"Kurvanneveha Karma'n'i..."

Date: Sun 30 Mar, 2008 22:57:29 -0600 To: AM-GLOBAL From: "Paul Paltrow" Subject: "Kurvanneveha Karma'n'i..." Baba "Toma'te a'ma'te kaveka'r paricay, a'r keu ja'ne na', tumi ja'no..." (PS 2632) Purport: Baba, this sweet relation of ours is eternal. By Your grace since ages and ages we have been together. Baba, how long this intimate relation between You and I has been going on, nobody knows; Baba, only You know. O' my dearmost, in the very beginning You were all alone-- there was no one for You to love and nobody to love You. So You created this expansive liila. In that way the jiivas sing and chant Your divine glory, and with Your grace compassion You love the devotees. Baba, this intense closeness between unit and Cosmic is known to all. Baba, You also know & accept this very fact. Baba, there is such a loving feeling and affectionate closeness between the devotee and their Lord. At any cost, the unit cannot remain without the Cosmic Entity. And in absence of the unit, the Cosmic Entity cannot exist either. Baba, the sweetness and beauty is due to both-- the unit being and the Supreme One. Each are loving the other. Baba, then why are You remaining distant and far away from me. Why are You not allowing me to come close. Baba, You know that both unit and Cosmic merge together to become one, then why do you not accept this very truth. Baba, You are omnipresent. You are present in all the lokas; You are beyond the lokas; and You are in the divine world; Baba, You are everywhere. There You are present in the rhythmic expression, divine horripilation, and bliss-- each and every moment. Baba, You are hiding in my mind; You are playing Your divine liila with my mind. In spite of hearing and knowing my mental thoughts and feelings-- the tale of my heart-- You do not listen. Baba, I want to come close You , why are You not allowing me. Baba, please bless me by giving me shelter at Your lotus feet... Note: The above Prabhat Samgiita reveals how Parama Purusa created this grand universe to have the company of His devotees. The song further expresses how the bhakta cannot live without Parama Purusa and that Parama Purusa cannot exist without His devotees. So both are mutually depending upon each other; and in their own way both are thinking that the other is something very great-- superior. This is part and parcel of the wonderful message of the above Prabhat Samgiita. And this same unique idea Baba is beautifully explaining in this below excerpt: Baba says, "When there were no devotees, God had no name -- He was nameless. When there came to be devotees, then God became named God. I was saying in Delhi that the fight between God and devotees is an old fight, a sweet fight. And what is that fight? God says to devotees, 'It is you who are superior. Because of you, I have been named. Had it not been for you, who would have called me by the name of God? Even if I was God, I was not 'God'. Because of you, I have become God.' And devotees say, 'You are the base of my life. In Your absence, the existence of my life becomes jeopardized. You have created, and You alone are the base.' Devotees consider God to be superior, and vice versa. This fight to make the other superior has no end." (SS-21, 'Na'm & Na'mii')

== KURVANNEVEHA KARMA'N'I ==

Namaskar, From time to time some excitedly proclaim that we need not do anything to stop the extreme groupism that is presently ravaging our organisation. In their own way such persons give the false logic that groupism will go away all by itself-- just with the mere passage of time. This is their misleading analysis. So from high to low, the whole scene is quite a spectacle & indeed peculiar. But by Baba's grace, to untwist it all and bring clarity to the forefront we need not look any further than His divine guideline.

BABA'S DIRECTIVE: DO ACTION IN THIS WORLD

As we all know, Baba clearly tells us that while on this earth we are to do something-- we are to be engaged in good works. This is His straightforward directive.

"Kurvanneveha Karma'n'i..."

Baba says, "Why have we come to this world? Certainly to do some good work... Human beings have come to work....Therefore work must be done....Human beings have to do any good and noble work, any constructive or benevolent work when they are physically alive." (AV-15) Hence so long as we are breathing, so long as we are alive, we are to involve ourselves in noble works-- making this world better and better. That is Baba's clear-cut guideline. Most assuredly then, as we look around, there are so many positive works to be done and so many negative things-- such as groupism-- that need correcting. And on both accounts Baba's resounding mandate is to keep ever active. Baba says, "The accumulated distortions of many lifetimes cannot be removed in the twinkling of an eye. The removal of these distortions requires prolonged cultivation of knowledge, selfless devotion and untiring action. The world expects tremendous work from you; so you must not sit idle like a frog in a well under the spell of inertia. Therefore awake, arise." (A'nanda Va'nii #5) Thus according to Baba's above guideline, to remove the distortions-- like the ravagings of groupism etc-- one must engage in "untiring action" etc. Merely sitting idle waiting for time to pass by will not do. That will not solve the problem. To rid the world of the dirt of groupism, one will have to leap intoaction. Per Baba's teaching, that is the only way to clean-up our AMPS. So Baba's above guidelines are enough to show us that ours is the path of action and mobility. We are never to rely on "fate" or "the passing of time" to solve any problem such as groupism. This much is surely clear to most every Ananda Margii.

PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF PRAPATTI: UTILISE ONE'S STRENGTH

But even then, some confused philosophers on the email may be thinking that doing nothing and watching the world go by is part of our surrender theory. That is, such a pseudo-philosopher might proclaim that 'prapatti vada'-- surrender theory-- means that we are to sit back and relax, waiting for "Someone Else" to clear up the matter. But that is not at all the case. According to Baba, the proper application of our surrender theory is to come forward and work according to our maximum capacity. Baba says, "Do your duty, your karma. Now, is this karma in conformity with prapatti or is it antagonistic to prapatti? The teachings of Vraja Krs'n'a are clearly consistent with prapatti..." "So in accordance with the spirit of prapatti, that the body is a machine, we can say that He has been kind enough to provide the body and mind, to be utilized for work only. Hence I follow the spirit of prapatti in using them." "In the beginning, karma seemed to be against prapatti, but karma is not antithetical to prapatti. It is definitely in conformity with prapatti. So a boy or a girl who does work is surely following the path of prapatti..." (NKS, p.39) So according to Baba's supreme teachings of prapatii vada (surrender theory), we are to fully utilise whatever strength He has graciously given us. Each and every ounce of energy that we have should be expended toward coming up with a proper and just solution to any problem. That is Baba's teaching and that is the AM approach to prappati vada. Thus once again, according to Baba, when our organisation is infested with disease of groupism, then an outright call for action is the only way to proceed.

UNDERSTANDING THE WHOLE OF BABA'S TEACHING

By His divine grace Baba has beautifully explained each and every aspect of this expressed universe. He has graciously given the answer to everything. There is no problem that lies untouched; nor is there any hazard which He has not warned us about. By His fathomless grace He has perfectly mapped out our entire pathway. Even then a few pseudo-philosophers are prone to get confused. Reason being they only see a small part or fraction of Baba's teaching-- not the whole. It is just like one blind person going up to an elephant and after grabbing just the long, thin, tail the blind person proudly proclaims that 'this is a rope'. Or it is just like another blind person approaching that same elephant and after grabbing just the thick, sturdy, leg the blind person confidently announces that 'this is a tree trunk' etc. Here the whole point is that if one cannot see the whole elephant, then they are sure to come with a faulty analysis of what that elephant is. Baba says, "If you tell a blind person to describe the parts of an elephant's body, can he do it? Before describing the elephant, one must have the vision to see it: so first the blind man's sight must be restored." (SS-10) Similarly to understand Baba's divine teaching of AM one must have a balanced mind and be able to clearly look at the whole body of AM scripture; otherwise, with their incomplete and faulty understanding of AM ideology one's helter-skelter interpretation will be foolish and way off the mark. They will be just like that blind person who makes the ridiculous proclamation that the elephant's tail is a rope etc. So if any pseudo-philosopher wants to properly interpret Baba's teachings then first and foremost they should take the time to make their mind balanced and rational through sadhana and then step by step cultivate a facile and holistic understanding of the entire AM ideology. Then by Baba's grace they will be able to come up with a proper analysis of His teaching. Whereas, without that, if they again and again resort to their own incomplete and imbalanced way of dealing yet continue to offer their skewed interpretations, they will just embarrass themselves in front of all. They will be just like the laughing stock of one village. Unfortunately that is what seems to have happened with the e-mailer who is proclaiming that the poison of groupism can be solved by the mere passage of time. Otherwise what can be the reason why this fellow is publicly humiliating himself by offering such a half-baked analysis.

SPIRIT OF HUMAN LIFE

Here again is Baba's dharmic call to action for all Ananda Margiis. Baba says, "Don't compare life to a pool of muddy, stagnant water. Life resembles an ever-flowing spring. Pushing aside the stones of obstructions and difficulties, marching on with vigorous speed is its dharma. Hence it is clear that those who want to keep away from obstacles have lost the dharma of life-- verily they are dead. The graveyard, not the society should be their abode." (A'nanda Va'nii #6) Thus to solve any difficulty like groupism one should vigrously kick it aside and build up a neo-humanistic order at the earliest. Any who remain idle fatefully depending on the mere passage of time are not fit for society-- "the graveyard, not the society should be their abode". That is Baba's inspiring teaching and stern warning.

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's infinite grace compassion we will jointly march forward and establish that bright, new era in AMPS. Baba says, "...One who has lost the very spirit of forward march has lost the inner vitality of life and reduced oneself to an inert skeleton. You must not allow such a thing to happen. Keep moving onward, singing the song of the forward march." (A'nanda Va'nii, #65) Namaskar, Punyatman

Note 1: CONFUSION OF ONE E-MAILER

On and off on our various Marga e-forums, a few confused type of souls excitedly proclaim that time alone will solve all our problems of groupism-- as if human beings need not do anything. Just one should sit back, relax, and rest easy and everything will be alright. This is their crooked analysis-- you may have noticed it. And they reached to this crazy conclusion by their faulty analysis of Baba's teachings. They could not understand neither the essence nor the spirit of Baba's words. Not only that, they also publicly stated that the passage they are referring to is the first Ananda Vanii. When in the true sense they were looking at a paragraph from Baba's discourse, 'The Evolution of Society' from Subhasita Samgraha part 1. But in their foolishness this person thought it was the first Ananda Vanii. So neither they can understand the message of Baba's teaching, nor can they even perform the simple task of properly identifying Baba's quotations. Hence from start to finish their whole approach is garbage-- or you yourself can decide how useful it is.

