== NOT JUST STRESSED OUT ==
Namaskar,
None can deny that the present day humanity has made tremendous headway
in the material sphere. In just a short while human beings have marched
forward into this ultra-modern, high-tech era.
Our world is marked by i-Pods & weblinks, digital cameras and skype, as
well as space stations, on-line everything, and talking cars. Such is
life in this fast-paced, digital age.
THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY-- IF ONE IS NOT CAREFUL
However such rapid progress in the mundane sphere is not without its
pitfalls and sticking points-- especially if it is not matched by
similar development in the inner world, i.e in one's psycho-spiritual
development.
Here below Baba uncovers what happens when material development occurs
in the absence of a proper spiritual outlook.
Baba says, "For progress in the external world there should be clear
guidelines, a clear and well-integrated philosophical base. The society
often lacks this; and that is why people tend to lose balance in social
life. When those who have developed intellectually come in contact with
an uncongenial environment, they find it difficult to adjust." (NH-LOI,
Disc:1)
Thus as Baba warns us, when the complexity of life in the technological
world far outpaces the growth in the spiritual realm, then people lose
their balance. That is, they become uncomfortable with or maladjusted to
the world around them. And that leads to a whole new set of problems &
trials. In a phrase, people become not just "stressed out", but
something far worse
Here below Baba further discusses this predicament.
Baba says, "Present-day humanity has, no doubt, made considerable
intellectual progress. But in the external world, there is a lack of
adjustment. This is the reason that among the educated people of today
the number of lunatics-- people suffering from psychic disorders-- is on
the increase: because there is no adjustment in the speeds of the inner
and outer worlds." (NH-LOI, Disc:1)
LUNACY & THE RISE OF MENTAL DISEASES
IN THIS MODERN ERA
So Baba has clearly issued a strong warning about the dangers of living
in this modern world. Psychic ailments like depression, stress
disorders, and all kinds of mental anguishes will creep into the mind
when there is not a like & corresponding growth in the internal realm.
That is Baba's strict teaching.
Here again Baba has given the same warning-- namely that lunacy will
increase dramatically-- in this imbalanced, modern era.
Baba says, "These days many psychic diseases have appeared as a result
of this mental complexity. Many people are committing suicide; many
people are becoming lunatics. The reason is that people are unable to
adjust with the various types of complexities in life." (AV-22)
So the situation becomes so severe that people start resorting to the
unthinkable: Killing themselves. All because of an extreme lack of
adjustment between their fast-paced external environment and their
deficient psycho-spiritual.
The thing is that regular citizens do not have the capacity of mind to
address numerous issues simultaneously and think in multiple directions.
Yet that is exactly what people are called on to do. Earlier, human life
was far more simple, but now with society driven by all kinds of
technology the speed has increased multi-fold, and people do not know
how to cope.
TOP MATERIAL COUNTRIES LIKE THE US MOST AFFECTED
And this is not just theory only-- this is what we see practically
happening in the world around. The huge increase of ailments in the
mental arena is becoming more prevalent in various countries. But
perhaps nowhere is this more rampant than in the US.
Currently in the material kingdom of the USA, psychic disorders are
cropping up everywhere-- exponentially. From the young to the elderly,
from the unemployed to high-paid executives, there is no sector of
society that has escaped. And rate of onset of these problems in
happening at lightening speed.
All because people are surrounded by an increasingly complex material
environment yet they do not have the balance or depth of mind to handle
the pressure of living in such fast-paced world.
BABA'S SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION
Here below Baba provides us with a clear-cut, rational portrayal of the
problem that is bemoaning today's high-tech yet spiritually deficient
societies.
Baba says, "Not only is there maladjustment in speed but also in rhythm;
that is, the pattern of internal psychic rhythm is altogether different
from the external rhythm of the objective world. Obviously clash is
inevitable, and the impact of this clash is felt much more in the
psychic realm than in the physical sphere. As a result, human beings
lose their mental adjustment." (NH-LOI, Disc:1)
So in all the above ways Baba has clearly pointed out the problem of
life in this ultra-modern era. And side by side in this below section He
has given the solution.
