== 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
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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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