== ONLY MIXTURE OF EAST & WEST? ==
Namaskar,
We all know that Baba has made our AM as a special synthesis of east and
west. However, care should be taken to understand exactly what aspects of
east and west have been synthesized in this process. Because a few in their
hasty and overzealous approach have taken the matter entirely in their own
direction and indiscriminately mix and match all kinds of dogmas from the
east and the west-- all along justifying that this is AM, or something
similar thereof.
THOSE COMING FROM THE EAST...
For example some of our avadhutas from the east come to the west and become
enamoured by the glitzy and showy scene of western modernity. And in their
thrill to pick up on some of the tricks of the west, they begin indulging
in numerous dogmatic and unhealthy habits such as only using blotting paper
(toilet paper) to clean themselves after clearing their bowels.
Or certain of our Indian margii sisters upon reaching the shores of the US
dress up in everything from high heels to layers of lipstick and make-up in
order to join the tantalizing world of western professionalism. Hence in
their desire to keep up with the superficially fast-paced corporate scene,
they plunge themselves in various cosmetics and other pseudo-culture
products. All the while feeling pretty good that they have made the grade.
When in fact the overwhelming reality is that they have gotten sucked up
into the myriad of western materialistic values.
And some of our Indian Dadas get hung up on company-made,
chemically-filled, tasty snack items from the west and other allurements
which many say brings their demise like the tragic result of the former
SS Dada who was befallen with Parkinson's disease. While another high posted
Indian Dada places orders from his camp office for more "cheez doodles" to
be brought by the caseload into India by visiting acaryas-- all because
when he himself was in the west he got addicted to this snack item.
Unfortunately this type of thing is typical when the movement is from east
to west. Whereby some fall prey to western dogmas in their search to live a
life based on a synthetic approach. Or at the very least they justify it
like that.
THOSE COMING FROM THE WEST...
Likewise some margiis from the west upon coming in AM start thinking that
all eastern philosophies are great. And hence without a second thought they
become die-hard advocates of the dogmatic ways of Buddhism or Hinduism etc.
The mere mention of Buddhist teachings and they become googlie-eyed when in
fact Baba Himself has shown countless aspects of Buddhism to be nothing but
dogma.
Or some of our overseas margiis and Dadas start making dogmatic pilgrimages
from one ashram to another when visiting the east. No doubt they stop in on
AM somewhere along the way but the bulk of their trips get filled with
stops to this or that ashram like Sai Baba, the dogmatic wandering monks of
Rishikesh, or any number of crude so-called saints like "the mother". While
some even rush to take holy dips in the Ganges during the outrageously
dogmatic gathering of the Khumba Mela.
Here we are not talking about all Ananda Margiis-- but unfortunately some
do like this. Even one of our overseas global AMURT Dadas never fails to
make a trip to India without taking a few days of so-called spiritual
refuge at the Yogananda (SRF) centre in Ranchi. And upon leaving their
gates he begins propagating their ideals-- lost in the confusion that all
eastern teachings are great, no matter which dogmatic guru they came from.
No doubt, some few go for purely purposes of tourism, but many go for the
attraction and fascination of that dogma. Otherwise what is the need to run
from one ashram to the next when this globe is filled with so many other
tourist attractions.
But instead they go to those dogmatic centers and leave giving hugs of
thanks to one and all and basking in the empty blessings of those dogmatic
monks who have gotten fat off their donations.
So like that the whole scene is taking shape whereby some totally
misunderstand Guru's direction about synthesis of east and west & therefore
they just foolishly jump that blindly into the mud.
However, needless to say-- whether from east to west or from west to east--
this kind of dealing is all leading in the wrong direction.
MANGO EATING ANALOGY
Let us consider the whole issue of combining east and west in this
following way. Suppose someone gives the suggestion to eat a mango. It does
not mean that one will eat all the peelings of the mango and then ingest
the pit. Doing like that is nothing but one mockery as that is not at all
the spirit or intention of the suggestion. Rather a balanced minded person
will understand that he should eat the pulp. That is the sweetness.
