Baba
Wrong vs right motivation
Namaskar,
Human beings are motivated in different ways. Sometimes their motivation serves as a perennial source of inspiration for dharmic works and sometimes their motivating force sends them into an inevitable and unenviable state of depression and frustration. We should take a look at the operative factors involved - i.e. what is a person's motivation, and why some tend to get frustrated or quickly give up the work.
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The case of the communists in Bengal
There are some who do things out of reaction. Let us see who they are and if their pathway leads to frustration or not.
One classic case is the communist party members in the early 1980s in Bengal. They became extremely jealous as our AMPS gathered more and more followers and sympathizers by performing service to the needy, poor, and destitute. The common people were rallying around us because of our plans and programs to uplift them from disaster and poverty.
Seeing this, in the early 1980s the communists were seething, i.e. burning with envy. They too then started social service projects - out of a reaction to what was being done by AMPS. In contrast to our works - which were motivated by a sincere desire to serve - the communists were only engaging in "service" as one ploy or strategy to compete and gain popularity. They were jealous of the positive attention we were getting.
The communist doctrine did not assert that service is indispensable in society, nor was this their normal way of working. They were not doing this as their duty, just they were doing it out of reaction. That was their primary motivation. Not surprisingly, it was not long before all their frustrations mounted; their desire fizzled; and, ultimately their projects crumbled into dust.
In His series of discourses on neo-humanism, Baba pointedly warns us about those who have no sincere desire to serve, but use deceptive methods to garner public support. Such persons are doing out of reaction to surrounding events, not out of their own inner feeling. They engage in social service work only to draw favour unto themselves - not to help others; in that case, their stamina will quickly wane, and they will give up the work, as evidenced by the communists of Bengal.
The essential motivating factor underwriting this outlook is trying to outdo their competitors. They are doing out of reaction and when they do not get the results they want, they quickly give up the work. Never are they propelled by a sincere, inner benevolent desire.
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Sole motivation is to "outdo" the other sadhaka
Sometimes a Wt worker sees another person doing long sadhana and then that Dada vows to do sadhana for twice as long. Their approach is born out of reaction and jealousy. That Wt is not guided by the high ideal to serve and love Parama Purusa. Rather, their sole motivation is to "outdo" the other sadhaka and gain the respect that the other sadhaka is receiving etc. For that reason, when they do not get their selfish agenda met, their days of doing "long sadhana" end. Quickly they get frustrated. Actually, they were not doing long sadhana - just they wanted the prestige and when that did not arrive they gave up the task. And there are countless such cases in individual life as well. We can all think of many such examples.
They are just leg-pullers
Whether in individual life or group life, such people who do out of reaction are just "leg-pullers", i.e. just trying to wrestle another party to the ground in hopes of heightening their own standing. They have no greater motivation. In cent-per-cent of these instances, frustration rises quickly, and the entire approach is derailed.
In His discourses on neo-humanism, Baba points out that those who do out of reaction suffer from a psychic disease. Their dark ways stem from a deep craving for attention or mundane power etc. What they do is not from a point of sincerity but is rather filled with conflicting and ulterior motives.
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Hypocrisy unveiled
A second category of people that get easily frustrated are those who resort to hypocrisy. The classic example is any Wt group leader not currently in power. In that case, such a person will walk around and act sweet, soft and humble with all the margiis. They will empathize with the struggles of margii / family life, offer encouragement in sadhana, and act with all kinds of niceties. And they will talk about all the great things they will do for others etc. One might become truly convinced that this Dada really is a gem. But the proof comes later on.
As soon as that Dada comes to power, then their thirst for stature and control knows no bounds. Their years of frustration vent fully, and one can see that this person is a veritable despot, crushing all in their way. Due to their lack of divine inspiration, their tenure will not last long, and one day they are sure to lament about their failed ways.
Whether we look at any particular group leader, they all fall prey to the above formula. They are tried and true hypocrites, destined for frustration. When in power they rule with an iron fist, and when not in power they wear the mask of hypocrisy and pretend to be saintly in order to gain more followers and ultimately overthrow the ruling group. It is just one duplicitous cycle.
Beggars of praise & power resort to hypocrisy
This sort of hypocrisy is evident in anyone desperate for praise or attention or power. In our AMPS, this primarily refers to group leaders and their stooges, but it can manifest in anyone seeking attention, stature, and power - whether they be inside or outside AMPS.
Many do sadhana, asanas, fasting, and read of Baba's books so that others will revere them. But if they do not get the attention they seek or when others are not around to watch, then such persons become frustrated and give up their holy behavior.