Note 2: WHO CAN INTERPRET AM SCRIPTURES

Here Baba clearly describes who is capable of properly explaining His teachings and side by side He also warns us what happens when any pseudo fellow tries to do. Baba says, "Without proper interpretation, the sha'stras remain difficult to understand and sometimes unintelligible. Thus the scriptures should always be interpreted by qualified scholars, competent philosophers, and penetrating thinkers. If one tries to interpret a profound scripture with superficial knowledge, the interpreter appears ridiculous and the audience is confused." (NSS, Disc 14, 'Shivopadesha-4)

*************************************** Sadhana Problems and Solutions

Baba says, "After involving in mundane works one is generally plunged in worldly thoughts. So then if one sits in sadhana, in the mind you will think that 'Tomorrow I will go to Arariya town. Indeed I have to go in the morning. I will have to catch the first bus'. You will sit in sadhana and go on thinking like this. In this situation what should you do? Before sitting for sadhana you should do kiirtan-- either 2 min, or 5 min, or 10 min. So first one should do kiirtan. Because by doing kiirtan the mind will get elevated. After that immediately one should sit in sadhana. Then you will see that there will not be any worldly thoughts. Then sadhana will be proper...Do not worry you have learned sadhana and I am always ready to help and serve you." (22 Nov 71 Purnea, Bihar) Note: Every sincere Ananda Margii wants to do sadhana. Yet most of the time this aforesaid problem occurs. And our Guru understands this. That is why He has graciously given such a beautiful solution-- as mentioned above. I think many may be following His divine guideline; and for those who are not, they should do so from now onwards, i.e. sing kiirtan before doing sadhana.

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Ongoing Fantasy: 'I am Dharmic'

Date: 28 Mar 2008 22:34:57 -0000 From: "Gurucharan Yadav" To: AM-GLOBAL Subject: Ongoing Fantasy: 'I am Dharmic' Baba "Diner a'lote a'so ni, ele tumi a'ndha're..." P.S. 2073 Purport: Baba You are so merciful, You are so divine. Earlier when my life was full of happiness then that time You did not come; but now in this period of darkness You have come. It is Your grace. During my good days I wanted You to come and rejoice the occasion. But that did not happen-- in the effulgence of the day You did not come. But now in the darkness of night You have come. Baba, how You play Your liila. Baba in the smile of the moon, You do not present Yourself. But when I was suffering in pain, then with the soothing balm You came and relieved me of my suffering. Baba, You have come in this cimmerian darkness when I am crying. Baba, everyone knows that You are most-loving; and everyone knows that You think about one and all. Even then they involve in logically analysing and reasoning about Your ways in order to strengthen their love for You-- to love You in a deeper way. O' Baba, You are beginningless and Your abode is in infinity. In all the twelve months You remain constantly along with me-- in pain and pleasure. Baba, You are the divine shelter of everyone; You are the heart of everyone, the Soul of souls. And by Your grace You pull everyone close to You. You never discard or ignore anyone-- irrespective of how high or how low they are. Baba You have only come in this time of crying and suffering. In the good days when I was calling You then You did not come. Baba, Your glory is unfathomable; Your liila is beyond imagination; Baba, You are so gracious...

== ONGOING FANTASY: 'I AM DHARMIC' ==

Namaskar, We live in such a diverse and colourful universe-- in their own mind most everyone thinks that they are following dharma, or the way of truth etc. All think that their plan is the way things should be, that their plan is the most righteous one. Mr. Bush and his capitalist agents think that their approach of "getting oil no matter what" is virtuous, while Islamic militants believe their "so-called holy doctrine of Allah" is virtuous. So to get power, to stand on top of the mountain, due to their self-interest, both parties think they are right. This is their real belief. And this type of drama is unfolding within every religion and within every nation-- all over the globe. Goaded by their self-interest, all think that their group or party has "the way".

IN AM ALSO THIS IS GOING ON

Similar is the case in AM. Due to their self-interest, one factional party thinks that their way is the dharmic approach and another group believes that they hold the key to "truth and enlightenment". So all pronounce theirs as the pathway of AM ideology. One group thinks writing "Translated from the original Bengali" at the beginning of every book is the dharmic approach, and another group believes that "PP's word" is the key to truth & welfare in AMPS. And still others take it upon themselves to fabricate their own self-styled Ananda Vaniis. But that is not all... Some think that the killing of Abhipremananda is something virtuous. Whereas others think that in the dark of the night, they can attack anyone who is going against their group. And even the old chief of VSS Madhavananda thought that his killing of some avadhutas was virtuous. All these types of things have been going on-- in the name of dharma. So each & every side has their own strategy in mind, knowingly or unknowingly. And all are internally convinced their way is that of AM ideology. This is how things are unfolding these days in our Marga. Now then is the time to see who is just living in their own silly dreamland and merely repeating 'I follow dharma', and who is really involved in AM ideology and truly following dharma.

BABA'S METHOD OF FOLLOWING DHARMA

By Baba's grace, He has given us the perfect method to see who is who and what is what. Baba says, "To my ideology I am as simple and straight as a rod." (SS-18) So Baba's teaching is quite neat and clean: One must adhere to AM teachings completely and not twist them in any direction. That is Baba's guideline. And the practical application of this is that His teachings are to be kept "as is"-- and those teachings are to be applied in one's practical life. That is the determining factor of who is following AM ideology.

HOW SOME ARE "FOLLOW DHARMA" IN AM

Unfortunately some have their own way of "following dharma...". 1. For example, for years and year some factional heads were adamantly convinced that all Baba's books should be prefaced with "Translated from the original Bengali"-- even if the discourse was originally given in English in Fiesch, Switzerland. So in the name of dharma those groupists printed "Translated from the original Bengali" on the cover page of all the AM books. This was their so-called dharma. 2. Then others have grabbed partial quotes from various sources and proclaimed them to be Ananda Vaniis-- when in fact Baba never included such things in His original Ananda Vanii collection. Hence what those groupists are making is nothing but Fake Ananda Vaniis-- all done in the name of dharma. 3. Still others place PP's name on the bottom of various orders and proclaim that so and so is hereby expelled forever or some other outlandish claim when in fact Baba has firmly declared that expulsion is not allowed in AM. Even then various groupist proceed ahead in the bullish plan of expulsion. This then is yet another episode of what that some factional heads are doing in the name of dharma. 4. So in all sorts of ways, shapes and forms, various leaders in various camps do things in the name of dharma. Those who are cunning knowingly understand that they are going against dharma yet proclaim it as being dharmic. And in the other corner some simple and naive people truly believe in their heart that what they are doing is dharmic. Yet, in reality-- though one is worse than the other-- both are far, far from AM ideology.

WHY DO THEY DO LIKE THIS

The question then becomes why do they do like this-- why do certain factional leaders go against AM ideology yet proclaim with full zeal that they are acting in accordance with AM ideology. How is that they do not have courage to admit and repent that what they are doing is opposite to Baba's teaching-- opposite to dharma. As is commonly seen, the answer is that they are blinded or goaded by their own selfish desire. Stuck in that low mindset they are unable to admit their fault-- and just get drowned in their own silly agenda. Either they think 'I must get the power' or they think 'I must remain forever on this MU' or they think 'I must become the most respected one' etc. And in that blindness of self-interest, in that drunken egoistic state, they do so many nasty things in the name of AM ideology to satiate their hunger. But in that way they stray far from the path & go 100% against dharma. In that blindness, they distort AM scripture, take away margii rights, tear down the BP system-- countless heinous acts they do, all in the name of "dharma". Such is what happens when this or that groupist is wearing the eye-glasses of selfish-interest. They twist AM ideology to their own end. When in fact a true dharmika will do each and everything for AM ideology-- for dharma, without harbouring any other desire in mind. Unfortunately time and time again, groupists stray from this ideal-- all because of their selfish approach.

SAME THING IN INDIAN FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE

It is just like during the Indian independence movement. At that time various so-called leaders were making countless promises about how they will restore glory to India. This was their regular chant of dharma. But their so-called holy promise was all dependent on one factor-- that of satisfying their selfish desire of getting the chair etc. And then once they got it, the rest is history. We all know what happened. Rather than solving India's ills and bringing forth the glory of India & restoring dharma, instead they cracked the nation into multiple pieces. All because their selfish lust for power was greater than their desire to bring welfare to the country, greater than their desire to follow dharma.

MIRROR IMAGE GOING ON IN AM

Tragically, we are now witnessing this same type of event in AMPS. Blinded by their self-interest they wrote "Translated from the original Bengali" on the cover of every AM book in an attempt to show that their land or language is the top etc. Or due to their self-interest they fabricated so many Fake Ananda Vaniis that goaded margiis to 'sit still and remain passive' or 'follow "dharma" by siding with my group' etc. And by all this selfish power plays, the real teachings of AM ideology just fall by the wayside-- this is their so-called dharmic approach.

IDEOLOGISTS KEEP TEACHING AS IS

Hence even though there are so many opposing camps that all claim to be following dharma, it is quite easy to understand how these various groups are just living in their own dreamland. Because, each, in their own way, twists AM teachings to suit their own ends. Whereas those who are ideologists-- those who are dharmikas-- will always keep Baba's teachings "as is" and mold themselves according to His divine standard. By this measuring rod, we can be sure who is a veritable dharmika and abiding by the ideals of AM versus who is living in their own hypocritical dreamland and merely mouthing 'I follow dharma'.

FINAL WARNING

In the end let us remember that Baba has given one authoritative warning to those selfish people who are bragging that 'everything I am doing is dharmic'. Such persons should remember that nature will not spare them: They will have to undergo the consequences of their misdeeds-- either in this life or the next. Hence we should utilise whatever strength Baba has given us to serve others and never fall prey to any type of personal or group interest-- just like those who think that 'let AM Revolution discourse get distorted since the change is in favour my wt group etc'. This type of defective outlook is very negative. And this is only the tip of the iceberg. There are so many things that happen in one's personal and collective life where some wrong is committed. And if one is simple and open-minded then they may understand and admit their wrongdoing whereas if one is just drowned in their own ego they will never understand-- and they will just incur more and more sin and ultimately undergo that hellish reaction.

