Selecting a song: express your bhakti + 5 more

Baba

Selecting a song: express your bhakti

Namaskar,

We have to remember that sadhana does not mean samadhi. Sadhana means 'effort'. With a sincere and concerted effort, the sadhaka can create an inner link with Parama Purusa based on bhakti. That is how one can form a bond of love with Him, by His grace. And our sadhana system includes not just the practice of meditation, but kiirtan and Prabhat Samgiita as well. All three are important.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Do meditation, do kiirtan and bhajan sincerely." (1)

So all three - sadhana, kiirtan, and Prabhat Samgiita - are essential in developing an inner link and relation based on bhakti with Parama Purusa. And this letter discusses how Prabhat Samgiita plays a unique and special role in this process.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Select a PS that corresponds to your feeling

When selecting a bhajan we should choose a given song for the right reason. We should not pick a Prabhat Samgiita based on the tune, or the melody, or the quality of the singer's voice. For sadhakas, Prabhat Samgiita is not about musical properties. It is about the expression of our own feelings of bhakti for Him.

If we are feeling forlorn and far from Parama Purusa, then singing a song about the joys of attaining Him will not satisfy one's emotional needs. Similarly, we should always select a Prabhat Samgiita - a bhajan - that properly corresponds to our feeling at that very time. So we should all familiarise ourselves with a wide range of Prabhat Samgiita compositions so we readily have a song available to express our inner feeling, whether it be a feeling of frustration, love, anxiety, closeness, melancholy, or joy. Because only by singing the right song will our heart feel light - only then will the mind move in the right direction.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


The beauty of our Prabhat Samgiita practice

The beauty of our bhajan practice is that it is a time when we can openly express our feelings towards Parama Purusa. Kiirtan is chiefly about singing His glory over and over again; and, sadhana is done in silence. So it is only with our bhajan practice that we can verbally express our inner feelings to Parama Purusa. And that gives a huge lift to the sadhaka.

For example, if one is in a strange place and does not know anyone, then they cannot express their hopes and despairs, their joys and sorrows, their success and failures. And that creates a big burden that weighs heavy on the mind. Whereas if one is among friends, or with a close companion, they can easily share their heartfelt feeling. And that sharing of their inner thoughts allows one to feel light and buoyant. It has a renewing effect on one's psyche and overall existence. One key point to garner is that if you open your heart to a human being they may form a poor opinion about you. Or knowing your weakness they may exploit you. But God will always help you, so open your heart to God by singing Prabhat Samgiita.


PS expresses full range of human sentiments

This is the very unique and essential aspect of our bhajan practice. It allows the sadhaka to clear their mind and heart of all their emotions. Because in singing Prabhat Samgiita there is a tremendous scope to express the full range of human feelings and sentiments. Verily Baba has bestowed upon us the world of Prabhat Samgiita for this very purpose - to express the full range of feelings felt by the sadhaka: the pain of separation, the joy of finding Parama Purusa, the frustration of not getting Him, the struggle of dealing with this mundane world, the bliss of His arrival etc.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

All of the above and countless other human feelings and emotions are clearly expressed in our world of Prabhat Samgiita. Such a range of expression is not found in kiirtan, nor is it so easy to do in sadhana, because human beings like to express their feelings orally. And that is the true gift of our bhajan practice. Nowhere else in our sadhana system is this found. Our bhajan practice is purely personal. So if the bhajan practice is overlooked, then there is a void. Because Prabhat Samgiita is the ideal avenue for a bhakta to express the inner feelings and thoughts of their heart and mind to Him. It is a release or outpouring of one’s inner emotions which brings renewal and levity, and ultimately love for Parama Purusa. Because emotion based on ideology is bhakti, i.e. love for the Supreme.


He only listens for the feeling of the heart

At the same time, we should bear in mind that Baba does not judge us on our singing talent or instrumental techniques. Those are meaningless to Him. He only looks inside the heart for sincerity. So a sadhaka should not feel shy, self-conscious,  or distraught that they do not have musical talent; nor should one become so vain about their musical gifts. Because in the eyes of Parama Purusa, He is only concerned with the heartfelt feeling of the bhakta. If that is expressed in our bhajan singing, then everything is expressed and the goal in singing is attained. Then and only then does that bhajan practice have value. Thus there is no place for shyness or arrogance in singing Prabhat Samgiita.

So our Prabhat Samgiita holds a special place in our sadhana practice. Those compositions allow for the expression of our inner feelings and that invariably helps cultivate a feeling of closeness and love for Parama Purusa. If we do not express ourselves, then naturally a relationship will dry up. That is the way it happens in our worldly dealings and the same applies to our spiritual life as well. Thus Prabhat Samgiita plays a great role in our development as sadhakas. It is our personal time to draw ourselves nearer to Him-- because we are not singing our Prabhat Samgiita for anyone else. We are singing for Baba and to express our feelings to Him. And, He always listens.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Conclusion

As important as kiirtan and sadhana are, we must never lose sight of the great importance of singing Prabhat Samgiita as a way to draw ourselves closer to Him and lighten our burden of life by expressing our inner thoughts and feelings.

