Only Practitioners of Dhyana...

Date: 30 Aug 2008 23:21:16 -0000 From: NJK Majumdar To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: Only Practitioners of Dhyana... Baba "Iisha'n toma'r vis'a'n' bejeche, alasata' dure sare geche..." (P.S. 2496) Purport: Baba, Your divine call and thundering voice is resonating all around & has removed the staticity, dogma, and lethargy from everyone's mind. Those negative things which were impeding the path of human progress have disappeared into the far distant horizon. Now the degenerated state of dogma cannot remain any longer. Living beings have gotten new life, smiles, and joy due to the rejuvenating spirit of neo-humanism. The world which was sleeping in the past is getting awakened. New leaves and flowers are beautifying the green vegetation and trees. Everything has been filled with the colours of flowers & fruits-- ensconced in the feeling of service to one and all. Now there are no narrow sentiments or dogmatic thoughts which can hinder our forward movement. Now there is no one to create obstacles on our path towards our cherished Goal. The time has come that, under this free sky and beautiful environment, I should go on marching forward undauntedly towards You. O' Parama Purusa...

== ONLY PRACTITIONERS OF DHYANA CAN UNDERSTAND ==

Namaskar, We have all heard and read about how Baba says that we are to 'sit on the lap of Parama Purusa'. Baba says, "One is sure to reach one’s destination. And what is the destination? To merge into Parama Purus'a, to sit on His Lap." (AV-22) This He has repeated in numerous discourses. However, to understand its inner meaning and true import, one must be a sadhaka of dhya'na and have a high intensity of love for Parama Purusa. This Baba also says. Otherwise it is just an empty show or play of words to say, 'sit on the lap of Parama Purusa'. So this letter is only geared towards those who are pointed practitioners of dhyana. The point being, without one's sincere practice of sixth lesson, the phrase 'sit on the lap of Parama Purusa', will remain misunderstood, if not a mystery. That is why some wrongly conclude that the phrase, 'sit on the lap of Parama Purusa', is only related the mantra from our AM shraddha ceremony or that it only could happen in PC with Baba. They do not realise how it is also related with dhyana. They do not understand that one can sit on Baba's lap in sadhana. On the whole though, there are countless sadhakas who are quite familiar with the inner idea & true import of sitting on Baba's lap in dhyana.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF 'SITTING ON THE LAP'?

As we know, the phrase 'sitting on the lap of Parama Purus'a' is not meant to be taken literally. Taking the phrase at face value is to lose the inner import. The question then remains, what does the phrase imply. What is the actual meaning and inner intent behind the phrase: 'sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa'. How is it possible for this to happen in dhyana? What form does it take. That is what this letter aims to discuss.

VARIOUS STAGES & DEGREES OF DHYANA: Part 1

As most any practitioner of dhyana will admit, the practice of 6th lesson is not easy: It demands sincere and proper effort, and, most importantly, His grace. Without devotion, all those steps in dhyana are mechanical, or may even seem to be fruitless. Depending on one's devotional feeling and quality of mind there are various phases one may undergo in dhyana. First, if one's mind is down and one is not feeling love towards Parama Purusa, then that sadhaka will not even like to practice dhyana. Rather sixth lesson will seem boring or mechanical, and one may just do it for one minute at the end of sadhana, or even not at all. And in that condition, they will not even like to talk about Baba in a devotional manner. In every sadhaka's life this type of feeling may come at one time or another. In contrast, when one loves their own child then they will always be thinking about the welfare of that infant and they will always discuss their darling baby with their friends and family members. So in the next phase of dhyana, when one feels more love towards Parama Purusa, then one gets the idea that 'I should talk to Him and do something for Him'. In that flow, when doing dhyana, one tries to serve and please Him. Yet even in this stage, His image may come and go in the mind, and one might find it difficult to concentrate. This seems to be the common experience of many sadhakas. In spite of that, if a sadhaka goes on practicing the struggling in dhyana, and asking for His grace, then that will invariably lead one towards the next tier in dhyana.

VARIOUS STAGES & DEGREES OF DHYANA: Part 2

Finally, when by Baba's grace one feels immense love for Him and a deep yearning to get Him, then one will like to practice dhyana more and more. The sadhaka will feel a strong surge of love and wish to hold Him tightly and embrace Him in dhyana. And when this feeling reaches its climax and culmination, then by constantly thinking about Him and Him alone, and using one's dhyana mantra and calling His name, then one unique moment comes when one forgets oneself, by Baba's grace. That is the stage of losing one's identity wherein one's mind remains absorbed in Him. This is the cherished state. It may continue for some time such that one will not even realise that the time is going by, until at some stage one may again gain their unit awareness. However, at end of one's life, after finishing their worldly duties, a deserving sadhaka gets the special grace of Parama Purusa and leaves their body and becomes one with Him. In that case, they do not come back or take rebirth. Whereas, when experiencing this high state in dhyana, one does come back into their unit existence after sadhana. And even if one does not experience this type of merger in dhyana during their life, but by grace of Parama Purusa that feeling can come at end of life, as per Baba's guideline in Supreme Command. Here it should be added, that these above realisations in dhyana are essential for understanding the meaning of the phrase, 'sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa'.

MAKING OUR DHYANA SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT LOVE, DHYANA IS MEANINGLESS

So dhyana has various stages and degrees; even then it is not uncommon for a sadhaka to complain that they have no such feeling or experience like this of Baba in dhyana. Here we have to understand that doing dhyana is a difficult process and we should furthermore understand why it is difficult. Being human, we have all come from from animal life and to some or more degree we all cultivate animalistic desires. The more prevalent these desires are, the more they prevent us from moving towards Him in dhyana. That is why doing sadhana can seem like a uphill task. Even then the goal of life is to realise Him in our sadhana, and for that reason we must continue and persevere in this endeavor. Otherwise one will just be stuck on the treadmill and endless cycle of life and death. Indeed the illusion of maya keeps us in the dark and makes us unaware of the divine truth. The only way to escape this cycle is to go close to Parama Purusa. This earth is not our permanent abode-- our ultimate destiny is to realise Him. And on the very practical level, if our dhyana is not good, then we have to sincerely ask ourselves if in our daily routine we are practicing shravan, manan, niddhidhyasana. For only with the support of these practices can dhyana be done. For more information about this please reference our AM books. So as sadhakas, the main thing we should remember is to cultivate more and more love for Him. In its broadest sense, dhyana is the culmination of all one's activities. So we are to remember Him always from morning till night, singing His name, listening His discourses, serving His creation, and doing His sadhana. Plus, we should always request Him to grace us with more and more love for Him. Then, with His divine compassion, our quest in dhyana will become successful. Otherwise, if we live our lives in a mundane way and just think by closing our eyes for a few minutes in the morning and evening that magically we will get Him in dhyana, then our practice will not be fruitful. Baba says, "Dhya'na is withdrawing the mental propensities from all extroversive entities, and then collecting those withdrawn mental forces, mental propensities, and urging them towards the Supreme Entity. If there is no love for the Supreme Entity, this movement cannot be done. Where there is no love, the mind will not run after Him. So dhya'na also becomes meaningless." (AV-1) So love is an essential requisite for true dhyana, and that love gets cultivated by thinking more and more about Him, by including Him in all our thoughts and movements through the day. Then our love for Him grows more and more, and by His grace our dhyana becomes successful.

CULTIVATING THAT STAGE IN DHYANA

In our worldly lives, we generally achieve something by this common step-wise process. First an idea comes in the mind, then one develops the desire of having or achieving that thing, and then finally one gets that object or outcome. This we have all experienced in our own personal and professional lives. Similar is the case in dhyana. First the idea comes to think about Baba, then one feels a strong urge to get Baba, and then by His grace after continued effort one receives Him in dhyana. Then one has truly fallen in love with Baba and it is in that depth of love that one may lose their own existence while doing dhyana. This happens by His grace and by the constant effort of wanting to merge in Him.

CONCLUSION: THE REAL MEANING OF, 'SITTING ON THE LAP OF PARAMA PURUSA'

This then all leads us to the real meaning of 'sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa' and how intense dhyana is an essential requisite. The phrase, 'sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa, is characterised by one's strong urge of wanting to become one with Him. The phrase 'sitting on the lap of Parama Purus'a' parallels the idea of 'merging into Parama Purusa'. These two phrases express the same concept: That of a sadhaka losing oneself in dhyana, wherein the mind actually loses its own unit identity due to great love for Him. Initially, a sadhaka feels love for Parama Purusa and one feels separate from Him. And then, as that love mounts more and more, a certain moment may come when one completely loses their individual identity and becomes one with Parama Purusa. When, by His grace, the loving attraction and divine pull towards Baba becomes so great that one forgets their own existence in the pursuit of getting Him, then one is 'sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa'. Thus 'sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa' and 'merging in Him' mean the same thing; the only difference being, the first is a devotional expression whereas the latter is more philosophical. Baba says, "One is sure to reach one’s destination. And what is the destination? To merge into Parama Purus'a, to sit on His Lap." (AV-22) In more technical language, when one loses their own individual existence in Cosmic Self, then this is nirvakalpa samadhi. That is also the meaning behind the phrase, 'sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa', i.e. becoming one with Him. And this merging only happens in dhyana, when by His grace, one calls Him and yearns for Him with such love, that one loses their own unit identity. Thus sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa occurs only at the zenith point of one's dhyana practice. And it refers to that high stage of dhyana wherein one has forgotten their own unit existence and become totally absorbed in Baba.