OUR DUTY

This is the time to look in 360 degrees and review the situation. It is our duty to keep Baba's teaching "as is". If His divine teachings remain in their original condition, then today or tomorrow AM ideology will be established-- based on His very teachings. But if His divine words are tainted then the situation will be so disastrous. That is why it is the personal and collective responsibility of each and every Ananda Margii to keep Baba's things "as is". That is the greatest work of this present day.

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's divine grace, we will all bring back the holy pillars of AM ideology into our AMPS and create one truly dharmic society. Baba says, "You follow me, that is, you follow my word, follow Bha'gavata Dharma, because you are a human being." (SS-21) Namaskar, Gurucharan

******************************************** Importance of Padma'sana

Baba says, "Padma'sana [lotus posture] is just like a lotus in full bloom. Just as the roots and stem of the lotus remain under the water and only the leaves and flowers float about it-- and although it is born in the mind it sustains its love for the stars-- in the same way people sitting in this lotus posture and remaining in the world, can keep their minds above their mundane environment. That is why on the path of sa'dhana' this posture has tremendous importance." (NSS, '85, p.241)

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Story for the Birds?

From: "Mirabai" To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: Story for the Birds? Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 22:47:29 Baba "Tumi esechile maner nikhile, manke bhariya' royecho..." (PS 1514) Purport: Baba, by Your grace You have come in my mind, in my mental abode, in my mental horizon. Baba, You have come in my Guru cakra, in my dhyana. O' my Dearmost, You have filled my mind again and again with Your divine bliss, by showering Your grace. Baba, You are filling my mind with Your sweet touch. Each and every cell of my existence is ensconced in You. I am immersed in Your ideation. Baba, with Your infinite compassion, You have coloured my mental plate with Your divine colour. Baba, I am completely captivated by Your infinite glory and charm. O' my Dearmost, You have stolen my mind. Baba, all my thoughts reside in You. It is Your grace. O' Parama Purusa, O' Jewel of my mind, You are in my mind-- You are in my heart. Baba, You are in my sadhana and in my dhyana: Watching me and keeping me under Your shelter. Baba, from the outside You cannot be seen; externally, You are invisible. You always remain hidden from the senses. Baba, You are hiding from all; nobody can see You. Only the mind can see You. Baba, You can only be seen from within. O' my Dearmost, in the effulgence of the jewel, in my mind, You are emanating Your Divine Self. It is Your causeless grace. Baba, by Your grace I love You so much. You are Cosmic and I am unit. You are vast and I am meagre. You are infinite and I am tiny. You are Parama Purusa and I am a human being. Baba, You are the Ocean and I am but a tiny drop of water. There is no comparison between You and me. Even then, without any fear I come closer and closer to You. This is not due to my effort; it is due to Your divine attraction. Because of Your causeless grace, I have fallen in love with You. Baba, my life is filled countless ups and downs. So many of my hopes, aspirations, and desires have been shattered. Facing all these difficulties-- amidst hundreds of sorrows-- by Your grace I smile. Because You are in my heart. O' the Gopal who is Love Personified-- O' the Gopal of Love-- in the world of songs, and in the colour of ideation, You have blessed me and allowed me to hold You. Baba, You are Love Personified, You have brought me under Your shelter. This is Your causeless grace. Baba, I love You...

== STORY FOR THE BIRDS? ==

Namaskar, One Buddhist type of story about a crow has been printed in a book written by one of our wts. In so doing, the wt was attempting to use that crow story to explain Baba's teachings. And really, the whole endeavour is quite interesting. Kindly read the following and decide for yourself if the crow story aptly represents the teachings of AM-- the teachings of Ananda Sutram about bliss.

BABA'S DIVINE TEACHING ABOUT BLISS

First, let us go to the source-- Baba's original guideline. And then we can see how far that crow story is applicable. In His Ananda Sutram, Baba neatly defines what is bliss:

2-3 Sukhamanantama'nandam Meaning: Infinite Happiness is Bliss

So Baba's teaching is quite clear: Infinite happiness is bliss. 'Sukham' means happiness; 'anantam' means 'infinite'; and 'anandam' means 'bliss. And in the very next sutra Baba explains that that infinite happiness or bliss is gotten by attaining Him-- by goading the mind towards Brahma, towards that limitless Divine Entity, Parama Purusa. And, verily, this point every Ananda Margii is aware about: To get bliss one must channelise the mind towards Him. That is how our kiirtan and sadhana systems work. And that is what we all try and do: Elevate the mind to the Supreme and immerse ourselves in His bliss. We do not follow any Buddhist approach as they do not goad the mind towards Parama Purusa by using a mantra as we do. Instead they try to empty the mind by not thinking anything. That is their blind approach. Whereas in AM we sit in sadhana and focus the mind towards Parama Purusa using our mantra. But Buddhist practitioners sit and just try not to think anything. But according to Baba, that type of sadhana is ludicrous because there is no Goal. In Buddhist meditation, their so-called goal is a 'vacuum'-- a state of nothingness, which they feel comes from thoughtlessness. So that is not our way. That is not AM sadhana. Rather, in the Marga we channelise our desires and longing unto Him. This is our approach. And that is the spirit of sutra 2-3: Sukhamanantama'nandam, meaning 'Infinite Happiness is Bliss'.

WHAT OUR WT DID

In their own way, however, in their "Commentary" on Ananda Sutram, one Wt tried to explain sutra 2-3 by using that story about one crow. And that story we are going to review. Please remember that the whole intent of this wt's "Commentary" book is to elucidate Baba's teachings of Ananda Sutram. That is the only and sole aim. Hence any story appearing in this "Commenary" book, must serve that end: Explaining and clarifying Baba's teachings from Ananda Sutram. And any story that veers from that path obviously has no place in a "Commentary" type of book as it will be misleading and fallacious. Because the wt's aim in the "Commentary" book is to explain Baba's sutram-- not just share one unrelated story which is misleading. So when our wt has placed that crow story in their "Commentary" book in order to explain sutra 2-3 about bliss, then we should all see if it is working or not.

THE CROW STORY

Here then is that crow story that one wt has published in their "Commentary" book. And remember this story is supposed to represent Baba's sutra about bliss and how human beings get infinite happiness or bliss by goading their mind towards Parama Purusa. That is what this crow story must indicate-- otherwise it will not properly represent Baba's guideline. Now comes the 'crow story' as it appears in the "Commentary" book: "A crow found a thick piece of bread and was flying off to its nest with it, when a flock of crows started pursuing it, hungry for the bread. The crow flew as fast as it could until, dead tired, it dropped the bread and landed on the branch of a tree, finally attaining perfect rest and tranquility. So human beings, too, will only attain peace when they give up desires for the perishable things of the world." That concludes the 'crow story' written by one WT in their "Commentary" book.

UNRAVELING THE CROW TALE

Unfortunately, the above crow story, which is supposed to be about attaining bliss, moves in the totally opposite direction. Because anybody can see that in the story the crow became scared and fearful and thus dropped the bread. And then that crow was just depressed and frustrated as it sat on its own branch, hoping and waiting to get another opportunity. So this type of story about the frustrated crow has nothing to do with the attainment of bliss. It has nothing to do with 'sukham' or 'anandam'. Because that crow did not get bliss-- just it sunk in frustration, tension, and disappointment. In their own misguided way, that wt is trying to say that because that crow left its desire for bread therefore it got bliss. But even if that crow really did leave its desire for bread, that state is not bliss. Because without ideating on Parama Purusa & attaining Him, bliss does not come.

2-4 Anandam Braham ityahuh Meaning: This ananda is called Brahma

Hence Brahma is bliss and without attaining Brahma one cannot get bliss. So by emptying the mind one cannot get bliss. Only in that case one will enter into a vacuum, or state of thoughtlessness, and suffer as one type of negative microvita-- videhaliina. That is why by giving up its bread that crow did not get bliss-- not even close. Just it became frustrated and upset. Hence that crow story strays far off the mark. The main point being that human beings do not get bliss by giving up their desires. This is not our way. In AM, our daily practice is to goad the mind towards Parama Purusa. That is the real essence of Baba's teaching from Ananda Sutram about the attainment of bliss.

FAILURE OF THAT "COMMENTARY" BOOK

So the whole use of that crow story in that "Commentary" book is a complete flop. It goes nowhere-- rather it leads in a negative direction. Because instead of depicting Baba's true formula for attaining bliss, the crow story offers one outlandish teaching that will only lead one towards frustration, misery, and regret. Hence the wt who wrote the crow story and placed it in their "Commentary" book drifted far, far from the goal. Because the whole purpose of that so-called Commentary book is to clarify Baba's divine teachings, yet that very crow story fails miserably in this regard. And this crow story is not an isolated incident. The so-called Commentary book is littered with false stories-- page after page-- that have nothing to do the dharma of AM. Just as that crow story has nothing to do with attaining bliss.

BABA'S WARNING ABOUT INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE

That is why Baba warns us that only those whose minds are pointed on AM ideology should engage in explaining His teachings like those in Ananda Sutram. Otherwise one will make a mess and turn the whole thing in the wrong direction. Baba says, "The scriptures should always be interpreted by qualified scholars, competent philosophers, and penetrating thinkers. If one tries to interpret a profound scripture with superficial knowledge, the interpreter appears ridiculous and the audience is confused." "There are some people who are neither scholars, nor philosophers, nor penetrating thinkers, but merely wander about interpreting scriptures as a means of livelihood. They utterly fail to present the proper matter in the correct perspective before the audience...[and] do more harm than good to the society." "[They] interpret the scriptures just to exhibit their intellect-- to procure for themselves a certificate of erudition. They remain far from the living spirit of the scriptures." (NSS) Hence in His above guideline Baba adamantly warns us of the messy scene that occurs when an unqualified person attempts to explain His divine teachings. And that tragedy is exactly what has happened when one wt used that crow story to "explain" Baba's teaching about bliss. As Baba says, "the [wt] interpreter appears ridiculous and the audience [general public] is confused." Just it is His grace that those doing AM sadhana did not get swayed or misguided by that silly crow story. Rather, every Ananda Margii understands the reality about how to attain bliss: Goad the mind towards Him.