Baba says, "Do meditation, do kiirtan and bhajan sincerely and together with that, render maximum social service. This is the supreme ideology for an ideal human being." (2)

Namaskar,
At His feet,
Jagasrasta’

~ In-depth study ~

Prabhat Samgiita comes under bhajana

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Shiva propounded song, dance and instrumental music in such a manner so that it would directly vibrate the ectoplasm, so that the ectoplasmic movement converges into one point touching the soul point. That is why great people of all ages have encouraged all three aspects of music...Category of song that also reflects Parama Puruśa, but which expresses many ideas before returning to the one central idea of Parama Puruśa, is called bhajana.” (3)

Ananda Marga ideology states, “If one’s mental ideation is conveyed only to Parama Puruśa without affecting other human beings, this is called bhajana. So bhajana is purely personal; it has no collective aspect.” (4)

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “This world is for devotees and for nobody else. When the Esana [longing] is not for Paramatman but for something else, it is known as Asakti (Attachment) and not Bhakti. As for example, the Esana [longing] for wine. This Esana will be termed as Panasakti, the attachment for wine i.e. attachment is always in bad sense and devotion is always supreme. Therefore the correct Esana [longing] is devotion.” (5)

The main aim of any sadhaka is to love and please Parama Purusa. That is the only way to get Him, i.e. with the love of bhakti, not via the knowledge of jinana, or the action of karma. Only with love can we grasp and hold Him as our own. This fact Baba has in countless discourses.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology says, "A genuine spiritualist will have to establish a relation of love with Parama Purus'a. Those who remain oblivious to this truth become unsuccessful in their mission." (6)

Love is an essential aspect of our spiritual lives.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Prabhat Samgiita is the feeling of the heart, and the expression of the heart, and it has been written with the ink of the heart." (7)

References
1. 15 October 1979 morning, Nagpur
2. 15 October 1979 morning, Nagpur
3. A Few Problems Solved - 3, Song, Dance and Instrumental Music
4. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, Taking the Opposite Stance in Battle
5. Subhasita Samgraha - 20, Astitva and Shivatva
6. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, 'The Path of Salvation'
7. MGD 02 January 1983

*        *        *

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 ==

Bengalees on wrong path - how & why

Baba's below teachings depict how a large community of Bengalees got drawn into the Muslim faith. However, best would have been if those Bengalees fought against religious exploitation and removed the caste system from Hinduism. They should have made a hue and cry to fight against priesthood exploitation. But according to Baba’s below teaching, the Bengalee community is emotional and that is why they chose the wrong path. If they had been rational they would have raised the voice against all kinds of exploitation, especially in the religious sphere, and they would not have joined the Islamic religion. In Hinduism, eating beef is not allowed. But these sentimental and emotional Bengalees started eating meat excessively and they contracted diseases and shortened their life, after joining those Muslims. This all happened due to the dominance of sentiment and lack of rationality. That is why they converted to Islam. In due course those communities formed East Pakistan and that became Bangladesh, which now has a population of 170 million. They were all converted from the Hindu religion. All the religions are bad but Islam is the worst because they are very violent. This happened to Bengalees because they are sentimental. Baba warns against the dangers of sentient in His book on neo-humanism. That is the central idea of Baba’s below two quotes.

Ananda Marga ideology states, “By temperament the Bengalees are a sentimental people. Sometimes they tolerate injustice for a long period without any murmur, without even a whimper...But suddenly, they may erupt in strong protest. These are the symptoms of a sentimental race. The people of Bengal, particularly the people of the lower stratum of society, had to undergo tremendous torture and humiliation in the past. Suddenly they revolted and embraced Islam in large numbers. They are also Bengalees – in bone, flesh and blood. They became Muslims as a reaction to the exploitation by the contemporary society.” (1)


Worst move: lower caste Hindus converted to Islam

Prout philosophy states, “It has also happened amongst the followers of different religions. Due to the many shortcomings in one religion and its exploitation of so-called lower caste people, many of these so-called low caste people left that religion and accepted another. When people leave their religion for no significant reason and accept another religion which suffers from ideological vacuum or is even inferior to the religion which they previously followed, they develop hysterical behaviour. They start excessively doing those things which were once prohibited to them by their previous religion. So we find that the person who has converted to another religion takes more beef than a normal member of that religion. This type of behaviour cannot be found in those who had ideologically accepted that religion.” (2)


References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 10, The History of Bengal – 1
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, The Existential Value of Ideology

== Section: Important Teaching ==

When you die

Ananda Marga ideology states, “The Christian and Muslim ideas of heaven and hell and also svarga in Hindu Karmakandii Jaemini Partná, were derived from the fact that the samskáras which determine the requitals of actions exists exits in this loka. In reality no kośa will remain after death. The samskáras remains as the object of the átman. Thus the ideas of heaven and hell of the Hindu, Christian and Muslim mythologies are completely false, because after death there remains no mind at all to experience heaven or hell." (1)

The mind is incapable of doing anything without the brain. And after death there is no brain, so the bodiless mind remains dormant. It cannot do or experience anything: no pain, no pleasure, nothing. The whole notion of one enjoying the fruits of heaven or the tortures of hell after death is bogus.

