Reply to: anandamargauniversal1@yoga
Namaskar,
Often parents, out of concern, keep a strict vigil on the company their children keep. They feel that their children can get negatively affected by keeping a wrong company. While correct in thinking so parents often, quite ironically, tend to ignore the application of the same principle of staying away from the bad company on themselves. The common argument that is presented is that they are grown up adults and know very well what not to learn. They say that even in the company of a bad person they can refrain from picking bad habits and will learn only good habits. Let us take an example. Say Dr. A is a professor in a University and is concerned and teaches his son B that he should always stay in the company of good people. A, however, takes a walk with his colleague X who is an alcoholic. When A’s father tells him that A should not hang out with X then A says, “...but father, I am a professor and a grown-up man and I know what not to learn from X and what to.” Does A also need to follow the principle of satsaunga (good company) in his life as much as he wants B to?
There is a great emphasis on Satsaunga (good company) in Ananda Marga teachings. Although the effect of sanga (company) is more pronounced during the childhood it is applicable for all ages.
Village simpleton becomes fashionista in the city
To see how sanga affects a person, consider the case of a simple villager who has, in the name of belongings, just a pair of loincloths and a bicycle and he is happy with those items. When he comes to a city and sees other people in branded clothing and shoes he develops a desire to acquire the same. While in the village he did not have a need for any items of clothing beyond his loincloth but the company of city-people created a need for fashionable clothing. Likewise, he was happy with his bicycle in his village but when he sees the large cars of city-people that very bicycle begin appearing outdated. This is the effect of sanga or company. Thus, due to the company, the village person begin behaving like a city person.
Psychic influence of sanga
Influence of company takes place at both physical and psychic level. The viral influence of Hollywood fashion is an example of how sanga works at the psychic level. Although, those people who do not go to Hollywood physically if their mind’s Abhoga (mental food) is Hollywood then they get affected by the trends in the Hollywood.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “The cruder the vibrator we get, the cruder the Prakrti tries to make it. Actually Prakrti tries to make that her own but this makes the object still cruder. So gradually it becomes crude from the subtle. Behind this a principle works – “Abhoga Samsargat Praptiresana”. You must remember it. When near an object of enjoyment (Abhoga) another object reaches, a desire is begotten to get that object. For instance a man when in town has dress, living as per the dress and living of the urban people and when in a village he has as per the villagers. This is effected because of his desire begotten out of his association with people in town and villages respectively. When some persons take tea, there you also get the desire to take the same.” (1)
Even animals and humans affect each other via company/sanga
Chimpanzees that stay with human scientists have an improved vocabulary compared to the ones that live in the wilderness due to human company. Those cows that have never seen the city and have been on farms all their lives get stressed when they first time see the roads and blaring vehicles. While the stray cows in cities easily maneuver through the roads. One can see such cows roaming freely on roads in India. They can do so because of human sanga.
Humans also get affected by animals’ company. If a person has a pet dog and that person is not having Brahma bha’va towards the dog, i.e. the person does not consider the dog as a manifestation of Brahma but an ordinary dog then the person will definitely get affected by the dog’s company. If the person spends long hours with the dog then his behavior will get affected by the dog’s behavior.
Thus, a mind gets colored by another mind in whose company/sanga it comes as long as the mind is not ensconced in Brahma. This is a natural law. What to speak of one human affecting other even animals affect humans.
Why always keep satsaunga (good company)
As far as possible one should only keep good company or satsaunga regardless of one’s physical age. If we allow our minds to be in the company of bad people then undoubtedly our minds will get affected by the bad habits of the people in whose contact we come. It may not be possible to keep 24/7 company of maha’purus’as as they may not be available in abundance. One should attempt to maximize satsaunga (good company) however.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, “Humans should always be careful about the company they keep. What is the result of keeping good company? By spending time with good persons, a deep impression is imprinted on the mind, causing the desire to be good to rise in the mind. If, on the other hand, one chooses to associate with a drunkard, a thought will eventually come in the mind, “What is the harm if I drink a little wine?” And if one associates with thieves, one will think, “What is the harm if I steal something?” To give an example, suppose a person is standing beside a tea stall. There the smell of the tea wafts to the person’s nose. The person will then say, “Give me a cup, too.” In this incident, the smell of the tea affects the mind. If that person had not remained near the tea stall, the smell would not have reached the nose and perhaps that person would not have taken tea for two or three days. This is the influence that association has on the mind.” (2)
Dealing with bad people
If all spend time with only good people the who will spend time with bad people and correct them? Who will reform bad people? Here the operating factor is the relative nature of one’s goodness. If one is a sa’dhu’ then one can come in contact with the bad people and without himself getting affected can provide satsaunga (good company) to the bad people and rectify them. However, for someone who is not a sa’dhu’ there is a risk that that person will get affected by the presence of bad people.
