== WATCH OUT FOR THIS ==
Namaskar,
In each and every age the ruling class imposes its values on the entire
society such that the common people chase madly after those things. That's
why in this present era of extreme capitalism the whole society is blindly
running after money and other materialistic prizes. Because the vaeshyans
are in power so crude things like money and automobiles etc spell "success".
No doubt we Ananda Margiis are aware about the theory behind all this, even
then in our personal day to day affarirs we should be careful not to get
dragged into that flow.
That means as sadhakas we have to exercise great caution when comparing
ourselves with others. Or more precisely we must not fall into the trap of
comparing ourselves with others exclusively on the point of materialistic
gain.
Because our human personality is three-fold: physical, psychic, and
spiritual. But because the common mass is primarily submerged in
degenerated materialistic life, so naturally then they only chase after
crude physical wealth.
But as Ananda Margiis we know the special secret that we should gain
strength in the psycho-spiritual realm. So we should not compare ourselves
with others on the point of money, material gain, etc. Because that invites
the beginning of an inferiority complex, especially when comparing oneself
with a rich person.
For example, if we compare our own financial level with others' economic
status then the tendency is to invite problems. One may even fall into the
depths that "except me, all others have a very successful life". Because they
have better material gains such as their property, house, cars, clothes,
luxury items etc.
COMPARING BY AM STANDARDS
But if we compare ourselves on the point of human potentialities -- that is
all one's physical, psychic and spiritual development-- then surely as an
Ananda Margii our lives are far better than those engaged in the ways of
general society, i.e. those eating tamasik foods etc, etc.
As Ananda Margiis we have far more mental purity than materialistic-minded,
crude people. Because our basic aim in life is service-- service to Parama
Purusa and service to the society. And we always try to keep away from
dogma. So surely we are not lower than those common citizens in the mental
sphere.
And of course when comparing in the spiritual realm, then there is no
comparison. We are moving on the divine path of Tantra sadhana. Our Guru is
Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji, the Taraka Brahma. When He graces anyone then He
accepts them as a disciple and He teaches them sadhana, in which case moksa
is guaranteed. So the spiritual life of each and every disciple of Shrii
Shrii Anandamurtiji is guaranteed success.
The sense is that common society is basically crude and dogmatic. Here I am
not boasting about our greatness-- we should not develop a superiority
complex. Both superiority and inferiority complexes are bad.
MARGIIS HAVE NOBLE ATTRIBUTES
My sole point is that as Margiis we have all sorts of noble qualities, then
why should we feel inferior with others by seeing their money and property?
And why should we throw ourselves into their flow by competing with them in
the crude mundane sphere only?
Rather one should train the mind to think that 'my path is not only in the
physical sphere, but all round, in the physical, psychic, and spiritual
spheres'. Then surely, one will not suffer from inferiority complex.
Because in the spiritual sphere, surely being Ananda Margiis we are more
developed than those materialistic, dogmatic people -- those living in the
general society.
PSYCHIC DISEASES IN THE WEST
We also know that in so many discourses Baba says that Western society is
completely imbalanced. So much attention is placed exclusively on the
physical sphere while the psychic and spiritual spheres are completely
neglected. That's why countless psychic diseases are there.
What to say about aged people, even small new-born babies start suffering
from psychic diseases. These days doctors are administering tranquilizing
medicines even to young children. The sense is that in Western society,
psychic diseases are rampant. And it is occupying childrens' minds also.
From small babies to senior citizens, a higher percentage of people in the
materially developed than among poor countries are in big tension, terrible
condition. But the condition of margiis all around the globe is far better.
Our duty is to show others the right path. Not to fall into their pit.
If mindlessly we throw ourselves in the competition with crude society in
mundane sphere, then the consequences and resultant will be completely
negative-- drowned in the desperate ocean of materialism. Which is why
common society is suffering from all kinds of psychic diseases. So by
throwing ourselves into that degenerated approach we will invite that
disaster.
NEGATIVE EXAMPLE PROPAGATED BY PSEUDO-CULTURE "STARS"
It is just like when some crude film star heroes use certain things like a
particular pseudo-culture dress style. Or, smoking in a special style. Like
those film heroes who release the smoke from their cigarette, and they
throw the smoke with their mouth toward the sky in such a round circled
way. Then teenagers get attracted towards that thinking it as a grand idea.