It is a complete myth that people go to heaven or hell. After death the mind is dormant. And that is what is expressed in the above quote. Here we should understand that pain and pleasure are experienced in this world, not after death. So-called heaven and so-called hell are here in this world.

Reference
1. Tattvika Praveshika, Some Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga Philosophy

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Know this about forgiveness

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Those who perpetrate atrocities on collective life or on a particular human group, cannot be pardoned. In such cases pardoning not only reflects weakness, it also encourages injustice, because the oppressors become more tyrannical. In individual life, if an innocent person is oppressed by dishonest people, the person, if he or she so desires, may pardon the oppressors, just to test his or her capacity for tolerance or for some other reason. But if the oppressors torture a human group, in that case no single individual, as the representative of the group, can pardon them, and actually that person has no right to do so. If the representative acts beyond his or her jurisdiction, that person will be denounced by the group he or she represents. So it has to be said that pardoning is a practice for individual life only, not for collective life.” (1)

Note: The above teaching is difficult for some to understand. That is, commonly people are confused about this. In this above teaching, Baba is guiding us that forgiveness is for individual life - only. Those who have eyes to see know that all around in the general society and inside Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha also, there are numerous injustices going on. These all fall within the scope of collective life. Nobody can excuse those culprits because they have harmed society on the whole. 

In contrast, if someone stole your personal bicycle and the next day that person feels repentant and returns it to you and apologizes for their wrongdoing, then there are two options. One may excuse that person or not excuse that person. Baba guides us that it is better to excuse them for their wrongdoing - so long as that person is feeling repentant. Because it is an individual affair and the culprit is sorry for his misdeed etc. But in the case of organisational wrongdoing that harms the society etc, then there is no scope to forgive that wrongdoer. No one has the right or power to excuse them. 

Due to all the aforesaid reasons, this is a very difficult situation for some to understand - especially lay people. So they follow their dogma and excuse everyone regardless, even the venomous snake that is lying inside their shoe ever ready to bite them. 

Reference
1. Problems of the Day #17

== Section: Important Teaching ==

How to save burnt food

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "If the vegetables get a little burnt and [you think] that 'Oh, people can't eat this.' [Then] Quick- pour a lot of water onto them, and add fifteen or twenty betel leaves. That will reduce the burnt effect." (1)

Reference
1. Namámi Krśńasundaram, Vraja Krśńa and Vishuddha Advaetaváda – 3 (Discourse 12)

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Way to make ideal human beings

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Some people may ask: Why does A'nanda Ma'rga run many kindergarten schools and not many high schools, degree colleges and universities? A kindergarten school is something basic and the mission of making human beings is accomplished here. If one has already become a thief or a criminal, in that case university education for such a person is of no avail. One is to be moulded in one's childhood. If one receives the fundamentals of education in the formative period of one's life, one will keep oneself alright in the teeth of the greatest trials and tribulations in life. A bamboo, when green, can be shaped or bent in any way you like. Once it ripens, any attempt to reshape it will break it. This is why more stress is to be laid on kindergarten schools. Such schools are the first phase of making human beings." (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 18, Talks on Education – Excerpt E

== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

हे बाबा ! कभी कभी तो हॅंसाते हो और कभी कभी रुलाते भी हो।

प्रभात सङ्गीत 311: तूमि कतो लीला जानो...

भावार्थ

हे परमपुरुष ! तुम विभिन्न प्रकार की भव्य लीलायें करना जानते हो। मेरे साथ भी तुम अनेक प्रकार की लीलायें करते रहते हो।  कभी कभी तो हॅंसाते हो और कभी कभी रुलाते भी हो। हे प्रभु ! तुम मेरे मन को अनेक प्रकार से खुश करते रहते हो।

हे बाबा ! तुमसे कुछ भी छिपाया नहीं जा सकता है। तुम तो सब कुछ जानते होऔर देखते हो। तुम्हारी इच्छा के बिना कुछ भी नहीं हो सकता। तुम मेरे हर कार्य में उपस्थित रहते हो। चाहे मैं जो भी करूँ या जहाॅं भी जाऊँ तुम सब कुछ देखते रहते हो। कुछ भी तुमसे छिपा कर नहीं किया जा सकता। तुम्हारी ‘‘लीला खेला‘‘ दिव्य है सारा ब्रह्माॅंड तुम्हारे पैरों के तले नाच रहा है।

हे दिव्य ! तुम इस संसार में अपनी मुस्कान, हॅंसी और आनन्द के आॅंसुओं से बाढ़ ला देते हो। तुम सब पर प्रसन्नता की किरणों की बौछार करते हो।  कभी कभी तो हॅंसाते हो और कभी कभी रुलाते भी हो। हे प्रभु ! मैं जानकर या अनजाने में भी तुम्हीं से प्रेम करता हॅूं। तुम्हारे प्रेम से भरे गीत सारे ब्रह्माॅंड में गाए जा रहे हैं।

हे परमपुरुष बाबा ! अनेक प्रकार की लीलायें कैसे की जाना हैं, यह तुम्हीं जानते हो।

References

1. Sadguru Baba says (in GD, Delhi, 26 Feb 1984) that when writing a Prabhat Samgiita purport then very simple words should be used so that the common mass may understand. The above Hindu purport has been written according to that guideline.