Ananda Marga ideology says, “What is durjana? Durjana means “he who depraves the mind of others”. Now here durjana is a relative term. A man, Mr. X, may be treated as durjana for Mr. Y, but may not be treated as durjana for Mr. Z. Suppose in Mr. X the good portion, the merit portion, is ten degrees, and the bad portion, the demerit portion, is twelve degrees. Then the resultant is two degrees in favour of demerit: ten degrees merit and twelve degrees demerit, so the resultant goes in favour of demerit. Two degrees demerit is the resultant. Now another man’s merit portion is fifteen degrees, and demerit portion ten degrees. So the resultant five degrees goes in favour of merit. So he has five degrees of merit, and the first man has two degrees of demerit. So when that five-degree merit man comes in contact with that two-degree demerit man, the resultant will go in favour of that five-degree merit man. So that bad man will be modified, rectified. He will become good on coming in contact with that five-degree merit man. So for that five-degree merit man, that two-degree demerit man is not a durjana, because the latter cannot deprave him. But for a man who has just one degree of merit, that two-degree demerit man may deprave him – so for him that two-degree demerit man is a durjana.” (3)
Spending time with durjana - Seva’ for sa’dhu’ and satsaunga (good company) for durjana
If a sa’dhu’ spends time with a durjana to rectify him then the sa’dhu’ is performing a seva’ and the durjana is receiving satsaunga. This way, there is no downfall of sa’dhu’ while the durjana is elevating. On the other hand, a common person whose merit is comparable with the durjana then that durjana will be a kusanga for the common person. This kind of association has only one result and that is the downfall of the common person.
Conclusion
Often, grownup people think that they will not get affected by the bad habits of the people who they come in contact with. Although, the influence of company is more pronounced in one’s childhood the influence is still there, and quite significant, in one’s adulthood. In fact, what to speak of humans affecting each other even animals affect and get affected by humans via the company. One should always attempt to have good company. The only time one should get in contact with bad people is when they need to be rectified.
That is why we see that in various discourses Baba stresses that committed sadhakas should always be busy in shravan, manan, and nididhyásana. That way they will busy engaged in and get the company of Sadguru. Sadguru is not just an imaginary, utopian, or some far-fetched Entity. He is hiding in the heart, and one’s only duty is to pay attention to Him by the aforesaid spiritual efforts. By the company of Sadguru, life will be full of bliss. And whatever work one does will be successful. Such sadhakas are an asset to the society. By their presence itself society at-large is greatly benefited. Those bhaktas get direct energy from Taraka Brahma. An ordinary sadhaka with a little effort can realise this. The central idea is that by various ways one should try to gain the company of Sadguru Baba. That is the best company.
In Him,
Bhakti
Note: You may have figured out that the full title is: Danger keeping non-margii bosom friend
~ In-depth study ~
Gets degenerated in an evil environment
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “While moving along mundane mental paths, the human mind is influenced by many kinds of susceptibilities which are based on mundane activities. Under these circumstances there is a need, on the one hand, for purity of thought, and on the other, for satsauṋga [associating with good people]. The same person who is elevated in the company of good people, gets degenerated in an evil environment. This is a tested truth. So in human life there is as much need of satsauṋga as there is the need to shun evil company. Therefore, it is necessary to look for satsauṋga and avoid asatsauṋga [associating with bad people].” (4)
Even a saintly person will go astray after a few days
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Those who are born with fairly healthy bodies and minds, who do not lack knowledge of morality or live an undisciplined social life, or who have not become dishonest as a result of circumstantial pressure, often unwittingly take to the path of dishonesty because they keep bad company. Perhaps as many as ninety-nine per cent of people talk about themselves in the following way: “I do not need to bother about the company I keep, as long as I am good myself. I can remain good in all types of company. I am old enough to understand the difference between good and bad.” In other words, such people do not like to think, or rather feel piqued at the thought, that somebody should try to dissuade them from keeping bad company. Especially if a less-educated person advises a more highly-educated person to avoid bad company, that person will do it all the more. In society people who regard themselves as superior in status, wealth or education generally believe that it is entirely unwarranted for others to give them advice. That is why an educated but wayward son often disregards the good advice of his parents." (5)
"The natural characteristics of the human mind, however, tell a different story than what that ninety-nine percent think. A person of any age between seven and seventy is invariably influenced by the company he or she keeps. In other words, where goodness is predominant, bad people will slowly but surely become good, and where the opposite is the case, good people will become bad. Even a saintly person will go astray after a few days of close association with bad people." (5)
By keeping bad company people become debauched, slanderers & thieves
