== HQ: IN INDIA OR ABROAD ==
Namaskar,
Ever since 1990, and especially of late, various people have been in a huff
& a puff about where our HQ-- the Central Office of AMPS-- should be. There
are a few who want it removed from India completely. Some are totally
zealous for this to happen. Whatever may be, we should choose a place for
our Central Office that is best for the propagation of AM. So we should
take a closer examination and see the pros and cons of having our HQ in
India, or not.
EACH AND EVERY OFFICE NEEDS A FERTILE HOME
As we know, to do anything in this world a proper environment is needed-- a
place that is conducive for growth. The conditions should be most suitable
for the success of that project. This fact everyone knows.
So, for example, if someone is building an office for family planning then
it has to be decided whether that that office should be placed in
Antarctica or in Beijing, China. The answer is obvious: In Beijing. Because
it is the Chinese population that is exploding and a family planning office
would certainly thrive in Beijing. In contrast Antarctica is barren and
basically unpopulated.
Secondly, if a new obesity program were to be started then should they put
their office in Somalia (Africa) or in a city in the USA. Here again the
answer is obvious: In the USA. Because the US population suffers terribly
from obesity whereas the people in Somalia have no such problem-- rather
they suffer from a shortage of food. In that case the office is most apt to
be successful in the USA.
So the central idea is that each and every office must find a place or
region that is most suitable for its growth and development.
ANANDA MARGA IS DHARMA
Before deciding where Central Office should be we should first remind
ourselves what Ananda Marga is. And then we can decide which place is most
appropriate for its headquarters.
As Baba is the Dharma Guru incarnate, His AM ideology is naturally the
essence of dharma and stands as the perfect testimony for tantric life.
Obviously then the offices of AM should be placed in a region that will
support the proper growth of AM.
THE PRA'N'A DHARMA OF INDIA
Each and every land has its own unique characteristics and specialties, or
pra'n'a dharma.
Baba says, "When the national characteristics are expressed in a particular
vein, we may call it the Pra'n'a Dharma of the nation." (APH-4)
And here below Baba describes the pra'n'a dharma of India.
Baba says, "The thoughts and ideals of India are quite different from the
other countries...Since ancient times, India has been adhering to her
distinct Pra'n'a Dharma. Regarding life and the world, the Indian people
are certainly spiritually inclined. They look upon each and every thought
and deed as part of their spiritual practice." (AFPS-6, 'Pra'n'a Dharma')
Thus according to our Sadguru India is that one country where the mass of
people are have spiritual ideas embedded in their very way of living.
And here below Baba explains more about the traditional way of life in India.
Baba says. "The reason is that in ancient India, children studied from the
age of five till the age of twenty-five. They lived virtuous, disciplined
and holy lives and received extensive training in spiritual knowledge as
well as some degree of mundane knowledge. At the conclusion of their
student careers, they returned home to adopt the life of householders. As
householders they continued to cultivate both spiritual knowledge (para')
and mundane knowledge (apara'). When they reached the age of fifty, having
met all their family commitments, they would adopt the life of a
Vanaprastha and retire to a forest to concentrate on the cultivation of
spiritual knowledge." (AFPS-6, 'Pra'n'a Dharma')
By His above description it is clear how for generations and generations
the entire mode of living in India was geared towards spiritual thought.
And here Baba concludes that each and every aspect of Indian life is based
on spirituality.
Baba says, "Thus all aspects of Indian life were based on spirituality.
This subjective approach to life became the Pra'n'a Dharma of Indians."
(AFPS-6, 'Pra'n'a Dharma')
So by His above teachings it is clear that the land of India has a special
link with the sublime ideals of spirituality. And it is not just one place
that Baba describes this phenomenon but many. Because this entire thesis
Baba discusses at length in His discourse 'Spirituality & India' from AV-28
chapter 20 Hindi edition.
WHERE TO PUT OUR AM CENTRAL OFFICE
Thus when the mass of people in India are inclined towards spiritual ideals
then it only makes sense that at least for the time being our HQ should
remain in India.
That is not to say that Indian margiis are more spiritual than overseas
margiis-- it is not like that. That is not the comparison to be made. If
anything overseas margiis have a very special samskara because even though
they grew up in materialistic areas still they did not get drowned in that
but were attracted to the divine ideals of AM. That itself is a special
characteristic.
At the same time it has to be recognised that the mass of people in India--
whether margii or not-- are far more ensconced in the ways of tantra than
other countries around the globe.
That is why if any of our avadhutas is walking down the street with their
skulls in a bag then the people will have reverence for him-- thinking him
to be a great tantric and a well-wisher of society.
In contrast if anyone is caught moving around with skulls in most overseas
countries then they will either be arrested or questioned by the police.
The people there will think that our avadhuta is crazy. Reason being those
local citizens and officials have no inherent appreciation for the dharmic
ways of tantra.
And like this there are thousands and thousands of examples of how the
people in India will naturally support so many of the tantric ideals which
our Marga preaches. In that case AM has a supportive environment in which
to exist-- and will not be under attack each and every minute, or rejected
outrightly.
Thus even though the land of India is not without its clashes-- both past
and present-- still it has to be recognised that India remains the best
place for us to keep our HQ. This land is most suited for the successful
build up of our Marga.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace the day is fast arriving where the sublime ideals of AM
will touch each and every human heart.
Baba says, "Remember, everyone is entitled to sa'dhana'. For this, nothing
neither pedigree, education, knowledge nor any asset, is necessary except
only two things - implicit faith and sincerity. Arouse these two things
through your will-power and victory is yours, it must come." (SS-4)
Namaskar,
Mahendra
Note 1: This is an involved topic where lengthy, lengthy letters can be
written so there are certainly more aspects and points to discuss. But many
senior margiis around the globe maintain that these points all support
keeping our HQ in India, at least for the time being. That will be best for
our AM mission.
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"A" GRADE DEVOTEES
Here is Baba's guideline:
"As Parama Purus'a knows better than me about my own needs, why should I
ask Him for anything? He knows exactly what I need for my development." A
mother knows more about the needs of her child than the child itself. When
the child weeps, the mother instinctively knows that the child is feeling
cold, for example, and covers its body with a blanket. The child stops
crying immediately. Just as the child is dependent on its mother, human
beings are dependent on Parama Purus'a. That is, "I know that You will
surely do what is good for me. So why should I ask You for anything? It is
meaningless, as You know better than me where my best interests lie." So
the higher-grade devotees do not pray for anything. Their simple approach
is, "Parama Purus'a, please do whatever You think is best for me. All I
want is to give You joy through my actions." (AV-4, p.65-6)
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