NOTES FOR PRABHAT SAMGITTA #3856:
[1] Ahetuki Krpa: In the Pandal during DMC when one Dada was on stage
reading his purport of Prabhat Samgiita #228, then Sadguru Baba graciously
corrected his definition of ahetuki krpa in front of everybody to make the
matter clear to one and all.
Baba says, "In this universe of ours everything is causal; everything is
hetuki. Everything is causal. Only three entities are non-causal, are of
non-causal character. One is transmutation of non-attributional entity into
attributional faculty. And second is creation of this universe. And the
third one is the krpa of Parama Purusa. Parama Purusa is not to explain for
His conduct when He does his krpa or where He attracts anybody towards Him.
So these three entitities-- three items-- are of non-causal character. The
ahetuki krpa, that is non-causal blessing or non-causal gratitude." (4 June
1990 MGD)
== AM & AGING ==
Namaskar,
It is a fact that with each and every day that passes us by we become
older-- our physical bodies age: A wrinkle here, a gray hair there etc.
This is the common phenomenon.
At the same time as sadhakas we have various tools and practices which
combat this aging process, thereby keeping the body youthful and vibrant.
That is one thing. Plus in our AM age is a respected characteristic. And of
course one other point is that our intuitional faculty remains timeless--
completely unaffected by the passage of time.
These are but a few of the many themes of this below letter. Kindly also
write in with your own thoughts and suggestions.
COMMON FEELINGS ABOUT "GETTING OLD"
It is the common feeling around the globe that no one likes to be said to
have "become old". That's why if anybody calls an old person as "old", then
that individual may become unhappy or feel inwardly irritated. That's why
if one wants to give respect to an older person, in a very courteous and
respectful way one has to use such a term as "senior citizens". All this is
especially true when dealing with members of the general society.
MATERIALISM & AGING VS. OUR AM WAY OF LIFE
There are various attitudes towards the elderly or senior citizens in
different countries. In those places where materialism is more dominating,
then the act of growing old brings a lot of tension and frustration.
Because in such places, often, the family does not like to deal with its
aged members. Consequently the life of those aging individuals becomes
devalued. So older persons do not like to be called "old"-- since that is
equivalent of becoming outdated and valueless. This is the tragic and
defective mindset of those common people in materialistic societies.
In direct contrast, in our spiritual way of life, the scenario is
completely different. Aging brings respect & dignity.
AGE IS A RESPECTED ATTRIBUTE IN OUR ANANDA MARGA
Looking back at the ancient history of India, we find that "senior
citizens" had a lot of respect-- far more than youths. This tradition is a
tantric tradition. And Baba also honors this same trait. That is why
throughout our various ceremonies and programs as outlined in Caryacarya,
Baba gives maximum regard to our senior persons.
WHY THOSE IN AM AGE DIFFERENTLY FROM THE COMMON PEOPLE
According to Baba, when anybody does sadhana and follows 16 points then
their qualities grow and grow. They become greater and greater human
beings. This is the unique equation.
Because with the help of cosmic ideation, the periphery of the mind
expands-- making them more perceptive and dynamic. And by this way, senior
citizens do not remain selfishly engaged in their unit "I". That's why in
most of the cases, in their old age good sadhakas dedicate more and more
time for serving the society.
But when people are stuck in a crude materialistic bent of mind, then
old-age means being a 'headache' to others. That's why in European & many
western countries, the grown children often do not like to live with their
elderly parents. Because when throughout their entire lives those seniors
were just indulging in their own selfish activity, then surely in their old
age they will not be inclined to think about the welfare of others. Because
their minds are drowned in the self-centered philosophy of materialism.
However, in so many other countries which are not so materialistic, that's
not the situation. In those community oriented societies, the elderly watch
over the growth and development of one and all. So everyone in that society
reveres the aged members.