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Suppose a teetotaller mixes regularly with a group of alcoholics. The frequent anti-teetotaller gibes and the positive portrayals of the wondrous virtues of wine by the alcoholics will one day tempt the teetotaller to taste a little wine. His or her drinking friends will say, “We don’t want you to become drunk. But what’s the harm if you just taste a little! This surely won’t make you a bad person! What a moralist you are! Oh friend, to be such a moralist in the world today is ridiculous!” So one day the teetotaller tastes wine and this becomes the cause of his or her downfall. But on the day the unsuspecting teetotaller took wine, he or she did not realize that from that very day wine would become the cause of his or her degeneration." (5)
Children will also tend to become depraved if
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Similarly, by keeping bad company people become debauched, slanderers and thieves. Men or women who have to do little or no household work, who fail to cultivate high ideals in life, who are unable to evolve a spiritual outlook, or who do not have to work hard for a living, generally develop an extremely critical nature. By constantly associating with such people, those who possess high ideals or a diligent nature will gradually begin to spend their leisure time in slanderous gossip. If the parents or older members of a family are quarrelsome, the children will also become quarrelsome due to constant association. Similarly, if the women of a family have a highly critical nature, the children will invariably become critical because they will learn how to criticize from their elders. Children will also tend to become depraved if they associate too closely with older children in schools or colleges. When they stay among children their own age, however, they generally play in an innocent, joyous way. Childhood companions should be selected with great care, but young children are incapable of doing this. The base propensities which lie dormant in everyone are easily stimulated by constant association with bad people. Through the united efforts of parents, people living in the locality and educators, it may be possible to save children from bad company.” (5)
References
(1) Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 20, Astitva and Shivatva
(2) Discourses on Tantra Volume Two, Keeping Good Company
(3) Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 31, Sinners and Their Rectification
(4) Yoga Psychology, Under the Shelter of the Guru
(5) Human Society Part 1, Justice
Baba
Danger keeping NM bosom friend
Namaskar,
Often parents, out of concern, keep a strict vigil on the company their children keep. They feel that their children can get negatively affected by keeping a wrong company. While correct in thinking so parents often, quite ironically, tend to ignore the application of the same principle of staying away from the bad company on themselves. The common argument that is presented is that they are grown up adults and know very well what not to learn. They say that even in the company of a bad person they can refrain from picking bad habits and will learn only good habits. Let us take an example. Say Dr. A is a professor in a University and is concerned and teaches his son B that he should always stay in the company of good people. A, however, takes a walk with his colleague X who is an alcoholic. When A’s father tells him that A should not hang out with X then A says, “...but father, I am a professor and a grown-up man and I know what not to learn from X and what to.” Does A also need to follow the principle of satsaunga (good company) in his life as much as he wants B to?
There is a great emphasis on Satsaunga (good company) in Ananda Marga teachings. Although the effect of sanga (company) is more pronounced during the childhood it is applicable for all ages.
Village simpleton becomes fashionista in the city
To see how sanga affects a person, consider the case of a simple villager who has, in the name of belongings, just a pair of loincloths and a bicycle and he is happy with those items. When he comes to a city and sees other people in branded clothing and shoes he develops a desire to acquire the same. While in the village he did not have a need for any items of clothing beyond his loincloth but the company of city-people created a need for fashionable clothing. Likewise, he was happy with his bicycle in his village but when he sees the large cars of city-people that very bicycle begin appearing outdated. This is the effect of sanga or company. Thus, due to the company, the village person begin behaving like a city person.
Psychic influence of sanga
Influence of company takes place at both physical and psychic level. The viral influence of Hollywood fashion is an example of how sanga works at the psychic level. Although, those people who do not go to Hollywood physically if their mind’s Abhoga (mental food) is Hollywood then they get affected by the trends in the Hollywood.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “The cruder the vibrator we get, the cruder the Prakrti tries to make it. Actually Prakrti tries to make that her own but this makes the object still cruder. So gradually it becomes crude from the subtle. Behind this a principle works – “Abhoga Samsargat Praptiresana”. You must remember it. When near an object of enjoyment (Abhoga) another object reaches, a desire is begotten to get that object. For instance a man when in town has dress, living as per the dress and living of the urban people and when in a village he has as per the villagers. This is effected because of his desire begotten out of his association with people in town and villages respectively. When some persons take tea, there you also get the desire to take the same.” (1)
Even animals and humans affect each other via company/sanga
Chimpanzees that stay with human scientists have an improved vocabulary compared to the ones that live in the wilderness due to human company. Those cows that have never seen the city and have been on farms all their lives get stressed when they first time see the roads and blaring vehicles. While the stray cows in cities easily maneuver through the roads. One can see such cows roaming freely on roads in India. They can do so because of human sanga.
