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Sunday, May 25, 2025

Reporte: mensajeros voladores + PS #2070 (español)

Baba

Reporte: mensajeros voladores

Nota: Esta carta es sólo para aquellos que tienen reverencia por Sadguru Baba Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji y tratan de seguir Su ideología Ananda Marga.

Namaskar,

Como Ananda Margiis, los mejores recuerdos y las experiencias más hermosas de la vida giran en torno a estar con Sadguru Baba: a través de nuestros sueños, en nuestra sadhana, o estando en Su proximidad. Todos estos recuerdos nos traen una oleada de dulzura y dicha. Verdaderamente somos bendecidos por tener Su toque personal en la vida. Eso no es más que Su gracia insondable.

Todo lo que Parama Purusa Baba hace está dirigido a acercarnos a Él. Sus enseñanzas, Sus historias, Su afecto, Sus regaños amorosos y Su bondad, Sus directivas y Su humor, todo lo hace por una razón especial: Para que nos acerquemos a Parama Purusa y nos demos cuenta de Su infinito amor. De ese modo, todo lo que Él hace es para nuestro progreso. La siguiente historia va en esta misma dirección.

https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

"un lagarto volador me ha dicho..."

Baba es el Parama Purusa omnisciente, pero en público no le gustaba proclamar que "lo sé todo". Había ocasiones en las que no quería decir abiertamente: "Sé todo lo que estás pensando". En tales ocasiones, Él decía dulcemente, "Un búfalo volador, o un lagarto volador, o un conejo volador, o un camello volador me ha dicho...etc" Esta era la manera muy amable y humorística de Baba de expresar la idea de que, "Yo soy ese omnipresente y omnisciente Parama Purusa que conoce todo lo que sucede en este universo".

Todos los que estaban por aquellos días han oído en reportajes a Baba expresar: "Un búfalo volador o un camello volador o un lagarto volador o varios otros tipos de animales voladores han venido y me han susurrado al oído". Parama Purusa Baba solía decir esto cuando estaba a punto de revelar el pensamiento mental de x, y, z, o de cualquiera. Esta explicación extremadamente humorística era la forma en que Baba, que todo lo sabe, nos decía dulcemente que Él está al tanto de todas y cada una de las cosas y que siempre está con nosotros, cuidándonos y observándonos, ayudándonos y salvándonos en todas las circunstancias. Nunca estamos solos o desamparados. Él siempre está presente con Su amoroso semblante. Parama Purusa no sólo es consciente de todo lo que hacemos, sino que está con nosotros en todo momento para asegurarse de que estamos a salvo en todas las situaciones.

Este punto de que "Baba me está observando" no es un mito o un cuento de hadas. Todo sadhaka sincero se da cuenta de este punto de alguna manera. Aquellos que hacen sadhana regularmente sienten Su presencia en su vida práctica o se han dado cuenta de Su presencia eterna al estar en sesiones de reporte o contacto personal con Él. O con la práctica continua este sentimiento ciertamente surgirá en su conciencia. Esta es una idea bien reconocida y entendida entre los Ananda Margiis.

https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

La omnisciencia de Baba: nada oculto o secreto

Al informar, Baba solía revelar ante todos los pensamientos, secretos y comportamientos ocultos de lo que hacía cualquier bhakta en particular. Inmediatamente, ese sadhaka se maravillaba de cómo Baba sabía lo que estaban pensando o cómo podía contar todos los detalles gráficos de lo que habían hecho en secreto.

Supongamos que piensas algo y no se lo dices a nadie; es algo entre tú y sólo tú. Y entonces Baba, que todo lo sabe, revela ese mismo pensamiento. O supón que hiciste algo en un lugar muy aislado y nadie más sabía lo que habías hecho. Y nunca se lo dijiste a nadie por miedo o vergüenza, etc., y entonces Baba revela amorosamente el hecho para llevar a los sadhakas por el camino correcto. Esto no se hizo para autoglorificarse o para arruinar la imagen de ese sadhaka, sino para llevarlo dulce o severamente por el camino del bienestar. Entonces uno puede entender que nada - ningún pensamiento y ninguna acción - puede ser ocultado a Parama Purusa Baba.

Esa era la escena exacta que ocurría regularmente en los reportajes. Un sadhaka no le había dicho a nadie o mencionado nada a nadie acerca de lo que había hecho, sin embargo, aquí estaba Sadguru Baba revelando todo - cada detalle específico. Y esto no era una circunstancia singular. Parama Purusa Baba hacía esto con todos. Esta era Su manera regular. De este modo, revelaba Su Ser divino y llevaba a los discípulos por el camino correcto.

Anticipación: energía espiritual palpable

En un DMC en abril de 1984 en Daltonganj, todos los margiis y acaryas se habían reunido y esperaban con alegría y ansiedad la llegada divina de Parama Purusa Baba al pandal. Había una gran expectación y mucho bhakti en el aire. La vibración espiritual era palpable. Aquellos días nuestra Ananda Marga estaba creciendo rápidamente. Cada día Baba daba nuevas enseñanzas y cada semana venían más y más bhaktas de todo el mundo para tener Su darshan. Los días de Emergencia habían quedado atrás y todo en Ananda Marga (AMPS) estaba prosperando. Nuevas personas entraban rápidamente en el camino del tantra.

https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

En ese ansioso momento en que todos esperaban la augusta presencia de Baba, el pandal se llenó con el canto espiritualmente vibrante del kiirtan. Después de cada ronda de kiirtan, todos estábamos seguros de que Baba llegaría en ese momento. Pero por desgracia no fue así. Y de nuevo el anhelo místico aumentaba en el kiirtan hasta que la idea de que Él no viniera era insoportable. Todos estábamos perdidos en Su pensamiento y ritmo.

Entonces, justo cuando parecía que el kiirtan iba a durar para siempre, hubo una llamada masiva desde la parte delantera del pandal: "¡Parama Pita Baba Ki!" y todos gritamos "¡Jai!". Todavía no había ninguna señal física de la llegada de Baba, pero podíamos sentir que en cualquier momento aparecería. Entonces llegó de nuevo la llamada "Parama Pita Baba Ki" y al unísono todos respondieron "¡Jai!". Esto continuó durante 4 o 5 rondas más hasta que el sonido alcanzó su punto máximo y cada célula de la existencia de todos se concentró en Su llegada.

La gran llegada de Baba

En esa grandiosa atmósfera, Baba emergió de detrás del escenario y gentilmente bendijo a todos a Su llegada. Una oleada de felicidad se extendió a través de la masa de bhaktas que se habían reunido. Y de manera regia y majestuosa Sadguru Baba caminó lentamente por el escenario, usando Su bastón de la manera más digna. Gritos de "Baba, Baba, Baba" llenaban el aire. Todo el tiempo los Dadas asistentes le rodeaban, observando cada uno de sus pasos.

Cuando Baba llegó al estrado y se giró para sentarse, inmediatamente el Dada Asistente Personal se adelantó, le quitó los zapatos y le ayudó a sentarse cómodamente. Se colocaron almohadas y todo quedó limpio y ordenado. Le ofrecieron un vaso de agua a Baba y Él bebió suavemente del vaso tomando una pequeña cantidad de agua. El pandal estaba en silencio; todos los ojos estaban fijos en Baba. Todos le observaban atentamente para ver qué ocurriría a continuación.

https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Entonces, Baba preguntó alegremente: "¿Cómo están todos? ¿Comieron suficiente? ¿Están bien?"
Y todos respondieron: "Sí, Baba".

El mensajero volador de Baba

Entonces llegó la llamada para el kaoshikii de los hermanos. Todavía en aquella época, el kaoshikii era relativamente nuevo, y todos estaban aprendiendo a mejorar su ritmo y su forma. Así que, con ese espíritu, se organizó una competición de kaoshikii. Numerosos hermanos participaron, y Baba asintió suavemente con la cabeza mientras bailaban.

