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How To Complete WT Training

Date: 17 Jul 2007 22:56:17 -0000 From: "Subhash Dholakia" To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: How To Complete WT Training Baba PS Intro. The specialty of this song is that it gives the grand idea how this world is dramatically colourful: Filled with negative and positive things. On the one side there is crudity and on the other side there is divinity. So when the mind is enmeshed in mundane problems & difficulties, one can find solace in the spiritual realm. "A'lor pare a'ndha'r a'se, a'ndha'r she's a'lo a'se..." (PS 2596) Purport: Baba, this creation of Yours is filled with shadow and light. There is goodness and badness everywhere. The darkness comes across from the effulgence, and at the end of the darkness there is again effulgence. It is all mixed. Today the peacock of the mind weeps and tomorrow it smiles and spreads its wings and dances in joy. Life is full of ups and downs. After sorrow, happiness comes. Such is the ebb and flow of this human existence. There is effulgence and there is darkness. Sweetness and poison are mixed together. Life is full of joys and sorrows. O' human beings, keep this eternal truth in mind: Life is not meant to be wasted in frustration, dejection, and hopelessness. One should utilise this human existence to realise life divine. Baba, Your liila is beautiful. This earth is surrounded by effulgence; it is engulfed in Your bliss. And it is filled with a colourful panorama of chandeliers. In this world there are so many problems and miseries but above that there is divinity also. When the human heart is tormented by the shadow of crudity, wallowing in troubles and torments, this panorama of effulgence can satiate that heart. So when problems and frustrations arise, fear not, just remember that the spiritual path is the solution. Baba, You are Liilamaya, Your liila is unfathomable...
== HOW TO COMPLETE WT TRAINING ==
Namaskar, All are aware that our wt system is a special and needed component of our Marga. Wholetimers provide strength and sustenance as they are ready to go anywhere and do anything for the fulfillment of the AM mission. This is Baba's design and decree. Hence, wts are an integral & essential element of the Marga. This no one can deny. And indeed as margiis we all want to be proud of the high calibre & stature of our acarya cadre. However, nowadays, we see that there are some weak links within our WT cadre. Of course there are surely some excellent acaryas who are sincerely involved in serving humanity and propagating the teachings of AM. But it is hardly a surprise to anyone to say that some workers are not up to the proper standard. Given this, it only makes sense to take a look at what is happening in our wholetimer training centres (TC). Because TC is the root source and birthplace of our acaryas and it is here that our young brothers and sisters are to get the requisite knowledge and growth to become wholetimers. Tragically though, the way in which training and examinations are carried out these days in TC, it is no wonder that things have gone astray.
MY CLOSENESS WITH THE BENARES TC
Before I share all the ins and outs about how some of our young trainees are becoming wts, let me say that for 2 or 3 generations my family has been quite involved in AM we live nearby the BQ in Varanasi which is quite close to the Benares (Varanasi) wt training centre. Since I was a young margii, I have attended innumerable funcions in the area: ceremonies, akhanda kiirtans, special meetings, service projects, and so many things. So TC is not some foreign or unknown place to me; rather, through all these experiences I have developed a deep fondness for the TC and the activities going on there. That is why it is with a heavy heart that I share the following with you. But I do so knowing that by bringing this to the awareness of all, then we can once again make our TC's into ideal institutions that will spur the rise of dharma on this earth. Thank you ahead of time for reviewing this mail.
TRAINER DADA: UNDER PRESSURE NOT TO LOSE ANYONE FROM TC
First things first: The numbers in our Marga are not very high these days. And, in particular, trainees are not easy to come by. So the trainer Dada, Ac Ragamayananda, does not want to lose anyone who enters the doors of TC. Because, after all, if anyone comes and leaves, then the first finger will point towards him as to why he could not keep that young lad in the TC-- when the ruling faction is desperate to bring more workers into their fold. So for his prestige and under groupist pressure, Ragamayananda is alert not to lose any trainees. And as you will find out below, he has some other ulterior motives as well.