Likewise, Baba has given the divine teaching that AM combines certain
aspects from both the east and west. But that does not mean that one should
blindly follow all the dogmas and misguided ideas of east and west.
THE REAL MEANING OF SYNTHESIS
Rather, as the majority of margiis realise, Baba is guiding us that we
should follow the inherent attitudes or spirit of east and west- not their
faulty philosophies or materialistic dealings. Hence, considering the true
spirit, we should work industriously in the external world and at the same
time give proper importance to spiritual pursuits. That is the attitude or
spirit of east and west.
Hence Baba has given the teachings of AM which are is based on the special
combination or synthesis of subjective approach and objective adjustment.
Baba says, "We can build up an ideal society only on the basis of a happy
adjustment between the subjective and the objective approaches. Here is the
greatness of A'nanda Ma'rga ideology." (PNS-18, p.30)
Hence subjective approach and objective adjustment is the special synthesis
which Baba is talking about when He references the idea of combining east
and west. And from this very synthesis, He has graciously bestowed
something entirely new and unique to the humanity. And that new and unique
thing is-- the Ananda Marga ideology.
Baba says, "Ananda Marga is a revolution. It is not only a spiritual
revolution but also an economic, social and mental revolution. The economic
system, the social structure, the trend of thinking, and the spiritual
practices prescribed in our Ananda Marga are not only new but something
quite different from the established ideas and practices in these spheres
of life." (AFPS-7, p. 1)
Namaskar,
Gagan
Note 1: BABA'S SPECIAL GUIDELINE
Baba's dharmic guideline to one and all is that first we are to learn
indepthly about Ananda Marga and then only after become deeply grounded in
our own teachings of AM then one can begin to review other philosophies.
And why review other philosophies? Not to get something from them but
rather to use our knowledge of AM to tear down the dogmas of all other
philosophies and expose the inherent defects of those crude and dogmatic
approaches-- whether they be Buddhism, Hinduism, Zen etc, etc. That is the
great spirit of Baba's teaching. To learn the dharma of AM and then with
that pointed mind mercilessly expose the dogmas of all other teachings. All
done to highlight the greatness of Ananda Marga and lead the humanity on
the path of dharma.
Baba says, "Ananda Marga alone is dharma and all the rest are sectisms."
(SS-1 p. 63)
Unfortunately, a few of our Dadas and margiis get stuck in the mud by not
first clearly understanding AM teachings. So then with their shallow
understanding, they get wonder-struck by the misguided preaching of other
dogmatic philosophies. That is the sad result.
Note 2: NOT UP TO THE MARK
Unfortunately one high profile Didi has used various dogmatic eastern
philosophies as a means to explain Baba's unique teachings of Ananda
Sutram. Needless to say her approach is not at all up to the mark; rather
it is inherently flawed and misguided. That is why her interpretation and
explanation of Baba's sutras is mostly wrong. Perhaps in another letter
someone else can say something further about this.
Note 3: ANANDA MARGA IS THE ONLY PANACEA
Baba says, "A correct spiritual ideology is the only solution to the
problems confronting the world. From this perspective we can call Ananda
Marga ideology the philosophers' stone. Just as the philosophers' stone is
meant to transform everything into gold, Ananda Marga ideology can, most
definitely, find a just and rational solution whenever it is applied to any
problem." (POD, #36)
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About Channelisation
Baba says, "If people have a healthy body and mind their glandular system
will remain balanced and they can easily channelise their physical energy
into psychic and spiritual activities. This process of channelisation is
the only way to check the mental flow towards crude propensities." (AFPS-9,
p.35)
Note: Here in His above teaching Baba is indirectly warning us that without
doing proper sadhana and the regular practice of asanas, it is virutally
impossible to reach towards the higher realms of life. Rather one will get
caught up in the crude flow of this mundance world. So to enjoy the
sweetness and bliss of spiritual life, kiirtan, sadhana, asana, pranayama,
pratyhara, dhyana-- all these practices are needed. Otherwise spiritual
realisation will remain as a distant dream only. By Baba's grace may we all
be vigilant in this regard.
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