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/03/guru-puja-is-colour-festival.html

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/05/old-age-exposes-true-colour-3-more.html

Secret to elderly behaviour + 3 more

Baba

Secret to elderly behaviour

Namaskar,

This letter is about how people lose their psychic strength in old age, and, in result, their inner weaknesses emerge, and they create hell in the household. On this issue, Baba has narrated a beautiful incident. Here it is:

In one family, the grandmother was on her deathbed. All her grandsons, granddaughters, and entire family of kith and kin, had come to pay their last visit. All were surrounding her. The grandmother was busy asking them about what has been cooked, whether the room has been swept or not, and whether everyone has taken bath or not. Hearing this, the family members requested, “Ma!, Shanta Hari Hari.” She ignored this, and asked her next question as to whether the cows are being fed or not. All wanted that Grandmother should repeat the name of Hari so that she will get salvation. So they reminded her again, “Ma, all house chores are happening daily. So you need not worry about that. Just chant the name of Hari.” Grandmother ignored them and went on to ask whether the dog had been fed. Then again her relatives requested, “Ma! Hari Hari.” Hearing this, the old woman got frustrated. She yelled at everyone, “Get out from here! I cannot recite such a long name.”
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

By this story, Baba is teaching us that the old woman was not practicing sadhana in her life; she never repeated the name Hari. And, as a result, on her deathbed it was a burden for her to repeat the Lord’s name. In such a situation, whatever little time she had left, she irritated everyone. On certain occasions, she was asking about the kitchen, sometimes about the dog, other times about food, and in this way she tried to control the whole family, unnecessarily. She was irritating everyone.


Why some aged people become increasingly irrational

Generally, when people are healthy and able, they want to keep their lower propensities in-check by their mental force. For example, if someone is greedy, they will not expose their greed in front of all. If someone has a dirty mind, even then they will not say lewd things in front of others. They will keep their behavior controlled with the help of their mental force and nerve fibers. But in old age, those functions diminish. That’s why aged people often behave very irrationally, saying and doing things which they never did in the past. And most unfortunate is that during such instances they are also unaware of the impact of what they are saying. Due to their toxic behavior, they become a burden in their own family. Unknowingly and unnecessarily, they try to guide or control everyone until they themselves become irrational and angry. That only exacerbates the situation.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

These are some of the key problems related with old age. And Baba has given the solution. Those doing sadhana sincerely today will in old age be engaged in spiritual thought. So when they become elderly and cannot do any physical activities as they used to do, then even on their deathbed they will do their sadhana. They will be calm. In contrast, those pseudo-sadhakas express various mundane and crude desires which they concealed their whole life. In their old age, all those negative traits come to the surface. It is commonly seen how negative vrttis are more glaring in old age. The reason is not that in old age those vrttis grew. Rather, earlier, when they were healthy during their younger years, they were harboring those negative vrttis in their mind. But under social pressure, they did not express them. But in old age due to nerve and mental weakness, they lose control and these things become exposed.


Solution or cure

The central idea is that all those hypocrites who were trying to hide their weaknesses during their life, expose themselves in old age. All their life they tried to present themselves as being something other than what they actually were. And then their defects come to the surface in their old age. Those fake sadhus, who were debauched inside, expose their true degrading nature in their latter years. Those who hid their greed to show themselves as being great, lose control and reveal everything in their later years.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

This happens to all who live a long life and were concealing their negative vrttis. The solution is that one should follow an ideal life with a proper goal - Parama Purusa. One should not be hypocritical in their dealings. Whatever you try and hide during your life cannot remain hidden during the later years. So those honest and virtuous persons whose goal of life really is Parama Purusa are in the safest position. When they become aged, and even on their deathbed, they will remain engaged in doing their kiirtan, bhajan, and sadhana.


Conclusion

So in short, we can say that:

(a) Those who are born, will one day die. And those who led a spiritual life will naturally be engaged in spiritual pursuits in their old age as well. Because this was their inherent approach all along. So they will not become a burden to their caregivers.

(b) Those who led a hypocritical life and hid their sins in their youth and middle age will lack control in old age. They will expose themselves and become a liability for others also. Because whatever one does throughout their life will resonate in their old age. At that late stage one cannot do anything new. So those indulged in sexual thinking their whole life will expose themselves in old age. And those who passed their life preoccupied by food will be unable to think about anything but food in their old age. Those who were sadhakas and true sadhus are the most fortunate ones: They will never become a headache for their caregivers. So everyone should try to become the same inside and outside, and lead a spiritual life. In this way, one can make their life successful.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Tulsi jab tum jag men áye jag hansá tum roye
Aesii karnii karelo tum hánso jag roye.