SOME TRAINEES WANT TO LEAVE
Now here is the next matter. Giving up hearth and home and all the "allurements" of this world are not easy. Plus living in a strictly regimented atmosphere like TC can be quite demanding. For these reasons and many others, various young brothers who arrive at the TC do not wish to remain. Due to homesickness, attraction for the opposite sex, money, and other anxieties, at some point during their training, some young brothers get the desire to leave. This is by no means uncommon. Of course this is not the case with all, only with some of the trainees. And they are not to be faulted or blamed or vilified for this. Everyone has struggles in life and in our Marga we aim to help people overcome their difficulties so that they may become ideal human beings. Hence, we cannot outrightly blame anyone for wanting to leave TC. Just it is our duty-- and especially the duty of the Trainer Dada-- to create a spiritual atmosphere at the TC to inspire those young trainees to forge ahead in the dharma training. That is the aim and that will bring a certain momentum and force to the Marga. Unfortunately this is not what is happening. Dada Ragamayanandaji is not involved in teaching AM ideals to his trainees, just he engages his trainees in silly, useless activities like watching movies, because their minds are not goaded towards something higher. Instead one cunning and deceitful ploy is injected-- and that is how trainees are retained and new wt's are getting are getting created.
INSIDE THE WT TRAINING CENTRE: HOW THE TESTING IS DONE
Basically if anyone is struggling to stay in the TC, either due to homesickness or sexual weakness etc, then the trainer Dada, i.e. Ragamayananda, will convey this fact to the examiner, Nigamananda. And in their backdoor communication all the special details are arranged. Because neither the trainer nor the examiner want to lose that trainee from the TC. They do not want that young trainee to leave as it reflects poorly on both the trainer and the examiner. Those two Dadas want to "pad" their numbers and show that they made many wts. This gives them certain "perks" with their bosses. Whereas if anyone departs from the training centre then it means the trainer is not doing his job properly. So for his own self-interest, the trainer Dada is careful not to let anyone escape from his fingers. So then what does he do. The trainer and examiner secretly decide ahead of time that any trainees who are "struggling" should quickly be passed. That way they both get credit for creating a wt and it looks like the TC is thriving. That is why everyone says that all the testing of the trainees is done in a very "special" way: It is all decided upon ahead of time between the examiner (Nigamananda) and the trainer (Ragamayananda). Who will pass and who will fail is known before the examination is ever taken. So it is all "fixed". Thus those under-trained sorts who are in dilemma about staying in TC-- due to homesickness or over-stimulated vrttis etc-- are quickly rushed and pushed through the "training process" and given a passing mark on their examinations. The examinations are done orally and the examiner will either ask very easy questions to that trainee or inform the trainer Dada ahead of time what they will ask that particular trainee. And in that way, that struggling, sub-par trainee is given a passing mark and in the next moment that confused soul is walking out the door donning our saffron garb as a WT of Ananda Marga. This is the common trend these days. And it creates mayhem in the society; it is a totally unfair to that new wt; and it reflects poorly on our entire Marga. Because we all know what is going to happen. But, believe it or not, this is how to complete WT training in this present era. And it is all the fault of those in charge, not those young souls who valiantly enter out TC's looking to do something good in this world.
THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM
On the other end of things, those trainees who are stable and doing a "good job" at the Benares Training Centre are retained. They are purposely not given a passing mark on their examinations-- or they never even get to stand for their examinations. Because keeping those more balanced trainees in the TC suits the needs of the trainer Dada. For example, if one trainee has been designated as the trainer Dada's cook and if Ragamayananda's taste buds are satisfied with the savory flavour's of that trainee's cooking, then there is no way that trainee is going to pass or get the opportunity to take the examination. Forget about that. Rather he will remain as a trainee-- even if he has the requisite knowledge and desire to be a wt. Same thing will apply to any trainee who is good at going to the market and arranging the purchases for the Benares training center. In that case also-- irrespective of his qualification-- he will not be passed and made a wt. Because that trainee has a particular ability that is useful to the trainer Dada and there is little or no risk that the trainee is going to run away. Because that young trainee has a strong desire to become an acarya. So he will not be deterred-- even if his trainer keeps him at the TC for years on end. Such arrangements makes Ragamayananda's life infinitely easier. So in his selfishness he keeps those trainees at the TC, in his pocket.