So without considering the matter, teenagers in their innocence blindly
follow those pseudoculture fashions. And those who are rational minded
people, think that what is this nonsense. In consequence good people never
engage in competing with others in pseudo-fashions.
Thus engaging oneself in comparing oneself with others only in the material
sphere is a sort of blindness. Because it is commonly known that those who
place too much importance on the physical sphere, one or another way in
their practical life, they neglect or lag far behind in psychic or
spiritual enhancement. And we know that human life devoid of spirituality
is just animal life.
So the basic idea is, that there should be competition but not only in
physical sphere. For healthy competition there should be physical, psychic,
and spiritual competition all together in a balanced way.
BALANCED WAY OF LIVING-- NO FINANCIAL DEBT
If we follow the life of a true Ananda Margii, then there will not be any
need of incurring unnecessary loan for mundane requirements. Rather,
strictness on santosa will solve the problem. So if any margii or WT, if
anyone is incurring loan for their regular worldly needs, that should not
be appreciated. This type of action should be discouraged. Because
according to AM teachings, all margiis belong to one family. So it is our
duty to help others. We should not allow anyone to fall into the bottomless
pit of debt. And by that way we will save them from unnecessary hardship
and a tension filled life.
FORMULA FOR HAPPY LIFE
In His Shabda Cayanika discours Baba further guides us:
Divasasya's't'ame bha'ge sha'kam' pacati yo narah
Anrn'ii aprava'sii ca sa va'ricarah modate
Baba says, "The person who is able to get some vegetables to eat at least
once a day, who incurs no debt and who has no need to leave home to earn a
living, is really happy." (Shabda Cayanika - 1, Disc. 1)
The above teaching describes three causes for happiness. All are important
and among these three, one point is "Not remaining in debt". So this gives
the idea that remaining in debt is highly detrimental. Incurring debt means
inviting negativity, restlessness of mind.
So the sense is that we should not blindly compare ourselves with the
common people on the point of material gain. Those who do so, many of them
end up taking loan-- thus inviting terrible problems.
Please write your own experiences and advice on this topic.
Namaskar,
Hitendra
Note 1: NOT LETTING OTHERS GO INTO DEBT
If we see other Ananda Margiis taking loan and going into debt then
we should not remain passive. Rather out duty is to come forward and
address the issue. Taking loan unnecessarily and incurring debt is very
bad. So here Baba guides us not to allow such things to happen to other
Margiis.
Baba says, "Every Ananda Margi, when he sees any other Margii acting
against the principles of Yama-Niyama, will have to make him shun this
habit either by sweet words or by harsh words or by dealing even more
strictly; and thus will have to make the society strong." (Guide to Human
Conduct, p.27)
Note 2: HOW SOME WENT INTO DEBT
Some margiis in various units, are facing terrible economic
conditions. Mostly they were working in the Prout department. And some
senior Prout Dadas inspired them that "Take loan. The banks are all going
to collapse." So without thinking deeply, some margiis did take a loan.
And now those margiis are facing a very critical conditions. The interest
has multiplied exponentially, and now those who took those loans are
feeling serious economic crisis and tension. Means tension has permeated
into every aspect of their life. So taking loan and developing anxiety on
the point of economic debt, ultimately this leads to the destruction of the
entire personality.
Note 3: MAIN CAUSE OF MENTAL DEPRESSION
In the west, running after materialistc values and forgetting one's
inner self is one of the main causes of mental depression. This is the central
underlying factor. And all other factors are revolving around this main
cause. Hence they are subsidiary factors while the main cause is falling
prey to the materialistic way of living and comparing oneself with others
primarily on this negative basis. This externalised and defective outlook
leads to all kinds of complexes and psychic disorders including mental
depression.
Note 4: BEAUTY OF DEVOTION
Those who follow a devotional approach-- i.e. who follow the path of Ananda
Marga-- never fall prey to psychic diseases, and certainly not depression.
Because a devotional outlook wipes out all complexes and brings bliss into
the life.
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Capacity of A'tma
Baba says, "Till you have a human body go on doing great work. After death
in absence of the brain the mind cannot function in which case one cannot
do anything. But the unit consciousness (atma) can still work. It has the
capacity to work in subtle form." (Delhi DMC 1984 Discourse)
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