Espontáneamente, en ese mismo momento, la líder del kaoshikii de las hermanas pensaba para sus adentros que éstas no debían bailar kaoshikii delante de Baba. No se lo dijo a nadie. Sólo esta idea surgió en su mente. Después de todo, ella había entrenado antes a esas hermanas y, aunque todas habían practicado mucho, había mucha gente nueva y su forma no estaba a la altura. Así que la encargada Didi estaba pensando que lo mejor sería que las hermanas no fueran llamadas a bailar kaoshikii. Pero no se lo dijo verbalmente a nadie, sino que era su propia sensación interna.

Cuando los hermanos terminaron su baile, Baba, que todo lo sabía, miró a su alrededor y todos esperaban lo inevitable: que pidiera a las hermanas que bailaran el kaoshikii. Pero no sucedió. Baba se demoró y la sala quedó en silencio. Al momento siguiente, Baba dijo en hindi: "Ha venido un camello volador y me ha dicho que las chicas no quieren participar en el concurso de kaoshikii".

https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Tras decir esto, el omnisciente Baba sonreía y miraba alrededor del pandal; en respuesta, todos empezaron a sonreír y a reír. Al ver toda esta escena, Didi comprendió bien que Baba conocía todos y cada uno de sus pensamientos. No le había dicho a nadie que las hermanas no debían bailar kaoshikii, no se lo había dicho a nadie. Comprendió que Baba es esa Entidad Divina que todo lo sabe y que conoce cada uno de sus pensamientos, siempre. En ese momento, la Didi encargada dijo: "Baba, las hermanas están listas para participar en la competencia de kaoshikii".

Entonces Baba respondió: "Como quieras".

En consecuencia esas hermanas hicieron su competencia en kaoshikii y Baba dio Su aprobación.

"No puedes ocultarle tus pensamientos"

Durante los informes y el dharma samiiksa, etc., y en diversas circunstancias, el omnisciente Baba solía decir: "Un búfalo volador me ha dicho..." Esta era su encantadora y dulce manera de decirnos que Él siempre está con nosotros. En todos los informes y sesiones de Contacto Personal, Él hacía esto.

Por esta expresión, debemos entender que no estamos solos y que no podemos hacer nada oculto o en secreto. Siempre debemos pensar que Parama Purusa está observando. A través de este enfoque, un sadhaka se vuelve puro y santificado, ya que no se involucrará en ninguna mala acción porque piensa que Parama Purusa Baba siempre está observando. Paralelamente, sabemos que Él está presente con nosotros en todas las situaciones para salvarnos de cualquier problema o dificultad.

Ciertamente, al cultivar este hábito y pensar que Parama Purusa Baba siempre está observando, entonces comienza la verdadera vida espiritual de uno. Cuando cualquier sadhaka idea de esta manera las 24 horas, se establecen en el Brahmahood. En esa etapa, no pueden hacer nada malo. Más bien, uno se llenará de inspiración perenne sabiendo que por Su gracia la victoria está asegurada. Tal es el gran beneficio de Su presencia eterna.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

En verdad, todo este proceso es una forma práctica de hacer la segunda lección. Este proceso también se utiliza en dhyana también. Porque cuando un bhakta tiene Su estrecha proximidad y sirve a Parama Purusa, entonces eso significa que Él está observando.

Conclusión

La característica básica de cada bhakta es la comprensión de que Parama Purusa Baba está presente con ellos siempre, en todas las condiciones y en todas las circunstancias. Eso trae infinita inspiración, coraje y fervor espiritual. Entonces, cuando Baba dice que "Un búfalo volador me ha dicho...", Él nos está recordando gentilmente que Él es esa Entidad omnisciente y omnipresente y que Él siempre está con nosotros; nunca estamos solos, independientemente de las circunstancias. Siempre Él está ahí para ayudarnos, guiarnos y salvarnos. Esa es la amorosa bondad de Baba hacia todos y cada uno de los sadhakas.

En un resumen en español de Discourses on Krsna & the Giita, "Why Does Supreme Consciousness Descend?", la filosofía de Ananda Marga afirma: Todos ustedes son hijos de Parama Puruśa. Él siempre está con ustedes, por lo que su victoria está asegurada. (resumen en español)

Namaskar,
 a Sus pies de loto,
 Sanatan

~ Estudio en profundidad ~

Entendiendo el juego del mensajero volador

En primer lugar, es la verdad incuestionable que Parama Purusa lo sabe todo. Y, por supuesto, un enfoque que Parama Purusa Baba podría haber tomado sería que Él se adelantara y dijera: 'Lo sé todo'. Pero en esta era presente, cuando la humanidad en general se entrega a tanta hipocresía y autopromoción, donde cada Juan, Pedro y Diego está proclamando su propia grandeza, entonces el campo de juego se ha visto alterado y manchado.

En el pasado, sin embargo, la gente era sencilla y no propensa a la auto-glorificación, sino que hablaba y escuchaba cada palabra como verdad. Así que en esa era, el Señor Krsna se proclamó a sí mismo como Parama Purusa porque esos bhaktas que estaban a su alrededor estaban listos para escuchar. Pero en esta era presente, cuando la sociedad en general es propensa a la auto-glorificación e incluso los sadhakas muy nuevos venían a esas grandes reuniones de DMC, entonces Baba eligió usar un enfoque mucho más indirecto y alegre.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Sobre este asunto, Baba optó por recurrir al humor. Así que empleó el uso de un 'mensajero' que le contaría todo. A veces ese mensajero era un camello volador, o un búfalo volador, o un lagarto volador, etc. Había tantos animales que 'vinieron a Baba como mensajeros'. Este fue el estilo elegido por Baba. Y los bhaktas entendieron el significado más profundo.

Ciertamente, internamente todos sabemos que Parama Purusa Baba lo sabe todo y nadie realmente cree que el mensajero, como un camello volador, sea algo real. Así que esto no es algo para tomar literalmente. Es solo la dulce manera del Baba omnisciente de decirnos que Él lo sabe todo.

Directamente a los bhaktas solamente

En conclusión, podemos decir que en sus propias charlas el Señor Krsna proclamó a los que lo rodeaban que Él es Mahasambhuti Parama Purusa. Mientras que en la era presente, Baba usó un lenguaje indirecto en el foro público, y se reveló selectivamente a sí mismo directamente a sus bhaktas en un nivel íntimo a través del Contacto Personal, los informes y a través de la sadhana. Aquellos que hacen sadhana invariablemente llegan a darse cuenta de que Baba es Parama Purusa, y que Él es, fue y siempre será. Así que para siempre en el futuro los bhaktas y sadhakas obtendrán esta comprensión, por Su gracia.

Baba, Parama Purusa es para todos, no solo para los Ananda Margiis

Parama Purusa Baba es esa eterna Entidad Divina que reside con todos, siempre. Todos son Sus hijos; no es que Él esté solo con los Ananda Margiis. Parama Purusa Baba es el Creador omnipresente, por lo que reside en todos y es testigo de todo con respecto a todos. Todos son Sus amados hijos.

https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

En un resumen en español de Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, "The Omniscience of the Causal Matrix", la ideología de Ananda Marga nos guía: No debemos olvidar que Él es el maestro tanto del "cielo" como del "infierno". Si hay un lugar como el "infierno", Parama Puruśa está allí porque Él es omnipresente. Si Él no vive en el "infierno", Él no es una entidad omnipresente. Si un pecador (pápii) va al "infierno", Parama Puruśa también está allí. Por lo tanto, el llamado pecador no debe tener miedo de nada y no debe preocuparse. Cuando él o ella va al "infierno", Parama Puruśa también estará allí con él o ella". El segundo significado de Parama Puruśa; que Él es el padre solo de los sádhus, no es correcto. Él es el Bábá de los sádhus y también de los malvados pápiis. Un pápii no debe pensar que Bábá no está con él o ella. Él es el que vive con cada entidad, que lo sabe todo. Él tiene que vivir con cada entidad. Él no puede odiar a nadie. Si Él odia, ¿cómo puede Él vivir con cada entidad?" Por lo tanto, debes tener en cuenta que Parama Puruśa es omnisciente, y es por eso que hay tanto una desventaja como una ventaja. La desventaja es que no puedes, bajo ninguna circunstancia, hacer cosas en secreto. Él lo sabrá todo y, por lo tanto, tendrás que tener cuidado cuando hagas algo. Él lo verá todo y luego te castigará si has hecho algo malo. La ventaja es que, bajo ninguna circunstancia, estás solo. No temas a ningún poder porque Parama Puruśa está contigo. No eres débil. Esta es la mayor ventaja. Por lo tanto, debido a la omnisciencia de Parama Puruśa, hay tanto ventajas como desventajas. Hay una pequeña desventaja, pero mayores son las ventajas. Victoria para ti. (resumen en español)