WHAT IS THE END RESULT
By now, we are all getting a clear-cut picture about what is happening. Some unfocused and ill-prepared trainees are quickly pushed into uniform for fear that they will leave the TC. And those bonafide trainees who are capable of living up to the high ideals of the saffron cloth are often retained at the TC-- to satisfy the needs and desires of the trainer Dada. This is the screwy way things are working. Of course there is the exception here and there. But the common fashion these days is based on the described modus operendi. This is the tragedy going on.
THERE IS ONE OTHER X FACTOR
Finally there is one other 'X' factor in all of this. Training Centre does not exist in a vacuum. It too is subject to the greater ocean of groupism that is driving things nowadays in AMPS. So the 'X' factor is this: Ragamayananda (ie the trainer Dada) is Oriya and he desperately wants to get more and more followers. So even though for his political gain, Ragamayananda is quite loyal to Rudrananda, he has a soft corner for Oriya candidates. And he wants to have more and more supporters. So if any trainee comes from Orissa, then they are quickly put through the TC "process" and given the green flag to become wt. In contrast, those trainees coming from Bihar might sit in training centre for years, and years, and years. And still they are sitting...
ALL BECAUSE OF RAGAMAYANANDA'S SELF-INTEREST
So from A to Z, the whole examination process of our trainees is hinging on the whims of Ragamayananda. Who will pass and who will fail-- it is all in his stained hands. It is all pre-decided by what suits trainer Dada's self-interest. Certainly, none can say that out of ideological zeal Ragamayananda is earnest about getting trainees into the field. Rather it is well known that he spends all his time at the local primary school in order to make money and then passes his evening playing computer games and doing crossword puzzles. Indeed even though he is the trainer Dada he spends hardly an ounce of time training the Wts about the ways and teachings of Ananda Marga. So due to his own ideological neglect, that sets the stage for young trainees desiring to leave. Because their minds are not sufficiently goaded towards Ista and Adarsha. Without that channelisation process going on, naturally they will fall into the depths of desire and decay. In that way, we can clearly state that the beginning and ending of this problem at TC lands squarely on the shoulders of Ragamayananda. And this is not coming from someone who is a fan of the Kolkata group. I remember what hell they caused and how they ruined BP rights, the ACB system, Baba's scripture etc. All these things they tainted and distorted. So my issue with the situation of TC is purely motivated by the desire to build a clean and healthy Ananda Marga that is run on the dictates of AM ideology. Just like things were before 1990 when our Marga was a true force on this earth. But instead, due to Ragamayananda's whims and tendencies, our Wt structure is under serious threat. It is weak and in a perpetual state of disease. Some good wts are there, but the system is inherently flawed when TC is malfunctioning in this way.
WE SHOULD NOT FALL INTO HELL WITH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Just within the last 24 hrs or so, huge headlines are streaming around the globe about how the Los Angeles diocese of the Catholic church has to pay a record 660 million in damges due to the sexual misconduct of their clergy. This is a very real outcome and the courts and the public are no longer tolerating this nonsense. Please excuse me, but we run the risk of falling into a similar debacle by sending untrained and weak brahamcaris out into the field. In TC they are somewhat sheltered and protected, but once out of TC the whole world is at their finger tips, including innocent young boys and swinging females. And in their shaky state of mind, those new workers are prone to fall. Due to not getting proper training and because already there is a well known tendency and acceptance of sexual misconduct amidst our WT cadre. This is not a secret to anyone. So when our some trainees are not getting pointed towards Baba in TC and when some of their senior Dadas in the AMPS are rampantly involved in lustful affairs, then where is the stopping point. What is going to keep us from joining those Catholics in their self-proclaimed hell and paying out every penny from our AM bank accounts.