[Tulsi, when you came to this world, it smiled and you wept. Continue your noble deeds so that when you die, you will laugh and the world will weep.]

Namaskar,
In Him,
Arvind

~ In-depth study ~

Analogy: young bamboo can be bent

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Some people consider that one should start intuitional practice in old age when a person has more leisure, after one has spent the prime of one’s life earning money.” (1)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Whoever is born is bound to die and one is constantly approaching death, not knowing when it will come. It is never certain if one will live to grow old. Yet people reserve the most important work of practising sádhaná for the time when the body has become completely enfeebled and the fatuous mind of old age has become entangled in the reactions of this life to such an extent that it is afraid of starting anything new.” (2)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “There is an Indian saying that only a young bamboo can be bent, and if you attempt to bend a mature one you will only break it. That is, anything new should be started early in life, and so should intuitional practice.” (3)

References
1. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
2. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
3. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?

*        *        *

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 ==

How to use a fan

Shabda Cayanika states, "If a hand fan is used in a small room it certainly generates some breeze but that breeze does not give much relief from the fatigue of summer. Such a breeze within those small confines becomes more and more injurious to health with every passing moment. The breeze of an electric fan within a closed environment is even more harmful. If a person sleeps with this kind of a breeze they feel heavy when they wake up; a weak or sick person feels feverish. The breeze generated by a fan within a confined space is called kut́heru; since ancient times it has been considered as something which should be avoided." (1)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayaniká Part 5, Disc: 29

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Do I need to be a billionaire to serve?

According to Ananda Marga teachings, the value of any donation is based on the degree of sacrifice involved. If one has the great heartfelt feeling for a particular cause and is willing to do anything and everything to help those suffering people, then his offering will be very meaningful and of great value. Even if he can only afford to give a few rupees, his donation will be very significant. In contrast, if a wealthy millionaire cares little for suffering humanity and undergoes no trouble by donating RS100,000 then his donation will pale in comparison to the generosity of the poor person who gave a few rupees.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "The charity of a few paise of the poor has the same value as a thousand rupees from a millionaire. Indeed the charity of those few paise is greater." (1)

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 1, Yajiṋa and Karmaphala

== Section: Important Teaching ==

How women were undermined

Ananda Marga philosophy, “The social and religious rights of women were curtailed in numerous ways so that they would be kept forever in thrall to the men. They were even forbidden walking in the open space under the open sky. Covered in burkas and veils, they were reduced to the status of caged birds living on seeds and water. It was decreed that they were not entitled to their ancestral property. The girls were given much less than the boys. It was categorically declared that they were not entitled to mukti or mokśa; that women go to heaven, it’s true, but the men get all sorts of privileges there that women cannot get. These rubbish ideas have died out due to various circumstances. In some places they are in the process of extinction, and in other places they are totally extinct.” (1)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayaniká Part 10, “Kramalaya”

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Special dedication

The Propounder of neo-humanism states:

“To those who think for all . . .
who offer others seats of honour and respect . . .
who venerate others, instead of waiting to be venerated –
to them I dedicate this book with humble esteem and deepest salutations.” (1)

- Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar

Note: In the above lines, it is obvious we should give first priority to honouring those whom nobody honours.

Reference
1. Liberation of Intellect - Neo-Humanism, Dedication page

== Section: Important Teaching ==

How one’s gender is decided

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Jiivátmá is neither a male nor a female, nor a hermaphrodite. For the proper expression of one's latent samskáras [reactive momenta] one gets reborn into the body of a woman or a man or sometimes a hermaphrodite. There is no question of high or low, superior or inferior, noble or ignoble because whatever might be the sex of the body, the jiivátmá is just the witnessing faculty of the mind it is attached to. It is unassailed by the sexual differences of the quinquelemental bodies. The unexpressed psychic reactions (samskáras) of the disembodied soul are guided by the Cosmic Mind and adjusted with a proper structure, at a proper time and a proper place, providing a congenial environment for the expression of the unrequited samskáras. Depending upon the nature of the samskáras there is either the predominance of the tendency to attract (samyojanii shakti) or the predominance of the tendency to be attracted (vibhájanii shakti). The nature of the force of attraction is to draw the object of enjoyment towards itself, and the nature of the force which is attracted is to move towards the object of enjoyment. When there is dominance of samyojanii shakti in one's latent saḿskáras, the disembodied soul attains a female body for its outward expression, and conversely where there is a dominance of vibhájanii shakti, it attains a male body. Where there is an approximate balance between the two, the disembodied soul attains the body of a hermaphrodite. Of course, even in the hermaphrodite the balance between saḿyojanii and vibhájanii shaktis is not perfect; there is a slight tilt in favour of one or the other. That's why some hermaphrodites are more inclined towards masculinity, and some, femininity." (1)


Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 7, Form and Formless

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/07/do-not-miss-opportunity-to-teach-basic.html

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/06/boring-sadhana-4-more.html

Sadhana: all lessons needed + 5 more

Baba

Sadhana: all lessons needed

Namaskar,

This letter focuses on the practice of sadhana and our dhyana practice; various guidelines for dhyana are outlined below.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "The man who is intelligent should from his very childhood move along this path of psycho-spirituality. The sooner a man starts or moves along this path of psycho-spirituality, the better it is. He is the blessed one." (1)
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Sadhana: courage & memory power increases

For sadhakas, the practice of sadhana is a very significant event in their life. In day to day existence, sadhana is a mainstay. The following is directly related with our practice of sadhana-- what to do and what not to do etc.