SOLUTION OF THE DAY: SIXTEEN POINTS
Although the general society has become totally overwhelmed by
technological advancements and are unable to adjust. That does not mean
that we Ananda Margiis should also fall prey to such syndromes.
Rather, we are to escape unharmed, if we follow Baba's guidelines.
Because Baba has graced us with the solution to all the problems and
difficulties of life in this modern era. And it is this which we are to
share with the world around us.
Here Baba neatly explains how 16 Points brings balance in all the
spheres of life.
Baba says, "Human existence is trifarious. A sadhaka has got his
spiritual body, his psychic body and his quinquelemental body-- this
physical structure--hands, legs, ears, nose, etc. When the flow is for
the Supreme Desideratum, there must be an adjustment amongst these three
flows of human spirit, human mind, and human entity. There must be
parallelism between spiritual flow and the psychic, and there must be
parallelism between psychic wave and the entitative wave. For progress
in entitative flow, one is to lead a pure life, a moralistic life, a
life based on moral principles...Follow a strict code of morality. Live
a pure life, a neat and clean life. Be strict in 16 Points. What will
happen? Your entitative flow will get purified and will be in
parallelism with your psychic wave." (Baba in Taiwan, p. 44)
So the ideal way to combat the onslaught of complexities of this
technological world is to increase one's mental stamina and spiritual
strength. And that is exactly what 16 Points does-- plus it keeps the
physical body healthy and disease free.
Therefore, to survive and blossom in this modern era, 16 Points is a
must. That means from half-bath to kaoshikii, from dharmacakra to
fasting, from Supreme Command to laungota wearing, following all the
points are indispensable for maintaining and succeeding in this complex
world. That is the only way we can keep ourselves from becoming victims
of modernity.
And by following 16 Points we will naturally become ideal examples for
the rest of the world. And we can help all our brothers and sisters
overcome the rigours of this materially advanced world by teaching them
the systematic practices of 16 Points.
However, to the degree we ourselves are lazy or inattentive to 16 Points
is the degree to which we will become overwrought with the psychic
disorders which plague the present day world. In that case we all will
become victims.
SIXTEEN POINTS IS THE CURE-ALL
Here again is Baba's clear-cut guideline that 16 Points is the way to
welfare in all the realms of life, especially in this ultra-modern era.
Baba says, "...The complete seeds of welfare in all the
spheres--physical, mental, moral, social and spiritual--are embedded in
the Sixteen Points. Hence be firm on the Sixteen Points." (Ananda Vanii
#45)
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace we will be assured of success because He has blessed us
with all the needed directions in life. This is nothing but His
fathomless grace.
Baba says, "If one gets the guidance of a Sadguru...and diverts one's
potentialities towards Parama Purus'a through spiritual practices, one
is sure to be successful in life." (YP)
Namaskar,
Dharma
Note 1: THE SOLUTION TO ALL THOSE PIN NUMBERS AND PASSWORDS
In this computer era there is a password for everything. For your email,
for your bank machine, for your credit card, for your work station, for
each and every sphere of life there is a password or code # or PIN
(Persona Identification Number). This also puts added strain on the mind
since one must keep a mental note of all these things. Hence a strong
and clear memory is needed. And here again Baba has given the solution.
Baba says, "Many people have asked me how they can increase their power
of memory. Personally, I know quite a few secrets in this regard, as
well as a number of physical exercises which increase the power of
memory. In our 16 Points there are a number of psychic exercises which
also help." (AV-7, p. 81)
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Behind the Curtain
Baba says, "How one person sings melodious songs, how another dances
beautiful rhythmic dances, how another delivers wonderful discourses,
etc. But we cannot see the entity who pulls the strings from behind and
runs the show. And the funniest thing is this: the speaker, the singer,
the dancer thinks that he or she is the agent, the doer, and takes the
entire credit for the performance. People do not care to think of the
entity that pulls the strings from behind, or if they are even more
foolish, they think that others see them alone, not the entity who pulls
the strings from behind." (NKS, 97 Edn, p.181)
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