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace He has shown us the real pathway towards bliss-- and this every Ananda Margii is experiencing in their life. Baba says, "You will have to channelize all your physical, psychic and spiritual faculties, all your hopes and aspirations, longings and desires, towards that Supreme Entity." (AMIWL-11) Baba says, "When sa'dhakas...channelize all their propensities towards Purus'ottama, they become united with Him and attain His greatness [bliss]." (AMIWL-6) Namaskar, Mirabai

Note 1: FOOLISHNES OF UNRELATED STORIES

Telling unrelated stories about the subject at hand does not bring any clarification-- just confusion. Telling that 'crow story' to explain about bliss is no different than one geography professor telling about the importance of going north but then going south. Or it is like someone proposing to talk about the space shuttle mission but then in their lecture they only talk about one mouse hole. Such is the foolishness of using that 'crow story' to describe the attainment of bliss.

Note 2: LIKE TRYING TO MAKE A JAGRTI IN A FISH FACTORY

It commonly happens that those reading books from other philosophies stray far from the path when they try to explain Baba's teachings. Because their mind gets filled with all that other junk and it oozes out whenever they try and speak about AM. It is just like trying to make an AM jagrti in a fish factory. Irregardless, the foul stench of fish will permeate each and every corner of that jagrti. There is no way to escape it. Same then is a mind that is filled with other misguided philosophies. Whenever they speak those dogmatic ideas will permeate their each and every sentence and syllable, just like how one wt used that crow story to tell about bliss. That is why it is Baba's strict guideline from acarya diary that before reading other books one should first sincerely study and understand the teachings of AM. Then they will not get swayed by the misguided rantings of other teachings like Buddhism etc. Hence one must not pollute then mind by filling it with fallicious philosophies. Unfortunately that is what happened to the confused wt who used that ludicrous crow story to explain Baba's divine teachings about bliss. In that case their mind is no different from one fish factory.

Note 3: WHO IS BEHIND THIS LUDICROUS CROW STORY

The wt who wrote that crow story and put it in her so-called Commentary book on Ananda Sutram is Didi Ananda Mitra. The crow story is there in her "explanation" of sutra 2-3. That is why many are calling for this book to be tossed aside once and for all. Because instead of guiding others about the veracity of Baba's teachings, her so-called Commentary of Ananda Sutram drifts into the abyss of ignorance by using ridiculous philosophies and tales like the crow story. This mess happens throughout Didiji's entire "Commentary" book.

Note 4: THE GLORY OF OUR AM TEACHINGS

Our AM ideology is the panacea for all the world's problems so any attempt to explain His teachings should reflect this grandeur. Baba says, "A correct spiritual ideology is the only solution to the problems confronting the world. From this perspective we can call Ananda Marga ideology the philosophers' stone. Just as the philosophers' stone is meant to transform everything into gold, Ananda Marga ideology can, most definitely, find a just and rational solution whenever it is applied to any problem." (POD #36)

************************************** Only Remedy

Baba says, "It is the duty of all human beings and especially those who are devotees, it is their mandatory duty to always think that, 'I am a machine and the controller is Parama Purusa. He is the machine man and I have to work according to His desire. I have to fulfill His desire. This body of mine is a machine and it belongs to Him. This is His machine and this machine has to do His work.' If one constantly thinks in this way then the vanity of action will never sprout. This is the only path to save oneself from vanity. One has to think 'I am just one machine; I am a tool and according to His desire I have to work'."

(SS-16 (H), p. 81, DMC Agra 19 Feb 84) **************************************

Searching for Prout Heroes

Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 22:52:45 -0000 To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: Searching for Prout Heroes From: Jeremy Gorman Baba "Eso ka'jal ra'ter a'ndha're hiya' a'lokit kare..." (PS 1926) Purport: Baba, please come in my heart which is as dark as the black night and make it effulgent. Please light my lamp and arouse my devotion with Your divine love. Please awaken the humanity which is in deep slumber. Baba, please grace one and all. Baba, except You, no one can wipe away this cimmerian darkness. Without You, humanity will not awaken. For the welfare and enlightenment of the entire universe, please come in everyone's dhya'na. Baba, please come in the crudest sphere of everyone's mind and make it divinely effulgent. Baba, I long for You in my mind which is as dark and dreary as a dungeon. Baba, I have been desperately and ceaselessly searching You since the dawn of my life. Your charming & loving smile is like an ocean of nectar from the divine world. This divine smile will wipe away all the staticity. Baba, please shower Your causeless grace and remove the cimmerian darkness and fill it with Your divine effulgence...

== SEARCHING FOR PROUT HEROES ==

Namaskar, There is an ongoing tendency within our Marga to try and seek out Prout heroes in the general society. This is only natural, as people like to have heroes. And when things are not going well in the Marga then some tend to look without to find heroes. And that has been happening with some of our Margii Proutists. They are searching the general society in hopes of finding the pioneers of Prout-- when in truth such pioneers can only come from within our Marga. That is not to say that no one in the society is worthy enough to make a contribution. They are. Good works are going on and they will be true supporters of Prout. They will be sympathizers. But ultimately they cannot be Prout leaders as they themselves will need to be guided by those whose lives are in accordance with Sixteen Points and the spiritual ideals of AM. Because Prout itself is embedded in those principles. So the below is a discussion and descriptive analysis of why and how one must be an Ananda Margii-- a dedicated disciple of Baba-- in order to be qualified to become a leader of our Prout movement. All should write in with their thoughts and opinions.

BABA'S PROUT IS EXTRAORDINARY & SPIRITUALLY BASED

As we all know Baba's beautiful Prout philosophy is really something quite spectacular & grand-- never before has such a philosophy been given. Because Baba's unique Prout guidelines offer all the answers for ridding the society of all its problems as well as for developing the world in a dharmic way. And side by side-- at the same time-- Prout is firmly grounded in a pure spiritual ideal. So Prout is a completely unique combination: social and spiritual. And as Baba directs us, this latter aspect of Prout of being based in God-hood or divine ideation is absolutely essential.

KEY INGREDIENT: UNIVERSAL FAMILY FEELING

In His very own words Baba guides us that Prout, being the ultimate socio-economic system, is deeply embedded in the sublime spiritual concept of cosmic brotherhood. Baba says "All living creatures in this manifest universe are the children of the same Cosmic Entity. They are the progeny of the same Supreme Progenitor. Naturally they are bound in a thread of fraternal relations...A socio-economic theory is of no use without this [cosmic] fraternal feeling." (PNS-6, p. 27) So when Prout itself is rooted in that subterranean spiritual flow whereby we are all one, then by this way we can understand that part and parcel of being an ideal Proutist is having one's mind imbibed in cosmic ideation and universal human fraternity. Because only by having a heart dipped in the divine nectar of Cosmic feeling can one experience the joys and pains of others and view all as their close family relation. Only with a soft, subtle spiritual mind can one guide the humanity in the various spheres of life and establish the high ideals of Prout within our human society. So spirituality-- seeing all as kith and kin-- is an essential attribute of being an ideal Proutist. And these following points lead in the same direction.

SPIRITUAL MORALITY NEEDED TO BE IDEAL PROUTIST; MUST BE AN ANANDA MARGII TO BE A TRUE PROUTIST

Just being an ordinary do-gooder or the like can never qualify one as being a real vanguard of our Proutist movement. Rather to be a Proutist and hence a pioneer of the society, one must be fully ensconced in the deep spiritual values of yogic morality. Baba says, "Those not established in yama & niyama should not get the opportunity to assume leadership of anyone." (CC-2, 'Society' chapter, Pt# 26d) And when Baba alone has given the only flawless teachings on yama and niyama and provided the sadhana which stands upon such teachings, then one can see the deep connection between following AM spiritual practices and becoming an ideal Proutist. The two are inextricably interlinked. Because Baba pointedly warns us without being an ardent spiritual practitioner then one can succumb to lowly desires at any moment. Means being a worldly moralist will not suffice. Baba says, "It cannot be said with any certainty that the moralist who has resisted the temptation of a bribe of two rupees would also be able to resist the temptation of an offer of two hundred thousand rupees." (GHC, p.1) So the basic "normal morality" of general members of the society and common social reformists is not enough. Their minds are not infused with the requisite strength and pointedness of spirituality so they can & will fall prey to allurement at any step of the way. So they can never guide the society in the social realm; they can never be considered as an ideal Proutist. Rather such luke-warm moralists are a liability-- an accident waiting to happen. And by looking around we can see innumerable examples where seemingly good people-- i.e. "moralists"-- got themselves totally entangled in various crude things from sexual crimes to theft to debauchery etc. And not only that but those marching in the streets crying for justice are themselves caught up in unjust and disreputable dealings-- making an absolute mess wherever they go. That is why it is commonly known that only with spirituality can one become morally strong such that they are ready to lead the society ahead according to the ideals of Prout. Baba says, "The aim of such morality is attainment of such a state of oneness with Brahma where no desire is left for theft, and all tendencies of falsehood disappear." (GHC, p.2) So only with spirituality can the one become proper and fit enough to guide others in the social realm. Only Ananda Margiis can lead our Proutist Universal movement.

NON-SPIRITUAL PEOPLE OR ATHEISTS CANNOT BE PROUTISTS

So if someone is just anxious for social change or if someone has a dream to lead others or if someone has a cause in mind-- none of these attributes alone can qualify them as an ideal Proutist. No matter how charming their resume looks; no matter how good-looking they are; and no matter how they can fill a room with their talk. None of these characteristics are enough to bear bear any fruit. At least not enough to be a leader of Prout. Sympathizer-- Yes; Supporter-- Yes; but, Leader-- No. Because according to Baba, in order to be an ideal Proutist a spiritual mind is needed-- one must be an Ananda Margii. This is His guideline. Unfortunately currently some of our so-called Prout leaders lack the vivek (conscience) to understand this very fact. So day and night they move about labeling this or that so-called social sparkplug as being a Proutist-- capable of guiding all the margiis and Prout optees put together. But such type of imbalanced thinking is of no use. Rather to say so is only to smudge coal on the face of the speaker. So if anyone makes such a proclamation that any non-margii is an ideal Proutist then we should immediately conclude that the speaker or writer themselves has no idea what they are talking about. Thus our search for Prout heroes should begin and end inside the Marga, and at the same time we should invite every citizen of the globe to help manifest our Prout principles.