Here following are three English summaries from Baba’s original Hindi discourse given on MGD, 26 July 1980, Udaipur, printed in Ananda Vacanamrtam - 46 (Pure), chapter 13, परमा शान्ति, केवलाभक्ति / Paramá Shánti, Kevalá Bhakti.

• With the practice of dhyana, the memory power of a sadhaka increases immensely and their courage also multiplies. (English summary, MGD, 26 July 1980, Udaipur, printed in Ananda Vacanamrtam - 46 (Pure), chapter 13, परमा शान्ति, केवलाभक्ति / Paramá Shánti, Kevalá Bhakti)

• If all of one’s propensities become concentrated on a singular point and merge into the I-feeling, then that very human becomes a devata (god) in human form. This is not an impossible task. This is easily achieved with the practice of dhyana yoga. (English summary, MGD, 26 July 1980, Udaipur, printed in Ananda Vacanamrtam - 46 (Pure), chapter 13, परमा शान्ति, केवलाभक्ति / Paramá Shánti, Kevalá Bhakti)

• You boys and you girls who have not yet learned dhyana yoga should learn this practice as soon as possible from your acarya. The reason is that dhyana yoga contains many important qualities. By the unique practice of dhyana yoga you can become one with Parama Purusa. (English summary, MGD, 26 July 1980, Udaipur, printed in Ananda Vacanamrtam - 46 (Pure), chapter 13, परमा शान्ति, केवलाभक्ति / Paramá Shánti, Kevalá Bhakti)

Confusion "I just do 10 minutes of dhyana"

In the past, I have heard people say, "I do not have time for doing different lessons so I just do 10 minutes of dhyana. Because dhyana is the top most lesson. That is the best one. So I only do that lesson with what little time I have."
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

But we should all be aware that in our Ananda Marga system of meditation graciously given by Sadguru Baba, each and every lesson of sadhana has its own value and significance. In order to do proper dhyana and progress spiritually, it is necessary to strengthen the lower cakras. On this point all sadhakas should be aware of Baba's following direction.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "In order to advance spiritually, one has to first establish control over these lower cakras, then finally over the sahasra'ra cakra." (2)

Wrong way to do

What will happen if someone only practices 6th lesson, dhyana, and neglects doing the other lessons of sadhana.Here we have to remember the various lessons of Ananda Marga sadhana are important building blocks for doing 6th lesson. So if those lessons are neglected then the corresponding cakras remain dirty in which case dhyana will be adversely affected. The point is that if the lower cakras are not properly controlled then dhyana [on sahasra'ra cakra] will be disturbed.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "If one, conversely, tries to control the sahasra'ra first while the other cakras remain uncontrolled, spiritual practice on the sahasra'ra may be hampered." (3)

Meditation must be in motionless

It is important not to underestimate the importance of strengthening the lower cakras by sincerely practicing all the lessons of Ananda Marga sadhana. Because even if one can manage dhyana or 6th lesson and bring the mind to the sahasrara cakra, still if the lower cakras are not properly controlled the outcome will not be desirable.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Not only that, even if the sahasra'ra cakra can be brought under control, the final result will not be good if the subsidiary cakras are not brought under control." (4)

In the very same discourse Baba discusses the deep link between body and mind - and that it is essential to keep the body tranquil and still during meditation as that enables us to focus the mind to a greater degree.

Ananda Marga spiritual philosophy states, "If the body is restless, the mind will also be restless. That is why during spiritual practice, the body should be kept motionless. One must practise seated in a certain posture, because if the body becomes calm and motionless the mind also tends to become calm and concentrated." (5)

Relation between body & mind

In our Ananda Marga system, sadhakas are taught to do sadhana in postures like padmasana or siddhasana.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "If someone is constantly thinking that he will have to sit down at a certain time, stand up at a certain time, catch hold of one's nose or ears at a certain time, the mind will automatically tend to become restless. Such is the intimate relation between the body and the mind." (6)

In such types of ritualistic prayers when the body is moving hither and thither, then the mind also gets restless. So altogether the idea is that the body should be motionless while doing sadhana.  And in that condition naturally sadhana will be better. Also bear in mind that there should not be any confusion about our movement in kiirtan. Kiirtan is not sadhana it is sadhanaunga - a helping tool of sadhana. That is why after doing kiirtan we always sit for meditation.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Head hit squarely on the back

During sadhana some margiis keep their cats or dogs or their pets on their lap when sitting for sadhana. But that should not be treated as real sadhana, but rather as a show of sadhana. I also know of one margii who was even keeping his two little monkeys on both his legs during meditation. But, as I say, this is not proper.