And even greater is the life of a sadhaka because after years and years of
training the mind in a spiritual way, then in their advanced years sadhakas
are completely consumed in the thought of the Parama Purusa and the
well-being of all His children. In that case those older sadhakas are
totally selfless and are generous towards one and all. Naturally then
everybody likes to be in their company.
CHECKING THE AGING PROCESS: ASANAS & AM DANCES
As we know, that human existence has three aspects: physical, mental, and
spiritual. After 39 years, the physical body begins to move slowly towards
old age. But this can be controlled or minimized most of the degree, by
doing asanas, kaoshikii, and tandava.
Those who have been practicing their asanas, kaoshikii, and tandava for
many years can go on practicing those things as they progress into their
senior years. And this will keep their bodies supple, flexible, and
energetic. Sadhakas feel and look much younger than their actual age. All
because of their life-long practice of yoga asanas and AM dances.
The same is not the case for those who never did such yogic practices.
Their bodies become stiff & rigid. And even if they have the desire to do
something to counteract this they cannot start tandava at the age of 65 or
75 years of age-- and certainly not 95 years. Because their bodies are not
conditioned or practiced in this sphere. Whereas even at the age of 100
sadhakas can do kaoshikii and tandava and maintain their lives.
THE BRAIN GROWS OLD-- INTUITION IS TIMELESS
The aging process affects not only the arms and legs but entire body
including the brain-- our psychic center. That is why after crossing 50 or
60 years of age, the intellect of the common people starts to degenerate.
Their nerve cells get weaker and weaker. People lose their memory and
psychic faculty step by step until one day their brains cannot even
function. That happens to many non-sadhakas when they become very old.
However, in the case of devotees, this is not the case. Baba says, in
Varanasi DMC 1984, "You should not depend only on intellect. Because
intellect does not have a strong foothold. If you have devotion, then
intuition will develop. And with that, you will be able to do better and
better service to the society."
So in the mental sphere, devotees depend more on intuition-- and that never
decays. Because intuition is cosmic thought. And when the mind is goaded
and guided towards that subtle approach, then their is no question of it
"getting old". Rather the mind continues to expand and becomes more sharp
and more pointed.
But those who are depending merely on intellect suffer a lot. Because due
to the onset of old age, their mental faculty will degrade more and more
until finally there is strong possibility to lose all their intellect
entirely.
While those who have devotion in their heart easily are blessed with
intuition by Parama Purusa Himself.
AGING IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM
And in the spiritual field, if in their youth one did proper sadhana and
mind got training in spiritual practices and it's natural tendency became
to move towards paramartha, then there is no question of any problem in
sadhana up to their last breath. Their mind will easily flow in the cosmic
rhythm and sadhana will be natural and effortless.
However if anyone does not do proper sadhana in youth, then it will be most
difficult to begin when one has become old.
So it is only Baba's great blessing on us how He has created this Ananda
Marga and infused spiritual ideation into each and every aspect of the day
and given us the mandate to do our practices of sadhana twice a day
invariably.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace by keeping the mind focused on Him, then the great state of
surrender comes in which case we will realise Him in this very life, in
this very body-- blissfully going on doing anything and everything for Him.
Baba says, "He will do what is necessary. You just go on observing Him,
just go on doing His work and adhere to what He says with all your
energy...Let that golden day come at the earliest and make your life
effulgent." (SS-18, p.38)
Namaskar,
Ramanuj
NOTE 1: MORE TIPS ON KAOSHIKII AND TANDAVA
FOR KEEPING THE BODY AND MIND YOUTHFUL AND VIBRANT
For the physical body, indeed tandava and kaoshikii play a great role. They
prevent old age. So there should be always effort to do proper tandava.
There are three grades of tandava dance. Those who are youths, they should
practice hard. To not only remain in brahma tandava or in vishnu tandava,
but they should try to do rudra tandava.