BABA'S DIVINE GUIDELINE

Here below Baba warns us what will happen if non-margii types get hold of our Prout movement or if non-spiritualists try to guide the society. Baba says, "Whatever be behind the pursuit of petty matter of the gratification of individualistic aspirations, it does not imbibe the essential factor of conversion of many into one Cosmic Entity. Called upon to unite the many, one has got to love that bit of average humanness or sentient bearing that lies hidden in them as the indivisible super-human entity. This spontaneous love does not flourish in the one who is not fervently zealous or the one who is not infused with the fire of indivisible, unbarred, unstinted oneness of Macrocosmic concord. It is absolutely meaningless for a person to attempt at any constructive work, in whom there is a flagrant lack of the thought of the Great. If one has not learnt to recognize, with sincerity and unsectarianism, the omnipresent, omniscient God as their sole objective, there is no denying the fact that they will eventually be compelled to recede behind the scene, after having dealt the severest damage to their own self and the society." (HS-1 ,'87, p. 51) Namaskar, Jitendra

**************************************** Health Guideline: Knowing the Root Cause

Baba says, "Due to weakness of the digestive fluids, the blood gets contaminated by acids, or if one is suffering from constipation, then different organs of the body also become weak. In such a condition, due to weakness of the lungs, the nervous system controlling the lungs also suffers from debility and finally the bronchial tubes as well become weak. That is the time when asthma becomes fully manifest." (YT, p.62) 1. In the above quote Baba is revealing the fact that the root cause of asthma is poor and improper digestion. 2. Unfortunately nowadays the only commonly available pathy is allopathy. But allopathic knowledge is so shallow that such doctors do not know about the real cause; hence they treat the patient in a very superficial way. With asthma they only address it as it presents itself on the bronchial tubes. By this way asthma never gets cured from the root-- i.e. from the manipura cakra. 3. So health conscious people should choose the pathy very carefully. We have to evaluate to what degree allopathic science is trustworthy, suitable, and helpful.

****************************************

Inviting Negative Samskaras

Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:51:39 -0400 From: Donald_G To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: Inviting Negative Samskaras Baba "Tumi kii ceyecho ja'ni ni to a'mi, tumi kii diyecho kichu ja'ni" (P.S. 1980) Purport: Baba, what You want I do not know, but what You have given me-- about that a little I know, by Your grace. I have not offered anything to You, only I have always gone on extending my own hands in order to get more and more. Baba, You have sent me on this dusty earth with human form. Indeed You have certain plans and programs to get done by me; You have certain desires and hopes that I do not know, nor do I want to know. Only I know that I have wasted my life in useless altercations and letharginess. The precious time of this human life has gone in vain. At the proper moment awareness has not come in my mind. Time has passed like this. My days have passed in self-indulgent activities and entertainments. Today I am sitting in the desert counting the stars. Baba, still I have full faith that You will grace me and bring me onto the right path...

== INVITING NEGATIVE SAMSKARAS ==

Namaskar, The world is changing fast and one of the main transformations taking place is that materialism is spreading like wildfire. This is especially true in the so-called developing nations where the people naively try to aspire to become like materialistic, "first-world" citizens. This is the rage that is haunting humanity in this present moment. Even this is happening in India where for ages and ages western materialistic values were rejected. But now the floodgates have opened and materialism is swarming through each and every pore of human life. Starbuck's, Wal-Mart, McDonald's are fast making their mark and crude shopping malls are popping up "everywhere". Through it all the inhabitants of India and many other "developing nations" are hurriedly joining the ranks of materialism. Because they innocently think that this is the road to glory. However, they should think again and again-- or, better yet, we Ananda Margiis should warn them about the harmful consequences. Because once one's mind gets painted in the colour of materialism, then the result is disastrous. Once one starts madly chasing after and satisfying their crude desires, they are bound to undergo the karmic reaction of those deeds. And let them be warned that the fruit of those actions, i.e. karmaphala, is absolutely poisonous and brings one's total degeneration.

SAD TO SEE

In any direction, it is sad to see how various peoples and communities are giving up their native cultures and tossing aside their local customs, songs, and morals and instead taking the big plunge into materialism. Just to clarify, here the word 'materialism' refers to (a) accepting money as the main goal of life, (b) chasing after carnal pleasures, (c) leading a sexually promiscuous existence, (d) drowning oneself in pseudo-culture (i.e. Hollywood movies, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Disco Dancing, etc). All these things and more go hand-in-hand with a materialistic way of living. And in that case, people lose sight of the real sweetness of life and instead get caught in degenerated values. This then blocks their psychic development as they get sucked into the depths of crude attraction. And that is exactly what Baba is warning about. Baba says, "Materialism is most dangerous when it tries to suppress mental expansion, when it creates obstacles in the transformation of mind from crude to subtle - when it blocks the passageway of human development from the graceful beauty of the mind to the spiritual sweetness of the soul." (6 August 1982, Patna) Thus in the so-called developing world where people are giving up their local sentient ways of living and adopting the mass movement toward materialism, then their finer sensibilities get lost entirely.

THE REACTION IS NOT A JOKE-- IT IS HELLISH

Even then, the common people see the glitz and glamour of materialism and they think what is wrong. They see the rosy lipstick, they see the care-free way of living, they see the chic clothing and they think-- 'I must get that'. This happens to so many innocent people day-in & day-out, especially in the "third world" nations. Already most of the "first-world" population is so plunged in materialism that they cannot even begin to find their own heart. They have lost their mind and souls and they will have to undergo the karmic reaction. And then there are a few who were fortunate enough to more or less escape the tangled web of materialism. But now the whole mass of "third-world" nations is taking that treacherous journey down in the dungeons of materialism thinking it to be heaven. When in fact nothing could be further from the truth since that very materialism will lead them into the shackles of animals life or worse. That is Baba's warning. Baba says, "If someone even after attaining a human form forgets Parama Purus'a and keeps moving with eyes closed in that case...such a person will be degraded and gradually reborn as an animal, plant, etc." (SS-11) Hence Baba warns us that if one closes their eyes-- i.e. adopts the pathway of materialism-- then they will degenerate and suffer on that path of negative pratisaincara, being reborn as a lowly animal or worse.

ACCORDING TO THE MIND, ONE WILL GET REBIRTH

Here the key point to remember is that one will get a new body based on their standard of mind. So if one passes their entire human life involved in crude pleasures and degenerative activities, then naturally the mind will become one with that debased way of life. In that case they are sure to degenerate drastically and be reborn in the sub-human or even inanminate world. Baba says, "In human society there are many people whose mentality is somewhere between that of forest primates and that of humans. Some have just evolved from animal life to that point, in the process of pratisaincara; while others have reverted to that point from a more developed human level, due to their mean thoughts. If they continue to allow mean thoughts to dominate their minds, they will degenerate to the even cruder stage of inert matter, becoming bricks, stone or wood." (AMIWL-8) So being reborn as a piece of stone etc, is not just part of the Hindu dogma of reincarnation. Rather, it is part of our AM spiritual philosophy and is deeply related with the science of mind. Because Baba guides us that according to the nature of one's thinking-- according to one's standard of mind-- one will get rebirth. And in the case of a materialistic bent of mind that is wrought with sexual lust and crude desires, then that rebirth will be lowly. See here Baba's warning. Baba says, "Suppose a person does something wrong physically or mentally, and imbibes a set of sam'ska'ras. According to the previous sam'ska'ras he was a human being, but according to the newly acquired sam'ska'ras he is reborn as a dog. The progress or degradation of the human mind has a direct effect." (AMIWL-11) Thus one will get a body according to their mental outlook. So lowly thinking practically means being reborn in a crude form like that of a pig, mule, or even as ashtray or spittoon. So the karmic reaction (karmaphala)-- ie the fruits of one's deeds-- from living a materialistic life thrusts one on the path of destruction and demise. One will become totally degenerated. And unfortunately that is what will be the consequence to all those in "third-world" nations who get duped into the ways of materialism. Just like it has happened and is happening to the "first-world" populations. Such is the terrible tragedy that they will encounter. And we too should also be careful because in this cycle of action & reaction no one is spared.

MATERIALISM IS A LOST CAUSE

So from top to bottom it has to be recognised that materialism leads to the demise of one's entire existence and brings about one's complete degeneration. People utterly forget their internal divinity and just accept lustful ways as the theme of life. Baba says, "Materialism tends to forget that the crude physical body and its vital energy are not the whole of human existence-- that the most priceless assets of human beings are their psychic wealth, their spiritual treasures, and their most beloved entity, Parama Purus'a, the Lord of their life." (NSS: Disc 18) Thus we should never allow ourselves or anyone else to fall into the clutches of materialism, rather through spiritual talk, kiirtan, and sadhana we are to goad their mind into the more subtle realms so they can make a link with Parama Purusa.

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's divine grace He has bestowed upon us the perfect pathway and the only answer to today's troubled world. Coming onto the path of AM and reaching His lotus feet is the way of humanity. May we help everyone realise this at the earliest. Baba says, "There should be a happy blend of spiritualism and materialism. Matter is nothing but the crude manifestation of spirit. Spirit is the essence of matter. When the struggle between the so-called spiritualism and materialism will reach its climax, it will pave the path for "Ananda Marga". Thus Ananda Marga is a historical necessity." (A General Guidebook for Ta'ttvikas) Namakar, Divyajyoti

Note: AN IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION

In our Ananda Marga we certainly subscribe to the theory of karmic law, action-reaction, & reincarnation. But we do not follow it to the dogmatic end of Hinduism. Because although we understand that good actions bring positive reactions and bad actions beget negative reactions, we do not adopt the Hindu theory that the goal is to get good reactions by doing good actions. This is nothing to gloat over and this type of cheap approach is not our way. Rather in Ananda Marga, we follow the devotional ideal that fruits of each and every actions is to be offered at the alter of the Supreme. So we do everything for Baba, never wanting anything for ourselves, neither bad nor good. On a related note, even if one does good actions and gets the good reactions, then even then one is enraptured with their unit 'I. And one may egotistically think that, 'I did many good things and am therefore great because I will get many good reactions'. In that case one's downfall can occur anytime. In which case they will undergo the negative karmic reaction. So the only way out is the path of AM, where we do everything with the sole and only desire of pleasing Parama Purusa and we offer the fruits of our deeds unto Him.

******************************************** Ancient History

Baba says, "In ancient times, with the beginning of civilization, the sages used to look upon the various manifestations of nature as the play of one God and they composed hymns for that god. When they used to sing in the name of U's'a, Indra, Parjanya, Ma'tarishva', Varun'a, that singing was called sa'ma. At that time script had not yet been invented, so the disciples used to learn by listening to the verbal teachings of the guru. These were all words of truth, words of knowledge and since they were words of knowledge, since they elevated the uncultured human beings towards the light of culture, they were called veda, or knowledge." (SC-2, p. 93)

********************************************

Communal Award Is the Best Tool...

Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:42:11 To: am-global@earthlink.net From: "Thomas Alcott" Alcott@Associates... Subject: Communal Award Is the Best Tool... Baba "Nijer katha' balate gele yug je cale ja'y..." -P.S. 2610 Purport: Baba, my whole life is getting wasted by propagating my own greatness. Since ages I have been involved in this foolish thing. Please tell me Your tales & by listening to them my whole heart and whole being will be satiated. In order to listen to that gospel, since many lives & since a ges I am awake. Baba, Please grace me with that very smile so that by getting a flash of that my life will become successful. O' Baba, You have graced me and changed my heart; I will no longer waste my time in self-glorification and bragging of my unit 'I', little ego. Because now my mind is running constantly towards You. Baba, I wasted my life in self-propaganda. Now please make me listen to Your glory, Your sweet gospel...

COMMUNAL AWARD IS BEST TOOL FOR NON-MARGII AND MARGII POLITICIANS TO GRAB THE POWER

Namaskar, Politicians seek power-- that is their nature. We see this in the greater society and in our Marga as well. And one of the chief ways they come into power is to pit one portion of the society against another. And the easiest way to do this is by inciting communal feeling, by creating a communal award. In each and every land, church, nation, government, and region, we have seen this tactic at work. Even it has entered into our AMPS, which is supposed to be the embodiment of neo-humanism. So this communal award is pervasive everywhere-- why? Because it is the slickest and easiest tool for leaders to achieve their selfish ends.

NEW WAY OF SEEING IRAQ WAR

For example, with regards to the current US invasion and political interests in Iraq, it is plain as day that to manifest their selfish agenda, President Bush & Co have resorted to a communal award. Others may not view it that way, but for those familiar with Baba's teachings the case is quite clear.

WE KNOW WELL WHAT THE COMMUNAL AWARD DOES

In AM, we know well about the ill effects of the communal award as Baba has clearly pointed out how this very "reward" led to the division of India. For centuries, Muslims and Hindus were peacefully co-existing and then, with the insertion of the communal award, in an instant India was not only bifurcated but trifurcated. All this Baba distinctly outlines in His discourse, 'Dangers of Communalism'. Baba says, "As a result of the communal award, the country was trifurcated into Pakistan, India and Bangladesh...Factually, as per the Government of India plan at that time, India was trifurcated. Bengal was bifurcated. The Punjab was bifurcated. Assam was bifurcated. Sind and North West Frontier Province went out of India. This was the result of the communal award. The foolish leaders, the stupid leaders, supported the communal award. They had not learnt the lessons of history. " (PNS-18) That is indeed a tragic part of our human history-- even then, perhaps even worse, is that still today neither our Marga nor the greater society has been able to free itself from the trappings of such communal awards. We see its negative imprint in nearly every colony, island, and organisation.

WHAT IS A COMMUNAL AWARD

Just as a brief reminder, the communal award is giving seats of power to rule a particular, land, region, or country based on one's group association-- whether it be Hindu & Muslim, White and Black, Shia and Sunni, or B, EC & H etc. On the outside, some rookies may think that this is a fair way to rule a country, or that it is a fair way give scholarships, or provide jobs etc. After all, why not let all the groups be represented. This is their shallow understanding. In reality, the inner truth is that by inserting a communal award, by giving power based on factional representation, then that means the creation of separate groups-- in which case divisions form, rivalries sprout, distrust mounts, hatred grows, fighting breaks out, hatred further multiplies, and the end result is invariably the ugly spilling of blood in such a deep-rooted, systemic fashion that people even forget what they are fighting about. Just there is an overflowing fury of ill will. It happens every time. So if anyone ever wishes to destroy a nation, people, or organisation, then they need only insert a communal award. That will ensure division, racial riots, chaos, mayhem-- and utter destruction. It is happening everywhere from Iraq to our very own AMPS.

CURRENT DIVISION ON IRAQ

Knowing all of this, President Bush incited this very plan of communalism in Iraq, just as B, H, and EC leaders are doing the same in our Marga. In the name of 'freeing the people', 'establishing democracy', and 'liberating Iraqis', the US government deftly inserted a communal award in order to destroy the country-- giving the US access for their military presence and oil interests in the Middle East. Here is but one of the many accounts of what has transpired since the US led invasion of Iraq. "Some of the worst Shia-Sunni sectarian strife ever has occurred in the Iraq War, which has built up steadily following the 2003 American invasion of that country. While thousands have been killed by American and allied military collateral damage,this has become overshadowed by the cycle of Sunni-Shia revenge killing -- Sunni often using suicide bombing, Shia favoring death squads." "According to one estimate, as of early 2008, 1,121 Muslim suicide bombers have blown themselves up in Iraq. Sunni suicide bombers have targeted not only thousands of civilians, but mosques, shrines, wedding and funeral processions, markets, hospitals, offices, streets." Thus with the insertion of the communal award-- by inciting divisive group feeling in Iraq between Shias and Sunnis-- the US has gotten success. Because then it looks like the US needs to be there in order to restore peace. When in fact, it was the US that turned the place into chaos in the first place. Because only then did Shias and Sunnis become more volatile about who would rule the country.

COMMUNAL AWARD IN AMPS

All the groups in AMPS are doing the same. By creating division and demanding the allotment of power based on group association, then those groupist politicians are indirectly claiming a piece of the pie for themselves. Whereas if there were no division, then those groupist politicians would not or might not get a top post. So now that they have split everything and formed various groups-- H, B, EC, NIA etc-- then they give the fake recipe for unity by saying that all the groups should get a piece of the action-- all should get representation in seats of power. This is the insertion of the communal award. And this is what has led to hatred, ill will, and killing-- all because certain Dadas want the power. Verily this is what we are seeing in our Marga: Attacks and killing based on group feeling-- none of which every occurred prior to 1990. But since the adoption of the communal award, such violence has become commonplace in our Marga. And to keep the communal award alive, those top Dadas tell that Purodhaships should be handed out on a groupist basis. Thus it is a never ending cycle. Indeed, that inane thinking is not a shade different from what the US government is doing in Iraq: 'For the sake of liberating the Iraqi people we are putting forth our military program'. Similarly the various groupists in AMPS say, 'For the sake of restoring unity we are proposing groupist representation'. But all such proclamations are utter nonsense and hogwash. Both are based on communal awards. In the name of 'liberating a people' or 'creating unity', such pleas and proposals create division and communal feeling intentionally-- so that top politicians can grab the oil or grab the chair, as the case may be. So in the end, they tell that to bring peace we must carry out such and such plan, which is really nothing but glossy words that further entrenches one on the dark path of communalism. President Bush is doing this, the top AMPS groupists are doing this, and so many power hungry leaders throughout the globe are involved in this diseased agenda of inserting a communal award-- as this is the easiest way to satisfy their own lust of power.

RESTORING PEACE

Whether it be Iraq, South Africa, Ireland, Kosovo, or our own organisation, the only way to restore peace is to rally around one ideal which accepts all as being human, part of one universal family. Only in this way can a true society by built. Baba says, "As people become more generous and broad-minded, they rise above the feelings of casteism, tribalism, provincialism and nationalism, which evoke narrowness, violence, hatred and meanness. Those who enter the field of social welfare with feelings of “mine” and “yours” actually create divisions in human society. Those who wish to foster the welfare of living beings as a whole have to embrace universalism as the only alternative. If we look upon everything as our own, the question of “mine” and “yours” will dissolve; in universalism there is no opportunity for violence, hatred or narrowness." (POD, #28) So this is where we need to go, both inside and outside our Marga-- we need to move on the path of universalism. Failing that, only more and more divisions and infighting will occur. Let us always remember that true unity is based on universalism, and any false call of unity that is based on linguistic background or groupist representation is that very harmful communal award that breeds poison in the society. As a Marga, as a human family, we must be vigilant to recognise where the communal award is rearing its ugly head and pounce on it in an instant. And in its place we must suffuse the feelings of universality. So when the various groups claim that there should be a sharing of power or allotment of posts based on groupist representation, an alarm should go off in the mind signaling that they are trying to insert a communal award-- all done in the name of unity. So in this present era we should be alert, 24/7.

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace let us take His below teaching to heart, lest we face the consequences. Baba says, "Human society is one and indivisible. Keeping this supreme truth ever fixed in one’s vision, one will have to think of promoting human welfare, love for humanity, human solidarity and universal fraternity, and move accordingly. Not for a single moment should one forget it nor even ignore it. Due to lack of intellect or mutual conflicts in the past, a vast number of creatures have become totally extinct from the surface of the earth. Let human beings not meet the same dreadful consequence." (Ananda Vanii #60) Namaskar, Tapan

****************************************** Our Language

Baba says, "All the languages of the world are our language, this always you will remember. All the languages are your language. Of them you may know 2, 4, 10, 20, 200, 500, and all the rest you do not know. That does not mean that the languages which you do not know are not your language. All the languages of the world are the language of humanity. All the languages are the language of Parama Purus'a. For all the languages you should have love-- equal love for all the languages." (Hindi Language, Morning General Darshan 1/1/84, Ananda Nagar)

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Here is...Divine Resonance of Those Days

From: "Girish Nath Biswas" To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: Here is...Divine Resonance of Those Days Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:46:34 +0530 Baba "A'ma'r sakal dukher ma'jhe ele tumi dukhaharan'..." (PS 1421) Purport: O' Baba, You are Dukhaharan'. I was surrounded by sorrows & suffering; I was in big problem; my life was unbearable. I was completely miserable. But now, by Your grace, to save me, You have come with Your gazing eyes, silent footsteps, loving smile, and sweet face. Baba, by Your divine advent You have blessed me and rescued me by wiping away all my troubles and suffering. Baba, completely depending upon You with full surrender, in that very distressed and helpless condition, I was calling You and looking towards You. Raising both my hands in surrender I told, 'Baba, please save me; You are my only shelter. If You will not save me then who will.' Then at that moment You rescued me by showering Your grace. Baba, when I look around I see that because of Your gracious presence this entire universe has become vibrated & charged. The whole sky is enveloped in Your divine effulgence and my mind and heart is drenched in Your love. Baba, holding Your lotus feet, I sing Your glory in my heart and surrender to You...