WHAT SHOULD ONE DO

Here Baba gives us His recipe for how to attain Him and sit on His lap. Baba says, "What a good man should do, what an intelligent man is to do, what a spiritual aspirant to do, is always to remember his loving Father. And this is what meditation is. Why should he always remember his loving Father? Because he will have to keep in the closest psychic and spiritual touch with the Supreme, because He is the Supreme abode of all. And finally one will have to sit on His lap. That is the final Desideratum." (AV-12)

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace, He has blessed us by bringing us on that path of tantra sadhana and filling our hearts with innate love for Him. By this way, we are sure to sit on His lap and become one with Him. That is our birthright and our destiny. Baba says, "Whenever anyone develops an intense desire to merge in Him, Parama Purus'a immediately arranges to impart lessons how to move towards Him, how to merge in Him." (SS-11) Baba says, "One who loves Him will merge in Him, will become one with Him." (AV-5) Namaskar, Nagendra

Note 1: BECOMING ONE WITH HIM

By Baba's grace, it is our birthright to become one with Him: To shed ourselves of all unit qualities and merge with His divine Self. Baba says, "Each and every entity has the right to move towards Him, and to be one with Him. And when the mind becomes one with Him, the mirror is lost. There cannot be any more reflection. There cannot be any more Jiiva'tma'. Jiiva becomes one with Shiva. “Pa'sha baddha bhavet jiiva, pa'shmukta bhavet Shiva” – Jiiva will become one with Shiva. This is the human goal. This is the Desideratum." (AV-3)

Note 2: OUR GURU'S MANDATE

Some in the Marga may not yet have all their sadhana lessons, yet Baba says not to delay. According to Guru, every sadhaka should practice sincerely and get all their sadhana lessons. Baba says, "Human life is short. It is wise to get all the instructions regarding sa'dhana' as soon as possible." (CC-2, 'Sadhana') So every AM sadhaka should get all their lessons, including dhyana, as quickly as possible. Every sadhaka then should be sure to consult an acarya about this and make proper arrangements to get their remaining lessons. Because it is only in dhyana that one can realise what it means to sit on the lap of Parama Purusa and become one with Him.

From One Extreme to Another

From: "Mirabai" To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: From One Extreme to Another Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:36:01 Baba "Ma'nus' yeno ma'nus'er tare sab kichu kare ya'y..." (P.S. 2192) Purport: Great persons-- proper human beings-- do everything in their life for the upliftment of other human beings. In their mind they also never forget that animals, birds, and plants also belong in their vast family. For such sadhakas, no one is alien because in their heart they understand that each and every being wants to survive. Why do human beings remain crying, feeling isolated in their own suffering after losing their path in the Cimmerian darkness. Our love and care will bring everyone close to us; nobody will be left behind-- crying and suffering in frustration. On this auspicious crimson occasion we will save everyone and provide them shelter from the burning flame of illiteracy, starvation, and all kinds of troubles. Elevated human beings come on this earth to serve everyone, all humanity plus the birds, animals, plants, flora and fauna, & animate and inanimate objects-- the entire creation...

== FROM ONE EXTREME TO ANOTHER ==

Namaskar, As we know the Tantra of AM is Madhyama Ma'rga, or 'the middle path'. Because with our rational approach, we can always find a balanced answer. This is the beauty of our Marga. Currently, right now around the globe, there are two extreme positions being put forth with regards to certain women's issue-- in particular with regards to dress. On the one side there is the suffocating approach of Islam where females are forced to be covered from head to toe in a "burka"; and in the opposite corner there is the degrading approach of western capitalistic society where females openly move around half-naked. Needless to say, neither venue is doing the world an ounce of good-- nor are either of these approaches beneficial to the healthy growth and development of our female population. So let us take a look at the forces and mind-set behind these two divergent ways as well as apply the balance of AM's middle path. By that way we can come up with a just solution: How females--and males-- can present themselves in public properly, i.e. in a comfortable yet sentient manner.

"THE MOST DIGNIFIED SECTION OF HUMAN SOCIETY"

First let us take at one of Baba's famous guidelines. On 12 December 1979, while addressing issues of women's welfare, Baba beautifully expressed:

"You, as the most dignified section of human society do something for the universal human beings".

Here the point is that in our Tantra, 'motherhood' is regarded as something very special and sacred. Because it is a mother's great compassion that instills love and warmth within the heart of each and every infant that is born on this earth. Without that motherly love, children become drowned in a sea of emptiness and rejection and their whole adult life turns into an aimless search. Whereas those fortified with a mother's tender love and compassion develop into whole human beings who are ready to courageously serve the society. Hence due to their motherly status, females hold a special place in human society-- and are deserving of tremendous respect. Baba says, "Always endeavour to save the prestige of women. As the mothers of men, women can claim this much as a right. Special attention should be paid to the comforts of women during festivals, at spiritual conferences, and on other occasions." (CC-1, chap 24)

THE TRAGEDY UNFOLDING IN THE WEST

Unfortunately, due to an array of negative propaganda, the dignified and motherly status in the west is all but lost-- it is hardly present anywhere. Now the streets, homes, recreation areas, and workplaces are filled with females showing off the curves and slopes of their bodies-- leaving themselves half or 3/4 naked for all to see. This is the regular way females dress in the USA, Europe, South America, Australia etc. Again, I will emphasize that this is degrading display is totally rampant in the so-called free societies of the west. As a margii sister living in the west I find the whole thing quite appalling and outrageous-- totally intolerable. Because with Baba's guidance, we have come to elevate the standard of women yet all around us females are being more and more objectified as mere sex symbols. Even highly educated females are falling into this trap: They think their chief asset in life is to be a sensuous showpiece to the male eye.

NEGATIVE FORCES: HOLLYWOOD & SO-CALLED OPEN MINDEDNESS

While there are any number of avenues we can point to that are the cause of the sheer degradation of females in the west, two of the most prominent are: Hollywood and the dogma of open-mindedness. Here Hollywood refers to the whole film, advertising, and pseudo-culture industries of the west that project women as the mere sex toys of men. They have created the female icon as all legs and top-- with no real mental faculty. Just more and more skin is exposed as the competing firms dress up females in increasingly provocative outfits. And the worst part of it is that women have bought into this: Consciously or unconsciously they have come to believe that this is where their real worth lies-- in their ability to awaken and attract the male appetite. So the projected Hollywood image of the half-naked women has become an icon of western life-- deeply embedded in the female psyche. Some might say that we women are at fault-- but in truth we are victims. Victims of the male dominated capitalist society that has projected the female body as the ticket to selling anything: films, computers, shampoo, automobiles or anything under the sun. Side by side it has become proof of one's "open-mindedness" to accept this half-naked approach of female life. Because for years and years the dogmatic churches put harsh restrictions on female expression in society. So in response to that era of extreme suppression, a whole new era of so-called open-mindedness has developed. This is an opposite extreme where females can 'do what they want'-- including dress in a way that exposes all their body parts. And this is wholeheartedly supported by various western men and women who want to project themselves as being open-minded-- so as to prove that they are not shackled by church dogma. About all this much more can be said but certainly these are the two main operating factors with regards to the acceptance and support of female nakedness in the society.

ISLAM STEPS IN TO "RECTIFY THE MATTER"

Seeing the situation in the west, the crude clerics and leaders of various Islamic factions have declared that females in the west are openly displaying themselves as "pieces of meat". Of course what so-called solutions such Muslims are going to offer we are all well aware. Their answer is to push women back in the stone ages: Dressed head to toe in a burka, locked in a dingy home, barred from education, and enslaved as one of several wives of their Muslim man. About the strict female dress advocated by Muslims, Baba has said the following. Baba says, "Females were forced to cover their whole body by using a burka', but this is not at all logical or rational. This burka has little eye holes or slits, and by looking through these holes females have to see and move carefully while walking on the street etc. These are some examples of inhuman tortures-- a kind of animalistic treatment. Those who are civilised people of a civilised society or country should not accept such type of negative dogmatic rules. These are all nothing but dogma. These are all the naked examples of dogma." (Nagpur, MGD, 16 Oct '79) So while Islam may be quick to point out the defects of the degrading style of dress in the west, the Islamic answer is not at all the guiding light. Rather it casts females into the dark.

JUST ONE BIG REACTION GOING ON

So from one side to the other, there is just an extreme reaction going on with regards to female dress. Because when one suffocating approach has been in vogue for ages and ages then people over-react and move to the extreme in the opposite direction. That is part of the mind-set why in the west females are flaunting their new-found freedom and exposing their bellies to the world. All done as a show of their ability to 'do as they please' and as a slap in the face to centuries of religious dogma. And such over-reactions happen in numerous aspects of life. In India there is a long history of taking strictly sattvik food, but now the people of India have taken solace in the vast array of fast-food and junk-food items. So they are eating to their hearts delight and inviting innumerable problems for themselves. Although sentient food is a positive attribution whereas religious dogma is negative, still the point is that when people break away from any type of rule then often they sway far in the opposite direction. That is why we see in the west a growing number of atheists. In response to the antiquated ways of the church the people have given up God entirely. This is just an over-reaction to the suppressive mandates of the church. So this is one mental weakness where people jump far in the opposite direction in reaction to a particular set of parameters.

WHO ARE THE TOP-MOST WINNERS AMIDST THE TRAGEDY

The question then arises as to who is the big-winner in this ordeal. Some may say females, but this is not true. Their "freedom" of being able to dress half-naked has not brought many rewards. Date rape and sexual assault are on the rise as the society has become infested with sexual innuendoes and it is often the females who suffer the most from the half-naked appeal. And even if they are not sexually attacked, still the female mind has become entrenched in the idea that we are mere sex toys in the hands of males. In that case all the sentientness and dignity of women has been lost. Gone is our divine motherly status and gone is the compassion of the female heart. All that has gotten sold out to sexual allurement. This is the price the common women of the west have had to pay. So is it the male gender that has benefited. That is also not true. Now countless males have been tagged for life as wife-beaters, sexual assualters, and rapists. Their names have been permanently printed on public websites such that they can never get a decent job again. Plus they are totally barred from so many social activities. Rather they are under constant watch by the police. Plus for all the males who have not been accused of rape etc, it is also sad to note that often their mind is just engrossed in female fanaticizing. This can be evidenced by the gossip heard in any tavern, move theatre, restaurant, board meeting etc. Males too have been plunged in this degeneration. So then who are the big victors? It is those greedy capitalists who have won the game and ensnared everyone in carnal pleasures. Because by this way the common public is just drowned in sunken lustful thoughts and they keep a blind eye to capitalist exploitation. So it is a big topic that is multi-dimensional in nature because the tragedy reaches to all sectors of society-- and most of all to females.