Baba says, "Now the fundamentality, or rather the primordial phase of
Oriental dance, is ta'n'd'ava. It is not a very easy job either. The knees
must cross the navel. When they cross the navel it is called Brahma
ta'n'd'ava. When they cross the ana'hata [mid-point of the chest] it is
called Vis'n'u ta'n'd'ava. When they cross this portion [indicates the
throat], it is called Rudra ta'n'd'ava. It is very difficult to dance Rudra
ta'n'd'ava. It requires long practice." (AV-12)
In one discourse in Patna in 1978, Baba also gives the direction that when
the tandava dancer jumps, and his body is in the air-- even for a fraction
of a seconds-- then that is the most beneficial aspect.
When a person does very good tandava, then the whole body flies in the air
in quick succession. And again drops and again flies into the air. So the
benefit is related with the time for which the dancer remains in the air.
Suppose someone could stay in the air for one second. And another person
could remain for two seconds. So accordingly the longer time one can remain
in the air, comparatively more beneficial it is for the development of
brain and nerve cells.
There is a similar qualification for determining proper kaoshikii dance.
Baba, in a Patna discourse, He revealed the secret. That, in proper
kaoshikii, the body must bend or lean 45 degrees to the left and right as
it moves in the dance. And that kaoshikii will be very beneficial.
Otherwise, just "so-so kaoshikii" is not so helpful.
NOTE 2: SENIORS RESPECTED IN OUR ANANDA MARGA
In various ceremonies of our Ananda Marga, the senior person present is to
preside over the ceremony. For example:
- In chapter 18 of CC-1 Baba has clearly given the mandate that the
Marriage Ceremony of AM is to be officiated by two acaryas or, in their
absence, the senior-most margii present will officiate.
- In chapter 14 of CC-1 Baba has given that the ceremony for the laying of
the foundation stone of a new house is to be led by the senior-most person.
- In chapter 15 of CC-1, Baba has stated that the house entry ceremony is
to be led by an acarya, or in their absence then it will be led by the
eldest person present.
- In chapter 16, Baba states that the Tree-Planting Ceremony is to be led
by the acarya or the senior person present.
All these examples above prove that in Ananda Marga, senior citizens have
more respect. They are not out-dated, or useless, or worthless. Rather
their qualities grow day by day. And it will go on and on up to their last
breath. The beauty of spirituality is in this.
NOTE 3: WARNING: IMPOSSIBLE TO START SADHANA IN OLD AGE
Usually people avoid doing sadhana in the prime of their lives, thinking
instead that in old age they will do meditation. But such persons will be
at greatest loss. Many margiis and WTs I know with repentance confess, "Now
that I am old have time, I cannot do sadhana because I neglected my sadhana
earlier. Now in my old age the mind cannot adjust." This very thing Baba
has written about in detail in the last few chapters of His book, Ananda
Marga Elementary Philosophy.
But for those who have attended dharmacakra and done their regular sadhana
practices, then thinking and ideating in sadhana is easy for them as they
grow old.
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Baba Loves All
Baba says, "Bihar is rich in natural resources; and its human resources are
also sufficient. Yet poverty is rampant. Without any delay, one healthy
socio-economic planning needs to be prepared urgently for this land. It is
the need to start this work. We cannot push Bihar, the golden crown of
history, into the mouth of darkness." (Varna Vicitra, Pt-1 (H), p.66-67)
Note: Baba is the universal Father and He loves all. That is why He
encourages each and every local area and land. In the above quotation Baba
is speaking specifically about Bihar-- yet Baba has told similar things
about Rarh and numerous other lands. But a few narrow minded people get
caught up in their groupist agenda. Thus when Rarh is mentioned then
certain groupist leaders brag up and down as if Rarh is the top-most place.
And they never get tired of singing the glory of Rarh. As if Baba only
talks about Rarh and that Rahr is the greatest place. And on that account
they propagate only those things which Baba has told about Rahr-- as if
Baba did not speak about other places. Hence this is nothing but their
narrow outlook or psychic disease. Because Baba encourages each and every
area and Baba loves all.
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