== HERE IS THAT...DIVINE RESONANCE OF THOSE DAYS ==

Namaskar, Devotional life has no parallel, and while His vibration is with us always, the sweet reminiscences of our time on this earth with Baba hold special value.

NEW AUDIO FILE ON THE AM-GLOBAL BLOG

Just uploaded to the AM-GLOBAL blog, http://www.am-global-01.blogspot.com/, is an audio file which I've had since long of an especially devotional bhajan where devotees are seated at Baba's lotus feet and singing to Him with deep, deep longing. The scene is New Year's Day 1979 in Patna. I was present that time and was blessed by Baba to be able to get a recording of that most blissful occasion.

DUAL VALUE

Listening to such a devotionally charged recording holds much value and specifically I can think of two ways that is a boon for our Marga community. Firstly, it gives us a unique snapshot of history as it depicts the highly devotional scene of how our AM bhaktas used to sing in front of Baba and what type of vibration was created, by His grace. Specifically, on this occasion, the bhaktas gathering on that day were totally charged and saturated with love for Him. So whether one was there or not, by listening to this an image comes to mind of how special life was in Baba's presence. This could be especially helpful to margiis & workers who never had opportunity to see Baba physically. So this stands as a special record of history of how things were those days-- of the divine resonance of those days. Secondly, this file serves the universal purpose of being a devotional tool for one and all. Because just by listening to this bhajan, the mind will naturally gravitate if not run towards Baba, as it will awaken and kindle one's yearning for Him. Because really on that occasion, Baba blessed the bhaktas with an especially strong desire to serve and please Him-- and that vibration is expressed by the devotional energy & love with which they are singing to Him. So everyone will get a devotional surge by listening to this bhajan.

VIBRATION GOES BEYOND LANGUAGE

Since the song was sung in Patna, the bhajan is in Hindi, and many of you may not know Hindi. Even then, just like with bhajans sung in Tegalo, English, German, Oriya, or Spanish, the devotional vibration shines forth. Plus, one will hear the devotees sing the name 'Baba', as that is one of the lyrics of the song. So even if one does not understand Hindi, any bhakta will easily be able to soak up the devotional feeling of that scene. Because on that occasion, the song was sung with deep love, by His grace. In that way, from the vishuddha cakra, nectar (amrta) emanates. This is part of the devotional science of AM. When the mind is elevated, then by Baba's grace a sweet vibration is created in the throat, which is controlled by the vishuddha cakra. In contrast, if the mind is in a debased state, then poison (vis) is emitted. But, on occasion such as this, when one sings with deep, deep longing for Him, then nectar (amrta) emanates. And if you listen, I think that is what you will find was happening on this day, just like so many other times when bhaktas were singing in front of Baba, such as during His visits to Ananda Nagar, Utter Pradesh, South America, Philippines, Tamil Nadu, Europe or wherever. By His grace, by His showering of love, wherever He was He would attract devotees and naturally those bhaktas would sing with deep longing for Him.

THAT SPECIAL DEVOTIONAL QUALITY UNIQUE TO SONGS

And in His discourses, Baba beautifully describes this phenomenon of devotional singing: In that case He transfers His cosmic nucleus to that very spot. That is the magical reaction that happens. And still to this very day, this is the case. Parama Purusa places Himself wherever the bhaktas sing His name.

Madbhakta' yatra ga'yante tatra tis't'ha'mi na'rada

Baba says, "Where devotees sing my name, there alone I remain. I transfer my nucleus to that place... I transfer my nucleus to the place where my devotees sing my name. Why? Because in devotees there is upsurge (ucchava'sa) and emotion (a'vega). With the help of that emotion, I radiate vibrations in the universe." (AV-1) So these days when we sing our Prabhat Samgiita or when we sing our Kiirtan, then naturally, by His grace, He brings Himself to that very place and creates a devotionally charged environment. Thus it is not that this only happened in the past and now those days are gone. Still today, this is the sweet result that occurs when devotees sincerely sing His name.

BY LISTENING TO THIS AUDIO FILE

All in all, devotional tools like this audio file help bring back & inculcate that divine resonance and touch the inner core of the heart of devotees all around. Because when in front of Baba, then sadhakas would forget about all of life's difficulties and troubles, and with one pointed devotion they would get swept up into His blissful flow. And that unique vibration is captured on this very sound file. So everyone should listen and even download their own copy to hear in future.

OUR DUTY

By Baba's grace, here is His explicit instruction to us on how we should use our human faculties and He furthermore gives us the duty to spread this message all around. Baba says, "He has given you your organs. Utilize them for Him. With your voice sing His name, His praise, His kiirtana. With your mind think of Him. One who does not do this wastes one’s life. And where people have only human frame but not human mind, tell them this [aforesaid] message. Go to village after village, town after town. This is your duty." (AV-30)

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace, now as well as back then, when we sing for Him with full sincerity and longing, then He shifts Himself to that very place and showers His fathomless grace. So we should all be eager to do more and more kiirtan and Prabhat Samgiita and realise His special presence in our life. Baba says, "He is everywhere, but that vibration originates from that place where His nucleus is. He seats that nucleus at that place where devotees sing His name." (AV-1) Namaskar, Girish

Note: ABOUT TODAY'S STUDIO RECORDINGS

These days often times various artists go into the studio to record kiirtans etc and their minds are more involved with the sound of their own voice or the quality of their music etc. Because of this the overall devotional quality is less. Of course this is not the case with all studio recordings, but it is a common outcome, unfortunately. Whereas when bhaktas gather en mass and sing His name then there are no feelings of self-- only they are thinking of Him. And that makes those live kiirtans very devotional. So those recording artists must take special care to take a strong ideation when making a professional recording. Some do a fine job, but I think we all have heard many cassettes and cd's where this can be improved.

Myth of Global Economy

Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:29:18 To: AM-GLOBAL Subject: Myth of Global Economy From: "Ishvara" Baba "Tumi utta'l sindhute na'co, utta'l sindhute na'co..." (1182) Purport: Baba, You are expressing Yourself as the dance of the high tide of the roaring ocean. You have taken the form of the ocean waves. O' my dearmost Baba, in this condition it is impossible to hold You. It is very difficult to get close to You. Baba, now everybody wants You; but You are not easy to get. People run quickly towards You with the desire to get You. But, shaken with the fear, they return back because Your vibration is ferocious and rough like the high tide of the turbulent ocean. Baba, only when You really want to be held can it be done-- otherwise not. O' my Lord, when I was searching You externally in this material world then I was studying the shastras, and I was listening to discourses given by various scholars, and I was running from one holy land to another. Any place where people claimed You were, there I went-- externally searching for You. But by all these methods I could not get You in my heart; I could not realise You as my own-- as my very close. Baba, in the end by Your grace You have made me understand that You are hiding in the inner recesses of my heart in a very sweet and intimate way. By Your grace You have taught me that only by searching You within could I make You my own. In this way You have blessed me. O' my dearmost Parama Purusa Baba, You are ever-gracious...

== MYTH OF GLOBAL ECONOMY ==

Namaskar, Right now, as we speak, so many around the globe are basking in the false, capitalistic notion of a global economy-- and few are those who have the true Proutistic ideal of a local economy. In each and every nook and corner of the globe, people are running around with their cell phones on their hip, dreaming of their house of riches, thinking their economy will grow and grow-- bringing themselves and everyone else into prosperity. People think like this and on the financial news podcasts they talk like this as well, especially when referring to the unprecedented growth of the Asian markets, and in particular, the Chinese and Indian economies. They say that the people are getting wealthier and wealthier there each and every day. When in fact, the truth will soon come out that all the gold and riches of capitalism 'benefits' only a few percent of the population. Never before in the history of the world has the gap between rich and poor been as wide as it is now. The US can boast of great, big buildings and tremendous medical technology, but side by side each and every day in America more roll into homeless and fail to get the medical treatment they need. Why? Because despite its so-called unprecedented growth and dominated by its global economic vision, capitalism breeds poverty, not financial stability. In various discourses, Baba tells us how 'capitalism makes the man beggar', as it robs them not only of their soul, but their wallet as well. All fall prey to the vaeshyan greed-- all turn into shudras. It is just a dogma that wealth is created and poverty is diminished by capitalism. This is the false hope of the global economy. Because in such a system, the human brain is geared towards money-making and exploitation and not the distribution of wealth. In consequence, the mass of people do not get to experience any of the so-called riches of capitalism. For example, this very minute, China is boasting of its new airports and Olympic villages and new arenas etc, but of the 1.6 billion people living in China, most of them will never get to taste one iota of that glory. That is why all the talk about the greatness of 'China's new capitalistic economy' and 'China becoming a global financial power' is just a farce-- at least for the large mass of the Chinese population. Some few Chinese capitalists will get a taste of it, before it comes crashing down on them. For every wealthy business man in China, there are perhaps hundreds or even millions of people who are just sinking into deeper and deeper poverty. They will never be able to climb the great wall of capitalism. They will always be stuck on the side of the have-nots. That is where China is headed; each and every day that passes only further cements this dark fate for the masses. But no one likes to look at it this way, that is why people constantly beat the drum that the global economy is making the world a richer and richer place. So while the bulk of the population is duped by this false thread, at least as Ananda Margiis we should know the truth and be ready to lead and facilitate humanity's changeover to a local economy. The world is now headed towards big bank accounts for some, and big headaches and the pangs of starvation for most. Due to the global economy, poverty will abound on this earth, and those destitute souls with nowhere else to turn, those poor people, after getting exploited to the bone by greedy vaeshyas, will destroy the peace and tranquility of one and all. That is where this global economy is headed-- tragically. So we should intervene at the earliest.

ONLY A LOCAL ECONOMY WILL WORK

Here Baba points out that only a local economy-- not a global one-- will create a suitable way for everyone to live on this earth. Baba says, "In a decentralized economy the commodities produced by a socio-economic unit will be sold in the local market itself. As a result, there will be no uncertainty in the local economy or the economic life of the local population. In addition, money will be circulated within the local market so there will be no outflow of local capital. The possibility of an economic catastrophe in the local economy will be largely eliminated. In such a system, people’s income will have an upward trend and their purchasing capacity will continuously increase. No economic system in the world has been able to continuously increase the purchasing capacity of the people, because economic power is concentrated in the hands of a few." (PNS-21) Thus we should never fall into the dream now circulating around the earth that a global economy will bring riches to all. That will never, ever happen. Rather the more the so-called global economic growth, the more destitute and in-debt the people will become, until that financial turmoil breeds utter hopelessness and chaos in the world-wide society.

