== AM HAS IMPROVED A LOT ==
Namaskar,
While it may seem that our Marga is now in a state of disarray, on a
deeper level our Marga society has improved a lot. In our present period
of pause, there has been tremendous growth. Albeit that growth has been
different from the period of growth in the pre-1990 era: That was
primarily a period of speed. But since 1990, in our period of pause,
significant growth has also occurred. In recognising this, we can see
how our Marga is in prime position to move ahead.
PRE-1990 ERA: PLANS, PROGRAMS AND SPEED
In that pre-1990 era, Baba was doing everything; we were merely carrying
out His wish, by His grace. He was creating the flow, erecting the
programs, giving the inspiration, keeping dogmas out of AM, and
directing us what to do in every way imaginable.
And in that period of speed, there was huge growth. We could all see it,
feel it, and touch it.
When outside struggle did come in 1970-- when everyone was forced to
live away from Guru and so much opposition arose-- in that extremely
difficult period when it looked like everything was falling apart and so
many left AM, the substantive quality of those Ananda Margiis who
remained increased tremendously. Each and every sadhaka was forced to
look within as well as brave the arduous conditions without. That was a
slightly different period.
And then of course, after 1978, a grand new pathway of speed occurred.
Such that by January 1990, the prevailing notion was that our Marga was
ready to create dharma raj on this earth-- at that very moment.
Certainly, Baba had put all the tools in place-- He did everything that
was needed to establish His mission, yet still His liila had to unfold.
AFTER 1990: A PERIOD OF ASSIMILATION
By looking around our Marga in this post 1990 period, it may seem as
though our Marga has just crumbled. The number of acaryas is less; the
number of schools is less; our pracara has decreased; and then, of
course, so many internal power clashes have erupted. So it may seem like
a sinking ship.
But actually, wonderful things have transpired; a great renaissance has
occurred.
Around 1990, we were all thinking that our Dadas were sadvipras and that
we all understood AM philosophy perfectly. But actually up to 1990, we
had been building our Marga externally by carrying out His plans and
programs, and by His grace during reportings He was purifying us
internally. Things were busy and there was less time for sadhana and
philosophical study. It needed to be like that because Baba had many
things to show us in an extremely limited period of time.
So now-- i.e. since 1990 when things have been noticeably slower-- we
have had excellent opportunity to internalize Baba's teachings. This has
been the new phase; and it is really working well. No doubt, on the
external sphere, our Marga is moving slowly. But internally everything
is churning, and so much growth has occurred. And that is what happens
during a period of pause.
Today, philosophical problems and pointed analysis is happening
regarding Baba's teachings. Margiis all over the earth are discussing AM
ideology and doing sadhana to better understand it. Each and every day,
we are forced to address issues of groupism, Prout, neo-humanism, the
inculcation of dogma, and the list goes on and on. We have been forced
to think about what is what and where AM teachings lie.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEN AND NOW
In the past, around 1990, we mostly thought that we understood AM
ideology and were ready to deliver it to the world. And with that
attitude it was not possible to really learn what Baba's teachings were
about.
Baba says, "One will not be able to know anything unless one develops
the psychology of “I know not.” It is the fundamental spirit of a true
aspirant." (CC-2, 'Sadhana', pt #7)
Now, however, we have come to realise that we did not have everything
figured out: We were not above groupism, scandals, and dogmas. And in
that struggle to overcome this, by His grace, we have learned a lot. We
can all feel and see this.
Before we were thinking that those in the top posts were sadvipras and
now we understand that greatness is achieved by sadhana, service, and
sacrifice.
In sum, for the first time, we are now, as a Marga society, truly
assimilating Baba's divine teachings and understanding how far we are
following His tenets or not. So it is a period of tremendous growth and
learning in our Marga, as well as an essential phase to prepare for that
upcoming era of speed, where we really are ready and fit to spread His
teachings across this universe.
Hence, despite all the groupist shenanigans and other external issues
etc, things are quite positive as internally a whole new flower is
blossoming.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace, we are now learning and experiencing what Baba has
warned us about in His below teaching. And in overcoming this hurdle, we
are becoming true examples of His ideology, slowly but surely this phase
is going on.
Baba says, "With bhakti only you can get Parama Purusa, but you must
have some jinana otherwise some people may misguide you and goad you
toward dogma and lead you on the wrong path" (paraphrased from the
original Hindi, 'Direct Perception & Indirect Perception', 29 June 1980
(Bettiah)
Namaskar,
Gagan
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Stages of Human Life
Note 1: Here following are the Sanskrit terms demarcating the various
stages of human life. Accompanying them are corollary English terms.
However since the English language does not formally divide human life
in the exact systematic way as in Sanskrit, then everyone should give
their further suggestions for how to best express the English counterpart.
Note 2: Baba has formed these categories of life based upon changes that
come as a result of changes in: age, psychological outlook, physical &
psychic development, etc.
Baba says, "Human life is composed various stages. And the collection of
all the stages encompasses the entire human life. And just as human
beings have these ten stages, similarly the life of each and every
living being is composed of these ten stages. So depending upon the type
of living being and environmental conditions such as climate and
temperature etc, the duration of each of these stages varies, either
increasing or decreasing. Following are the stages of life for a human
being living in a tropical country."
1) Ma'trgarbha: anuma'nika 10 ma's (Womb -> birth)
2) Shaeshav: 0 to 5 (Infancy)
3) Balyaka'lu: 5 to 14 (Childhood)
4) Kaeshora: 14 to 16 (Youth)
5) Paogan'd'a: 16 to 18 (Teenage / Adolescence)
6) Yauban: 18 to 39 (Early adult life)
7) Praor'hatva: 39 to 50 (Middle age)
8) Ba'rdhakya: 50 to 72 (Older adult life / senior citizen)
9) Jara': 72 to 100 (Elderly)
10) Atharva: 100 + (Centenarian)
(Laghu Nirukta p.349)
Note 3: Ma'trgarbha: In Varna Vicitra part 1, Baba comments that the
duration of this first stage is ideally 10 months & 10 days. That is how
long the fetus remains inside the womb, in the best of circumstances. If
however, the fetus is born before this time, then the new born will not
be properly mature. In that case its physical and mental development has
not occurred up to the optimal degree.
Note 4: Jara' means those whose bodies has begun shrinking. (Stage 9)
Note 5: Atharava means those who are almost immobile. (Stage 10)
Note 6: Due to the excess in-take of protein and fat and due to
chemicals in the food, the age of puberty in so-called developed
countries is rapidly decreasing. Now some young girls reach puberty at
the tender age of 8 and some boys begin puberty at the age of 9. The
extremely early onset of adolescence is the result of terrible
imbalances in lifestyle and ultimately this creates serious problems in
the society. Because suddenly 10 year old girls are getting pregnant and
producing their own babies, yet they themselves are still young children
and completely unable to take care of their offspring. This is the
tragedy unfolding in various so-called developed countries.
Note 7: This entire cycle of life is the divine liila of Parama Purusa.
A baby is born and blooms up to its full development and then gradually
it shrinks in its old age. This is the divine play of "Hari & Hara".
That is why this world is called Jagat-- because everything is mobile.
Everything is changing; nothing is stationary. Those who have come will
one day go. Those who have gone, they have gone in order to return
again. This infinite liila of Parama Purusa is going on from
beginninglessness up to eternity. In reality, this liila is miserable
for jinanis; but for bhaktas it is blissful. In this cosmic liila
everyone has their own particular role to play. And those who remember
that they are part of a divine drama, they enjoy; and those who forget,
they cry. But in the real sense everything is blissful because everyone
is dancing around Parama Purusa.
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