In various units during dharmacakra when sadhana starts some margiis start yawning and some in half sleep start waving back and forth. And others are hunched over and then they straighten their backs and then again they become hunched over. But all these types of movements are not good.

There was one incident in dharmacakra when all of a sudden the front side of one Dada's head hit another Dada squarely on the back. Then the Dada whose head hit the other dada woke up and again he sat up straightened and made his back straight.

Conclusion

Baba guides us that human life is for sadhana. So keen attention should be paid to follow all the lessons and guidelines of spiritual life. Failing that one may fall into poor habits and lose their sadhana flow, without even realising it. That is why it is important to routinely review Baba’s teachings and do self-analysis to ensure one is adhering to the path and following Sixteen Points. Then one may experience proper dhyana, by His grace, and reach the Goal.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

At His lotus feet,
in Him,
Nirlipt

~ In-depth study ~

Intellectuality is utter foolishness, a waste of time

As we all know, sadhana is very important. And in the following teachings Baba is giving tremendous emphasis and value to sadhana, our spiritual practice'.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "When you come in close contact with the Supreme Entity, you will find that you have no wealth superior to devotion. All worldly possessions will prove of no avail. Only devotion enables you to come into close contact with Him. This is the goal of human life. This is true progress. You have been wandering through the labyrinth of a myriad of lives. You have been ever advancing toward this stage. Knowingly or unknowingly, you are being drawn unto Him. This is the summum bonum of life. As long as you have not realized Him, there is no siddhi in your life." (7)

Ananda Marga ideology states,"Those human beings who do not perform spiritual practice are under the influence Prakrti...I have said before that there can be no progress either in the realm of physicality or in the realm of intellectuality. Those who are hankering for progress in these fields are indulging in a self-cheating business. Whether they admit it or not, they know that they know nothing. Ask them whether they are getting pleasure in the realm of physicality. They will admit that they are not. Ask a good business man whether he is earning good profits. His reply will be, 'What profit? I am incurring losses'. This will be his reply whether you belong to Income Tax Department or not! To run after progress in the realm of physicality and intellectuality is utter foolishness, a waste of time, as there is no progress in these fields." (8)

Foolish decision: leave sadhana for old age

Here in this next series of quotes Baba guides us that we are to do sadhana in the prime of our life.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Some people consider that one should start intuitional practice in old age when a person has more leisure." (9)

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Whoever is born is bound to die and one is constantly approaching death, not knowing when it will come. It is never certain if one will live to grow old. Yet people reserve the most important work of practising sa'dhana' for the time when the body has become completely enfeebled and the fatuous mind of old age." (10)

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "There is no value in remembering God in old age, when it is not possible to concentrate the mind due to the weakness and disease of the body and its preoccupation with the reactions (sam'ska'ras) of the deeds of this life. The mind then is caught up in the infirmities of the body, in the diseases of old age, impending death, and most of all, in memories of past incidents, and it is impossible to concentrate the mind. For these reasons one is incapable of intuitional practice." (11)


Reminder

To reiterate, the lower cakras are building blocks and for practicing dhyana in the crown cakra. Proper attention has to be paid to those lessons that strengthen the lower cakras.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology states, "If one, conversely, tries to control the sahasra'ra first while the other cakras remain uncontrolled, spiritual practice on the sahasra'ra may be hampered." (12)

In our Ananda Marga system, sadhakas are taught to do sadhana in postures like padmasana or siddhasana. This very science is not known to common people. That is why in their rituals they move about: Sometimes standing, then kneeling, then sitting, then placing their hands on their head etc. On other occasions they talk the entire time so their jaw and tongue are moving, and other times they move up and down and all around. But all these movements are distracting to the mind. For more about those religions that move about when they pray and workshop, read more about them here.

• http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/06/which-religions-move-in-prayer.html

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 34, Beyond Temporary Experience
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam-17, 14 Jan 1980
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam-17: 14 Jan 1980
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam-17, The Meaning of “Krśńa” in Rája Yoga
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam-17, The Meaning of “Krśńa” in Rája Yoga
6. Ananda Vacanamrtam-17, The Meaning of “Krśńa” in Rája Yoga
7. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, Mantra Caetanya
8. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, Mantra Caetanya
9. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
10. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
11. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
12. Ananda Vacanamrtam-17: 14 Jan 1980

*        *        *

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

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

My mind is full of bliss

“Tumi ásiyácho tamah náshiyácho, duhkher udadhi shukháyeche…” (Prabhat Samgiita #0620)

Purport: 

O’ Parama Purusa, You have graciously come and removed my darkness - all the ignorance and bad samskaras of my mind. Because of Your infinite mercy, the ocean of misery has dried up, and now my mind is full of bliss. O’ Parama Purusa, You have loved me; You are present in my heart, smiling. Because of You, the flower buds have burst into bloom. 