THE GOLD BAR STANDARD OF OUR ACARYAS
Here Baba guides us about what should be the standard of our workers. Baba says, "Those who have the responsibility to show the path to others should be of superlative character with the most refined conduct. They and their followers must move constantly towards all-round development and shreya [ultimate spiritual attainment]. Persons who teach such well-regulated behaviour to others by their own conduct are called a'ca'ryas." ('Conduct of Acarya') So becoming an acarya is a great endeavour bound by a high ideal. That is the essence of what Baba is telling us in the about guideline. And here below Baba guides us that our workers are to pull the society onto the path of goodness by eradicating all that is evil and gross. Baba says, "It is the duty of an a'ca'rya to develop this great collective force of society by awakening the masses to unite and destroy the evil, demonic forces existing in society. The struggle between good and evil forces goes on. Sound an urgent clarion call in this battlefield of life. A'ca'ryas must give such inspiration to the people." (AV-31) So becoming a wt is something very great And a few are reaching this high plateau. But when our very own TC is just passing trainees on the whims and selfishness of the trainer Dada, then how can our cadre reach Baba's standard. The answer is simple: It cannot. Because the very mechanism we have for creating wts has become skewed & fundamentally flawed.
AM IS A MAN-MAKING MISSION
My heart aches to say this and no one will be happier than I when the situation is bettered. I love our Marg and I love our wts, but this present scenario at the TC is too much and keeping mum is not the way. Awareness and action are needed. And I know there are many in AM who are ready to get our house cleaned and bring forth Baba's man-making mission-- turning all into moralists and strong sadhakas. Baba says, "Remember, Ananda Marga is a man-making mission. Both quantity and quality are important. Everyone should be free to join Ananda Marga...but only those established in Yama and Niyama may be given any position to work in society." (AV-31) Thus it is totally inappropriate, inexcusable, and against Baba's mandate to manipulate TC examinations and overlook the quality of those our wts. It is unfair to the trainees, it is unjust to the society; it is against Guru; and it is a veritable sin. By doing so we are inviting serious problems.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's causeless grace we will overcome our present difficulties and reach the apex of life-- propagating His teachings to all, and realising His mission. Baba says, "Humans' future is always bright. Never is it clouded with darkness. Because human beings' guide is the most radiant and most brilliant Entity in the universe, and the final goal of their life's journey." (DKG) Namaskar, Subhash
Note 1: SOME REMINDERS ABOUT BENARES TC
Date: Tue, 06 Mar 2007 23:58:37 -0600 Subject: Baba * Training Centre is Also Responsible (Vidyasagar) > And all the while our dedicated WT trainees are just left on their own at > the TC. Indeed the whole day passes and up till dinner time not a single > class is taught to our trainees Why? Because the trainer Dada is not even > with them. > Instead Ragamayananda is over at the primary school passing his days with > the small kids. Of course one may think that Dadaji is therefore fully > dedicated to working with those 5 year olds. > > But anyone who has been on location at the school knows full well that > Ragamayanandaji spends a huge part of his day listening to radio broadcasts > of sporting events. That means he keeps a small radio by his ear almost all > day long-- especially if a Cricket match is going on. On this point Dadaji > is very active. Because when walking to and from the TC to the primary > school he is listening to those sports events; plus when he is in the > classroom with those small kids, then also he is totally absorbed in > listening to his cricket broadcast. > This is not a hidden fact but rather a regular everyday occurrence. > > And all the while our assertive, young trainees who have come to TC in > order to dedicate themselves to AM, they just pass their days hoping and > praying that they will soon get the teaching to become true acaryas. But > that just does not happen,... > And on so many of those > occasions, the trainee innocently told me that he saw Dada playing war > games on the computer. That means, that when Ragamayanandji is intently > gazing at his computer screen he is navigating his 'man' through a field of > land mines and hoping not to get blown up. So this is just one type of > computer game that any kid would play. Yet this is what our trainer Dada > spends hours of his free time doing: Playing video games on the computer. > > And the tragedy is that that TC is fully of youths who are yearning to get > Baba's teachings. For that reason they came to TC, yet all the while their > trainer is casting his eyes in other directions
*************************************************** Sadhana Point
Baba says, "If people practice dhyana without having love for the Supreme, they won't be able to get anything. But, if there is an iota of love, if there is a wee bit of love, they gain everything." (Patna, 31st August, 1978)
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