== MISUSE OF "SEE THE BRIGHT SIDE" ==
Namaskar,
One on-going issue in our Marga revolves around: "See the bright side."
There are conflicting ideas about what this guideline means and how this
should be understood. Without properly understanding the spirit of "see
the bright side", we will never be able to bring our Marga onto the
proper track.
Please consider the following and write in with your thoughts.
SCENARIO:
MISUSE OF "SEEING THE BRIGHT SIDE"
On 26 November 2008, a small group of exceptional youths made an arduous
journey from Pakistan to Mumbai (India). Despite being fatigued from
their trip, they focused their minds on the task at hand. With excellent
planning and meticulous preparation, this small yet dynamic team of
youths executed their grand plan to perfection. Nobody was their equal -
their courage and valour were unparalleled, as was their technique. With
their firm determination to do and die for their cause, they were
unstoppable. All in all they put forth an historic effort that people
will remember for ages and ages.
Is this how we should see the bright side?
Is this the way we should remember the tragic tale of what occurred in
Mumbai (Nov 26 - 28, 2008) when armed terrorists unleashed their fury on
the financial district and tourist areas of Mumbai, killing more than
200 people and wounding at least 300 others during their bloody and
destructive 2-day siege of the city.
Or should we tell how a reckless bunch of militant and heartless
terrorists open-fired on innocent, helpless people and travelers,
spilling blood all over the cafes, hotels, and offices of Mumbai.
What should be our portrayal? Of course we should choose the latter so
that we can prevent such events in the future. No rational person can
object by saying, "That is not seeing the bright side."
Because when any wrongdoing, injustice, or harm is done in society or
collective life, then our moral duty is to point out that problem. We
should not sit back and ignore the matter and just raise superficial
good points. Rather we are to point out the wrongs and correct those
problems. That is Baba's teaching and He Himself has done like that.
Baba says, "I direct this not only to those who think deeply about
social welfare, but to all members of society, to impress upon them that
no one, through their thoughts, words or actions, should ever condone
injustice." (HS-1)
That is why Baba has gone to great lengths in so many discourses to
outline the injustices and wrongs done by communists, capitalists,
crafty politicians, dogmatic priests, and the like. And He wants that we
should do the same.
WHAT IT MEANS TO "SEE THE BRIGHT SIDE"
& HOW SOME MISUSE THIS TEACHING
Baba's special guideline about "seeing the bright side" applies
primarily to individual life. We are to see the good qualities in others
and accept them as our brothers and sisters. Every unit being has their
defects - they may dress poorly, or even be illiterate - but we should
not harbor those defects in our mind, rather we should embrace other
people's inherent gifts and accept them as our kith and kin. That is how
we are to see the bright side and that will have a huge impact.
The main thing is that seeing the bright side is used primarily for
individual life, not critical social issues like womens' rights, child
abuse, stealing corruption, plagiarism, and embezzlement etc. In the
name of "seeing the bright side" we are not to pay a blind eye to such
injustices.
Yet that is what a few advocate when rational margiis point out the
current ills in AMPS. In that case, they misuse Baba's teaching, "See
the bright side."
APPLYING THIS UNDERSTANDING TO AMPS
Our organisation is a social structure that has been formed to deliver
Baba's teachings to the humanity. Thus when groupism, scriptural
distortions, and the destruction of margii rights are rampant in our
organisation, it is our duty to point out these wrongs and fix the
organisation.
Only misguided people will manipulate Baba's "see the bright side"
guideline to cover up those social injustices. Yet that is what some do,
and they strongly object when rational margiis point out the injustices
and dogmas going on in our Marga.
Margiis have rightly raised important issues like Fake Ananda Vanii,
scriptural distortions, dogmatic tiirthas and mahaprayan, curtailment of
BP rights, and so many other wrongs, yet in response some say, "See the
bright side - keep quiet about all those wrongs - do not look in that
direction - if you cannot say anything good then say nothing at all."
But this type of response is nothing but a misuse of Baba's divine
teaching of "See the bright side."
Because when injustices are committed then it is our duty to point out
those problems. That is what Baba has always done and He wants that we
should follow His example.