La ventaja es mayor

En un resumen en español de Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, "Everything Comes from Something", la ideología de Ananda Marga nos guía: Ustedes son los dignos hijos de Parama Puruśa, y Él siempre está con ustedes. Nunca están solos. Él está con el Universo, es decir, todo el Universo es Su objeto. Y no solo eso, Él está con todas y cada una de las entidades unitarias expresadas, con todos y cada uno de los individuos también. Es decir, colectivamente Él está unido al mundo, a ese mundo expresado; y singularmente Él está contigo. Nunca estás solo. Esto tiene dos aspectos. Parama Puruśa, el Padre Supremo, siempre está contigo y, por lo tanto, nunca estás solo. Esto tiene dos aspectos: una ventaja y una desventaja. La desventaja es que Él siempre está contigo y, por lo tanto, no puedes hacer nada en secreto. No puedes hacer nada a escondidas. Y no solo eso, no puedes pensar nada en secreto. Lo que sea que estés pensando, será grabado automáticamente por Él. No puedes pensar en secreto. Si dices: "Sabes, amigo mío, haremos esto y aquello muy en secreto, y creo que Parama Puruśa está demasiado ocupado con este Universo, tal vez no esté escuchando lo que dije", esto también será escuchado. Así que esa es la desventaja; nada se puede hacer en secreto. Y "No participaré en kaośikii hoy. Déjame ver qué hace el primer grupo. Después de eso, también puedo participar mañana", supón que estás pensando así, también será escuchado por Él. Y la principal ventaja es: la ventaja es una gran ventaja, y es que nunca estás solo. Y porque Él está contigo, eres la persona más fuerte del universo. Él está contigo. Nunca estás solo. Es la mayor ventaja. Hay una desventaja, pero la ventaja es mayor que la desventaja. (resumen en español)


Parama Purusa siempre está contigo y siempre te ayuda

En un resumen en español de Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14, "The Supreme Truth", la ideología de Ananda Marga nos guía: Nada es secreto para Él. No puedes hacer nada, ni puedes pensar nada sin Su existencia, siendo Él testigo. Si piensas que nadie te está observando, entonces y allí Él será testigo de esta expresión externa tuya, de que el chico dice: "Nadie me está observando". La seguridad final, la seguridad Suprema para una entidad creada, dada por Él, y será dada por Él para siempre, es que, como entidad testigo, Él siempre está contigo.

Tu fuerza mental aumentará mil veces porque siempre estás con la Entidad Suprema. La Entidad Suprema siempre está contigo para ayudarte, y este es el primer y mayor mérito de este hecho, de esta Veracidad Suprema. El único demérito es que, como Él siempre está contigo, no puedes hacer nada en secreto; serás atrapado con las manos en la masa. Pero el mérito es que, porque Él está contigo, nunca estás solo, nunca eres débil. Nunca estás indefenso. Entonces, el deber de una persona perfecta, el deber de un aspirante espiritual es recordar siempre esta Verdad Suprema, que él o ella nunca está solo. Siempre estás con tu Padre Supremo, quien siempre te ayudará y siempre acelerará la velocidad de tu progreso. (resumen en español)

Parama Purusa Baba no reside en el cielo distante

Parama Purusa Baba reside dentro, pero la visión dogmática de varias religiones considera a Dios como una entidad distante y lejana que permanece en el séptimo cielo, es decir, el "cielo". Pero esa es una noción falsa. Desafortunadamente, esos seguidores religiosos no pueden concebir la idea de que la Entidad Divina está con ellos y que Él es consciente de todos sus pensamientos. No piensan que su Dios pueda escuchar sus oraciones solitarias. Es por eso que sienten la necesidad de orar a un sacerdote, mulá o rabino, etc., en alguna casa de culto sagrada. Pero la realidad es que Dios es uno: Él es la creación, así que cuando cualquier ser vivo piensa algo, eso resuena en Su mente.

https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Pero la verdad universal es que Parama Purusa es esa Entidad Testigo que lo sabe todo y que observa amorosamente cada una de nuestras acciones. Y eso es lo que nos enseña la filosofía de Ananda Marga. Así que sentimos que Él siempre está junto a nosotros. Esta perspectiva básica y fundamental significa la entrada de uno en el verdadero camino espiritual; aquí es cuando comienza el verdadero viaje espiritual de uno. Antes de eso, uno está solo en la etapa preparatoria. Como Ananda Margiis, sabemos que Baba es el Parama Purusa que reside con nosotros siempre. Esta es una verdadera bendición, ya que Él siempre está presente para protegernos y salvarnos, y también sabemos bien que nada puede ocultársele jamás.

Esta carta hace referencia tanto al cielo como al infierno; pero en Ananda Marga no creemos en el cielo y el infierno. Es por eso que pensamos en ellos simplemente como el supuesto cielo y el supuesto infierno; por lo tanto, esos términos, cielo e infierno, se han colocado entre "comillas" a lo largo de esta carta.

¿Plagio?

 Es el estándar internacional aceptado y el sistema de Baba no copiar el trabajo de otro y publicarlo a tu manera. Baba ha dado una regla muy estricta sobre el plagio. ¿Por qué Baba está en contra del plagio o de robar el trabajo de alguien?  Hay muchas razones:

1)    Va contra el código de asteya (no robar).

2)    Es necesario publicar innumerables historias de bhaktas. Pero algunos no quieren hacer el arduo trabajo de recopilar y escribir estas historias, por lo que simplemente se las roban a otros.  Pero es necesario contar nuevas historias, de lo contrario, muchas historias inéditas de sadhakas se perderán y olvidarán para siempre.  Así que tenga cuidado con los ladrones de historias y ayúdelos amablemente a no robar publicando en las redes sociales a su manera.  Si desea reenviar esta historia, adjunte la siguiente sección amarilla con la historia:

 “Cortesía de un bhakta desconocido a través de Ananda Marga Universal (https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/)
 
Esto será tratado como el protocolo estándar.


- Here is a link to the original English posting: Reporting: flying messengers

== Sección 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Satura mi mente con dicha cósmica

Nota: Sólo aquellos que practican sinceramente las lecciones superiores de la meditación sahaja yoga pueden comprender esta canción en lo más profundo de su corazón.

"Tumi eso ámár mane, ámár sakal bhavanáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2070)

Significado:  

O' mi Parama Purusa, por favor ven en mi mente, en todos mis pensamientos - siempre. Estate en mi sadhana, dhyana, kiirtan, y bhajan, y en toda clase de mis ideaciones. Permanece siempre presente. Sigo buscándote en todas mis obras; de esta manera, Tú puedes ser alcanzado.  

O' Parama Purusa, sólo Te deseo a Ti. Te deseo a plena luz del día para poder luchar con la oscuridad. Entonces no tendré miedo de las fuerzas demoníacas. Baba, elimina todas las negatividades de mi esfera mental y llénalo con Tu néctar espiritual. Por favor, erradica mis deseos mundanos y satura mi reino psíquico con dicha cósmica.  

O' Parama Purusa, estoy constantemente pidiéndote que cumplas una petición tras otra. Nunca me preocupo en pensar en qué es lo que debería ofrecerte. Sólo soy un mendigo ante Ti - siempre pidiéndote más y más. De hecho, sigo extendiendo mi mano, una y otra vez, para obtener de Ti varias bendiciones mundanas. Ahora, por favor, borra esta lamentable tendencia y libérame de esta pobreza. Baba, te pido que me des aquello que pueda saciar toda mi hambre para siempre...



