: Utsava: new joy & vigour
  

Recent postings

• Guru puja: eyes open or closed

• Sweets: deleterious effects

• Universal query explained

• Baba heard my call

Other topics of interest

• How to advance your dhyana
  

• Those early days
  

• Altered photo ruining dhyana

Comida de burro, kiirtana, etc.

Baba

Comida de burro, kiirtana, etc.

Namaskar,

La siguiente directriz de Baba es fundamental para todos los sadhakas.

En un resumen en español de Caryacarya - 2, "Society", Point #37, Ananda Marga Caryacarya declara:

- Priityanna: Si una persona quiere darte de comer por genuina sinceridad, debes tomar esa comida con gusto, aunque sean solo granos y vegetales. Pero si alguien te invita sólo para hacer un espectáculo ante la gente, nunca aceptes su comida.

- Ápadanna: Cuando la vida está en peligro por falta de comida y agua, no necesitas considerar si la comida está prohibida por cualquier motivo o proviene de una persona indigna.

- Shráddhánna: Shráddhánna (comida ofrecida en un servicio conmemorativo) no es ni priityanna ni ápadanna, por lo tanto no debe tomarse. (resumen en español)


Supón que te invitan a un banquete

Supón que te invitan a una gran fiesta en casa de alguien. Para celebrarlo, el anfitrión hace que los mejores cocineros preparen los manjares más sabrosos para que todos coman. El anfitrión hace esto no porque desee servir a la comunidad con amor y afecto, sino más bien porque quiere montar un espectáculo ornamental y darse prestigio a sí mismo. Prueba de ello es que si no puedes asistir a su banquete, no lo lamenta ni siente remordimiento alguno, porque se limitará a buscar a otra persona que te sustituya, alguien que le rinda honor y respeto.

En tales condiciones, cuando el anfitrión no se rige por una mentalidad de servicio, sino que está dando un banquete con gran pompa y espectáculo para aumentar su propio prestigio y autosatisfacción, entonces asistir al programa y comer esa comida va en contra de la directriz antes mencionada de Guru en Caryacarya. Porque esa comida es comida de burro, o gardabha'nna.

Aquí abajo hay un resumen en español de la enseñanza de Baba en bengalí de Shabda Cayanika.

Si la comida no se da con ese sentimiento de corazón y si la propia vida no está en peligro debido a la inanición, en esa condición entonces cualquier comida ofrecida es comida de burro, gardabha'nna. Así que uno no debe comer esa comida. (Resumen en español de Shabda Cayanika - 20, p.163-64 [Bangla])

Bajo ninguna circunstancia - a menos que uno vaya a morir de hambre - debe un sadhaka comer comida que se presenta como una muestra de la riqueza y grandeza de uno. Porque esa comida no es más que comida de burro, o gardabha'nna.

Como todos sabemos, en Su vida práctica, en muchas ocasiones Baba rechazó la comida cuando personas ricas o dignatarios le invitaban a cenar en su casa sólo para impresionar a los demás. Así que deberíamos seguir el ejemplo de Baba y nunca comer comida que no sea ofrecida con genuina calidez y amabilidad. Si alguna vez te dan comida con algún motivo oculto, como prestigio y grandeza, y no porque el anfitrión sienta algo de corazón por ti, entonces esa comida es verdaderamente comida para burros.


Qué es la comida de burro

Un aspecto a tener en cuenta es que el gardabha'nna varía de una persona a otra. Por ejemplo, si ese mismo anfitrión descrito anteriormente se siente herido y molesto si no asistes y comes su comida, entonces para ti esa comida no es gardabha'nna; no es comida de burro. Examinemos esto más a fondo. Si ese anfitrión invita a 500 personas y tiene relaciones muy íntimas con 10 de esos invitados, entonces para esas diez personas está bien comer la comida. Porque el anfitrión tiene un deseo genuino y sincero de servir y alimentar a esas 10 personas con amor y afecto.

Sin embargo, para esas otras 490 personas, el banquete del anfitrión es comida de burro, ya que para ellos el único deseo del anfitrión es montar un gran espectáculo. Al anfitrión no le importa si esas 490 personas vienen o no. Si alguno de ellos se enferma o no puede asistir, ese anfitrión no se sentirá decepcionado o molesto o herido; simplemente reemplazará su lugar con otra persona. Así es como el mismo banquete puede ser sutil para una persona y gardabha'nna para otras. Hay que evaluarlo caso por caso.

Este tipo de escenario se aplica a todo tipo de actos sociales, como matrimonios, ceremonias de entrada en las casas, reuniones para poner nombre a los bebés y otros actos sociales. En todas estas circunstancias, el factor decisivo es el sentimiento individual del anfitrión hacia usted. Si quiere servirte y alimentarte de corazón, entonces puedes comer. Pero si sólo quiere hacer una exhibición social alimentándote, entonces es gardabha'nna.