MORE SCENARIOS:
MISUSE OF "SEEING THE BRIGHT SIDE"
Here are some more case studies. We must remember that "See the bright
side" does mean that we should keep mum about social injustices.
Shall we exclusively remember one lady in India as someone who held
great power and grand appeal and wore a fantastic array of saris. Is
this how we should see the bright side, or should we remember Mrs.
Indira Gandhi as one hateful ruler who plunged India into martial law
and tortured so many innocent citizens. Obviously, when Baba Himself has
outrightly criticised Mrs. Gandhi then that is our way as well. And no
one can say that we are not seeing the bright side.
Likewise, shall we describe a leader in Europe in the early to mid 20th
century as the person who created the most efficient war machine in
history and had a great love of classical opera music. Is this how we
should see the bright side or should we remember Adolf Hitler as one
demonic man who put millions and millions to the grave.
Shall we praise top capitalists for donating millions of dollars to
universities and funding grants for new libraries. Is this how we should
see the bright side or should we adopt Baba's platform and condemn such
capitalists as being bloodsuckers of society.
By all these examples, I think the point has become clear.
SEEING THE BRIGHT SIDE DOES NOT MEAN
PAYING A BLIND EYE TO INJUSTICES AND DOGMA
Here the main idea is that "seeing the bright side" does not mean
ignoring what is wrong with society. We are not worshipers of the status
quo.
Mrs Indira Gandhi, Adolf Hitler, and top capitalists have a vast array
of good qualities in their personal life - there are good things to say
about them - but as their lives stand as a scar on society, Baba wants
that their misdeeds should be known to all and rectified.
That is why in His discourses Baba does not say that Mrs Gandhi dressed
in a sentient manner or that Hitler was a vegetarian.
Only Baba points out the ways such persons harmed society. That is the
proper path.
"SEEING THE BRIGHT SIDE" IN AM
In the same way, when our organisation is riddled with so many problems,
when dogmas, the lust for power, and poor conduct are pervading all
aspects of organisational life, it is clear that we should come forward
and correct those things, and not blindly say, "See the bright side" and
let those problems fester.
That would be a misuse and abuse of Baba divine teaching, "See the
bright side."
Unfortunately, a few persons only want to talk about the opening of
schools, or pracar events, or mass-feeding programs. They wrongly think
if we "see the bright side" by ignoring all injustices then everything
will be alright.
They fail to understand that by fixing the problems in the organisation,
then the number of AM schools openings will increase multi-fold, our
pracar events will increase dramatically in size, and our mass-feeding
programs will be huge and well-funded. All these great developments can
and will happen by fixing the ills in our AMPS.
But first we must ensure that AMPS is a proper representation of AM ideals.
So pointing out the defects is a must and none should misuse Baba's
great teaching of "See the bright side" as a way to close the door on
fixing AMPS.
"See the bright side" is Baba's great teaching on viewing all as part of
our integrated and universal human family. We must not dwell on
someone's personal faults but instead must view them in the highest way
possible. That will help bring people together and overcome any divisive
feelings. So "See the bright side" is a great tool for individual life.
And when evaluating the society, then we must investigate any wrongdoing
and pay a keen eye to resolving that matter.
Baba says, "I direct this not only to those who think deeply about
social welfare, but to all members of society, to impress upon them that
no one, through their thoughts, words or actions, should ever condone
injustice." (HS-1)
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace we should understand all His guidelines and make our
Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha shine. None should fall prey to the
defective understanding of "See the bright side" and therefore conclude
that wrongdoings in AMPS should be overlooked. This is not the way.
Baba says, "If any physical, psychic, social, moral or spiritual
weakness becomes apparent in a particular activity or in any sphere of
individual or social life, it is the duty of the other members of
society to eradicate that weakness with all the sweetness of their
hearts." (HS-1)
Namaskar,
Jitendra
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Selection of Males and Females - Part II
Baba says, "It is very beneficial for society if people of sublime
intelligence and brilliance reproduce more off-spring. The
responsibility of rendering proper nourishment to the progeny of such
persons will have to be taken by society and the government itself."
(PNS-13, p. 47)
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