Thoughts for a New Year

Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2008 23:42:37 -0000 To: am-global@earthlink.net From: Subject: Thoughts for a New Year "Ka'che na'hi a'so kabhu, e ki toma'r bha'laba'sa'..." (PS 486) Purport: Baba, You are my dearest One. You have deeply linked Yourself with my whole existence. By Your grace my each and every thought & movement is centering around You. Baba, You are the focal point of my life. You are my Goal. Baba, I love You so much. Even then You never come close to me. You are always keeping Yourself far away and distant. Baba, what type of love is this of Yours. I have so much heart-felt feeling for You, yet You are not regularly manifesting Yourself to me. You are not even occasionally visiting me. Baba, by Your grace Your divine image immediately appears in my mind whenever I come in contact with the sweet smell of flowers. When that flower fragrance permeates the air I always feel Your presence. In that blissful moment, I always think of You. It is Your grace. Baba, whenever I feel happy, then suddenly You advent and shower Yourself in my mind and heart. Baba, by Your grace in that instance You always come close. Baba, You are the warmth of my heart-- the vitality of my being. Baba, all the hopes and aspirations of my life are revolving around You. Baba, when I am not getting You in the deep core of my heart, then I feel totally lost and restless. In that desperate situation, I just cry & cry-- weeping bitterly for hours on end. Baba, all my desires and longings depend exclusively on You. Baba, You are so gracious; You are my closest One. By Your grace You have filled my life and my whole existence with Your divine effulgence & love. Baba, You are my everything. Baba, I have only one longing: To be in Your close proximity. Please be gracious... == THOUGHTS FOR A NEW YEAR == Namaskar, As 2008 gets underway, here is one of Baba's famous guidelines for bringing in the New Year in a successful way. GAINING SUCCESS IN LIFE In this world we have so many duties and responsibilities, so many things to do. Especially being Ananda Margiis our works are countless-- endless, or so it seems. Society needs help in all the directions, in all the realms, and by Baba's grace He has given us the pathway how to proceed. So there is much to be done. But one thing for us all to remember is Baba's timeless teaching that to successfully do anything in this life it demands having a free mind-- a balanced mind. That is, the mind should be free from all complexes. Baba says, "To attain complete success in life, the fourth principle is samata'bha'va, that is, mental equipoise, mental balance. There must not be any complex in the mind -- neither superiority complex nor inferiority complex." (AV-30) COMPLEXES ARE A PSYCHIC DISEASE MENTAL EQUIPOISE IS A GREAT QUALITY Here Baba further points out the negative nature of complexes and He simultaneously directs us to keep samata'bha'va, mental balance. Baba says, "Complex of any sort - superiority or inferiority - is a psychic malady, a mental disease. You must maintain a psychic balance." (Kolkata Dec 2 '79) Thus mental balance is one central target in life. We should aim for this in all circumstances. And once we have it, & by His grace can keep it, then that is one of the best attributes a human being can have. Baba says, "Maintaining a balanced mind is one of the greatest virtues. There are no complexes in a balanced mind. One neither feels inferior nor superior to others; one never fears anybody nor ever gets perturbed. One maintains a mental balance." (AV-5) So by striving for and achieving mental balance, then so many other plus points come along with it. Then the mind will be complex-free, enabling us to generate positive relations with one and all. Because when we do not feel that we are better or worse than the next person, then it becomes easy to establish a heart-felt connection. So that is one distinct benefit. In addition, Baba tell us that when one is in a state of samata'bha'va, they will neither be fearful nor full of anxiety. They will remain in a natural state of ease and contentment-- not burdened by any negative tendencies of the mind. All these positive outcomes are a tremendous boon for human existence. LEADING A LIFE OF SEVA Without question, one of the top-most results of having a balanced mind is that then one will be able to maximally help and serve others. Because when we can feel their joys and sorrows and understand their problems then we can also present them with the solutions. In that case, by Baba's grace, they can progress. So with a balanced mind-- with samata'bha'va-- we can best lead a life of seva, i.e. helping one and all to advance. And that is the dharma of human beings: To make one's own self great and make others great also-- "...to lead others along the path of righteousness". WHEN SAMATA'BHA'VA IS LOST In contrast when due to lack of sadhana we are unable to attain a state of equipoise or if we lose that stance of mental balance, then that invites numerous problems for oneself and for others also. In that case we are unable to weigh the pros and cons of life and end up making poor decisions-- lowering our own position and misleading others as well. For example suppose Ram or Shyam prematurely forms an opinion about others, a conclusion which is