Aquí hay otra situación relacionada con la vida individual: También es comida de burro si una persona ha cocinado comida con la intención de comérsela toda. Comer incluso una pequeña porción de esa comida es también gardabha'nna ya que la persona que ha preparado la comida no tiene ningún deseo de compartir nada de ella.


Gardabha kiirtan, gardabha bhajan

Este tipo de espectáculo insincero conocido como comida de burro no se limita al ámbito de la comida. Todos hemos visto a varios intérpretes de kiirtan o cantantes de bhajan que actúan únicamente para mostrar sus propios talentos musicales o líricos. Eso se conoce como kiirtan burro porque cantan para glorificarse a sí mismos, no para servir y complacer a Parama Purusa.

Kiirtan se trata de cantar para complacer a Parama Purusa - para Su gloria, no la propia gloria. Y la esencia de los bhajans es compartir los sentimientos internos del corazón con el Señor, y no procurar atención para uno mismo. Sin embargo, en retiros o dharmacakra, a veces puede ocurrir que una persona dirija un kiirtan o bhajan para ganarse la admiración de los demás. Si esto se hace sistemáticamente, una y otra vez, tales intérpretes corren el riesgo de convertirse en microvita en el momento de la muerte.

Dicho esto, no sólo los músicos son propensos a tales caídas. A veces un participante de kiirtan o bhajan puede bailar con tales tendencias extrovertidas o cantar con tal ego que es bastante evidente para todos a su alrededor que esa persona lo está haciendo sólo con la esperanza de llamar la atención sobre sí mismo - para que los demás piensen que es un gran bhakta.

Siempre que uno se deja llevar por el ego o el espectáculo, eso descarrila su capacidad de acercarse a Parama Purusa. Es por eso que llamamos a estos enfoques equivocados: Gardabha kiirtan y gardabha bhajan, es decir, burro kiirtan y burro bhajan.

Gardabha sa'dhana

Esto puede ocurrir también en el estrato de la sadhana. Antes de dar un ejemplo, hay que decir que la sinceridad y seriedad en la práctica espiritual es bastante alta en nuestra Ananda Marga, por lo que esta parte del artículo de ninguna manera pretende poner en duda que abc o xyz personas estén haciendo prácticas burras. La mayoría están bien y de acuerdo - esta es sólo una parte del artículo general para la conciencia y el conocimiento de todos. Después de todo, cada persona conoce mejor su propia situación.

Ahora digamos que alguien rara vez hace sa'dhana' en su propia casa, etc, pero luego cuando van a la jagrti o a un retiro, entonces de repente empiezan a sentarse por larga, larga sadhana, como si esa fuera su costumbre regular cada mañana y cada tarde. Y no sólo eso, sino que cuando terminan su sadhana están ansiosos por ver si los demás se dan cuenta de cuánto tiempo han estado sentados. Y si aún así no sienten que han recibido la atención que merecían, entonces durante la comida dirán casualmente: "Ha sido muy bueno poder sentarme hoy durante 3 horas de sadhana, etc.", y luego mirarán rápidamente a los ojos y a las caras de los demás para ver si les ha impresionado o no.

De todas estas instancias, podemos entender fácilmente que esa persona está haciendo sadhana no para complacer a Parama Purusa - no para servirle a Él - sino más bien para traer nombre, fama y prestigio a sí mismos. Quiere que la gente piense que es un gran sadhaka. Por eso su sadhana es sólo sadhana de burro.


Las prácticas burras pueden ser muy peligrosas

Bien, digamos que alguien que conoces hace kiirtan de burro, o bhajan de burro, o sadhana de burro de vez en cuando. Entonces deben ser extremadamente cuidadosos, no sea que se dañen y degraden. Porque lo que están haciendo es sólo un espectáculo superficial. Se están destacando a sí mismos: Entonces se están enfocando en su propia existencia unitaria, no en Parama Purusa. En ese caso, la mente se vuelve más pequeña y más egoísta. Desafortunadamente, de esa manera, se degradan y se colocan en el camino del pratisaincara negativo hacia la vida animal. Esa es la verdadera preocupación.

Para tales personas, su kiirtan y sadhana están motivados por la falsedad y la hipocresía. Fingen bhakti y albergan el deseo de glorificar su propia existencia. Su hipocresía es el triste signo de la caída y la degradación. Esas personas deberían prestar atención.