BABA'S BLESSING

Yet Baba's divine blessing upon all females is:

"You, as the most dignified section of human society do something for the universal human beings". (12 December 1979)

We should all keep this above golden teaching in the inner casket of our heart and make it a reality in our social life. Namaskar, Mirabai

Note 1: DRESS: WHAT IS THE MIDDLE PATH

Instead of getting stuck in the dogma of religion or being enticed by the Hollywood pseudo-culture of the west, we should adopt that Madhyama Ma'rga, or 'the middle path'. That is what we are to preach to the humanity and indeed that is what we are doing. Baba advocates that the dress of both men and women should be neat and clean, appropriate to the occasion, and ensure safety and welfare to oneself and the society. Baba says, "You should wear dress according to your own preference and convenience. It is proper to always wear clean clothes so that others do not unnecessarily form a poor impression about you. While going out of their house, women should wear simple and decent clothes and cover their bodies properly. Dress norms for women may be slightly relaxed during festivals, or when they are accompanied by male guardians, or when good security arrangements have been made." (CC-1) Here below Baba further gives His rational guidelines with regards to dress. Baba says, "There should not be any prescribed national or international dress. Selection of dress depends upon the climatic conditions of a particular place. There should be complete freedom in the choice of dress." (PNS-4) Plus we should not give in to any religious dogma with regards to dress. Baba says, "In social life no father would wish to see his widowed daughter forced to dress in an austere fashion, persecuted socially, or debarred from attending social functions. You must not support these things. Rather, you must provide equal opportunities for all." (5 November 1978, Calcutta) By all this and His other teachings we can say that males and females have great freedom in the selection of their dress. May it be comfortable, practical, and befitting of our human integrity.

Note 2: A RISING UP IS NEEDED

In all facets of life-- including with respect to dress-- we should rise up against depraving forces and establish humanity in its glory. This is Baba's explicit directive. Baba says, "This cycle is life and life is a struggle; life is a fight. You come from the abode of peace and go to the abode of peace, but life is a constant struggle to maintain an equilibrium. Life is a fight against depraving forces and degenerating propensities. But you are not only to fight against these depraving forces, you are also to encourage elevating forces. If you try to keep at a safe distance from this fight, you cannot say that you are a human being." ('The Great Universe')

******************************************** - The Solution -

Baba says, "Whenever there is a conflict between the brain and the heart, intelligent people should respond to the call of the heart. The books in A'nanda Ma'rga philosophy are all absolute knowledge. The proper mark of identity of absolute knowledge is that it must be universal, rational and psychological. Certain instances of absolute knowledge are as follows -- the goal of human life is the attainment of Brahma; human beings are the progeny of Parama Purus'a...by dint of sa'dhana' or spiritual practices human beings gradually become divine." (PNS-18, p. 10)

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

Making our Mark with Service

From: "Manindra Singh" To: am-global@earthlink.net Date: 28 Aug 2008 23:17:02 -0000 Subject: Making our Mark with Service Baba "Sukhe ele na'ko, shoke sa'ntvana' dite ele..." (PS 3091) Purport: Baba, when I was feeling happy and content that time You did not come. Those days I was so enamoured with myself and I was so involved in my own glory that I did not even think to call You. So You did not come. But when I lost all that happiness and when I become drowned in my sorrows of self pity and when I was suffering and overwhelmed by various problems, then by Your grace You immediately came and consoled me. Baba in that desperate moment You graciously relieved me of my grief. Baba, I did not ever feel that You are mine. In this life I was always suffering from the vanity and ego of my own I-feeling. Those days I was thinking that 'I am everything'. Due to my ego I did not accept You as the Supreme One-- as my Goal. I did not take You as that most loving One who can solve all my problems; I did not surrender at Your feet. Baba, even then by Your grace You advented deep inside my heart and became mine. And now I understand that You are ever helpful and that You remain with me always. Baba, those days when I was overwhelmed by that severe suffering, I did not outrightly tell You about my problems. I did not openly say anything. I did not express my pain to You. But because You are ever-present in my heart and because You are my eternal shelter, with Your infinite compassion You fully understood the desperated state of my mind-- You understood my sorrow. And by Your grace You instantly poured Your eternal sweetness and love. By Your grace You filled my whole existence with Your divine bliss. Baba, due to my ego and vantiy I could not recognise you. You were showering huge grace on me but I could not recognicse that. I thought that due to my own qualities everything was happening. In those happpy times I could not recognise You. Only did I begin to recognise You in my sorrow. Baba, in my state of terrible suffering, when the mountain of misery started falling on my head, then all my friends left me. I was all alone. When I was happy then they were along with me but when I became sunk in misery all those friends disappeared. Baba, You are the exact opposite. When I was sunk in woe then by Your grace You immediately came and removed all my pains and troubles. Baba You bathed me in Your infinite love. Filling my I-feeling with Your bliss, You surrounded me each and every second. Baba, You showereed Your grace and saturated my heart. Baba, You are so gracious. You are love Personified. You have done everything for me. Baba, I surrender at Your alter...

== MAKING OUR MARK WITH SERVICE ==

Namaskar, In light of the ongoing muddle of groupism, many are turning towards their service projects as their main interaction with the organisation. This is true for both margiis and wts. Of course we all know that we must not ignore the rage of groupism and just resort to some goody-goody life. So the troubles of groupism must be tackled by one and all. At the same time as we engage in our service projects, here are a few things for us to think about. We all know that service projects are an integral part of AM life. Yet how they are to be built up and how they are to be maintained is not always easy to know. Should the money come from afar or locally? Plus to what degree are financial donors responsible for ensuring their money reaches the mark. These are but a few of the many important questions and considerations. Here following then are Baba's important guidelines regarding how to build and maintain service projects.

INITIAL QUERY

How far is external monetary support helpful in any project where local people are not involved? Or what happens when a project is totally dependent upon donations from outsiders? We can gain insight into this by looking at the history of Ananda Marga and the general society also.

HUMAN BODY AND MEDICINE ANALOGY

In one discourse Baba says that no structure can survive only depending on external help. Baba gives the example that if anybody is sick and you go on medicating him by external medicine injection, and if the body does not have its own vitality to pick itself up, then that external medicine is not going to work. External medicine is only helpful when the body is responding. Or in other words, to give strength to the internal system of the body, some external medicine is needed sometimes. And that medicine does not do anything on its own; it just helps the internal system to pick itself up. In the case of a dead body where the internal system is completely defunct, then external medicine cannot help. If you go on giving medicines to one dead body, it will be useless.

100% EXTERNAL SUPPORT WILL NOT WORK

It is well known in the Indian history that there was a very big university in Nalanda'. The name was - Nalanda' Vishvavidya'lay. It was situated in Bihar. As long as the area was ruled by Buddhists, then that university worked fine. Means, that university was completely dependent upon donation from outsiders and from the King. The local public was not involved. So when the kingdom changed rulers, then antisocial elements set the university on fire. And in the library, hundreds of thousands of books were there. Nobody cared about those things and the whole campus and buildings were burned one after another. It took several months to go on burning. Local people were apathetic. So this is one factual history. So in India we can see hundreds of abandoned mosques and churches which are lying uncared for, since ages. They were running well when they were getting donations from the Mogul King, or Britishers. But when the kingdom changed and donations stopped, then the places became abandoned.

LOCAL SUPPORT NEEDED

And other side, those mosques and churches which were supported by the public, they are still running fine. Or even better is that the Ashram system did not get rooted out during the Moghul or British rule because all the while the public supported the ashram system. So the conclusive idea is that if any project is run by or dependent on external support, then their fate is dark. Thus on this very point, Baba's policy is not to take support from outside. Local people should be inspired to contribute and help the local projects. Otherwise they will not feel oneness with the project. And in most of the cases they will feel irritation. Or they will try to take away or root out the projects.'

WHEN THE PUBLIC IDENTIFIES WITH A PROJECT OR NOT

Another important example is that within Bihar there are thousands of schools situated in the small villages. And initially the government was granting money for the construction of their buildings. Thus with total help from the government, school buildings were made. But villagers did not feel closeness with the project. They were thinking that "This is an outsider project", or that "this is a government building. This is not my building." Keeping this view in their mind, they did not like to protect that building. Not only that, after some time it was found that those windows from the buildings disappeared. Some villagers had stolen them and were using in their house. After some time, the roof was also taken away, and used somewhere. This is not the tale of one or two places-- Hundreds of places are like that. The overall theme being that when the local public thinks of something as a government building, then at first they don't feel closeness. They think it is others', not mine. And they misuse it or destroy it. So this problem was going on for a long time. Then under pressure of circumstances the local government changed the plan. That, the building will be constructed by the villagers. And teachers will be supplied by the government. 50% share villagers should give. So when villagers with their own contribution made their house, then they protected that. And the program was successful.

BABA'S SPECIAL TEACHING: LOCAL DONATION IS A PLEDGE OF THE HEART

On the point of external vs local help for AM projects, once Baba was giving guideline to all WTs. He told that "You must collect donation from the local public for the jagriti. Whatever money they are giving, that does not have only monetary value. But something more they are giving. If some person gives you donation of one paisa/penny, then with that one paisa that very poor person gives the sympathy of his heart to you/to your project or jagriti, childrens home etc. And if antisocial elements will try to destroy that project or jagriti or school, those who have given their donation, they will protest. And if donation has come exclusively from outside, and if the jagriti is set on fire by antisocial elements, then the villagers will not be so much affected." Baba further told, "But if the villagers' money is also involved as a donation in constructing that jagriti, then they will think in their heart that THEIR property is getting destroyed. And they will immediately come forward and protect the property of the jagriti and protest against the negative people."' Thus the basic fact is that to erect some building or project, local support is highly essential. Otherwise the fate of that project is in dark in the future. Suppose if money has come from outside, and local people are not feeling oneness with the project, then in most of the cases, they will feel detached. They will not save the building. And in many special cases, they will destroy that building-- Or hut, or whatever it may be. That's why we have seen, in the case of our jagriti or any such construction, where local people did not contribute and money came from outside, then that project could not flourish.'