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace only those immersed in the world of sadhana can bring about that new socio-economic era. Thus we should not sit back and think that others are going to do it. Only true sadhakas can lead the world out of the darkness of the capitalistic global economy and into the light of a Proutistic local economy. Baba says, "There must be close correlation amongst PROUT, Neohumanism and spiritual practices. The balance amongst these three will elevate the structure of human beings to its existential status. We cannot neglect PROUT, Neohumanism or spiritual practices. This balance is to be maintained for all. It will create good will and elevate the standard of human beings." (PNS-17) Namaskar, Ishvara

Note: NOT EVEN CLOSE

These days there are so-called progressives in the US, Europe, and other places who talk big about establishing a local economy, but we should never think that such people will bring forth the Prout revolution. Never. That is not to say that all their ideas are totally garbage, but drawing up a new economic system without having the key for knowing how to transform human consciousness will never yield a proper result. In the past, "progressives" & "luminaries" like Karl Marx and Adam Smith felt they had the solution to the world's problems with their pristine economic theories, but we see where they led us-- right into hell. So talking up the progressive notions without having a proper spiritual ideology can never quell the waves of social unrest. The two must go hand in hand; without that the package is not complete. So we should never think that various intellectuals boasting of a local economic structure will establish Prout on this globe. Rather they will lead the people back into the feudal era where people are tied to the land-- hand and foot. Only socially-minded sadhakas can bring about the needed changes to heal humanity's woes, not pseudo-progressives.

************************************************* Rising Up

"Ghuma'ye theko na' a'r ja'g tvra' a'rt ma'navata' d'a'k diye ja'y..." O' brothers and sisters, let us no longer remain in slumber. We should get up without delay. The crying humanity is calling us; the people are in desperate need of our help, support, & service. We have to give the proper response by waving the flag of neo-humanism and thus usher in the new dawn-- whereby humanity is united. Taking Baba's divine Name, we have to remove their cry and suffering by forming one human society. Let us not delay-- the situation is urgent... (PS 4872)

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Attack on Prana Dharma: Tibet Issue

Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:31:48 To: am-global@earthlink.net From: "Pavitra" pwKlauss@springnet... Subject: Attack on Prana Dharma: Tibet Issue Baba "Nutan jiivan labhiya'chi mora' nutan us'a'r kiran'e..." (PS 5015) Purport: Baba, by Your divine grace we all got new life-- in this new light wave of the dawn. The new dawn has come and vibrated our body, mind, and soul. Baba You have graciously shown us the path: The path of bliss, Ananda Marga. By Your grace, we have left all those outdated, rotten, old dogmas. Except Ista, except You, there is no charm in the life. Your love and grace is resonating in our entire existence. Baba, we all belong to the same gotra, one family. This whole world lies within this same gotra. With the love of our heart we will awaken the entire world by Your grace. Baba, You have blessed us with new life in this new dawn. This is nothing but Your causeless grace...

== ATTACK ON PRANA DHARMA: TIBET ISSUE ==

Namaskar, By now we have all heard about it, read about it, and most likely seen the pictures as well. Once again, China is up to its suppressive tactics with regards to their continued control and domination of Tibet. An attack on any land, people, or community is an attack on the whole of humanity. So says our AM philosophy. Plus, in order to create a society based on justice, we must clearly identify exploitative tactics in order to create a strong, liberated society-- free people from any repressive regime. For these reasons and more, as Ananda Margiis we have deep concern and interest in the riots & army crack down now going on in Tibet.

LONG HISTORY OF CHINESE RULE: ROBBING TIBET OF ITS PRANA DHARMA

This most recent use of force in Tibet by China is only the latest in a long-string of injustices. And through it all, the Chinese have had one basic goal: To suppress the people and claim Tibet as their own. In short, theirs is an attack on the prana dharma of Tibet. As a quick review, the sum total of a peoples' songs, language, literature, cultural expressions, history, customs, and mannerisms etc are its prana dharma. Baba says, "When the national characteristics are expressed in a particular vein, we may call it the pra'n'a dharma of the nation." (AFPS-6) And the Chinese exploiters know well that by robbing a people or nation of their prana dharma then it is relatively easy to bring them under subjugation. Baba says, "The subtle way to undermine an individual or a nation is to divert them from their original pra'n'a dharma, sometimes by forcibly snatching away their right to pursue it. This will sap them of their inherent strength and capabilities causing them to become increasingly weak. Just as a bird divested of its right to fly freely gradually becomes reduced to the status of a biped, similarly, human beings when deprived of their pra'n'a dharma lose their elevated stance." (AFPS-6) So robbing a people or land of their prana dharma is tantamount to crippling them and rendering them as disabled. So many western nations did this in the past by colonizing various lands; the US has done this by exporting pseudo-culture; and the Chinese have done this through suppression and harsh army crack-downs in Tibet.

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION NEEDED

In all places, from Tibet to Palestine, and from Sao Paulo to Manila, the people must be empowered to expand their horizons-- must be able to express their prana dharma. And those who try to supress it are the enemies of humanity. Baba says, "It is the characteristic of human beings to expand themselves mentally, intellectually, and in all other subtler spheres of life. Inquisitiveness in the subtler spheres of life is the human course. It can't he suppressed. It can't be sealed. It can't be blocked forever. In the interest of the healthy progress of humanity, this intellectual flow must not be suppressed. Human beings can not tolerate this suppression. And those who try to suppress the gleamings of humanity and their philosophy come within the scope of dogma. Dogma is detrimental to human progress." (SS-12) So like the French in Vietnam, the British in South Africa, the Japanese in Korea, the Spanish in Central America, etc, the Chinese have adopted a horrific and dogmatic stance by exploiting and suppressing the people of Tibet. Let us remember that here our enemy is not any group or people but rather a defective and exploitative mentality. After all it was not long ago that the British started the destruction of the prana dharma of China by pushing opium on its people and thereafter it was the communists who completed the eradication of the prana dharma of China by their suppressive ways. This Baba has described in His discourse, 'Prana Dharma'. So it is not that China or any land is inherently bad. Rather, any regime that adopts of stance of suppression is the problem. And that happens to be the case nowadays with China. Thus we must be vigilant not only about the present-day Chinese tactics but also about any approach in any land that acts to ruin the prana dharma of the people.

MORE OF BABA'S TEACHINGS ON SUPPRESSION

One of the main guidelines Baba gives is that when the exploitation is too much then the people will rise up against it-- and that is exactly what we are seeing now in Lhasa (Tibet). Baba says, "The psychology of suppression undermines the progress of a country. People will eventually revolt against it and restore unity. The sentiments of people cannot be forcibly suppressed for a long time." (PNS, 'Three Causes of Sin') So the Buddhist monks and people of Tibet have been pushed down so much by the Chinese-- for decades and decades-- that they feel there is no other recourse than to lash out. That is what results due to extreme suppression. And that is why right now in Lhasa, cars are being burned, stores are being looted, and there is mayhem in the streets. Next, Baba teaches us that by taking away the freedom of expression then invariably the people lose their most fundamental source of strength. And this is what the Chinese have done again and again. Baba says, "The most powerful means of expression of a people's collective psychic power is their language and literature. Hence, to try and uproot a people from their culture is a special form of psychic exploitation." (PNS-19) In this following teaching Baba reminds us that so many exploitative countries and governments have imposed their will by stripping people of their own identity and sense of worth. Baba says, "Whenever the sentimental legacy of a group of people is undermined, they become easy prey to the economic, political and psycho-economic exploitation of vested interests. Such a strategy of cultural suppression was adopted by the English, French, Dutch, Spanish, American and other colonial powers. If local people develop a sublime awareness of their cultural heritage they can readily throw off all psychic inferiority complexes which prevent them from attaining socio-economic self-reliance." (PNS-9) Thus it is not just the Chinese of today, but so many powers-- past and present-- take advantage of other peoples through cultural exploitation and suppression. And that is what we must always remember. The common denominator in all such cases is the thievery of a people's sentimental legacy-- "sentimental legacy includes factors such as language, historical traditions, literature, common usages and cultural expressions" (PNS-13). And tragically, when people have been suppressed age after age then ultimately they will lose their prana dharma entirely and they will lose their life. Baba says, "As a result of this unrelenting suppression, people will never be able to raise their heads and they will die a premature and unnatural death." (PNS-9) Thus, in any land where people face a suppressive regime-- as is happening now in Lhasa-- then we must denounce that exploitative rulership and help the people to claim back their sentimental legacy and restore their prana dharma. Without that, the people do not have a chance.

BABA'S BLESSING

By supporting the people of Tibet and all other local cultures, then and only then can humanity stand on its own two feet and be ready to move ahead. By Baba's grace, He has infused the world with this very propulsion. Baba says, "Society will move along the path of progress with increasing speed, overcoming all bondages and hindrances. Human society will enjoy a bright and glorious future." (AFPS-9) Namaskar, Pavitra

*************************************** Sentient Income

Baba says, "It is clear here too that one's ajiiva or physical occupation should be sentient...No one should be a trader in religion , because in the name of religion, many people are exploited...The scriptures stipulate that people should not accept food from such people, because their occupations are despicable." (SS-11, p. 24-25) Note 1: In the past when Lord Buddha first gave this teaching there were 4 categories of negative occupations; but now the world is so complex that this group has expanded in multiple despicable directions. Through it all the central idea is the same: That people should not make their livelihood by depraved means. In this present era these following "professions" also fall into this negative category: crude film-makers, drug dealers, politicians, stock brokers, pornography dealers, casino owners, lottery makers, religious traders who are propagators of dogma like Mahaprayan (MPD), and gangsters etc. In today's capitalist society, the middle-man is also a negative occupation. Because such persons do not produce anything of value for the society. All they do is take what is produced in one place and pass on that same product to someone else for a sizeable profit. Thus such middle men are just the leeches of society-- just sucking money from the common people without doing any constructive work of their own. Everyone is hereby invited to add more undesirable professions to the above list.

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