Saturday, May 24, 2025

How Mr. M.K. Gandhi harmed India + Asanas: so many benefits

Baba

How Mr. M.K. Gandhi harmed India 

Prout philosophy states, “Pardoning is an individual attribute. It can be practised in individual life only, but it cannot be part of collective sádhaná. Those who poke their noses into collective affairs, or pardon [Pakistan] people ignoring the harm they inflicted on [India] the collective body [after Pakistan attacked India in 1947], commit a social crime. Mahatma Gandhi should not have pressed one government [India] to pay [fifty-five] crores of rupees to another government [Pakistan] against the interests and sentiments of the people of that country [India].” (1)

Note: Here following are the dharmic teachings and historical analysis that Sadguru Baba is giving in His above guideline:

(A) Forgiveness (i.e granting a pardon) can only be given on the individual / personal level. For instance, if you are walking down the street and someone bumps into you and knocks something out of your hands, then if they sincerely apologize or try to help you etc you may forgive them. However, if someone blows up a school whereby countless children are maimed and killed, then no single person can forgive that wrongdoer because it is a collective issue. In that case, granting a pardon is a social crime. 

(B) Similarly, after Pakistan carried out such a barbarous and heinous attack on India’s Jammu and Kashmir states in October 1947, no one has or had the right to issue a pardon to the leaders of Pakistan. That diabolical act was a transgression on the collective body of India so no person like MK Gandhi - nor anyone else - has the right to forgive them.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
(C) In the end, MK Gandhi did untold harm to the Indian populace by issuing a blanket pardon to Pakistan and forcing the Indian government to immediately pay an extraordinary sum of money to Pakistan. This was the situation: 

(1) The 1947 partition settlement mandated that India pay Pakistan Rs 75 crores for “assets and liabilities”. 
(2) Relatively quickly, India paid Pakistan an initial installment of Rs 20 crores. The remaining balance due was 55 crores. 
(3) Before another payment was to be made, Pakistan waged a horrific offensive in Jammu & Kashmir, which was part of India. In that attack, innumerable innocent people were slain and a vast area was captured.
(4) For this reason, the Indian governmental leaders wanted to delay paying the balance (i.e. 55 crores of rupees) of the previously agreed upon partition settlement to Pakistan. They felt Pakistan would misuse that money for their current, ongoing attack on India. 
(5) Yet MK Gandhi intervened and waged a pressure campaign and started a hunger fast to death demanding that the Indian government pay the massive remaining amount of money to Pakistan. And, ultimately, the Indian government succumbed to that pressure campaign and paid in full. 
(6) The Indian people were aghast as the attack by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir was still in full force and instead of getting justice, the devastated Indian populace watched in horror as MK Gandhi  forced the Indian governmental leaders to pay Pakistan. 
(7) This was a complete and utter betrayal by MK Gandhi  against the safety, well-being, and sentiments of the people of India.
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Reference
1. Discourses on Prout, Point #3


== Section 2: Main Topic ==

Asanas: so many benefits

Namaskar,

The irony is that while the world over the general society is enthralled with yoga asanas, albeit done incorrectly, yet in our own AMPS society, some do not give due diligence to practicing asanas. Our asanas are to be done twice daily, before morning and evening meals. They should also be done using a watch or stopwatch to ensure each asana is done according to the correct timing. 
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Groundwork for sadhana


Yet, the practice of yoga asanas is so beneficial. They keep the body healthy and prepare the mind for sadhana. And verily there are so many benefits. Sadguru Baba's below guidelines are enough to convince and inspire even those who do not like asanas of their importance; in which case those sadhakas will certainly start practicing asanas regularly according to the prescribed system.

Sadguru Baba says, "This is a new science which is unknown today." (1)

   Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments guides us, "The object of the art of healing is to cure a patient, both physically and mentally. So the main question is not to uphold any particular school of medical science; rather, the key task is the welfare of the patient."
   "Just as diseased body organs can be restored to normal by administering medicines internally or externally, they can also be healed, more safely and more perfectly, with the help of yogic ásanas and mudrás. The aim of this book, therefore, is to make the general public aware of the yogic methods of treating the various illnesses.
   "My purpose is to let people cure themselves by practising the ásanas and mudrás described in this book. People are requested not to take the risk of practising ásanas and mudrás by themselves, but rather to do so under the guidance of an experienced ácárya [spiritual teacher]. Ananda Marga ácáryas will always be ready to help without any remuneration. Detailed instructions for practising the ásanas and mudrás, for bathing, etc. have been given in Part Three of Ananda Marga Caryácarya. If necessary, the reader may consult that book." (2)


Control the propensities of each cakra

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Cakra is a Sanskrit term while "plexus" is the Latin term. Besides the main nerve centres at the point of each cakra, there are also sub-centres where sub-glands are located. These sub-glands influence the propensities attached to each cakra. This science is largely unknown today." (3)

Baba then gives the link between asanas, cakras, and propensities.
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Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "By performing a'sanas regularly, human beings can control the propensities attached to each cakra, and hence the thoughts which arise in their minds and their behaviour. This is because a'sanas have a profound effect on the glands and sub-glands." (4)


Pressurizing & depressurizing effect

Here it is explained how the asanas affect the glands:

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "All a'sanas have either a pressurizing or depressurizing effect on the glands and sub-glands. For example, mayu'ra'sana [peacock posture] has a pressurizing effect on the man'ipura cakra. The secretions of the glands and sub-glands of the man'ipura cakra and the propensities associated with them will become more balanced if this a'sana is practised regularly." (5)

Here is a specific example.

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "If someone has a great fear of public speaking, it means his or her man'ipura cakra is weak. Through the regular practice of mayu'ra'sana, this propensity will be controlled and fear will be eliminated." (6)

Sadguru Baba then explains more about the precise way in which asanas exert their effect on the cakras.

Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, "Other a'sanas may have a depressurizing effect on the man'ipura cakra, and if these a'sanas are performed regularly the glands and sub-glands associated with the cakra will become less active. Increased glandular secretions generally make the propensities more active and vice versa." (7)

Baba concludes by giving the link between importance of asana selection, and their effect on each person's propensities:

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "By practising a'sanas regularly, one can control the propensities and either increase or decrease their activity. So spiritual aspirants should select the a'sanas they perform very carefully. This effect of a'sanas on glands and sub-glands has never been revealed before." (8)


How asanas help the sadhaka in sadhana


Ananda Marga Caryacarya teaches us, "“Ásana” means “a position in which one feels comfortable” – “Sthirasukhamásanam.” Ásanas are a kind of exercise by regular practice of which the body stays healthy and hardy and many diseases are cured. But ásanas are not prescribed for the general cure of diseases; only those diseases which create trouble in the path of meditation may be cured by the help of specific ásanas, so that sádhaná may more easily be done. The relation between the physical body and the mind is very close. Mental expression is brought about through the vrttis, and the predominance of the vrttis depends on different glands of the body. There are many glands in the body and from each there is a secretion of a particular hormone. If there is any defect in the secretion of hormones or any defect in a gland, certain vrttis become excited. For this reason, we find that in spite of having a sincere desire to follow the moral code, many persons cannot do so; they understand that they should do meditation, but they cannot concentrate their minds because their minds become extroverted due to the external excitement of this or that propensity. If a person wants to control the excitement of these propensities, he or she must rectify the defects of the glands. Ásanas help the sádhaka to a large extent in this task, so ásanas are an important part of sádhaná." (9)


Very beneficial for youths & students


Ananda Marga ideology says, "Proper attention should be paid to the physical, psychic and spiritual development of small boys and girls. Just as they sit and study to develop their intellectual capabilities, they should also sit to do their spiritual practices with their parents. That is the way they will develop their spiritual practices. They should take diikśá [spiritual initiation] from an ácárya(á) [spiritual teacher] when they grow up. They should practice the lessons of sádhaná – japa, dhyána, ásana, práńáyáma, etc. – along with their regular academic lessons. All that is necessary for their trifarious development, and it must be perfectly balanced. One should remember that the absence of a proper balance will harm not only the individuals, but also the society as a whole." (10)