WHEN TO TAKE HELP FROM OUTSIDE AREAS

The question can also be raised that is there any occasion when we should get or accept help from outside-- from other countries? And Baba's guideline is that in the case of a big disaster like an earthquake, cyclone, flood etc, when a huge population is highly affected, that is a special case. That time external help is highly needed. But for making a local project or some jagriti building or a school, external help is not needed.

DO PRACARA AND SERVICE SIMULTANEOUSLY

Next scenario: If local people are not there, or if they are all non-margiis, then what should we do? Baba says that first we should create margiis. And then immediately start the project. Side by side both the works will go. Without taking help from local people, if anyone does anything that will prove to be hopeless. One will not have any sentimental support from local people. Rather they will think that he is an outsider, or that he doesn't belong to them. Because of all these reasons, Baba always emphasizes to do pracar among the local people. And one more related point is there. Doing pracar only among the outsider communities or migrant people, is not going to serve the purpose of Ananda Marga.

SERVE THE LOCAL PEOPLE

A critical case is that of Africa, where mostly Indian businessmen are occupying the money and political sources. And some WTs because of their ignorance or selfish interest, they focus on propagating AM among Indian businessmen who are living in Africa. But Baba was not happy in this situation. Baba used to emphasize and always take report about how many local people have been created. One Dada was once telling in Africa at an Orange Farm, initially the project was made with external help, and it was a serious problem. Local people used to always come and take away/steal all the materials. And such example is not one or two. Hundreds of cases happened. We should take lesson.

THE SPECIAL CASE OF ANANDA NAGAR

External help was needed only, to build up Ananda Nagar. Because Ananda Nagar is our global headquarters. To make Baba's Quarter or road or rotunda, the local public is not going to help. Because they do not have direct interest in that. That's why Baba inspires one and all, all around the globe, to contribute for Ananda Nagar. That was the special case.

MUST GET LOCAL HELP

But in all the reportings which various workers attended since 1978 to '90, it became clear that Baba used to emphasize getting anything and everything done using the local help.-- Margiis and non-margiis are needed: Both. And then only, AM will flourish and school or any medical unit, projects, will be established. Permanently. Otherwise, feeding from the long distance is not going to help. We should take lesson from the past history.

WHAT SOME REVIEW

There are two points here. First thing, each and every sector has their own problems and according to Baba's system, it is the duty of the margiis that they should take care about the local unit and their own sector. And that is their foremost duty. Neglecting one's own unit and helping others for the sake of name and fame, this is not a good tradition. And the second point is that taking external help is not going to solve the problem permanently. For making a school building, local people must come forward.

A POINT FOR COMMON CONSIDERATION

Ananda Marga itself is a proof, at present we have several hundred Ananda Marga schools in India, and 99.9% of them have been made by local contribution. And there are also many examples of Bengal where a school building has been made by external donation. And common people destroyed it and set it on fire. But many places in Bengal are also there, where local people were inspired to help and they are donating and protecting those things. Surely it is the duty of we margiis that we should think carefully, how far their money can be utilized in a better way. Baba says, "O human beings, frame the social structure considering the needs of humanity. Do not try to do anything for your petty personal and group interests..." (SS-1, Ch.1) Namaskar, Manindra

Note 1: WHAT WE SHOULD DO -- OUR RESPONSIBILITY

And another point is that if we are the ones donating to a far distant service project and if due to mishandling of funds our money does not reach there, then according to Baba's teaching about tapah we are also to blame-- not just the crooked thief who captured our money. We also will incur negative samskara. Of course this is just a hypothetical situation, yet the point remains that the responsibility also lies with the donor. That is why intelligent margiis give to local projects where they can ensure that everything is proper and the money is going in the right direction. Then of course by this way the common public will also get inspired to donate because everyone likes to be part of a winning project. At the same time we should demand that there be transparency of the financial books-- ie proper accounting. And like this there are numerous points regarding service projects and financial contributions etc. Please also share your ideas on this important topic.

*************************************** Solution

Baba says, "This has been our failing: that we neglected the spiritual faculties of human life, we neglected the cardinal spiritual points of life. If we are interested today in the welfare of this beautiful universe, we should try more and more to accelerate the speed of spiritual progress. If the acceleration of spiritual progress becomes tremendous, then not only in the human world, but also in the physical, psychic and spiritual spheres of the entire world -- and not only of the entire animate world, but of both the animate and inanimate worlds -- there will be tremendous progress. And this is what we want. Now we are anxiously waiting for that crimson dawn on the eastern horizon." (AFPS-5) Note: Generally people do not realise this very thing which Baba has explained above. To understand this fully it needs agraya' buddhi (pointed intellect). Only those who are blessed sadhaka can understand that sadhana is the panacea.

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Myth About Democracy & Prout's Solution

From: "Karma Rasa" To: AM-GLOBAL Subject: Myth About Democracy & Prout's Solution Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:42:31 +0000 Baba "Egiye calo, egiye calo..." (PS 156) Purport: My brothers and sisters, we should move on towards our goal, Parama Purusa. Today the glorious dawn has come. We should take everyone along with us; no one should be left behind. Everyone is ours; Nobody is alien. We all belong to one family-- Our Father is Parama Purusa. We have to move together on the path which He has shown us. Human society is one and indivisible, no fissiparous tendencies should be allowed to divide it. Baba's divine grace is with us...

== MYTH ABOUT DEMOCRACY & PROUT'S SOLUTION==

Namaskar, Nowadays, in most countries of the world, people hold high hopes that the next democratic election will set things right-- alleviating economic distress and political confusion. Time and again people get duped into this false belief that democracy is great. Mostly because they think that the victory of their candidate or party leader will end today's misery. Nowhere, it seems, is this myth more prevalent than in the US with its upcoming presidential election. The economy is awful; the political policies are creating untold harm; yet people continue to live in false paradise by thinking that the answer lies in the next election and the victory of their chosen candidate. But neither will this US election, nor any other election within the realm of political democracy, bring an ounce of relief to the people's woes. Because today's democracy (i.e. political democracy)-- and its inherent flaw of economic centralisation-- means the rich get richer and the people get poorer. Plus democracy brings on so many other ills. The needed change to solve all this lies not in the capitalist or communist approach of political democracy, but in Prout's way of economic democracy. Only economic democracy can lead the humanity in the proper direction.

DEMOCRACY IS EVERYWHERE THESE DAYS

As we see, these days democracy-- in one form of another-- exists in most of the world's nations. And the mere mention of the term 'democracy' brings a smile onto people's faces. They think it is great, especially so in the US where constant booming by the capitalists has totally sold the population on democracy. Baba says, "In all countries where democracy is in vogue today, people have been deceived into believing that there is no better system than political democracy." (PNS-21) Thus the myth and false hope about democracy is just about everywhere, yet it is reaching its soaring peak in the US as people sit with baited breath waiting for their chosen candidate (i.e. Obama or McCain) to come onto the scene. That said, democracy is quite prevalent now on this earth. Specifically, as Baba tells us, democracy (i.e. political democracy) has two distinct branches: liberal democracy where capitalists have all the money like in the US, and socialist democracy where the state has all the money like in China. And one or another nation follows one of these two pathways. Baba says, "Liberal democracy has been established in such countries as the USA, Great Britain, France and Canada, while in China, Vietnam and Eastern Europe socialist democracy is the dominant system." (PE) So democracy is all over and only spreading. Tragically, the gullible people gleefully embrace it, thinking that it is great, not knowing that democracy will bring their demise.

THE PITFALL OF DEMOCRACY

With their tall talks of freedom, their silly policy that all (even fools) can vote, and so many other neat sounding proclamations, democracy promotes itself as being the grand solution. Yet, democracy means economic centralisation and political centralisation captured by capitalist sponsored puppets-- both of which spell disaster for the people. Baba says, "In all the democratic counties of the world, economic power is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals and groups. In liberal democracies economic power is controlled by a handful of capitalists, while in socialist countries economic power is concentrated in a small group of party leaders. In each case a handful of people – the number can be easily counted on one’s fingertips – manipulate the economic welfare of the entire society." (PE) From an economic perspective, democracy consolidates the wealth, ruins the purchasing capacity of the people, turns most people into mere tools for the ruling capitalists, and ultimately causes a world-wide financial depression. And from the political side, democracy is equally harmful. Baba says, "Today in most democracies, people of dubious character and those with vested interests are elected to power. Even bandits and murderers stand for election and form the government." (PNS-21) Thus from both an economic and political perspective democracy is a mess, yet people all over, especially in election years, embrace the myth that democracy is the ideal solution. Baba says, "Political democracy has become a great hoax for the people of the world. It promises the advent of an era of peace, prosperity and equality, but in reality it creates criminals, encourages exploitation and throws common people into an abyss of sorrow and suffering." (PE) Right now, the US presidential candidates are promising all of the above-- "an era of peace, prosperity and equality"-- yet the people will not taste one ounce of these things once any candidate is elected. That will never happen. Because capitalists, political scammers, and special interest groups have the whole affair skewed in their favour. And those manipulators, including the candidates themselves, hide behind the facade of democracy. So it is our duty to break down the aura of democracy and lead the people into a new era of economic and political justice by raising their social consciousness. The current democratic structures will only lead the people deeper into hell. Even then, people foolishly dream that the next democratic election will bring all the solutions. That is the prevalent myth of the day.