Humans also get affected by animals’ company. If a person has a pet dog and that person is not having Brahma bha’va towards the dog, i.e. the person does not consider the dog as a manifestation of Brahma but an ordinary dog then the person will definitely get affected by the dog’s company. If the person spends long hours with the dog then his behavior will get affected by the dog’s behavior.
Thus, a mind gets colored by another mind in whose company/sanga it comes as long as the mind is not ensconced in Brahma. This is a natural law. What to speak of one human affecting other even animals affect humans.
Why always keep satsaunga (good company)
As far as possible one should only keep good company or satsaunga regardless of one’s physical age. If we allow our minds to be in the company of bad people then undoubtedly our minds will get affected by the bad habits of the people in whose contact we come. It may not be possible to keep 24/7 company of maha’purus’as as they may not be available in abundance. One should attempt to maximize satsaunga (good company) however.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, “Humans should always be careful about the company they keep. What is the result of keeping good company? By spending time with good persons, a deep impression is imprinted on the mind, causing the desire to be good to rise in the mind. If, on the other hand, one chooses to associate with a drunkard, a thought will eventually come in the mind, “What is the harm if I drink a little wine?” And if one associates with thieves, one will think, “What is the harm if I steal something?” To give an example, suppose a person is standing beside a tea stall. There the smell of the tea wafts to the person’s nose. The person will then say, “Give me a cup, too.” In this incident, the smell of the tea affects the mind. If that person had not remained near the tea stall, the smell would not have reached the nose and perhaps that person would not have taken tea for two or three days. This is the influence that association has on the mind.” (2)
Dealing with bad people
If all spend time with only good people the who will spend time with bad people and correct them? Who will reform bad people? Here the operating factor is the relative nature of one’s goodness. If one is a sa’dhu’ then one can come in contact with the bad people and without himself getting affected can provide satsaunga (good company) to the bad people and rectify them. However, for someone who is not a sa’dhu’ there is a risk that that person will get affected by the presence of bad people.
Ananda Marga ideology says, “What is durjana? Durjana means “he who depraves the mind of others”. Now here durjana is a relative term. A man, Mr. X, may be treated as durjana for Mr. Y, but may not be treated as durjana for Mr. Z. Suppose in Mr. X the good portion, the merit portion, is ten degrees, and the bad portion, the demerit portion, is twelve degrees. Then the resultant is two degrees in favour of demerit: ten degrees merit and twelve degrees demerit, so the resultant goes in favour of demerit. Two degrees demerit is the resultant. Now another man’s merit portion is fifteen degrees, and demerit portion ten degrees. So the resultant five degrees goes in favour of merit. So he has five degrees of merit, and the first man has two degrees of demerit. So when that five-degree merit man comes in contact with that two-degree demerit man, the resultant will go in favour of that five-degree merit man. So that bad man will be modified, rectified. He will become good on coming in contact with that five-degree merit man. So for that five-degree merit man, that two-degree demerit man is not a durjana, because the latter cannot deprave him. But for a man who has just one degree of merit, that two-degree demerit man may deprave him – so for him that two-degree demerit man is a durjana.” (3)
Spending time with durjana - Seva’ for sa’dhu’ and satsaunga (good company) for durjana
If a sa’dhu’ spends time with a durjana to rectify him then the sa’dhu’ is performing a seva’ and the durjana is receiving satsaunga. This way, there is no downfall of sa’dhu’ while the durjana is elevating. On the other hand, a common person whose merit is comparable with the durjana then that durjana will be a kusanga for the common person. This kind of association has only one result and that is the downfall of the common person.
Conclusion
Often, grownup people think that they will not get affected by the bad habits of the people who they come in contact with. Although, the influence of company is more pronounced in one’s childhood the influence is still there, and quite significant, in one’s adulthood. In fact, what to speak of humans affecting each other even animals affect and get affected by humans via the company. One should always attempt to have good company. The only time one should get in contact with bad people is when they need to be rectified.