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "We must develop the physico-psychic aspect of students through proper physical culture, which will include yoga ásanas, proper diet, games, sports, etc. And to develop the psycho-spiritual aspect, we must reorient the entire curriculum of all schools from kindergarten to postgraduate level according to the Neohumanist philosophy, and must incorporate the practices of Aśt́áuṋga Yoga into the curriculum in all grades. This will be the practical approach. And the guiding philosophy, the controlling philosophy should be: “This universe is ours” – and “we” means humans, animals and plants." (11)

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "By performing ásanas [postures for physico-psychic well-being] regularly, human beings can control the propensities attached to each cakra, and hence the thoughts which arise in their minds and their behaviour. This is because ásanas have a profound effect on the glands and sub-glands. How? All ásanas have either a pressurizing or depressurizing effect on the glands and sub-glands. For example, mayúrásana [peacock posture] has a pressurizing effect on the mańipura cakra. The secretions of the glands and sub-glands of the mańipura cakra and the propensities associated with them will become more balanced if this ásana is practised regularly. If someone has a great fear of public speaking, it means his or her mańipura cakra is weak. Through the regular practice of mayúrásana, this propensity will be controlled and fear will be eliminated. Other ásanas may have a depressurizing effect on the mańipura cakra, and if these ásanas are performed regularly the glands and sub-glands associated with the cakra will become less active. Increased glandular secretions generally make the propensities more active and vice versa. By practising ásanas regularly, one can control the propensities and either increase or decrease their activity. So spiritual aspirants should select the ásanas they perform very carefully. This effect of ásanas on glands and sub-glands has never been revealed before." (12)


Helping lessons enhance concentration


Ananda Marga ideology states, "Concentration is a major sádhaná, is a major intuitional sádhaná. But there are certain helping sádhanás. Ásana and práńáyáma, for example, are helping items. They are not sádhaná, they are called sádhanáunga." (13)

Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, "The indriyas are the controller of the body, the mind the controller of the indriyas, and the vital energy the controller of the mind. That's why on the path of spiritual practice, and particularly in the practice of astáunga yoga (the eight fold path consisting of yama, niyama, ásana, práńáyáma, pratyáhára, dhárańá, dhyána, and samádhi) práńáyáma plays a very significant role." (14)

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Question: What is the definition of ásanas?
Answer: Sthirasukham ásanam (Patanjali). Ásanas are calm, quiet and easy postures which are held with proper inhalation and exhalation. They exercise the nerves, tissues, glands and organs of the human body. While practising ásanas one enjoys physical comfort and mental composure.
The regular practice of ásanas keeps the body healthy and cures many diseases. Ásanas control the glands, the glands control the secretion of hormones, and the secretion of hormones controls the propensities. So ásanas help a sádhaka [spiritual aspirant] to balance the body and concentrate the mind." (15)


Q & A: Why practice asanas


Ananda Marga philosophy reminds us, "Question: Why do we practise ásanas?
Answer: We perform ásanas for the following reasons:
To increase the flexibility of the body.
To rectify glandular defects and balance hormonal secretions in order to control the vrttis [propensities].
To balance the body and mind.
To withdraw the mind from undesirable thinking.
To prepare the mind for subtler and higher sádhaná [spiritual practices]." (16)


Q & A: Names & types of asanas


Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Question: How do we name ásanas?
Answer: We name ásanas as follows:
(1) Some ásanas are similar to animal movements so they are named after those animals; for example, matsyamudrá [fish posture], garud́ásana [bird posture], etc.
(2) Some ásanas have the characteristics of animal structures, so they are also named after those animals; for example, kúrmakásana [tortoise posture], etc.
(3) Some ásanas are named by the qualities of the ásana; for example, sarváungásana [shoulder stand; literally “all-limbs posture”]. The entire body is benefited by this ásana." (17)

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Question: How many types of ásanas are there?
Answer: There are mainly two types of ásanas: svásthyásanas and dhyánásanas. Svásthyásanas are practised primarily for physical health and secondarily for spiritual elevation. Dhyánásanas are practised primarily for concentration of mind and meditation. Dhyánásanas include padmásana [lotus posture], baddha padmásana [bound-lotus posture], siddhásana [siddha posture, the posture of a perfected one] and viirásana [hero posture]." (18)

Ananda Marga philosophy raises the matter, "Question: What is the difference between sarváungásana and vipariitakaranii mudrá?
Answer: While practising sarváuṋgásana the mind is fixed at the point between the tip of the two big toes, whereas in vipariitakaranii mudrá the mind is fixed at the tip of the nose or at the navel." (19)


Mudras vs asanas


Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Question: What are mudrás, bandhas and vedhas?
Answer: Mudrás are postures which exercise the nerves and muscles. Mudrá literally means “externalization of internal bháva [ideation]”. There are only a few spiritual mudrás where the internal ideation is not externalized.
The practitioner of mudrá may or may not enjoy physical comfort and mental composure. During the practice of mudrás one has to continue one's conscious endeavour to remain in that posture, but in the case of ásanas one need not." (20)

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "The Paincakośas shall have to be perfected, but how is it possible? They can be consummated only through the practice of Yama and Niyama. The Annamaya Kośa is perfected through Ásanas (physical postures). Yama and Niyama Sádhana perfect the Kámamaya Kośa. The Manomaya Kośa is perfected through Pránáyáma. Through Pratyáhára the Atimánasa Kośa is perfected." (21)

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "After this, at the age of twelve, the child should take initiation from an ácárya/á in Sádhárańa Yoga, and at sixteen or afterwards, they should take initiation in Sahaja Yoga from the ácárya/á. If considered essential, ásanas may be taught before the age of sixteen." (22)


Conclusion


Asanas are an essential part of our Ananda Marga way of life. Just as we attend to our meditation daily, similarly due diligence should be done with our asanas as well. And one will notice an immediate difference in their overall health, and they will experience a boost in their sadhana practice.
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At His feet,
Acintya

References
1. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
2. Yogic Treatments, Preface
3. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
4. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
5. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
6. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
7. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
8. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
9. Caryacarya - 3, Ásanas
10. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 22, Táńd́ava and Kaośikii
11. Prout in A Nutshell - 9, Pramá – 4
12. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
13. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, How to Concentrate
14. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 6, Ekendriya – 6
15. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #4
16. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #5
17. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #6
18. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #7
19. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #8
20. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #9
21. Subhasita Samgraha - 1, The Call of the Supreme
22. Caryacarya - 1, The Process of Initiation


*        *        *

The below section is an entirely different topic, unrelated to the above material.
It stands on its own merit as a point of interest and ideological awareness.

*        *        *

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Lord Krsna’s aim

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Lord Krsna came about 3500 years ago, when the war of the Mahabharata took place. People's individual qualities then had not taken a collective shape. People did not know the art of living collectively...they fought among themselves because they had no collective sense. Lord Krsna thought that if He combined all there would be collective spirit in the true sense of the term. Then alone all human faculties would get expanded. He tried to make people understand, but they did not understand, because there was no collective spirit in them...to synthesize them all Lord Krsna was born. Lord Krsna wanted to bring about a social synthesis, the seed of which was sown by Lord Shiva." (1)

Note: There are many things in the world which cannot be solved individually. It needs collective support. In any society where there is collective spirit then they can do a great job. That is the central idea of the above teaching.

Reference
1. Discourses on the Mahabharat, The Meaning of the Name


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Way to go close to Him

Ananda Marga ideology says, “Why would He have provided them with a vocal cord?...As He has equipped humans with the means to speak, He will have to listen to them. Human beings will definitely have something to say; they are expected to tell their troubles to their nearest and dearest ones. Otherwise, to whom should they go? To whom should they complain?” (1)

Note: In His above teaching, Baba is guiding us that we should communicate all our joys and sorrows to Him. This should be our regular practice in our sadhana, in dhyana. So all the intimate thoughts and feelings which lie hidden in our mind and heart should be shared with Him. This is our way. And it is this type of sharing which builds closeness in our spiritual life. It heightens one’s feeling of bhakti. So it is a straight and easy equation. He wants that we should communicate our inner thoughts to Him. And by this way we will feel closer to Him. And that feeling of closeness is bhakti - i.e. coming in greater proximity to Parama Purusa. So in His above teaching Baba is clearly showing us how we can come closer to Him.