totally wrong or off-base. Then that invariably leads to problems and harms others. In that case, in the future nobody will want to listen to Ram or Shyam's words. Then that Ram or Shyam will lose all their social prestige and respect. All these pitfalls come from lack of mental balance. That is why-- among other things-- Baba warns to stay balanced and not proceed hastily. Baba says, "Do not judge anyone to be good or bad hastily, nor express your opinion." (CC-2, 'Society' chapter, pt #41) As we can feel, Baba's specific guideline is that with a cool mind-- a balanced mind-- we should view all the things in life, otherwise countless problems will crop up. BABA'S FINAL WORD Considering all the angles, by Baba's grace it is clear that samata'bha'va is one key point for human existence because with a balanced mind we can help ourselves and help others. And that is the greatest utilisation of this human life. Hence as long as we are alive this should be our approach. Here following is Baba's dharmic mandate. Baba says, "You should remain in this world and do your duty with a balanced mind." (SS-21, 'Jaeva Dharma & Bhagavata Dharma') By Baba's grace may we all get success in this grand endeavour. Namaskar, Mahesh Note 1: HOW TO OVERCOME SUPERIORITY COMPLEX Here Baba supplies us with the special formula for keeping mental balance and not succumbing to any type of superiority complex. Baba says, "People must always bear in mind that 'Whatever I have acquired is all by the grace of Parama Purus'a. If He decides that I should not possess wealth [or any other quality etc], He will take it away at any moment He wishes.' So no one should feel pride about anything under any circumstances." (AV-16) By seeing everything as Baba's fathomless grace then we will not get puffed up with vanity and instead will be able to maintain mental balance at all times. Note 2: HOW TO OVERCOME INFERIORITY COMPLEX In His below teaching Baba teaches us how to keep mental balance and not fall into the depths of an inferiority complex. Baba says, "What about the inferiority complex, that makes you think of yourself as inferior to others? You must have noticed that the minds of those who are less educated become a bit diffident: 'We don't have much learning.' Again, those who are poor suffer from a similar diffidence. 'We are so poor, and have no one to turn to.' But what causes such diffidence? [They forget that] everyone on this earth is a child of Parama Purus'a; no one is big or small. All are related as brothers and sisters.' (DKG) By remembering we are all the beautiful expressions of that Divine Entity Parama Purusa, then no inferiority complex can creep into the mind. Then we will keep our mental balance. Note 3: BABA'S STERN WARNING FOR ALL SADHAKAS Baba says, "When samata'bha'va is lost, then one begins feeling that there is a group of people far inferior to oneself. Such a pattern is to be observed in the case of people who have come to the city from the village. They say that they don't feel like returning to the village, as the villagers are illiterate and under-developed. This feeling is very dangerous. And if such feelings creep into the mind as a result of having acquired a little intellectual knowledge, the chances of developing this complex are much greater in the realm of spirituality, when a sa'dhaka begins feeling somewhat elevated with the development of some occult powers and the feeling of a little bliss. In the second stage of spiritual practice every sa'dhaka faces this test. One must be very, very cautious, so that vanity may not develop." ('Dialogue of Shiva and Parvatii- 3') Note 4: BALANCED MIND NEEDED TO TEACH AND TO LEARN Baba says, "The third fundamental of education is that teachers and students should have a balanced mind." (PNS-18, 'Talks On Education') In His above teaching Baba guides us that mental balance is needed in order to both guide and learn from others. Note 5: A SPECIAL TIP FOR KEEPING A BALANCED MIND Baba says, "In order to have a balanced mind and to progress spiritually, human beings will have to pay attention to the qualities of the food they eat. The idea that 'I will just do my sa'dhana' and eat any food, proper or improper' will not do." (YP) Note 6: BABA'S BLESSING Baba says, "Your duty is to utilise totally and properly this physical body and mind. By thinking always of Him and talking of Him psychic elevation takes place. Go on moving towards Him. In Him alone lies Your individual good and social good. You have come with human body, human intellect. Your human life will become fruitful. By His grace you have a human body and human mind and you should also bear in mind that by His grace alone you have to move ahead in life. By His grace alone He is to be attained. You will attain Him -- certainly you will attain Him." (AV-22) *************************************************** Brave Persons Baba says, "Do not remain worried about your individual problems at all. Be prepared to carry your own burden and be prepared also to carry the burdens f others. Then alone are you brave. Be dagdhabiija. Everyone has their own individual problems. Do not try to pass them on to others. On the contrary, bear the burdens of others. No one is your enemy. Be ready to bear the burdens of others." (AV-30, p.4) ***************************************************

