== THEIR FALL FROM GRACE ==
Namaskar,
I remember that when I visited India before 1990, then our Wts commanded
huge respect. All margiis viewed our acaryas with great reverence-- and
deservedly so. Those who were in AM those days surely also remember this.
However, since 1990, that respect has been waning such that at this
present moment the overall regard for Wts is at an all-time low. And
this also is not unwarranted.
Here then is a look into how this shocking scenario has taken place:
Where in such a short span of time the overall status of our acaryas has
plunged deep down into the lower echelons of our AM society.
I also recognise that there are some workers who margiis still regard
quite highly; so we should also look into that phenomenon as well. How
is it that some Wts have rightly maintained their dignified place as a
wholetime worker for Baba.
Lastly, those with experiences and stories about this topic are highly
encouraged to share their insights.
WHY WTS WERE SO REVERED BEFORE '90
Those pre-1990 days were truly special; we all viewed our acaryas as
being extensions of Baba. Everyone felt special to be in the company of
our Wts. Why is it? Was it magic? Why did our workers seem so vibrated
those days?
Well there are any number of theories that might account for this, but
the underlying factor or root cause is one: Proper conduct.
Those days Baba was adamant that all Wts must follow all the various
codes of conduct. This pressure was placed on every worker as they knew
that Baba would surely point out any laxness in this regard. So from
morning till night, from their pre-dawn cold bath till their final
sadhana before sleep, all our workers were vigilant to follow all
conduct rules as closely as possible.
And this adherence to the system had a big effect on their being.
Because all Baba's divine guidelines aim towards turning human beings
into veritable gods. Thus when our workers were sincerely involved in
that pre-1990 era of carefully following all the conduct rules, then
they really were on the path of life divine. And their vibration
reflected this. That is why we all wanted to be near our acaryas.
The force behind this great revolutionary era was, of course, Baba's
ever-watchful eye. For that reason Wts were strict in following the
conduct rules and the result was quite evident.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE 1990
Astonishingly, a terrible 'fall from grace' has happened with many of
our Wts. And here again the cause can be attributed to one root point:
Poor conduct.
Little by little with each and every passing day, month, and year, many
of our Wts began to lose their habit of following those dharmic codes of
conduct. It happened slowly, drop by drop, until finally we have found
ourselves in the mud puddle that exists today.
Because with Baba not physically present to exert pressure on our wts,
and with Centre taking a blind eye towards wrongdoings and degrading
behaviour, then all workers were just free to follow their various
degrading vrttis. And that is what has happened.
Here it is not that all fell directly into sex etc. This happened to
some and that we all know about.
Rather the more over-arching problem was the fall into materialistic
values. That is the general trend that has happened to the majority of
workers. Instead of chasing after Baba and His dharmic ideals, our Wts
have taken to chasing after iPods, laptops, automobiles, video this, and
MP3 that etc.
Indeed some margiis have commented that now many of our Wts are like
teenagers chasing after the latest gizmos and gadgets. This has become
the common episode. And it is not just a superficial occurrence but has
rather filtered into the mentality of our acarya culture.
Because nowadays respect is generated within the Wts ranks based on what
gadget one has and what car one drives. That is the debased mentality
that has taken over. That is how they get their prestige: On what object
they own, not on the depth of their sadhana. Until finally there are
Citkrsnananda type of Dadas who are wholly dedicated for their own
financial gain and nothing else. In that case, heavy-duty Swiss Bank
Accounts entering into the tens of millions become the order of the day.
Tragically this has the scene that has taken over these days. That is
why many margiis and even other Wts have commented that rather than
having acaryas who have dedicated their lives to Baba and dharma, we now
have workers who have given their all to 21st century materialism.
And the root cause behind it all is the failure to follow the conduct
rules. That vigilance is gone from our Wts ranks. There are a few who
sincerely follow and they have the respect of margiis accordingly, but
the general trend is that any Wt can do as they like and no one will say
anything about it. There is no external pressure from Centre or from
their supervisors. Reason being their moral standard is also quite low.
In that way, for the typical wt, their daily routine has become more
mundane and their mental pabulum has become terribly materialistic.