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Do Virtuous Deeds Day and Night – 2


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Social cycle in a nutshell

Prout philosophy states, “The samája cakra [social cycle] moves on. After the Shúdra Age [the age of manual workers] comes the age of warriors – that is, the Kśatriya Age; next comes the Vipra Age [the age of intellectuals]; then the Vaeshya Age [the age of capitalists]; and then, after shúdra revolution, in the second parikránti [rotation] of the social cycle, comes a new Kśatriya Age – the age of the kśatriyas who led the shúdra revolution. The social cycle moves on in this manner. By merely espousing idealism, its rotation cannot be checked."

"One age follows another in succession. The end of one age and the advent of another can be called kránti [evolution]. The period of transition at the end of one age and at the beginning of another can be called yuga saḿkránti [transitional age]. And we can call one full rotation of the social cycle – that is, from one shúdra revolution to the next shúdra revolution – parikránti. In every age a particular varńa [social class] emerges, both as ruler and as exploiter." (1)

Reference
1. Problems of the Day, Point #34


== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read
“Early bird” fallacy + Prout: preventing ecological disasters
When money is tight - what to do
Animal suffering & rhino tale
Natural call: keeping clean
Reply to skeptics: singing His glory
Baba’s childhood pledge: obliterate casteism


Friday, May 23, 2025

Preparing for & breaking fast + 3 more

Baba
Preparing for & breaking fast

Namaskar,

Fasting / upavása is one of the significant and important gifts which Baba has bestowed upon us for maintaining human health and leading a spiritual life. This letter discusses numerous aspects of the practice of fasting / upavása - including the all-important point and practical method of how to break fast. Here following are many of the topics:

Universal and Natural Law ~ Animal Existence vs Human Life ~ Operative principle / Prakrti's Perfect Remedy: Fasting / upavása ~ Animals follow Natural Law, Human Eat Mostly out of Greed ~ Fasting / upavása for Health: A Purification Process ~ AM's Approach to Fasting / upavása ~ Fasting / upavása and Longevity ~ Humans Know How to Break ~ System of Breaking ~ Wrong Breaking Invites Harm ~ Water Needed for Digestion & Whole Body System ~ Work of the Small and Large Intestine ~ Proper Cleaning Necessary ~ Use of Lemon Water ~ 'Rounds' for Breaking ~ Individual Needs ~ Gentle Process ~ Maintain Prama when Breaking ~ Warning and Guidelines ~ Stages of Cleaning ~ What and When to Eat ~ Taking Banana ~ Baba's Special Blessing ~ Baba's Complete System ~ Proper Interest and Care Needed ~ Optimal Health ~ Suggestions from Others ~ Healthy and Happy in All the Realms.


Humans abuse their freedom


Parama Purusa has created this world in a well-balanced way. And within this creation there is both animal existence and human life, with a unique difference separating the two. Animals are fully bound by natural law. They have no option but to strictly adhere to the rules of prakrti; whereas human beings have been given freedom or dominion to make choices and exercise their will, within a certain degree.
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Yet the Operative principle / Prakrti itself has been devised in such a perfect way that animals always advance and benefit from following natural law. In that sense, animals are comparatively more fit and healthy than common human beings because animals are forced to follow Operative principle / Prakrti's ways, while humans have some scope to go against natural law, should they desire. And this whole equation, with regards to animal life and human life, is especially true with regards to food and fasting / upavása.


Fasting / upavása: a law of prakrti


For example, when an animal gets sick, in their natural way they refrain from taking food until they regain their health. Refraining from ingesting food - i.e. fasting - is the very tool by which animals heal themselves and recover from their sickness. So animals do not eat food for taste per se, but as a means of survival and recovery according to the dictates or laws of the cosmi operative principle / prakrti.

So Parama Purusa has created this beautiful universe in such a way that everything unfolds according to natural law. Within this, fasting / upavása is a special method for curing oneself if the body is not functioning properly.
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Human food habits: improper & proper


Sometimes humans disobey natural law, and in this materialistic era especially, some persons eat excessively out of greed. When they see food, they desire to eat it,  whether it suits them or not.

Those human beings - who are sensitive and follow the codes of yogic life - develop an inner sense of when to take food and when not. When the body is sick then they do not like to eat food. And that is the natural system to cleanse the body, enhance its functioning and make it perfect and pure. For thousands of years yogis have been following this approach.

Through fasting / upavása, toxins and waste are removed; and the body is given opportunity to recover and ultimately reach a higher state of functioning and wellness.
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Fasting / upavása in our Ananda Marga


In our Ananda Marga yogic style of living, all-knowing Baba has given the system of fasting (upava'sa) whereby He directs us to observe ekadashii as a fasting / upavása day. Some also fast on purnima and amavasya. In both cases, whether 2 or 4 times per month, fasting / upavása brings about a beneficial effect on the entire body, in numerous ways. Those who do not fast are deprived of the unique health benefits; their health breaks down, diseases crop up, and their health problems linger, and ultimately get multiplied. In the end, they have no choice but to surrender themselves to a local doctor and begin the process of taking medicine on a regular basis.

Parama Purusa Baba has given fasting / upavása as part of Sixteen Points and Baba has also said that by following 16 Points one will extend the length - and enhance the quality - of their life. So there is a vast difference between those who follow Sixteen Points and those who do not. Those strictly following points like fasting / upavása will get an extra 15, 20, or even 30 years of quality living. For optimal health fasting / upavása is highly important. As one becomes regular in following this system of fasting / upavása, the body becomes conditioned, so before the next ekadashii arrives one can internally feel that another fasting / upavása is needed.
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Svarashastra, the science of breathing and breath control, is helpful on fasting / upavása days. Those who are new to fasting / upavása and struggling with it can resolve their problem by doing this. Start your fasting / upavása day, and when the feeling of hunger arises then lie down on your right side. That will make the left nostril dominant and the feeling of hunger will dissipate. And if the feeling of hunger arises again then again lie down on the right side. By this way, one can control the urge to eat and have a successful fasting / upavása day.


Differences in fasting / upavása: humans & animals


In their own ways, both animals and proper human beings fast. But some vast differences exist between the two.

(a) In general, animals fast when the body is sick, whereas humans fast during sickness, as well as on amavasya, purnima and ekadashii in order to cleanse the body. As a matter of regimen, a person should not eat when sick or when not hungry.

Here it should be noted that I have seen how certain animals do not eat on ekadashii such as the fish that were in the pond at Baba Quarters in Lake Gardens and the dog in Ananda Shila' MU. Those animals were very strict not to eat those days. And there are various cases of animals that felt the negative effects of the moon on ekadashii and amavasya. And those animals refrained from eating those days. This I have seen with my own eyes.
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(b) Animals do not know how to properly break their fast, whereas humans have been given the technique.

And it is by breaking fast properly that the body is able to maximize the benefits of the fast. Unfortunately some are not aware how to break fast.


Here are more upcoming points


~ System of Breaking ~ Wrong Breaking Invites Harm ~ Water Needed for Digestion & Whole Body System ~ Work of the Small and Large Intestine ~ Proper Cleaning Necessary ~ Use of Lemon / Lime Water ~ 'Rounds' for Breaking ~ Individual Needs ~ Gentle Process ~ Maintain Prama when Breaking ~ Warning and Guidelines ~ Stages of Cleaning ~ What and When to Eat ~ Taking Banana ~ Baba's Special Blessing ~ Baba's Complete System ~ Proper Interest and Care Needed ~  Optimal Health ~ Suggestions from Others ~ Healthy and Happy in All the Realms.

Indeed, fasting / upavása is one special process for achieving and maintaining optimum health. As Ananda Margiis, we have all realised the various positive effects of fasting / upavása, such as ridding the body of toxins, increased longevity, and enhanced quality of life etc. Certainly then fasting / upavása is a unique purification process and one most significant aspect of this practice is the approach to breaking the fast.
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How the body is at the end of the fast


By doing a 24 hour dry fast - i.e. without water - and going 32 hrs without food, the body obviously becomes dehydrated. Hence the body is in a very delicate and sensitive state. In that case, if one breaks the fast in an abrasive or hasty manner then not only will they be unable to derive the many benefits of the fast but it will create harm to the body.