Baba, those menacing clouds that had accumulated in the northeastern sky of my mind have floated away. Because of Your arrival, all the gloominess has departed and gone somewhere else. You melodiously played the flute and filled everyone’s heart with smiles and joy. You have spread Your floral aroma everywhere. You have filled the whole atmosphere with that sweet fragrance. 

O’ Lord, the mental agonies and sufferings of those neglected and dishonoured people, who were marginalized and lying in the dust, have been removed. Because of You, all their miseries are over. The hearts of those suffering people are now overflowing with delight and jubilation; their exuberance has inundated this entire cosmos. 

Baba, Your august arrival is magical….

== Section: Important Teaching ==

AM marriages: do not display Baba’s photo

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "The pratiika [emblem of Ananda Marga] should be placed in an elevated place in the marriage hall." (1)

In His above teaching, Baba gives clear reference that the pratiika should hold a prominent place in the hall during our Ananda Marga marriage ceremonies. At the same time, there is no mention in Caryacarya of having Guru's photo on display. 

The reason is that some non-margiis may be attending the marriage and Baba's photo should not be displayed in front of those who do not have utmost reverence for Him. That is why we should strictly follow Caryacarya and not put His photo on display during our Ananda Marga marriage ceremonies. Whereas, with the pratiika, non-margiis will positively accept it as a tantrika symbol and will have respect for it - just as every religion and organisation has their own symbol. So even if non-margiis do not know the full significance of the pratiika, they will accept it at face value and not degrade it. But that is not the case with the photo. 

To preserve the sanctity of the photo, at our Ananda Marga marriage ceremony we must not put Guru's pratikrti [photo] on display. On this matter, we must strictly abide by the dictates of Caryacarya, and not show the photo. 

Reference
1. Caryacarya - Part I, Marriage Ceremony

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Shame on such types of artists

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Here it must be noted that artists must seek to exhibit to people the simple form of truth, sweetened with the sweetness of their hearts. But it is a matter of great regret that a class of modern artists, in the realms of poetry, novels, cinema, drama, etc., employ all their artistic talents for the sole purpose of kindling people’s crude sensuality, instead of portraying human propensities with the idealistic outlook of a true artist – what to speak of portraying their subtle human feelings. Without supporting conservatism, I would say that this class of artists is truly a blot on society." (1)

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

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Why capitalists are worse than…

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "The path of the vipras [cunning intellectuals] is crooked and so is the path of the vaeshyas [greedy capitalists]. The difference between them is that since the vaeshyas' crooked intellect has no trace of spiritual consciousness, it often proves to be suicidal."

"A dreadful calamity will befall society if those who have intellectual capacity squander it by running after mundane pleasures instead of utilizing it to realize spiritual bliss – if they utilize all their intellect to fatten themselves by sucking the vital juice of others. So there can be no social welfare until this type of mentality is eradicated or rendered ineffectual through circumstantial pressure. No political leader or governmental or social system can build a welfare state, a socialistic state or an ideal society if they neglect this fundamental disease. If those who go around looking for opportunities to enlarge their stomachs by sucking the vital force of others continue to control society or the nation through their own group of sinners, what can one expect to see in such a society except a horrid picture of hell!" (1)

Reference
1. Human Society - 2, The Vaeshya Age

== Section: Hindi Quote ==

अगर किसी को गाली दिया

“प्राचीन भारत में नियम था कि कोई अगर किसी को गाली दिया, निन्दा किया, अपभाषा का व्यवहार किया, तो जिनके प्रति किया गया, वे तो अपभाषा का व्यवहार नहीं करेंगे | वे उस वक्त कहते थे---"शिव, शिव, शिव |” माने, “तुम्हारा कल्याण हो, कल्याण हो, कल्याण हो | तुम्हारे मुँह से अपभाषा नहीं निकले |"
[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. नृसिंहतत्त्व रुद्रतत्त्व और शिवतत्त्व, S25, DMC, 1 August, 1967, Raipur

== Section: Prout ==

Three reasons for dowry

Prout philosophy states, "Another glaring instance of social injustice is the custom of dowry. This is a real disgrace in a civilized society. If we go deeply into the reasons for such an injustice it will be clear that there are two main reasons behind it."

"First, dowry occurs where males and females earn disproportionate incomes. The Náyyár and Izave communities of Kerala follow the matrilineal order and hence no dowry is claimed by the males. The Khasia community of Assam follow a similar system. In Burma, though the patrilineal order is in vogue, women are economically independent so they get a dowry."

"Secondly, dowry occurs where there is a disproportionate number of males and females. If the number of males is more, females get dowry and vice-versa. In Punjab, the number of males is more than the number of females so the females get a dowry. The situation is similar for Muslims. The false vanity of the aristocracy also causes dowry. Aristocratic people think, “Our family is a high class family, hence we should get a dowry.” In a Proutistic structure there will be no scope for dowry." (1)

Reference
1. Talks on Prout

== Section 3: Links ==

More Postings

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/06/story-importance-of-regular-sadhana-5.html

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/07/affirmative-action-cast-based.html