WHY PROUT'S APPROACH IS BETTER

Baba says, "Political democracy cannot fulfil the hopes and aspiration of people or provide the basis for constructing a strong and healthy human society. The only way to achieve this is to establish economic democracy." (PNS-21) The question then is why our Proutistic vision of economic democracy is so much better. Here are some points all of which come directly from Baba's stated discourse: 1. In Prout's approach of economic decentralisation, the economic power lies with the people. That means job stability, increased purchasing capacity, and so many other financial benefits for the general citizens because the money is not being hoarded by a few capitalists. 2. Prout also advances the guarantee of minimum requirements to all. Democratic capitalism never preaches this and certainly cannot fulfill it as the only goal is to make more and more money at the expense of the common people. 3. Prout puts political power in the hands of moral leaders how watch for the welfare of the people, while democracy gives rise to political leaders who are but stooges of capitalism and suck the blood of the people. 4. Prout also advances the idea of a local economy where resources stay within that region and get manufactured there as well bringing in money to the local people, as opposed to those same resources getting dragged to other places so big capitalists can earn money from other those very raw materials. 5. Prout is sensitive to the earth's ecological and environmental balance as each and every samaj gets developed in a sustainable manner that takes into consideration the well-being of animals, plants, and inanimate resources, whereas today's democracy allows all those corporate giants to wreak havoc on this earth in every way imaginable so that they can make a bigger profit. 6. Finally, Prout ensures that every citizen gets ample opportunity for psychic and spiritual pursuits. For more information about Prout's view of economic democracy review the section, 'Requirements for Economic Democracy' from Baba's discourse "Economic Democracy" of June 1986, Kolkata.

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace, the very practical methods of Prout will soon be implemented bringing economic justice, political dignity, and social equality to each and every land. Baba says, "Prout's slogan is: 'To end exploitation we demand economic democracy, not political democracy'." (PNS-21) Namaskar, Karma Karma

Note 1: CAPITALIST MONEY POURING INTO US DEMOCRATIC CONVENTIONS

As we speak, greedy capitalists are pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into the US political conventions-- the Democratic convention in Denver as well as the Republican convention in Minneapolis-St Paul. All because such capitalists are anxious to perpetuate the current era of exploitation under the mask of democracy. Such corporations and capitalists have a huge interest in this, and it is for this reason that they are giving truck loads of cash in support of these conventions, not because they want to cure the ills of the people. So none should think that those corporations are being so generous in giving aways millions, because they are only doing so in order to bankroll billions within the favoured system of exploitation known as democracy.

Note 2: MORE OF BABA'S TEACHINGS ON THIS TOPIC

In His below teachings from His discourse, 'Economic Democracy', Baba perfectly point out the ills of today's democracy and also shows how Prout alone has the answer and solution for the humanity. Anyone interested in this topic should read Baba's entire discourse. Baba says, "Political democracy has...snatched away the right of economic equality. Consequently, there is gross economic disparity between the rich and the poor, immense inequality in people’s purchasing capacity, unemployment, chronic food shortages, poverty and insecurity in society." Baba says, "The prerequisites for the success of democracy are morality, education and socio-economico-political consciousness. Leaders especially must be people of high moral character, otherwise the welfare of society will be jeopardized. But today in most democracies, people of dubious character and those with vested interests are elected to power. Even bandits and murderers stand for election and form the government." Baba says, "The farce of democracy has been likened to a puppet show where a handful of power hungry politicians pull the strings from behind the scene. In liberal democracies, capitalists manipulate the mass media such as the radio, television and newspapers, while in socialist democracies the bureaucrats lead the country to the brink of destruction. In both forms of democracy, there is little scope for honest, competent leaders to emerge in society, and virtually no possibility for the economic liberation of the people." Baba says, "In economic democracy, economic and political power are bifurcated. That is, PROUT advocates political centralization and economic decentralization. Political power is vested with the moralists, but economic power is vested with the local people. The principal goal of the administration is to remove all the impediments and obstacles which prevent the economic needs of the people being met. The universal aim of economic democracy is to guarantee the minimum requirements of life to all members of society."

************************************************** Good Teaching

Baba says, "Those who wrongly worship Parama Purus'a in the form of clay, iron, or other material substances, are ultimately transformed in Prakrtiliina*. And those who run around externally in hopes of finding Parama Purusa outside, they also be come Prakrtiliina." (15 May 1982, Hindi Section) Note: Those who are searching Baba in one or another holy land, they should be especially careful about this above teaching. *Prakrtiliina= This is one type of microvita which is under punishment of reaping of reaping its own negative samskaras.

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Beauty of Old Age & Benefits of Disease

Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:09:27 -0500 To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: Beauty of Old Age & Benefits of Disease From: CJ Phillips Baba "A'mi pather hadish pa'i ni, ta'i toma'r pa'ne cali ni..." (PS 1338) Purport: Baba, in the past I could not get the direction of the proper path. Because ofthat I could not come close to You. Your and my relation was hidden in dark. I was not aware about You. In that past I could not get Your introduction. And I could not link up in our close intimate relation which, in reality, has been going on since a very long time. In my misunderstanding, I was thinking that nobody is mine, and that to feel love and affection is not my fate. I was thinking that my life does not have any value. That I will not get respect in my life, just it will be filled with disrespect and neglect. Baba, today You have blessed me and changed everything. Now I feel that my life has become meaningful, because You are mine. My heart is filled with Your love. Baba, by Your grace I surrender at Your lotus feet, O' Baba...

== BEAUTY OF OLD AGE AND BENEFITS OF DISEASE ==

Namaskar, Sometimes humans may moan and groan and exclaim in frustration, 'Why did such & such problem have to happen'. Or in exasperation, one may cry out, 'Why must this world be riddled with so many infections & diseases'. These types of queries often plague the human mind.

THE QUESTION AT HAND

Through it all, the question stands: How to explain such events? Why is it that old age must befall us? What is the need for disease? What should be our outlook with regards to these inevitabilities.

ONE REPLY: SAMSKARA THEORY

Of course, there is our samskara theory which dictates that one must undergo the reactions of their actions. This is part and parcel of our yogic outlook. So that is one way-- a logician's way-- to explain the onset of disease & difficulties in life etc.

ANOTHER REPLY: DISEASE AWAKENS A LONGING TO SEEK THE DIVINE

Side by side there is another way to explain the hardships which make our human existence seem so fragile. We can say that such problems are Parama Purusa's way of reminding us that our human life is for something great-- something divine. The onset of old-age & disease forces us to seek a pathway out of this material world which is otherwise riddled with trouble and torment. Failing that-- without any longing or desire to find something better-- then one would be satisfied to live forever and ever in this crude mundane world. But this is not our way; this is not our human dharma. So diseases and problems help, nay, force humans to seek something greater. Because by seeing how this earth is wrought with innumerable difficulties and tragedies, it awakens within human beings a thirst-- a longing-- to find something better, something divine: Permanent peace at His lotus feet.

ALL WANT A BETTER LIFE

Actually all want a better life. Animals are not satisfied with their animal existence. Some may think that animals are happy and perfectly content, but this is not at all the case. Animal life is full of fear and torment and they want something more. In His 1969 DMC discourse, Baba describes how the bull attached to the bullock cart longs to become a human being. Because all day & night that bull is pulling human beings from place to place; so that bull internally thinks that one fine afternoon it should escape its fate and become a human being. Because that bull is not satisfied with its lowly existence as an animal; it is not satisfied with its lot in life. It wants something better. Because as was already stated, animal life is not 'a basket of roses'. Proof being that in our very own Supreme Command, Baba warns us that animal life is torturous and that humans must not plunge themselves into such horrific suffering. So animal life is not something blissful & wonderful; those animals desire something more. In a similar manner, we humans also long for something higher. We are not content with our human existence. All are looking for something better. But even then, the human mind is somewhat fickle. It can be tricked into thinking that what it has is the best. For example, if one has a fancy car, a big house, a swimming pool, and a lot of social prestige, then one may think that 'I need nothing more in life-- I have all there is to get'. Some materialists may think like this, especially here in the west. Some blind persons may think they are the king of this mundane world and their desire is to remain here forever. So when disease comes along-- or when old age invariably sneaks up on them-- then such materially minded persons are forced to re-evaluate what is important in life. Because those diseases and that old age factor undermines their entire existential value. They think their material existence is no longer something great. In which case, they again embark on a search to improve their lot. Thus disease and old age pressurises even complacent human beings into looking beyond this material world for some type of higher existence. The ups and downs of life invariably forces one to think that this world is not their final destination.

AWAKENING THE SEARCH FOR LIFE DIVINE

By this entire picture we can realise that disease, difficulties, and old age help human beings reach up to that sacred stance. Members of the general public pray up to the heavens or to their favoured god, 'Please relieve me of my earthly sufferings and allow me to drink from the pot of divine nectar-- let me experience peace'. This is the way some members of the general society may think when their life is overwrought with the hard realities of this ephemeral world. And with Ananda Margiis, our standard approach is to request Baba for His divine blessing, 'Baba, do with me what You will in this life-- I do not care for it, just please be gracious on me and bring me under Your divine shelter at lotus feet'. This type of plea is our way of requesting Baba to spare us from the sufferings of this relative world. Because we understand that although we have come here to establish His mission, this is not our final resting grounds. This relative world is not the destination. Rather this mundane world is just a train station for going to our final abode-- unto His divine Lap. And it is things like difficulties, disease, and old age which stand as a constant reminder to us that this world is not our permanent domicile. This is not our eternal home. This human life is limited and our dharma is to find unlimited bliss in His divine shelter.

COMMONLY KNOWN IN SOME AREAS

And this entire point is well known in those spiritual societies of the east. They know that old age brings wisdom and those elderly people have their eyes fixed on the other world. That is why in places like Japan, India, and various other lands, the elderly people of those societies command huge respect. In contrast in the US-- where materialism runs rampant-- then elderly and diseased persons are pushed aside to the outskirts & fringe of society. Because in the materialistic model, old age and disease have no value. Whereas those societies that honor spiritual values, such communities place tremendous import on age and greatly value the advice and teachings of their seniors. Because those societies recognise the beauty of old age and benefits of disease and what wisdom spiritual thirst they bring.

