== WHY NUMBER IS NOT INCREASING ==
Note: At the bottom of this letter is reference to an upcoming,
so-called pracara event in AM.
Namaskar,
Being a global organisation, our Marga should be burgeoning with more
and more new members each and every day. Unfortunately, for years now,
this just has not been the case. Our population has been quite stagnant,
maybe even decreasing.
While there may be a variety of reasons why our numbers are not on the
rise, despite the phenomenal popularity of yoga around the globe, one
clear cut reason is outlined here.
This singular reason is related with relationships, connection,
psychology, business, and money-- all rolled into one.
HUMANS HAVE THE DESIRE TO SERVE
By nature people have the desire to serve others. As Baba tells us, the
pillars of human dharma are: Vistara (expansion), rasa (flow), & seva.
Thus, seva, or service is an innate characteristic of all human beings.
And we see this day in day out. When a catastrophe strikes, then people
from halfway around the world organise relief efforts and collect money
to help the suffering. Despite the deep-seeded selfishness of
capitalism, even then citizens & foundations regularly attempt to serve
other peoples. Because this is a basic human tendency: To serve.
And it is this fundamental tendency of mind which we should recognise in
our own pracara efforts. Before giving more details, here is one Baba
story to encapsulate the situation.
BABA STORY:
DONATION VERSUS SET FEE
I remember long ago, back in 1970, when our first seminar series was
held. Then a standard fee was set for the program. Everyone entering had
to pay the same amount.
As soon as Baba found out about this, He immediately ordered Dadas to
remove the fee. Instead, Baba insisted that the seminar must be run on a
donation basis.
He explained that by this way people will feel more committed to the
program since they voluntarily give their own money. In that case it is
not strictly a business relation, but one wherein attendees feel an
inner connection with the ideals and programs of AM. And that plants the
seeds for a meaningful and lasting relationship. It creates a heart-felt
connection, not just a business relationship.
In addition, Baba explained that those who have money will give far more
than what the fee would have been, while those who could not normally
afford the fee to attend will also come. Hence in the end, more money
will be raised and more people will come in contact with AM.
The basic idea is that whenever we are involved in teaching and
preaching AM ideals, everything from retreats to basic pracar events,
then we should follow Baba's system and the program should be run on a
donation basis.
SO MANY ORGANISATIONS FOLLOW THIS APPROACH
Indeed, there are so many organisations around the globe that follow
this approach. Everything from public radio stations to philanthropic
foundations to AIDS relief agencies etc. Countless organisations not
only survive, but verily thrive, on the donation-only approach.
Because as Baba points out, by this way, you are annexing the public's
heart. They are being called upon to decide for themselves if they want
to support your activities-- as well as to what degree. Then they are
not just mindlessly paying a nominal or moderate fee, but they are
carefully evaluating your causes and seeing how far those ideals mesh
with their own interests and values. So they are not just giving money
but also forming an inner, emotional-cum-psychological link with the
organisation.
When our Marga has so many idealistic tenets, then naturally people will
feel a kinship with our works and programs. And they will give and
support us accordingly. And they will support us year-round as well, not
just when we are doing a particular event. Plus those who cannot afford
to pay financially will lend their skills in various other ways.
And of course, the greater goal is to bring more in more into our flow
and introduce more and more to Baba's teachings.
So we should be strict in all our dharma pracar programs, new people
retreats, sectorial seminars, etc; these should always function on a
donation-only basis.
Tragically, at present, our organisation has not been able to implement
this approach of creating an involved system of donation-only programs.
Rather things are mostly done on the business model, whereby each and
every Dada becomes their own corporation. In the end, though, this is a
losing approach.
THERE IS A TIME FOR BUSINESS, BUT...
Make no mistake, there is a definite time when we can engage in business
transactions.
If we have a cinema night then we can charge for the film; when printing
AM books then those should be sold; we may sell clothes at festivals
etc. There are so many ways for us to do bussiness.
So there is no shortage of opportunity to engage in business activities.
But that should not be our blueprint or aim when organising pracar
activities. Because in pracar works our goal is not to make money per
se, but to draw people closer. And while it might be tempting to make
$300 or $500 on a given night for a pracar program, in the long run we
will make far more than that by creating heart-felt relations with
prospective margiis and potential sympathizers.
And most importantly, our numbers will increase dramatically.
Actually, it is entirely ridiculous to think that a global organisation
can function off of the business efforts of a few Dadas. That is totally
ludicrous. Even if we had dozens of Dadas making as much money as
Citkrsnananda, still that would not be enough to support the varied
projects we need to undertake in this world.
Only public money can sufficiently support a dynamic organisational
structure like ours. There is no other way.
IF ONE WANTS TO DO BUSINESS THEN...
If anyone in AM has the strong need or desire to do business, then it
should be done under a separate name, and certainly not for any type of
pracara activities like kiirtan programs, asana classes, sadhana lessons
etc.
So business can be done, but for the most part not done directly using
the AM name.
NOT YET UP TO THE GRADE
Unfortunately, to date since 1990, we have not been able to make our
Marga into that well-run monolithic structure. Most Dadas operate as
their own financial enterprise and take in money any way possible. They
do whatever they can to survive.
This has had a most detrimental effect on our Marga: Most notably on our
consistent failure to attract new people and create a sustainable way of
supporting our organisation through long-term relations with the public.
The above points may sound simple and straightforward-- even basic and
obvious. But we are far, far from truly developing a donation-oriented
style of operation. And that is one of the main reasons our numbers
remain low.
BABA'S BLESSING
If we can inculcate the real spirit of pracara and work within that
donation-only framework, then we will create heart-felt connections will
all sectors of society, and things will really blossom in our Marga.
Baba says, "All genuine spiritualists will have to adjust with the level
of the dusty earth inspired by the spontaneous love of their hearts.
They will have to share the wealth of their developed intellects with
others to lighten the sorrows and sufferings of humanity. Through their
guidance and leadership, human thinking will take a new turn and move
along an entirely new path. The latent spiritual power in human beings
will be awakened. Through their effort and inspiration, the new people
of a new generation will be armed with a bold new optimism and vision of
the future, and march forward triumphantly." (AFPS-9)
Namaskar,
Parashram
Note: CRUDE DOGMATIC PRACARA PROGRAM IN NY
On Monday, October 14, there is a crude, dogmatic kiirtan program
occurring in Asheville, North Carolina in NY Sector. A family acarya
(Vishvamitra) and top Proutist (Ramesh) have allowed their Prama
Institute to host a kiirtan program where Durga puja chants and the like
will be sung. Plus they will be charging $20 & $25 for the event. This
is a clear-cut example of how NOT to do pracara. Firstly they are
spreading dogma not dharma, secondly they are making the whole evening a
business transaction. It is unfortunate & damagaing this event is going on.
For more information please read:
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2008/09/goddess-durga-puja-at-our-mu.html
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2008/09/surrender-to-goddess-durga-kiirtan.html
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Link Between Service and Sadhana
Baba says, "When you reach the closest proximity to the Supreme
Consciousness, your mental waves will come in contact with His mental
waves. Then you will understand what is to be done, and what will be the
destiny of humanity in the near and distant future.
Because of your spiritual progress, you will come closer and closer to
the Supreme Consciousness, you will come in contact with His psychic
waves. And in that state you will be able to render still better service
to human beings, animals and plants." (SS-16 (H), p. 10-11)
Note: Without good sadhana rendering social service is impossible.
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