Because they are allowed to degrade themselves and fall into the common
flow of the general society, as no one is there to point them out.
THE PROBLEM IS AT AT MOST BASIC LEVEL
Here again it should be reiterated that the problem is not a subtle one.
It is not that some Wts are faltering in pursuing the higher aspects of
life or that some Wts are not using a scrubber to wash their backsides.
The issue is not nearly so subtle or minute. Rather the mass of our wts
are totally drowned night and day in crude de-based behaviour that can
be witnessed with anyone's crude eyes. And it is this blatant disregard
for the most obvious of conduct rules that is the chief issue at hand.
When this gets resolved then we can work on higher values and less
blatant shortcomings.
WHY DONATIONS ARE DOWN
Is it any wonder than that when our wts are immersed in the chase after
material things that margiis are giving less money to acaryas.
Because when when a visiting worker shows up with a fancy travel bag
filled with the latest marvels of the world of technology, then those
family margiis, who themselves are struggling for their own survival,
think, 'It seems this worker does not need any money as he has far more
gadgets than my entire family'.
Likewise when a margii enters into a jagriti and sees various workers in
their own rooms watching the latest and greatest on their portable,
wireless video palm-tops, then margiis think: 'What is the need to give
such workers money. They can already afford everything that they want.
And not only that, they are not going to use the money for mission
work.' This is that idea that comes to the minds of so many margiis.
So really, this has all led to an drastic reduction in donations given
to our Wts. And that hurts those sincere workers the most-- i.e. those
who really are doing Baba's work and need financial support. Yet it is
the undeniable trend that much less funds are being given to our workers.
THIS IS NOTHING TO CELEBRATE
In the face of this degradation of our Wts, their status in the Marga is
now most ordinary or even lower than that. No doubt groupism is at an
all-time high, but any wt on their own can redeem themselves by keeping
proper conduct. But in the absence of that, margiis find there is little
redeeming value of such workers. For, if they are not dedicating their
lives for Baba and acting accordingly, then what use are they-- how can
we even call them acarya.
Unfortunately, in some sparse corners, a few margiis, here and there,
are almost rejoicing in this fall of our acaryas. And there are some
margiis who seem to take great delight in kicking our wts. As if,
finally they got the chance to step on them. A few margiis seem to
behave in this way in that they seem happy that our wts have lost their
flow and now they themselves can be top-notch in AM. But this is not the
way.
Overall it is a shame and terribly unfortunate that this disgraced fall
has happened within our Wt ranks. It would have been far better if our
Wts had been able to rise to the occasion and maintain a strict
spiritual and dharmic flow amongst the cadre. That would have been a
great boon for our Marga & the general society. So many great works & so
much pracara could have been done.
Hence, the fact that our Wts have fallen into mire is nothing to
celebrate. Rather I yearn for those pre-90 days when our Wts were verily
second gods. And surely by Baba's grace and with the hard work and
cooperation of all, such glorious days will return where our Wts are tops.
WHEN LEADERSHIP IS POOR, SOCIETY CRUMBLES
Our acaryas are meant to stand as the real leaders of society. There is
no doubt about that. Their role is unprecedented as they are the
veritable pioneers who by their conduct and compassion will bring smiles
to the faces of the suffering and inspire young and old alike to adhere
to the tenets of spiritual life. This is their true glory. Family
margiis can also lead but the leadership of our Wts is a vastly needed
element for the welfare of the world. And when that is absent, the
result is not at all good. That is Baba's strict warning.
Baba says, "Today there is catastrophe and misery in human society and
there is one reason: the defective leadership of society...True leaders
should always be vigilant and think how to work best for human society."
(AV-31, 'Conduct of Acarya')
So when our Wts have fallen away from the acarya code of conduct, then
that has a distinct domino effect. First and foremost then junior wts
will be less inclined to follow those rules. And then that laxness will
spread throughout the entire society.
That is why Baba strongly emphasizes proper behaviour within our acarya
ranks, otherwise things will not bode well for the Marga and the society
on the whole.