That is why we see that in various discourses Baba stresses that committed sadhakas should always be busy in shravan, manan, and nididhyásana. That way they will busy engaged in and get the company of Sadguru. Sadguru is not just an imaginary, utopian, or some far-fetched Entity. He is hiding in the heart, and one’s only duty is to pay attention to Him by the aforesaid spiritual efforts. By the company of Sadguru, life will be full of bliss. And whatever work one does will be successful. Such sadhakas are an asset to the society. By their presence itself society at-large is greatly benefited. Those bhaktas get direct energy from Taraka Brahma. An ordinary sadhaka with a little effort can realise this. The central idea is that by various ways one should try to gain the company of Sadguru Baba. That is the best company.
In Him,
Bhakti
Note: You may have figured out that the full title is: Danger keeping non-margii bosom friend
~ In-depth study ~
Gets degenerated in an evil environment
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “While moving along mundane mental paths, the human mind is influenced by many kinds of susceptibilities which are based on mundane activities. Under these circumstances there is a need, on the one hand, for purity of thought, and on the other, for satsauṋga [associating with good people]. The same person who is elevated in the company of good people, gets degenerated in an evil environment. This is a tested truth. So in human life there is as much need of satsauṋga as there is the need to shun evil company. Therefore, it is necessary to look for satsauṋga and avoid asatsauṋga [associating with bad people].” (4)
Even a saintly person will go astray after a few days
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Those who are born with fairly healthy bodies and minds, who do not lack knowledge of morality or live an undisciplined social life, or who have not become dishonest as a result of circumstantial pressure, often unwittingly take to the path of dishonesty because they keep bad company. Perhaps as many as ninety-nine per cent of people talk about themselves in the following way: “I do not need to bother about the company I keep, as long as I am good myself. I can remain good in all types of company. I am old enough to understand the difference between good and bad.” In other words, such people do not like to think, or rather feel piqued at the thought, that somebody should try to dissuade them from keeping bad company. Especially if a less-educated person advises a more highly-educated person to avoid bad company, that person will do it all the more. In society people who regard themselves as superior in status, wealth or education generally believe that it is entirely unwarranted for others to give them advice. That is why an educated but wayward son often disregards the good advice of his parents." (5)
"The natural characteristics of the human mind, however, tell a different story than what that ninety-nine percent think. A person of any age between seven and seventy is invariably influenced by the company he or she keeps. In other words, where goodness is predominant, bad people will slowly but surely become good, and where the opposite is the case, good people will become bad. Even a saintly person will go astray after a few days of close association with bad people." (5)
By keeping bad company people become debauched, slanderers & thieves
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Suppose a teetotaller mixes regularly with a group of alcoholics. The frequent anti-teetotaller gibes and the positive portrayals of the wondrous virtues of wine by the alcoholics will one day tempt the teetotaller to taste a little wine. His or her drinking friends will say, “We don’t want you to become drunk. But what’s the harm if you just taste a little! This surely won’t make you a bad person! What a moralist you are! Oh friend, to be such a moralist in the world today is ridiculous!” So one day the teetotaller tastes wine and this becomes the cause of his or her downfall. But on the day the unsuspecting teetotaller took wine, he or she did not realize that from that very day wine would become the cause of his or her degeneration." (5)
Children will also tend to become depraved if
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Similarly, by keeping bad company people become debauched, slanderers and thieves. Men or women who have to do little or no household work, who fail to cultivate high ideals in life, who are unable to evolve a spiritual outlook, or who do not have to work hard for a living, generally develop an extremely critical nature. By constantly associating with such people, those who possess high ideals or a diligent nature will gradually begin to spend their leisure time in slanderous gossip. If the parents or older members of a family are quarrelsome, the children will also become quarrelsome due to constant association. Similarly, if the women of a family have a highly critical nature, the children will invariably become critical because they will learn how to criticize from their elders. Children will also tend to become depraved if they associate too closely with older children in schools or colleges. When they stay among children their own age, however, they generally play in an innocent, joyous way. Childhood companions should be selected with great care, but young children are incapable of doing this. The base propensities which lie dormant in everyone are easily stimulated by constant association with bad people. Through the united efforts of parents, people living in the locality and educators, it may be possible to save children from bad company.” (5)
References
(1) Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 20, Astitva and Shivatva
(2) Discourses on Tantra Volume Two, Keeping Good Company
(3) Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 31, Sinners and Their Rectification
(4) Yoga Psychology, Under the Shelter of the Guru
(5) Human Society Part 1, Justice
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