Likewise, worldly politicians will visit disaster sites and share in grieving with the masses when they themselves are seeking political office. The moment they step out of the electoral race, they stop journeying from place to place, offering solace to suffering families etc. Then who can say their "empathy" was born out of good will.
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Must protect oneself from such a downfall
The solution is two-fold: To be very sincere in spiritual practices, serve others with honest intention of welfare. Side by side, we are to identify those reactive peoples and hypocrites who are polluting society, both outside and within our Marga.
Becoming a reactive person or hypocrite is a severe blow to the human personality - all should beware. Such a person is destined for angst and frustration and in the future one will suffer the tortures of their past actions.
We should all drastically avoid any such ways and be sincere in Sixteen Points and always ask the Almighty to keep us on the path of supreme benevolence.
Example of AMPS during Emergency
The true path of ideal sadhakas is the path of revolution - boldly pronouncing the truth in all spheres of life, not caring if praise or censure comes our way - not motivated by jealousy or the lust for power.
If anyone has a sincere motivation to (a) help others, (b) bring forth the banner of Ananda Marga ideology, and (c) please the Supreme Entity will invariably will face strong opposition. But frustration will never take hold of them. Always they will be infused with a perennial source of inspiration that comes directly from Him. They will always drift in His bliss.
One great example of all this is what happened during the Emergency period in 1975 in India. The communist government and all their battalions were against AMPS. Sadguru was imprisoned, so many workers were jailed, yet so many in AMPS held strong and kept their ideological zeal and optimism despite the harsh treatment. It almost seemed like the greater the torture, the more inspiration those dharmikas had. No one gave up - because they had an inner urge to serve Supreme Entity. The few who left AMPS had some other crude goal in mind.
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Conclusion
We should always ensure that we are serving and pleasing Him selflessly. If any work is done without that benevolent motive then such persons will bind themselves and destroy their inner peace and tranquility.
Those who speak the truth and whose thoughts, words, and deeds are guided by the feeling of universal benevolence are the real aspirants. Their inspiration comes directly from Him, and their sole aim is to please Parama Purusa. With this type of approach, all kinds of great works can get done, and one will never feel tired, frustrated, or exasperated. Invariably one will be infused with His divine inspiration.
In Him,
Gunadhiisha
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Main Topic ==
Virtuous and sinners
"E kii toma'ri liila', toma'ri khela'..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0544)
Purport:
My Parama Purusa, what a supremely divine play You have created; what a grand liila this is of Yours. On the one hand You are virat, and on the other end of the spectrum You are hiding in each and every tiny molecule. You are formless; yet, You are floating Your raft in this expressed universe, manifesting Yourself in the multifarious expressions of this world. You remain both in the expressionless cosmos as well as within each and every unit entity. Baba, Your divine liila is beyond conception.
Baba, You are omnipresent. Where are You not; You are everywhere. You are in the depths of my mind, in the soft, gentle breeze, in the fragrant flower pollen, and in the beautiful blue sky. You are everywhere. When I contemplate Your greatness, I cannot find any direction where You are not. You make those who think of You full of immense longing. You fill their heart with an irresistible attraction for You.
Baba, Your exquisite love knows no bounds; it is vast and limitless. You transform meagre beings into something vast, great, and immortal, and look upon everyone with equal love and affection. You never discriminate between one human being and another, between the virtuous and the sinners, between the dharmic and the adharmic, between the good or the bad, but graciously lift everyone onto Your lap. You accept all. Baba, with Your soft, lotus hand, You lovingly shower Your causeless
Grace-compassion.
Baba, Your divine liila is unfathomable. Nobody can conceive of the greatness of Your liila. It is very beautiful and has no comparison...
Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #0544:
[1] Vira't'a: Literally meaning immeasurable, unfathomable etc. Only Parama Purusa is virat, not any worldly entity.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Parama Purus'a is very great, very very great. When the greatness becomes immeasurable, unfathomable, it is called vira't in Sam'skrta. Parama Purus'a is very great and very vast." (1)
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Anything big having no boundary lines is known as vira't'a in Sanskrit. Parama Purus'a is vira't'a." (2)
References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 17, The Significance of Language
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Unit Spirit and Cosmic Spirit
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
What is linguistic imperialism
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “People must raise their socio-economic consciousness, know who their exploiters are, expose psycho-economic exploitation and become imbued with fighting spirit. While you should encourage the use of all tongues, this does not imply opposing the study of other languages. Language in itself is of secondary importance; of primary importance is the cultural and socio-economic consequences of linguistic imperialism. (1)
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Some Aspects of Socio-Economic Planning
== Section 4: Links ==
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