Queda un rayo de esperanza, por la gracia de Baba. Sin duda el kiirtan de burro, el bhajan de burro y la sadhana de burro causan falsa vanidad, etc., sin embargo nuestros mantras de Ananda Marga están cargados por Sadguru. Así que mientras se repite el mantra, incluso si uno fue inicialmente motivado por deseos egoístas, uno puede desarrollar amor sincero por Parama Purusa. Y ese es el mayor logro y bendición. Pero para que esto ocurra, debe haber sinceridad y un deseo sincero de cambiar.

Entonces, si cambian sus maneras pueden progresar en el camino, por la gracia de Baba. De lo contrario, tales demostraciones hipócritas de sadhana del burro les llevarán en la dirección equivocada. Lo mejor es idear en Parama Purusa y no caer preso de tal kiirtana y sadhana de burro, es decir, una simple muestra superficial de kiirtana y sadhana.

En un resumen en español de Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 5, "The Chariot and the Charioteer", Baba nos dice: Recuerda, todo el mundo tiene derecho a la sa'dhana'. Para ello, no se necesita nada, ni un linaje especial, ni educación, ni conocimiento, ni ningún mérito, excepto dos cosas: fe implícita y sinceridad. Despierta estas dos cosas a través de tu fuerza de voluntad y la victoria será tuya, debe llegar. (resumen en español)

Namaskar,
en Él,
Indrajit


~ Estudio en profundidad ~

Baba nos advierte que uno no debe endeudarse para organizar ningún tipo de banquete o alimentación - ni para cualquier ocasión.

En un resumen en español de Caryacarya - 1, "Marriage Ceremony", Ananda Marga Caryacarya afirma: Organizar el banquete tomando un préstamo o contrayendo una deuda está prohibido. (resumen en español)

Cuando la comida se convierte en comida para burros

He aquí más sobre lo que Baba tiene que decir acerca de la comida de burro. El siguiente es un resumen en español de la enseñanza de Baba en bengalí de Shabda Cayanika.

            (a) Comida de burro (Gardabha'nna) es aquella comida comprada con dinero mal habido o ganado pecaminosamente.

            (b) Si alguien te alimenta con profundo amor, respeto y afecto y ese sentimiento se transmite a través de su expresión, habla y conducta, y al alimentarte se siente dichoso ("Toma'ke kha'iae a'nandit hobe") y muy contento, y si no comes entonces sentirá dolor, en esta situación cualquier alimento que comas en su casa - incluso si es sólo hierba hervida - será tratado como priityanna (alimento apropiado y sensible). Cualquier comida o alimento no preparado bajo tales condiciones ideales es comida de burro.

            (c) Así que si la comida no se da con ese sentimiento de corazón y si la propia vida no está en peligro debido a la inanición, en esa condición entonces cualquier comida ofrecida es comida de burro, Gardabha'nna. Así que uno no debe comer esa comida.

Nota: En la sociedad occidental esa comida que no es apta para el consumo humano es típicamente etiquetada como "comida para perros". Y una idea similar Baba ha transmitido arriba por el término comida de burro - "Gardabha'nna". (Resumen en español Shabda Cayanika - 20, p.163-64 [Bangla])

Este tipo de práctica espiritual no funciona

La sencillez, la sinceridad y la honradez son algunos de los pilares fundamentales en la vida de cualquier sa'dhaka.

En un resumen en español de Ananda Vanii #54, Baba nos dice: Los tesoros más valiosos en el camino del progreso humano son la honestidad, la sencillez y el espíritu. En ningún estrato de la vida debes permitir que se deteriore el nivel de honestidad... (resumen en español)

Si uno aborda sus deberes de la vida cómo preparar la comida y hacer sadhana con un deseo sincero de servir a Parama Purusa y a Su creación, entonces no hay cuestión de comida de burro o kiirtan de burro. Entonces todas las acciones serán puras y sutiles. Aquí Baba advierte sobre las demostraciones superficiales en la vida espiritual.

Jap tap vedajiṋána vidhi bhakti japadhyán ihá haite mádhurya durlabh

Keval ye rágamárge bhaje Krśńa anuráge táhe Krśńa mádhurya sulabh.

En un resumen en español de Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, Devotion – "The Only Path": Aquellos que repiten su ista mantra mecánicamente, o se someten a severas penitencias, o estudian interminablemente las escrituras, o expresan una muestra de devoción, o practican la meditación de forma ritualista, nunca podrán sentir el encanto, la alegría, de la realización espiritual. Ese dulce descubrimiento sólo es posible para aquellos que adoran [a Parama Purusa] con profunda devoción por Él. (resumen en español)

- Here is a link to the original English posting: Donkey food, kiirtana etc

Recent Spanish Postings: 

• Perspectiva del sadhaka

• Prioridades vitales en cuando tienes poco tiempo

• El poder curativo de la sadhana