Here is another key point: In actuality, the real fasting period starts 10 hours after one's last meal and culminates when one breaks their fast. And by this way every sadhaka can calculate their actual fasting period.


Preparing for fasting / upavása


If you are planning to fast the next day then eat a little less quantity for dinner / evening meal. If this approach is followed then cleaning will go more smoothly on breaking fast day.

Other preparations include:
1. Be sure to have 2 - 3 hours of time in order to complete the whole process.
2. Be sure to have a lemon or lime available for breaking fast.
3. Be sure to have salt available for breaking fast.
4. Be sure to have a few (2 - 3) ripe bananas available.
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A few points of awareness

Before getting into the specifics of breaking fast, it should be mentioned that one, two, or even three glasses of water is not nearly enough for the breaking process. In their naivety, some people might drink 1 - 2 glasses of water and then immediately start eating a variety of food etc, but that way of doing is off base and should never be done.

Rather on the morning of breaking fast the first thing is that the digestive system should be cleaned thoroughly - from top to bottom - with water. And when that has been done completely, then solid food can be taken, but not beforehand.


Breaking the fast itself - a "how to" process - 1

Note: Please read this entire step-by-step process in full (at least once) before you actually start breaking your fast. 

1. Squeeze ¼ or ½ of a lemon or lime into a bowl (ceramic, wooden or glass or BPA-free plastic or anything - but not metal.) Note: This entire breaking process can be done without a lemon / lime if need be in an emergency.
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(The size of the bowl should be at least 1 liter. Be sure that the individual cells of the lemon or lime are broken to maximize the juice. That will help bring more juice.)

2. Add 2 teaspoons (flat not heaping) of salt to the lemon / lime juice and mix. 

3. Everyone has a different salt tolerance, and some people may be able to take as much as 3 teaspoons in the first round. In that case there will not be a second round with salt; one will just drink plain water for the second round as the entire breaking fast process can be done with just the 3 teaspoons of salt from the initial round.

4a. Special warning to heart patients: During this process, be sure not to drink more than ½ liter in one sitting and use less salt, approximately 1 teaspoon per round.

4b. Those with high blood pressure should be careful about the use of salt; for those in proper health, kindly know that this salt solution will be eliminated from the body in the next hour or two, so there will not be much of a lingering effect of all this sodium-chloride.

5. Begin to drink the lemon salt water mixture, then do some kaoshikii, and continue drinking. Then do some kaoshikii, and then drink again. Then do some kaoshikii, and then drink again - until you have finished that initial round of salt water. Note: The drinking should not be done in one gulp per se, but in a series of comfortable sips and swallows over the course of a five minutes or less, without bloating the stomach.
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Breaking the fast itself - a "how to" process - 2

6. After finishing this initial round of salty lemon water, walk around for a few minutes - either in the fresh air or indoors. Do not remain in a seated position. Either stand up or walk.

7. You may gently stretch the upper body by raising the arms on the inhale and then exhaling and gently bending to the side. And repeat by bending to the opposite direction. This gently helps to hasten the cleansing process. If you wish and it is comfortable you can bend forward and back a little bit, but do not go extreme.

Do not sit down and remain still as that will severely hinder the process of clearing. Do not create pressure when you bend forward and back as the belly is full of water.

8a. If you have done #3 then 8b is not needed. In that case, 20 minutes after finishing your first round, just drink 1 liter of warm water without any salt. 

8b. After reading point #3, as soon as you feel ready, drink the next round of lemon salt water: ¼ or ½ lemon or lime with 2 flat teaspoons of salt, mix, then add 1 liter of warm water. 
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(Note: It is important not to wait too long between rounds. As soon as the stomach feels comfortable one should again drink. Do not wait more than 10 minutes or so –  if you can start drinking the next round before then that is fine.)

9. After #8a / 8b, be sure to walk around and bend the torso side to side – or a little front to back. Remember, do not sit down or remain still as that will severely hinder the process of clearing. This 15 - 30 minute period is very important; keep moving.

10. If you do not have a strong urge to go to the bathroom immediately, continue to walk and drink warm water with a lesser amount of salt, just a sprinkling. Lemon is not needed. (1 or 2 liters can be taken.)

11. By this process of drinking and walking, a strong urge will come to go to the toilet-- within 1/2 hour to one hour. If you ate too much on the eve of fasting / upavása (too much normal food and or "rich" (high protein and fat) then it may take longer.


If you followed up to now and still not breaking


Note: If the salt water mixture was misdirected to the urethra instead of cleansing the colon, it means that not a sufficient amount of salt was used or you ate too much rich food the night before fasting / upavása. But really for most people 2 teaspoons (max of 3 teaspoons) of salt per liter of water for the first two rounds should work fine. One should not consume more salt. Taking more salt may result in the release of important stomach enzymes and bacteria - for more about this see the warning after point #16.
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12. Initially, a very strong smelling brown waste matter will be released from the colon. Thereafter, more and more solids and liquids will be released via the rectum. This will also be brown at the beginning. But do not worry, thinking you have been stricken with a severe case of diarrhea. This is the initial stage of cleaning out the digestive tract.

13. Once this process of clearing the digestive tract has begun, switch over from drinking a lightly salted mixture and begin taking pure fresh water without any salt. This fresh water will help hydrate the body and aid in the cleansing process. Drinking 1 or 2 liters is quite helpful – both for clearing and re-hydrating.

14. In this process of cleansing one might visit the toilet between 3 - 5 times, or more. Or you may go less frequently but sit for longer periods. Do not suppress the urge, when the impulse comes go straight to the toilet.

15. The waste material will turn from brown and somewhat solid to yellowish and liquidy until finally being a completely clear liquid. Once completely clear liquid comes, be assured the entire digestive tract is clean - including the intestines, colon, and stomach etc.

16. By this entire process of cleansing a very light and healthy feeling will consume the body. One will feel very happy, fresh, and energetic.

Warning: If in the process of clearing, a white or yellowish foam (lots of bubbles piling up) is released from the rectum then it means too much salt has been taken. The foam is actually the mucous membrane / stomach lining that contains all kinds of positive bacteria that should remain in the gut. So if you have reached this point of producing foam, then you have taken too much salt and you will be overcome with extreme weakness.

17. Within ten to fifteen minutes a slight feeling of hunger will come. At that point, you should eat 1 - 2 very ripe bananas that have brown spots on the outside - or 3 if they are very small. The bananas should be soft and ripe with brown spots - not green and hard. Chew them slowly and thoroughly to generate and mix with the saliva. Be sure to only eat ⅙ full of the belly.
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18. After taking a few bananas - be careful not to overeat or fill the stomach - wait until the onset of a strong feeling of thirst. Then drink a little bit of water, and when a strong feeling of thirst returns, drink a little more water. This will help in digesting the bananas.

19. After stronger hunger comes, take ½ belly of easily digestible food such as cooked rice etc. Here are a few other options as well.

(a) If one chooses to take fruit then only eat fruit - not grain or vegetables - and avoid taking citrus fruit.

(b) If one chooses hydrated rice and vegetables (kichuri) do not mix fruit with that rice dish.

(c) Avoid heavily spiced, oily food, or processed food. Avoid eating too much dry food like bread, or acidic food like pasta. Aim for more simple food: like soups and kichuri.

(d) Later on in the day, after your second round of food is digested, then it is ok to take some citrus fruit if you wish.

20. Throughout the day, care should be taken to continue to drink plenty of fresh water in small amounts, but not at the same time as eating. This will help ensure the solid food gets digested properly and it will also keep the body hydrated.                                                  


Taking proper care

One should also keep in mind that breaking fast is a highly individualized thing. And one should be gentle and listen to one's own body when undergoing this entire process.

So altogether, this is one very important practice and a delicate subject; it needs personal interest and proper care to see what is good and working well for you.