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace, He has given us the teachings and pathway to reach unto Him. We have gotten Him as the Sadguru and the sadhana of AM to lift us up to that final abode-- by His grace. This is His great blessing upon all Ananda Margiis. So none should think that this material world is their final resting place. Baba says, "The worship of Brahma should be done scrupulously, or else you will later regret and bemoan the futility of your life with the last drop of your tears at your last hour. You should make your life worthwhile through your Sa´dhana´. How much can your worldly friends and relations do for you? After your death your relatives may perhaps ask, "How much money has he left behind?" Your friends may go to the crematorium and indulge in flattering reminiscences about you. Your husband or wife may cry for you for about ten or twelve days and then regain their normal composure. Your lot will be only a profound sigh - a record of the futility and frustration of your life. So do not waste your time lest you later have to repent." Namaskar, Cinmay

Note 1: PART LIFE

In numerous discourses Baba guides us how our human life is just a part life. All the various births we take as we progress through the cycle of Brahmacakra-- through saincara and pratisaincara-- are mere part lives. Each and every birth is but a piece. And the culmination of our journey arises when we reach unto Him. So none can think that this world is our permanent residence. No Ananda Margii can think like that. And for those who do think that this world is our permanent abode, then disease, struggle, and strife will awaken their yearning to fine something more-- something divine. In that way-- one way or another-- all will come onto the path of sadhana to seek that eternal connection with Him.

******************************************** Special Formula of Tandava

Baba says, "Tandava: As long as a dancer remains above the ground, he derives much benefit; when he touches the ground, then those benefits are assimilated by the body. That is why in the tandava dance there is much jumping, because jumping requires the practitioner to remain off the ground for a fairly long period of time." (NSS, p. 23)

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

A'nanda Ma'rga Amar Hai

From: "Alex Hufnagel" To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: A'nanda Ma'rga Amar Hai Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:38:52 +0000 Baba "E kii prahelika' e kii kuhelika'..." P.S. 1769 Purport: Baba, what is this liila You are making, what is this dilemma. O' my Lord, I know that You are everywhere, but even then my heart is dry. I am surrounded with frustration-- by this fog of hopelessness. No doubt, You are remaining with me, but You did not allow me hold You. Even then, by Your grace, his much I do know-- that You love me. Just I do not feel that in my heart at present. Baba, Your divine effulgence is lost in the oblivion. The resonating melody of the viina is filled with the tears of my life. Baba, please come in my life and remove all my bondages. Please remove all my blackness, impurities, and dogma, whatever I have. Baba I love You. And this much I also know-- That you also love me. O' my Lord, please look towards me. I have offered my everything at Your lotus feet.Please do not leave me remaining crying in darkness. Baba, please come in my heart, in my mind, with Your sweet smile. Baba, only You are my shelter...

== A'NANDA MA'RGA AMAR HAI ==

Namaskar, In this trying, if not difficult, period in our Ananda Marga history, some may be wondering how AM is even going to survive. There is groupism and infighting on every corner, dogmas have been imposed left and right, and so much nonsense is going on. In that view, some may be contemplating, 'Where is the daylight, how is our Marga ever going to make it-- it just does not seem possible'. These murky thoughts might enter the mind. However, we should be fully assured that our path of Ananda Marga is immortal and it is going to flourish on this planet and across the universe, wherever humans go. Because AM satisfies human dharma. That is Baba's special formula, as well as the hidden reason why our Marga will not only survive, but verily thrive.

THE SPECIAL RECIPE

As we know from sutra 2-5 of Ananda Sutram, within each human being is the thirst for limitlessness. Everyone is eager and hungry to find eternal happiness & peace. To that end, humans do so many things and run after so many crude enjoyments: Money, materialism, sex, power, etc. All done in order to find happiness. But just because they are temporarily involved in those things does not mean they are truly satisfied. Rather, they are just like small babies who are hungry-- teething and chewing on anything they can find: Sticks, plastic, cardboard, etc. But that baby will not be satisfied until it gets mother's milk. Likewise, humans are involved in various material pleasures only because they have yet to find something better. And still they are searching, refining their ways. Proof being that now, around the globe, so many have joined up in various styles of yoga and other healthy ways of living. People are flocking in this direction and improving themselves. They are on the move. But even that will not entirely quench their thirst, because only Ananda Marga is the path of eternal bliss. So their quest or search will not stop until they find themselves on the path of AM. Hence Baba's special formula is the ultimate combination: He has instilled within human beings an infinite desire and He has given the path of AM to satiate that innate human yearning for eternal happiness. Thus each and every human being is on a pre-programmed search to try and find the path of bliss, Ananda Marga. There is no other destiny.

GREAT PROGRESS BEING MADE IN AMPS

Now that we are confirmed that every living being has an inborn urge to find AM, the path of bliss, let's redirect our attention to the current scene within AMPS. How is it that we can feel assured that our AMPS will be able to show the path of AM to all who come. Before 1990, our Marga was in a phase of tremendous speed. In a few decades, Baba unveiled the plan and programs for the entire future of humanity. No teaching or secret was left untold. He has given everything. From Master Units to Microvita, each and every day brought a new revolutionary idea or concept as well as a new plan for our Marga to implement-- then and there, at that moment. Our Marga was moving at cosmic speed. That was the need of the day in that pre- 1990 period. As human beings though, we could not keep up. Here's the proof: Those days we were busy printing and preaching the gospel of our AM books like 'Neo-humanism: Liberation of Intellect', and then just a few years later our entire Marga was sunk in groupism, not floating in neo-humanism. Why? Because in that pre-1990 period, we could not digest all of Baba's teachings, like neo-humanism. It was a period of speed to roll out more and more new works, all done at a pace faster than the human mind could assimilate everything. It is just like if someone goes to the university bookstore and purchases all the needed books to get a PhD in quantum physics. Buying those books alone does not make automatically worthy or qualified to have a doctorate degree. Rather it will take years and years of study assimilate the requisite knowledge to earn that PhD. Same then is the case with our Ananda Marga. Just because some Dadas were taking dictation about AM ideals does mean they were established sadvipras. Rather it takes time to instill all those ideas within one's being.

GREAT PROGRESS BEING MADE IN AMPS- Part 2

In our period of speed prior to 1990, it was extremely rare for anyone to be able to assimilate the real essence of what Baba was saying and doing. And there are so many proofs of this. Baba was telling that He was that eternal entity yet then some Dadas created the dogmatic Mahaprayan function saying that Baba is gone. In that case who can claim that those Dadas really understood that Baba is infinite and timeless. And that is the case with so many things. Our acaryas are meant to be sadvipras yet so many of them are involved in lowly, scandalous affairs. Plus Baba has given Prout, yet some in our Marga are selling our MU lands in order to make a personal profit. In various directions, countless nonsense things are going on: All of which points in the direction that in the period of tremendous speed up till 1990, we could not assimilate all of Baba's teachings. Rather our Marga was more involved in propagating Baba's miracles-- but that alone is not enough. The world and its religions are already full of tales of miracles, so people are not enticed by that. Whereas the world is totally bereft of a rational philosophy. Hence, the need of the day is for us to understand and emulate Baba's teachings, then everyone will come running in our direction. But up until 1990 it was not possible for us to do so. Again then we come to the point, 'OK then where is the optimism', where is the proof that our Marga is moving ahead, in the right direction.

GREAT PROGRESS BEING MADE IN AMPS- Part 3

Since 1990, our Marga has been in a period of pause. The phase of speed finished. So since 1990 the learning or the assimilation of AM ideology has been going on-- successfully so. Prior to 1990, we had no real idea of what groupism was nor did we know the harm it could do. But now we know, and verily we are step by step pulling our Marga out of the mire of groupism. We are all studying and doing sadhana in order to rise above any groupist sentiment. And this is the case with so many aspects of Ananda Marga ideology. We are learning what it means to have the eternal Brahma as the Guru, that is why so many have left the dogma of Mahaprayan. And indeed so many dogmas have been left behind: Tiirthas, memorials, false printing of Baba's books, and so many things. In short, everyone in AM is now learning AM ideology. Because now-- since 1990-- we have had the time to think, reflect, and experiment. So it is that with each and every passing day we better adhere to Baba's teachings and spread His ideals via our conduct, discussions, and actions. Everything is getting better-- that is, our Marga is righting itself on the path of ideology.

EVERYTHING POINTING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Thus, it is all going extremely well. Already Baba has instilled within everyone the inherent & infinite desire to become great, i.e. to experience eternal peace. Plus, He has given the path of AM, which is the only real avenue for experiencing infinite bliss. And furthermore, He has put our Marga in a period of pause, so we may best assimilate and understand His teachings. For all these reasons, we can sincerely know, 'Ananda Marga Amar Hai', Ananda Marga is immortal. We are now no longer thinking that just because we came into AM that we are therefore sadvipras. That is how it was prior to 90. Dadas and others thought that simply because they were in AM, then therefore they had the birthright to rule the world. Hence the building of the Prout Palace to entertain the world's leaders. Those days, Dadas were just waiting for their coronation as Kings of this earth. But now that silly dream is over. Now everyone understands that being in AM means that we must personify Baba's teachings in thought, word, and deed. So everyone is studying, learning, and competing to be better informed about our AM way of life. That is what the period of pause is all about and that is what has been going on since 1990. Hence it is with each and every passing day that we are coming more in line with our AM ideology. And by this way humans will carry Baba's teachings of Ananda Marga forever and ever. That is why there is a grand feeling of optimism percolating within our Marga. Not all our problems are solved yet, but one by one they are being eliminated as we hold onto and implement Baba's teachings, by His grace.