When Vultures Are Happy + Other News

Subject: When Vultures Are Happy + Other News Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2007 20:37:34 -0000 From: "Gaurishankar Agrawal" To: AM-GLOBAL Baba

== WHEN VULTURES ARE HAPPY == (AND OTHER NEWS)

Namaskar, A vulture becomes happy when it sees that something has died. Then that vulture becomes delighted as it will feast on that corpse. Likewise, an arsonist becomes happy when he sees a monument or house up in flames. That is when that arsonist becomes most delighted. Tragically, there are some groupists who have infiltrated into our Marga and they feel happy seeing our New Year's DMS canceled. In that case, what is the difference between the vulture, arsonist, and such groupists. Here then is all the latest news about the DMS issue, AN reporting & more.

MORE NEWS ABOUT THE CANCELED DMS

1. The police are there in the DMS Pandal area to prevent anybody from entering the pandal. So no margii can enter. 2. Initially, when the DMS was first canceled, then both groups decided to have a function without a DMS banner. B group was going to stage their gathering in the Memorial, and the Ranchi group was going to be in front of the Prout bhavan. But the Purulia administration (govt) objected. 3. So Ranchi administration is basically telling margiis to not come to AN b/c DMS will not be held. However much we may not like or like Ranchi personnel, it remains a fact that this is what they are saying & doing. 4. But B group is adopting a crooked path by telling that 'We will do something somewhere'. So now the word is out on the street that they will do small meeting of their members at the Music college area and then later announce the false news that they have held DMS, or some other tall tale. 5. Anyhow this is the main news that neither the communists, nor the CBI, nor the Russians, nor the Indira Gandhi government could stop our DMC/DMS functions in the past-- no one could. But now the groupist fight of these two camps of defectors have stopped our DMS. This is completely unheard of that DMS will not be held on New Years Day. This will be a black spot in the history. 6. And the most grotesque part is that some in my unit spoke to a few top B group teamsters and they were totally happy-- even overjoyed-- that the court gave the stay order / injunction not to have DMS. This we heard with our own ears. And quite frankly, it was horrifying how they could gloat over such a loss to our Marga and to Ananda Margiis. That is when some said that the B brigade are no better than vultures & arsonists. Verily, they are just fake sannyasis, just wearing the dress only-- nothing more. 7. In contrast, when some of us spoke to a few H group officials, they were sad about the cancellation of DMS and they told that they will file a case in Supreme Court b/c the court has violated the fundamental rights of margiis to practise their religious rights. Certainly, the H teamsters are not saints; they have created hell in various regards. But at least on this point, they are not totally rancid. No doubt we have to watch them with sharp eyes all around, but at least they did not get a sick sense of enjoyment over the loss of our DMS program. That is what we all heard.

NEWS ABOUT REPORTING IN ANANDA NAGAR

1. In AN reporting started on 26th of Dec. The EC group reporting was held in the Children's Home and the Ranchi Administration reporting was in the ja'grti. 2. On the whole, for the EC reporting there was very low attendance with only 12 didis and 23 dadas present at the reporting in the Children's Home. For this reason the EC teamsters were shocked, dismayed, and frustrated. 3. For the Rudrananda camp, the workers were present in majority but at the same time no one should not think that wts were there b/c of their faith in Rudrananda. Rather those workers came out of their duty to follow the structural rules etc.

TENSION ON DIDIS SIDE

All didis were staying in the Berlin house. Both sides of didis were there. But the Ranchi side didis were taking food in Ja'grti. Why? Because either Ananda Giita' Didi side (EC) or the Ranchi side didis had broken the traditional mud stove (chulha). EC side didis have gas cylinders and stoves there and they are cooking their own food separately. So there are two chulha (stove) to chowka' (kitchen) in Berlin house. Neither team of didis is talking with the other or even following the basic tenet to do namaskar. Ranchi side didis who are in the majority did not go to do namaskar to Ananda Giita' didi or others. In the same way, theEC side didis did not do namaskar to Ranchi side didis. Neither camp has done this basic spiritual observance or practice.

RESOLUTION

So the poison of groupism is working all around. Until sane persons come forward this is the way things will be. There is no dearth of good people in AM, but such persons should not sit quiet waiting for some miracle to be performed. When they come forward then certainly good things will result.

BABA'S BLESSING

As the disciple of Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji, even though I see nasty things going on I am also optimistic and think that good things are going to happen. Baba says, "There are some people who are pessimistic. They say that the society around us is very bleak, that it has no expression of vitality and that it seems that everyone is in a deep slumber. Pessimists say this because they have never made any detailed study of human history, nor do they care to. Had they done so, they would certainly be optimistic, because if they had looked carefully at the symptoms of pause, they would have realized that significant preparations were being made for the subsequent phase of speed. So under no circumstances should human beings be pessimistic. That is why I am always an incorrigible optimist, because I know that optimism is life." (AFPS-3) Namaskar, Gaurishankar