Also beware, if on non-fasting / upavása days you are not feeling hungry, then do not eat until the feeling of hunger arises. Eating when not hungry will ruin the system.
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Great significance of fasting / upavása

Parama Purusa Baba has included upava'sa (fasting) as its own exclusive point in Sixteen Points.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Observe fast as prescribed." (1)

And in His supreme 'Secrets for a Long Life', Baba lists upava'sa (fasting) as its own entry.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "upava'sa (fasting) at Intervals." (2)

And furthermore in Yogic Treatment pointedly remarks how upava'sa (fasting) helps restore the body to a balanced and natural condition.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "During upava'sa (fasting) the body's organs get a good rest, and the healing process is more rapid." (3)


Upavása is more than just fasting

Here below Baba colorfully describes how we are to spend our fasting / upavása days.

Ananda Marga ideology says"'Upa' means proximity. And va'sa means to live, to reside. So the upava'sa word means to live near the Lord.  In these days of fasting, what the aspirants are to do? Mentally they should live near their Lord. On all other days there remains a balance between external objective adjustment, and subjective approach. An adjustment between objective adjustment and subjective approach. But on these fasting, or upava'sa, the aspirant remains more in proximity to the Lord than in other mundane duties. That's why these days are known as "upava'sa". The word 'fasting' doesn't carry the proper sense or the proper spirit of the term 'upava'sa'. To go without food, for this the proper word is anasan. 'An' means not, 'asan' means eating. And not upava'sa. So these ekadashii, amava'sya, and purnima they are, upava'sa. Do you follow?" (4)

And Sadguru Baba's next guideline further details how fasting / upavása days are perfect for an enhanced spiritual routine.
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Ananda Marga philosophy states, "These fixed [fasting] days are called upavása since during these days people keeping their minds engaged in spiritual matters 'live closer' to God, and any possibility of mental degradation is averted: their humanity is not endangered by the lengthening shadows of annihilation." (5)

By all this we can understand that on upavása days one can enjoy heightened spiritual awareness and thus deepen their devotional link with Parama Purusa - Baba.

In Ananda Marga, sometimes we may use the term 'fasting', but in reality one means upavása. It is just that due to the lack of a proper English term that we may say 'fasting'.


Conclusion


The Ananda Marga system of fasting / upavása is a central practice for every sadhaka and the benefits reflect in all realms of life: physical, psychic, and spiritual. So every Ananda Margii should be keen to fast on the noted days and break fast in the aforesaid manner.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Prabhu Deva

I can never forget how in one general darshan, Parama Purusa Baba has given the guideline that although most animals know how to fast, only humans know how to break their fast properly. Those not aware about this technique should be taught at the earliest.
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Fasting / upavása on planet earth & beyond


We know that our Ananda Marga system of fasting / upavása is based upon the cycle or phases of the moon. Yet Baba also guides us that when human beings move to other planets then accordingly the system of fasting / upavása will be based on that planetary system etc.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "On and around the times of new and full moon, one may observe that the gaseous and aqueous factors in the body rise up into the head and chest, creating an uncomfortable feeling. Therefore, if a person does not take food at these times, these factors will be drawn down from the higher portions of the body to the lower portions, thereby alleviating the uncomfortable feeling." (6)

 Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "You should not depend on food too much. This is why I have prescribed fasting on four days a month for some people and two days a month for others, and personally I have proved by fasting for five years and ... months at a stretch that if people try, they can remain without food. If one's dependence on food decreases, one will gain more freedom in a particular aspect of life." (7)

Ananda Marga ideology states, “So upavása is a necessity in the eleventh moon, púrńimá (that is, full moon), and the new moon. In Ánanda Márga, I didn’t prescribe these four days’ upavása for grhiis—that is, non-wholetimers, non-avadhútas; they are to fast only two days, two eleventh moons. And for workers, avadhútas, they are to fast how many days? Four days. Because they will have to engage themselves more in higher works, in the intellectual and spiritual [realms]. That’s why they should fast four times in a month—and others twice. But, if others so desire, they may fast four times—I won’t say anything—but it is not compulsory.” (8)

References
1. Caryacarya - II, Point no. 8 of 16 Points
2. Caryacarya - III, Point no. 5, 'Secrets Long Life’
3. Yogic Treatments, Appendix F
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 6, Upavása
5. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, p.188
6. Caryacarya - 3, Procedure for Fasting
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 7, In Kali Yuga, Strength Lies in an Organized Body
8. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 48 (Pure), Why Upavása - 2


== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Due to Your absence

"Toma'ke ja'y na' bhola'..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2347)

Purport:

O’ Parama Purusa, I can’t forget You. Always I am calling and thinking about You, yet You are not giving me Your darshan or satiating my heart's desire by coming to me. You have bound me in Your divine attraction - love. When I long for You and the feeling of melancholy is unbearable then my heart begins to ache. In that yearning and pain, the feeling comes in my mind that it is best just to forget You. 

Because then at least the agony which is lingering due to Your absence will dissipate and vanish. But I can’t forget You; the more I think that I should forget You, then my ardent desire for You only intensifies and my heart becomes even more restless. Baba, I crave Your proximity...


== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

परमपुरुष ! धरती ने नयी आशा  के साथ तुम्हारा स्वागत किया।

प्रभात सङ्गीत  298

हे परमपुरुष बाबा ! अनेक युगों से यह सूखी और ऊसर धरती तुम्हारे आने की रह देखती रही थी । बादलों के गरजने और वर्षा होने के रूप में तुम आए । गरमी से प्रभावित होकर थकी हुई धरती ने नयी आशा  के साथ तुम्हारा स्वागत किया।

बाबा ! मेरे मन रूपी मोर के पङ्ख  सैकड़ों लयों और तानों में नाचने लगे  हैं। तुम्हारे आने से गूॅंगे लोगों को भी बोलने की ताक़त मिली है। अब वे लोग तुम्हारी  की ओर दौड़ रहे हैं। हे परमपुरुष ! तुम बादलों के गरजने और वर्षा के रूप में यहाँ आये ।

हे परमपुरुष ! आज तुम को पाकर मेरा हृदय छलकने लगा है। सभी दसों दिशाओं में तुम्हारी सुन्दर चमक फैलती जा रही हैं। हे परमपुरुष ! तुम बादलों के गरजने और वर्षा के रूप में यहाँ आ गए  हो ।

बाबा ! आज मेरे लिए करने को कुछ नहीं है। तुम्हीं को सोचते हुए तुम्हारे विचारों में डूब कर, मैं तुम्हारे ही रूप को देखता जाता हॅूं। तीनों लोकों की भूख और तीनों लोकों का अमृत मिलकर एक हो गए  हैं। बाबा ! यह तुम्हारी ही कृपा है आज तुमने आकर भक्ति की अपार वर्षा की है। हे परमपुरुष ! तुम बादलों के गरजने और वर्षा के रूप में यहाँ आए  हो । (1)

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: Important Teaching ==

Inner spirit of dharmacakra mantra

   Ananda Marga ideology says, “Just see the case of air, light, water, respirations and everything. The need for these things is the same for all individuals. There have been no differentiations. These differentiations that we see in society are creations of vested interests, creations of depraved persons, of degenerated, immoral people. So you should not support these actional defects of immoral persons. You should follow the divine vibrational system, that is, you must not try to find any differentiations among individuals. “Devábhágaḿ yathápúrve saḿjánáná upásate.” It is the wont of divine expressions that there be no differentiations, no class of exploiters and exploited. That is, this wont of not creating any differentiations was not only their duty, it was their upásaná, the desideratum of their existential march.”
 Ananda Marga ideology ways, “Samáni va ákuti”. When everything cometh from the same source, from the same Progenitor, and when finally everything goeth back to the same desideratum, there must be the same aspirations, the same longing, in the heart of each and every individual. But due to the depraving actions of immoral people, those exploited, those downtrodden people are forced to forget their goal. They are drifted away from the desideratum of their life. This should not be done. Everybody should get the chance to develop their natural longings for Him.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Saḿgacchadhvaḿ


== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read
When money is tight - what to do
Animal suffering & rhino tale
Natural call: keeping clean
Reply to skeptics: singing His glory
Baba’s childhood pledge: obliterate casteism



SUBJECTS TOPICS