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace the whole situation is complete. Human beings have infinite desires; only AM is that path of eternal bliss that can quench the human thirst to achieve limitlessness. And, in this period of pause, we are all becoming the worthy media for bringing AM teachings to the world. Baba says, "This speed and pause will continue. Pause means the gathering of momentum for speed in the subsequent phase. If one closely watches the effect of speed on a particular community or the entire humanity, one sees that generally people eulogize the period of speed. However, we cannot afford to ignore the state of pause, because by judging what the previous state of pause was like, we can discern the speed of the next phase." "There are some people who are pessimistic. They say that the society around us is very bleak, that it has no expression of vitality and that it seems that everyone is in a deep slumber. Pessimists say this because they have never made any detailed study of human history, nor do they care to. Had they done so, they would certainly be optimistic, because if they had looked carefully at the symptoms of pause, they would have realized that significant preparations were being made for the subsequent phase of speed. So under no circumstances should human beings be pessimistic. That is why I am always an incorrigible optimist, because I know that optimism is life." (AFPS_3) Namaskar, Arisudan

Note: WHY THE RELIGIONS CANNOT SATISFY HUMAN THIRST

The religions have a sense of god-hood, which is why they still have followers. Because human beings are not inclined to become atheistic. But the diminished feeling of god-hood that the religions convey is not enough to keep their followers. Because people want more than dogma in their life. They want to realise something Great and be guided by a flawless philosophy based on rationality. Hence, none of the dogmatic religions can keep their followers forever. Over time, all will come into AM.

********************************************* UNKNOWN FACT ABOUT WEALTH

Parama Purusa BABA says, "In the subtle economic sense, the value of wealth is the real wealth. Wealth, if not properly defined, may mean only riches. But the value of wealth is to be measured in terms of its capacity to purchase commodities. That is, the purchasing capacity of wealth is its real value. This real value of wealth has not yet been properly understood in numerical terms by economists." (Proutist Economics, p. 269)

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Brahma Brahma'ntar

Date: 23 Aug 2008 23:32:16 -0000 From: "Divyacaksu Deva" To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: Brahma Brahma'ntar Baba "Dukhe kleshe ka'tar haye d'ekechilum ba're ba're..." (PS 3290) Purport: Baba, You are the most compassionate One. You graciously come to all to remove their afflictions. Baba, You know that in the helplessness of my pain and suffering, I was calling You again and again. But in spite of hearing me, You did not pay heed; You remained oblivious. It was so painful. I was anticipating that You would respond, but You did not give any answer my desperate call. It is so painful-- O' my dearmost. Baba, in that dark moment, injustice and torture were rampant all around; everyone's golden dreams withered away. There was no hope in sight. The humanity was bitterly crying with loud lamentation. Everyone was suffering. Baba, by Your grace You advented. Finally You came in the most powerful and thundering form of Rudra*. With the humkara* of Your vishan*, and with the fiery flames, You burned all the demonic forces to ashes. Baba, by Your unfathomable grace You spread Your divine effulgence all around. Everyone became totally ensconced in Your bliss. Baba, You have come and blessed everybody and You are residing forever in our hearts. Baba, You are eternally gracious... ASTERISK NOTES (*): *Rudra:This is one of the countless names of Parama Purusa and it is in this role of Rudra that He makes others weep. The demonic forces get annihilated and cry out while the good people shed tears of joy-- divinely intoxicated in His bliss. Here below Baba explains furthermore. Baba says, "Why call the Supreme Being 'Rudra'? The word Rudra in Sanskrit means 'weeping'. But the Supreme Being not only makes all weep, He also makes them laugh! In both the circumstances, that is, of extreme pain and pleasure, there are tears in the eyes. In pain the tears come from the middle of the eyes, in pleasure they come from the corners of the eyes. A mother weeps when her daughter goes to her in-laws' house. She also weeps when her daughter returns from the house of her in-laws. In one case she weeps for pain, in another she weeps for joy." "If living beings were to live in one state always, there would be extreme monotony and no one would want to continue life. If in a drama we know the end in the very beginning, there would be no interest in the play. We need suspense, ups-and-downs and eleventh-hour surprises to keep life interesting. God, that is, Rudra, is a first-class dramatist. He keeps life floating within the two extremes of joy and pain; hence His liila', His play, goes on." (SS-25) *Humka'ra: Literally meaning roaring or vibration. *Vis'an': In the above song, Baba uses His vi'san (long horn) to destroy the wicked forces and bring peace and prosperity to the dharmikas. Here below Baba gives the historical context of vis'an' and explains how it was used by Lord Shiva in the past. Baba says, "In olden days neglected and exploited people, who had fallen prostrate under extreme oppression, used to look upon Shiva as their supreme shelter. Shiva would crush this exploitation with His thunderbolt -- He would strike the arrogance of vain and egotistic people with His trident, and reduce to ashes the mountains of injustice and tyranny. He felt great compassion for those afflicted people and, making them sit beside Him, advised them how to solve their physical, psychic and spiritual problems. Shiva used to live on a hill, and all kinds of people from far and near would flock to Him. He would call them with the call of His vis'a'n'a, His long horn, and that is why the people of those days could not think of Him without His vis'a'n'a -- so they lovingly nicknamed Him 'Vis'a'n'anina'daka' ["One who Blows the Vis'a'n'a"]." (NSS, 'Song of Shiva')

== BRAHMA BRAHMA'NTAR ==

Namaskar, As human beings, as sadhakas, we have our fixed Goal. By Baba's grace Parama Purus'a is our Goal. Baba is our Ista. And, by His grace, everything we do in our spiritual lives is leading up to His divine stance. Simultaneously, in life a certain adjustment is needed. For various reasons, we cannot maintain our silent meditation practice day and night, sitting in padma'sana all the 24 hours. We have many other duties and responsibilities to take care of in this world. Ours is the path of subjective approach & objective adjustment. Because we have to move on and on towards Him yet maintain our affairs in day to day life. In general, the common occurrence is that in sadhana by His grace the mind is pointed towards Brahma yet when taking care of worldly duties our mind gets associated with mundane things. This is the common phenomenon. But, Baba warns us that this way of thinking about the world precipitates one's crudification.

BABA'S WARNING ABOUT CRUDIFICATION

Here below Baba scientifically explains how the mind-- our existence-- gets grossly crudified by identifying one's mental waves with crude worldly objects. Baba says, "We hear a sound, but the concept of the word uttered is not clear till the mental waves are brought in contact with the physical concept involved. A child hears the word 'cat'. He sees a cat and the mother says, 'See, my son! That is the cat which drank your milk yesterday'. The boy associates the word 'cat' with the cat seen. That means he establishes a parallelism between the mental waves created by uttering the word 'cat' and the physical wave coming from the physical form of the cat. Hence psycho-physical parallelism is the meaning of a word which itself (the word) is a psychic wave. Psycho-physical parallelism always tends to make the psychic waves cruder, and if the mental wave gets cruder, human beings will be transformed into cruder beings (the path of negative pratisaincara will be taken by them) and spiritual elevation will remain a dream." (Idea & Ideology) As Baba warns us above, one's mental waves degenerate towards crude matter when they think about objects of this world. And this leads to one's downfall. The overall idea is that the mind takes on the shape of its ideation. And in the cycle of life and rebirth, one gets a body according to their thoughts in the mind-- according to their mental pabulum. So if one thinks about a cat they will be reborn as a cat or maybe some other kind of animal. And if one thinks about bricks they will be converted into stone. And if they think about their business finances, they may be converted into a wallet or purse or a silver coin etc. Like this it works. The overall equation being that by thinking about crude matter one's nerve cells and nerve fibres get adversely affected-- i.e. crudified-- and an ectoplasmic change takes place. The result being that ultimately serious degeneration occurs. Where one's entire existence gets converted into crude matter. Baba's warns us about this horrible outcome in the above cited passage and in countless other discourses. This we have all heard.

BABA GIVES THE GRAND SOLUTION

The predicament then becomes is what is the answer. What is the way out. How is it that human beings-- sadhakas-- can live in this world yet maintain their march towards Parama Purusa. Here Baba gives His perfect answer. Baba says, "In day-to-day business, we have to conceive the meaning of words and thereby establish psycho-physical parallelism. Then, is human destiny sealed for ever? No, it is not! We can have a supreme position of the spiritual wave over the physical wave and perceive the latter as one of the manifestations of the spiritual infinite one. This is what Ananda Marga philosophy means by Brahmacarya. Brahmacarya does not mean celibacy but means the assimilation of the psychic wave of the unit mind into the eternal waves of the Macrocosm. Ananda Marga lays down for the spiritual aspirant a practical method by which this spiritual imposition is done and the mental waves are saved from becoming cruder. Rather by bha'va sa'dhana' (spiritual practice of auto-suggestion) at the time of action laid down by Ananda Marga, the mind will tend towards Brahmacarya and thereby towards psycho-spiritual parallelism, the only way to ultimate liberation. Because, for mental liberation, the psychic waves must be made subtler, and this is only possible if one either entertains only subtler mental waves or by inspiring with a spiritual force gets a parallelism of the mental waves with spiritual ones." (Idea and Ideology) In His above revolutionary teaching, Baba guides us that by practicing second lesson-- Brahmacarya-- then while performing mundane works we can goad the mental waves of the mind towards the spiritual realm-- and not towards the crude matter. By this way one can work in the world yet progress spiritually and reach the divine stance.

MORE ABOUT OUR PRACTICE OF BRAHMACARYA

As we know, each and everything in this vast universal creation is the expression of Brahma. So Baba's directive is to ideate on Brahma before starting any mundane work. According to Him we are to apply the feeling of Brahma-hood to our actions. And this, as we all know is our practice of brahmacarya or second lesson of sahaja yoga. By this way, by engaging in the spiritual outlook of brahmacarya, one's mind naturally contemplates or moves from one form or expression of Brahma to another. By this practice the mind is always involved with Brahma-- i.e. it remains constantly in that subtle spiritual realm. In which case the mind can never degenerate. Thus by following the code of brahmacarya and converting one's mental waves into the spiritual sphere, there is no scope for any downfall.

