Objective adjustment: self-befoolery
Namaskar,
Baba’s
grand tenet of “subject approach through objective adjustment” is a
unique and revolutionary teaching, but is sadly often misunderstood -
and in some cases even misused. First let’s gain a clearer understanding
of this guideline and then investigate how it is being misapplied by
some nowadays.
(A)
Subjective approach means that the purpose of life is for realising
Parama Purusa. That is the chief and only aim: attaining Him. To that
end, all one’s thoughts and works throughout the day are for the sole
intention of spiritual advancement.
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(B)
Objective adjustment means that all one does in the mundane world
should be in support of one’s subjective approach. For instance, the
food one takes should be 100% sentient as that will aid one on the path
of sadhana; it will help one progress along the path of supreme
subjectivity. Taking rajasik, and especially tamasik food, will derail
one’s movement on the path of God realisation.
(C)
The main equation is that one’s objective adjustment should increase
one’s speed along the path of subjective approach. It should make one’s
journey faster towards the Supreme Entity. That is the proper
application of objective adjustment as it leads to one’s final
liberation.
(D)
In contrast, if one’s objective adjustment decreases or retards one’s
speed along the path of subjective approach, then one is involved in
negative pratisaincara. That is slowing down one’s journey towards the
Cosmic Entity, i.e. going in reverse gear. If one is smoking, stealing,
engrossed in sensual lust etc, then that will hamper one’s progress.
That is not objective adjustment, rather it is gross indulgence.
(E)
One’s adjustment with the world should always be aligned with the
Supreme Goal and make the journey faster unto Him. One’s objective
adjustment should never undermine one’s movement on the path of
subjective approach, i.e. realising Him.
A few case examples
The
following case examples are given with the idea in mind that one’s
worldly dealings should reflect proper objective adjustment, i.e.
actions that hasten one’s journey towards the Supreme.
If
someone engages in pornography then that is not objective adjustment as
it degrades the mind and pushes one farther from the goal, i.e. the
Cosmic Entity.
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If
one resorts to drinking alcohol and opens a wine shop then that is not
objective adjustment as this crude intoxication and sinful earning
retards one’s movement on the path of supreme subjectivity.
If
one falls into the rut of cronyism or groupism then those dealings are
not in concert with objective adjustment as those factional activities
divert one away from the Supreme Entity, Parama Purusa.
If
one chases after name and fame then that way of living cannot be called
objective adjustment as those selfish and small-minded pursuits
undermine one’s ability to go close to Taraka Brahma, rather one drifts
endlessly away from Him.
An
action only comes within the umbrella of objective adjustment when it
hastens one’s journey unto Him. Doing longer sadhana, following Sixteen
Points, serving others, preaching the ideology, and engaging in all
sorts of pure, selfless, and virtuous deeds are all within the scope of
objective adjustment as they lead one closer to the Supreme Entity.
How it is misunderstood or misused nowadays
Nowadays, those who fail to abide by the tenet of subjective approach vs objective adjustment fall in one of two categories:
(#1)
Genuinely confused: These naive people simply do not understand Baba’s
teaching of “subjective approach through objective adjustment.” Instead
of ensuring that their day to day dealings are in concert with and
accelerate their journey on the path of supreme subjectivity, they get
lost in the mire of the prevailing mundane values etc. For instance, if
they go to a relative’s house during the holidays then in the name of
objective adjustment they may eat onion and garlic, or partake in the
feast while those around them eat turkey etc. Or if one is busy and time
is short, then in the name of objective adjustment the first elements
one cuts from their routine are sadhana and asanas. Such persons are not
well established on the path of Sixteen Points and spirituality. Rather
they are just half-sadhakas or half-margiis. They compromise on points
of dharma at every turn, naively thinking that that is what is meant by
objective adjustment. Due to their naivete and misunderstanding they
fall far from the path, sadly enough.
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(#2)
Conniving mentality: These persons are cunning to the bone. They know
the difference between right and wrong; and, they understand the spirit
of “subjective approach through objective adjustment”. But, to satisfy
their lustful, greedy desires, they plunge themselves into gross
sensuality and materialism, and then cunningly justify that they are
only doing this because of “objective adjustment”. A classic example of
this is those avadhutas who gossip with, hug, tease, and massage etc
members of the opposite sex and then openly proclaim that they are only
doing this to “adjust” with the local culture. With their tall talks and
haughty demeanor, they befool others in the name of “subjective
approach through objective adjustment”. In their heart of hearts they
know what they are doing is not objective adjustment, but using their
guile and wily manner, they preach their bogus philosophy so they can
continue to indulge in their degraded way of life.