Baba says, "Bear in mind that people may be harmed or misled by even a
small weakness or defect in the conduct of an a'ca'rya. Just as it is
the duty of a father to educate his children properly by his good
conduct, an a'ca'rya should always instruct by his exemplary actions and
word." (AV-31, 'Conduct of Acarya')
So without the proper conduct of our acaryas-- without them giving up
their lust for material pursuits such as iPods etc-- then society will
never be able to advance.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION -- WHAT MARGIIS CAN DO
The solution to this whole problem is two-fold. Firstly, it is important
for family margiis to help resuscitate our acarya culture. Oxygen should
be administered little by little until our Wts regain their feet. And
that 'oxygen' should come in the form of soft and gentle words, urging
workers to abide by Baba's guidelines, if they are remiss in this
regard. This is one of Baba's special teachings for building a strong wt
cadre and a healthy society.
Baba says, "All Ananda Margis, when they see other margis acting against
the principles of yama and niyama, must make them shun this habit either
by sweet or harsh words or by dealing even more strictly. Thus they will
have to make the society strong. Henceforth I direct every Ananda Margi
to keep strict vigilance on other Ananda Margi to make them practise the
principles of yama and niyama." (GHC, 'How to Live in Society')
So it is our duty to respectfully yet firmly point out the defects as
they occur. Best is to first use gentle words in private and only
increase the circumstantial pressure when needed.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION-- WHAT WTS CAN DO
The second half to the issue is for acaryas to take it upon themselves
to re-evaluate their lives and take the firm determination to live a
life fully based on Baba's ideals. And then step by step this will
become a reality. Be strict on kiirtan, sadhana, asanas, and a sentient
diet, and then naturally all the rest of the pieces will fall neatly
into place. And indeed that high standard is what Baba wants for our
acarya cadre.
Baba says, "Those who have the responsibility to show the path to others
should be of superlative character with the most refined conduct. They
and their followers must move constantly towards all-round development
and shreya. Persons who teach such well-regulated behaviour to others by
their own conduct are called a'ca'ryas." (AV-31, 'Conduct of Acarya')
And indeed, right now those Wts who follow the proper conduct are highly
regarded and respected by margiis. And deservedly so. Whereas those Wts
who just wear their saffron robe for show are systemically humiliating
themselves and our Marga.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace, our Marga will quickly regain its form. As margiis and
acaryas point out those Wts for their misconduct and as acaryas redouble
their efforts to lead a spiritual life, we will surely see fast results
and the cleaning of our Marga.
Baba says, "O human beings! You are fortunate. The clarion call of the
Universal has reached you. That very call is vibrating in every cell of
your body. Will you now lie inert in the corner of your house? Will you
now waste your time clutching ancient skeletons to your breast and
moaning over them? The Supreme Being is calling you in the roar of the
ocean, in the thunder of the clouds, in the speed of the lightning, in
the meteor’s flaming fires. Nothing will come of remaining idle. Get up
and awaken the clouded chivalry of your dormant youth. The path may not
be strewn with flowers – an inferiority complex may seek to hold back
your every advancing footstep, but even then you have to proceed onward,
tearing the shroud of darkness. You will soon rend the thick darkness of
despair on the way to the attainment of the Supreme State, and advance
onwards in the swift-moving chariot, radiant with the sun’s brilliance."
(SS-1)
Namaskar,
Vidyasagar
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SCIENCE BEHIND KIIRTAN
Baba says, "At the time of kiirtana, the vocal cord sings, the ears
hear, and the hands and feet dance, and thus all the organs are kept
preoccupied with the divine. They are not allowed to move wherever they
want but are kept engaged. There is a popular Indian superstition that
when ghosts are not kept busy they break the necks of their prey. Similarly,
if the sensory and motor organs are not kept engaged in the attainment of the
divine, they may lead one astray. Kiirtana is therefore most beneficial as
it keeps all the organs fully engaged in a spiritual pursuit. However, while
doing kiirtan, if one listens to anything else, the mind will be diverted.
Suppose, while doing kiirtana, one lady asks another, `Well sister, what
did you cook today?' This will also be heard by the practitioners of
kiirtana. To prevent these undesirable sounds from being heard, it is
advisable to play some instrument during kiirtana." (AV-8, p.13)
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