MEANING OF BRAHMA BRAHMA'NTAR

In Sanskrit, the term 'kal' means time. So the phrase, kal kala'ntar, means from one time to another. And in Sanskrit, the term 'gram' means village. Then the phrase, gram grama'ntar, means from one village to another. Similarly, Brahma is Parama Purusa or Cosmic Consciousness. So Baba's guideline-- Brahma Brahma'ntar-- means to move from one expression of Brahma to another. That is the spirit and practical approach of our second lesson.

WITHOUT SECOND LESSON, DEGENERATION IS SURE

Those who fail to follow this practice of second lesson or Brahmacarya will certainly undergo radical degeneration. This is Baba's stern warning. Of course we all know about our 2nd lesson, but even then it is not so easy to do. But by His grace and through constant effort and practice, seeing all as the expression of Brahma will step by step become our natural outlook. So we should make strict efforts. Because without yama and niyama sadhana is an impossibility and the practice of brahmacarya is one of the main steps of yama and niyama. Without this-- without practicing brahmacarya-- then one cannot progress along the path of sadhana.

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's divine grace, as His disciples we should sincerely follow brahmacarya, become established in this practice, and get close to Him.

"Whatever you speak or do, Forgetting Him never; Keeping His name in Your heart, Work, remembering it is for Him, And, endlessly active, drift in bliss." (CC-II, 'Sadhana', pt #10)

Namaskar, Divyacaksu

Note: BABA'S SPECIAL TEACHING

Here is another of one of Baba's special teachings that is intimately linked with the whole topic of brahmacarya and the practice of second lesson.

Mana eva manus'ya'na'm' ka'ran'am' bandhamoks'ayoh; Bandhastu vis'aya'saungi mukto nirvis'ayam' tatha'.

Baba says, "'The mind is the cause of bondage, and this mind, this very mind, is the cause of liberation, is the cause of emancipation.' If the movement towards subtle is encouraged, and there is movement with proper acceleration, then what will happen? There will take place one of two different things: either one's existence will be converted into the Cosmic Mind -- that metamorphosis of unit mind into Cosmic Mind is known as the qualified stance -- sagun'a'sthiti -- or, if the very "I" feeling is surrendered at the altar of Supreme Existence, then the alternative will be that the entire existential factor will become one with the Supreme Cognitive Faculty, with the Cognitive Principle -- one will become omniscient, an all-knowing entity. Thus one will attain sagun'a'sthiti or nirgun'a'sthiti (the non-attributional or non-qualified stance)." (NHNS-1, 'Existential Flow & Its Culminating Point')

Story: King of Lucknow Killin' Time

From: "Jorge Santana" To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: Story: King of Lucknow Killin' Time Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:34:51 +0100 BABA "An'ur vyatha', etadine bujhale priyo, anuma'ne..." (P.S. 4593) Purport: Baba, O' my Dearest, now by Your guessing You have understood the feeling of this unit being. How You do not have time to come close to me; rather, You remain sitting on the divine throne of Your devotees. On that throne which is studded with jewels. So You do not have time to look towards this little being. People are demanding me that, 'Why do you go on crying and why do you call that divine Entity who will not come and who will never pay heed to your calling'. People also told, 'Don't you know, His heart is very hard like a stone. He does not care. He knows all the scriptures all the shlokas all the mantras and bhajans, there is no need to tell anything to Him. He will not pay heed'. In spite of peoples' suggestions, I never get frustrated or hopeless. Because by Your grace I know that I must get You. I know for certain that at some point in this life of mine, up to my death even-- I know that You will come to me. O' Baba, I am hopeful that You will grace me and that You will come in the lotus of my heart and that You will make my life successful...

== STORY: KING OF LUCKNOW KILLIN' TIME ==

Namaskar, We all know that we have come on this earth for very short period. And that in that short period there are many things to be done. Indeed there are many great works to do. All margiis are aware about this fact. Yet in various conversations sometimes you can hear people saying that to 'kill the time' and to cure their boredom they search millions of miles of web pages-- just to pass the time. This is one type of person. Some margiis may or may not come in this category. Then there is a second type of person that thinks that actually what they are doing is very important when really in their heart of hearts they secretly know that they are just wasting away their time. But to justify their actions they convince themselves that what they are doing is really important. For example there are some who watch junk TV shows for their crude enjoyment but they convince themselves that 'they are watching this junkie TV show to learn about the collective mind-set of society so that they can establish Prout'. This type of hypocrisy you may have seen now and again. In any event in both the above cases time is not being properly utilised-- though for obvious reasons the second case is worse than the first as that wastage of time is interwined with self-deception and hypocrisy. About maximizing our use of time we should refer to Baba's poignant guideline. Baba says, "I advise you not to waste your time any longer. Utilise your time in worthwhile pursuits...While you are executing your noble task do not waste your time. In this practical world, in this relative world, the most valuable relative factor is time. Once the time has passed and gone, it does not return again, so never misuse time." (AV-8, p. 45-6) By this guideline it is quite clear that Baba directs us not to waste the time-- in any way, shape, or form. So which sadhaka, which margii, has the time to mindlessly search the web from one corner of the universe to the other. Or who has time to pursue games like chess etc. Because by searching the web just as a means of entertainment and by playing chess, then those people forget everything-- and hours and days get blended together and time just passes. And indeed who has time to watch low-grade TV shows for sheer entertainment, simultaneously lying to oneself as well. Surely such type of goal-less pursuits are not at all appreciated in our Marga. And Baba is very strict on this point as it makes the mind dull and soft and one loses their inner vision of life.

STORY: THE KING OF LUCKNOW

One story is there how one debauched King, King Wazid Ali Shah of Lucknow, was deeply involved in the game of chess-- indeed he was addicted to chess. And several weeks ahead of time, the King got the important report from his ministers that the British army was going to raid his kingdom. But when the King got this information from his intelligence officers then the King's only answer was: 'How far they are?' And then after that the King again joined his chess game. From then on the King's military advisers were constantly giving him information about the progress of the British army. And the only thing the King continued to tell them was, 'Ok, the enemies are far off, let me continue my chess-- the enemies are far away'. Like this the King was responding. And when the situation developed to such a degree that the British soldiers reached just nearby in the local area. Then the king's intelligence advisers were giving more and more warnings. And the King replied, 'It is okay, I can still play chess till they come closer'. Then when the British Army actually reached to fort door, then after hearing this news all the other chess players quickly left the King's palace. In fear they escaped. And the King remained there alone. The King was completely oblivious to the threatening situation at hand. And instead the King was just calling out to those chess players who left. The King was just yelling and abusing those who escaped, 'Why you left! Come here and play chess'. Finally on that fateful moment when the Britishers reached into the compound itself and actually entered into the King's room, then the British Army personnel surprisingly exclaimed, 'Oh, King, you are alone here'. And the British commanders saw that next to the King just his chess board was there. And the King was still busily yelling into the void at those who had left the chess game. So this way the British Army officials got introduced to that King. And the King said, 'There were many persons here but they escaped'. Then the senior British officer asked, 'What are you doing here alone?' Then the King replied, 'I am waiting for them return in order to resume our chess match'. In the last the British arrested the King and took him away to the jail. And they told to the King, 'Finish your chess game here; indeed here you will get a lot of opportunity to play chess'. And so accordingly the King passed the whole rest of his life locked up there in the jail.

RESULTANT

So this is how addiction happens. So the whole cause here was this useless psychic pursuit. Chess brought the negative situation where the King lost his senses and he could not retaliate even. Unfortunately these days one or two people are commonly involved in useless activities such as searching the web with no goal in mind etc, where they just idle the away their precious time-- time just gets utterly wasted. Baba says, "Now, everywhere, in cent-per-cent of the cases, there is wastage of human psychic potentiality. The psychic potentialities of human beings are immense, but people do not utilise them because most of their valuable time is wasted in undesirable thoughts, in psychic extravaganza." (YP, p. 134) So Baba is adamant that we must not waste our time in useless pursuits such as chess, uselessly reading thousands of websites just to pass the day, or mindlessly watching junk TV. Rather Baba guides us that direct intervention is need to stop this degenerating free-fall into crudity. Baba says, "This psychic extravaganza should be checked either by physical approach, or psychic approach, or by spirituo-psychic approach. (YP) So Baba strongly commands us not to ware our psychic faculty because if anyone fails to stop such type of mental extravaganza, then ultimately they cannot follow the path of sadhana-- they will become totally lost. Here again, Baba guides that we should always cleanse the mind of needless thoughts and mental engagements. Baba says, "From the psychic sphere also, unnecessary waves are to be removed. This will remove many burdens from the mind. 'I must not bother about petty things, because that will waste my time' -- people should remember this. This removal or rather withdrawal of unnecessary and undesirable thoughts emanated from the mind, will help you in rationalising the major portion of your mental faculty, and so this must also be practised." (YP)

HOW DEVOTEES USE THE TIME

Baba guides us how when good sadhakas gather for satsaunga then they never like to waste the time in useless activities like chess or needlessly roaming the web, rather they prefer to goad their minds toward that Supreme Hub, the Parama Purusa. Baba says, "Whenever the devotees of Hari assemble together they do not like to gossip, but prefer to do Hari Kirtana, and nothing else." (AVM-7, p.96)

BABA'S BLESSING:

Baba has graciously blessed us with all the psycho-spiritual tools to become 100% successful in life. Toward this endeavour His varabhaya mudra remains eternally with us by His grace. Baba says, "Inner channelisation and one-pointed conversion into psycho-spiritual pabulum brings about radical changes in individual and collective life. The psycho-spiritual approach makes a person deeply introversial, one-directional, strong and dynamic." (Baba) Namaskar, Jagadiish

************************************** 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)

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