Conclusion
Sadguru
Baba’s dharmic teaching of “subjective approach through objective
adjustment” is the ideal method for leading a spiritual life. In the
past, seekers were never given the right guidance of how to live on this
earth as a sadhaka. And in the end, they fell victim to various dogmas
or harmful ways. Whereas, the teachings of Ananda Marga shine a bright
light and present the exact way to proceed along the path of supreme
fulfillment. First and foremost, there must never be any compromise on
spiritual values; that is what is meant by subjective approach.
Secondly, those actions are consistent with objective adjustment if they
hasten one’s journey towards the final goal, Parama Purusa. With this
perfect formula of “subjective approach through objective adjustment”,
one is sure to be successful, by His grace.
In Him,
Vibhuti
~ In-depth study ~
Ananda
Marga philosophy says, “You are all human beings. You are all dignified
human beings. Forget all fissiparous tendencies that sometimes function
within human mind. Remember, you are the loving children of the Parama
Puruśa, and your goal is the Parama Puruśa. Your goal is the Supreme
Entity. Yours is a subjective approach through objective adjustment.
Your movement is towards the Supreme Entity. But while moving towards
the Supreme Entity, you are to do all your worldly duties in social,
economic and all other spheres. That is, your hands should be engaged in
worldly duties, and your mind moving towards the Supreme Entity.” (1)
Harmful ways of the past => Why phrase came into existence
Although
the aspect of subjective approach was embraced by certain eastern
religions, their overall method was filled with dogma as they ignored
the world. This is best evidenced by Shankaracarya’s dogmatic teaching
of maya vada, or illusion theory. Those followers did not accept the
world as something real. And, in result, they were completely
impractical, and instead of advancing along the path of spirituality
they ended up harming themselves. For instance, they would stand on one
leg in the freezing, cold water all night long in hopes of gaining
virtue. But during that time of torture in torment, they did not think
about the Supreme, just their were focused on their own pain and
suffering. And when they emerged from their water in the morning their
nerves and muscles were harmed. Nothing was gained; there was only
loss.
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References
1. A Few Problems Solved Part 4, Subjective Approach through Objective Adjustment
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Very close to You
"A'ndha're tumi ele, a'loy bhariya' dile..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3057)
Purport:
Baba, My Parama Purusa, You have appeared in this deep darkness and blessed me. By Your holy advent, everything has become filled with Your venerable aura and effulgence. By Your causeless grace, all my dirt, staticity, and stains were removed in a flash. Amazingly, the Cimmerian blackness has been instantly transformed into luminescence by Your august presence.
Baba, Supreme Entity, the clusters of clouds of confusion and quandary which enveloped my life for ages were blown away in an instant by Your momentum of spiritual charm. Baba, by this way, You have magically removed all my burdens and pains and pulled me very close to You, in Your extreme proximity. How can I think I am ever neglected? You filled my heart with bhakti so no dilemmas remained - they all vanished. You have graciously appeared in this gloomy murkiness to save me.
My Supreme Guide, knowing that You are always along with me close by, I am never alone. You are lovingly taking care of everything. I am always surrounded by You; You are with me. Even knowing thus, I have cried for You. Baba, now I see You before me. Today You made me forget those days of weeping for You by giving me Your darshan. Now I understand that by Your endless compassion: I am never without You.
Baba, You have come to me in this depressing darkness...
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Take the fast track
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Suppose you have incurred a loan of a thousand rupees. If you repay the loan in monthly instalments of one rupee it will take you a thousand months to clear the loan. One rupee being such a small amount, this will hardly cause any suffering at all. But if you want to free yourself from the debt quickly, you will have to pay a larger amount every month, which will obviously cause more suffering. Likewise, if one does not feel the need to be freed of one’s reactive momenta quickly, one can undergo less affliction, but then one may have to wait ten or twenty lives to exhaust all the reactive momenta. Moreover, within those ten or twenty lives one will probably undergo psychic degeneration, and due to one’s mean actions imbibe new reactive momenta.” (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 8, Sádhaná
== Section 3: Links ==
Postings to ReadMeditation Checklist
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