== TO BECOME A-GRADE BHAKTA ==
Namaskar,
This entire letter revolves around the spiritual ideal of how
one can become an A-Grade bhakta, according to Baba. Being the Sadguru,
Baba has graciously provided us with the exact way to reach this pinnacled
state.
AIM OF HUMAN LIFE: GETTING HIM
In this ultra-modern, materialistic era, we see how the mass of people
thrust their minds in various directions. Their mind gets stained with the
mundane colours of this world. This we all understand well and we all
witness such events throughout the day.
In contrast, as Ananda Margiis we know that we are to spend our human life
involved in spiritual pursuits. In innumerable discourses, Baba has told us
that human life is something very special-- very rare. And the aim of this
human life is to come close Parama Purusa. And the only means we have for
achieving this is through sadhana. And the chief ingredient for doing
proper sadhana is bhakti. This magic formula is known to every Ananda
Margii-- whether they be wholetimer or family margii or LFT etc.
So now, on the cusp of this spring season, we should take the time to
objectively evaluate our own standard of bhakti and also remain aware of
the fact that we can always heighten our standard, by His grace. Because
Baba has given us the tools to do so.
THREE GRADES OF BHAKTAS
In order to move ahead let us take a look at one of the main ways that Baba
has given us for measuring one's standard of bhakti.
Baba says, "The bhaktas of the lowest category think, "As Parama Purus'a
belongs to all, so certainly He belongs to me as well because I am one of
the multitude." Thoughts of this type are not very congenial for one's
spiritual progress. The second category of bhaktas is slightly better than
this. They think, "Parama Purus'a is mine, and thus He must belong to
others also." That is, the bhaktas of both categories have no hesitation in
sharing Parama Purus'a with others. But the bhaktas of the highest category
think, "Parama Purus'a is mine only and He belongs to no one else." This is
the sign of an excellent sa'dhaka, and the spiritual progress of this
category is inevitable. "He is mine and mine alone and He does not belong
to anyone else" - this assertion is undoubtedly true." (SS-11, 26 February
1971 DMC, Jammu)
So in His above guideline Baba acutely describes to us the three broad
categories of bhaktas. And by internalizing Baba's teachings we can easily
do self-analysis and understand where we are.
IMPORTANCE OF SELF-ANALYSIS
And really self-analysis is the key here because our entire relation with
Parama Purusa is an internal affair. There is no third party involved. It
is between I and God, between I and Baba. I may brag about my greatness to
others, but what I am is not hidden in front of Parama Purusa. He sees me
for who I am.
So through self-analysis we should become truthful to ourselves about who
we are-- what type of bhakta we are and what our relation is with Parama
Purusa. All this is quite important.
Because with Parama Purusa we should always be natural and straight and not
pretend to be something else. That will not work. So self-analysis will
help make our relation with Parama Purusa to be sincere and natural, which
in turn will help give us the impetus & insight to proceed ahead on the
path of bhakti.
Hence, the whole concept of measuring one's own level of bhakti is not some
hazy, baseless affair; rather, it is quite practical and highly scientific
and is based on the process of self-analysis.
THE THREE CATEGORIES OF BHAKTAS (REVISITED)
So once again, regarding the three categories or grades of devotees, Baba
is quite clear:
(a) The lowest bhaktas think that since Parama Purusa belongs to all then
He also belongs to me also since I am part of the all.
But this standard is not very desirable since one is willing to share
Parama Purusa with others. That is Baba's teaching.
(b) The next category of bhaktas falls into a similar problem. They think
that since Parama Purusa belongs to me then He must belong to others also.
Here again though the sadhaka is willing to share Parama Purusa with
others-- that is the main weakness of this approach.
(c) Finally, those who are A-grade bhaktas lovingly feel in their heart
that 'Baba is mine and mine alone'.
Such bhaktas do not feel comfortable sharing Parama Purusa with others.
They want Baba all to themselves.
According to Baba, this is the highest standard and such devotees are sure
to reach the Goal. Their success is guaranteed.
MORE ABOUT THIS HIGHEST STATE OF BHAKTI
And indeed this type of feeling-- of not wanting to share that which is
most treasured-- is very natural in any kind of worldly attraction as well.
All might have had the mundane experience that one does not like to share
those things which they are deeply attached with. For example, a mother has
very strong attachment for her baby; so, the mother does not like to share
that baby with others.
Similarly, that same theory applies with the highest realm of bhakti also.
That stage comes where one feels that Parama Purusa is mine and mine alone.
In that realm, one has the feeling in their heart not to share Baba with
anyone else. This aspect is completely internal and the heart gets that
feeling intrinsically by His grace. It is not something external where one
is bragging to others or showing off their greatness in public. It is not
like that. Rather, when through bhakti one feels that 'Baba is mine and
mine alone', then that is just a soft, sweet internal feeling in the core
of one's heart.
So every sadhaka should do self-analysis and understand, 'If I want to
share Baba with others or not'. Because understanding this will enable one
to move ahead on the path.
GETTING TO THAT POINT
Ultimately, in order to become that highest standard of bhakta-- where we
think that Baba is mine and mine alone-- then two basic steps are needed.
STEP ONE: SELF ANALYSIS
First, we should openly and honestly evaluate our present status; we should
sincerely recognise who we are as sadhakas. In that case we have to ask
ourselves again and again, 'what is the nature of my relation with Baba, to
what degree do I consider Him my own'. An honest estimation or
self-analysis is needed otherwise we will not be able to rise up to the
next level.
Because Baba warns us again and again that there is not an iota of scope
for duplicity or hypocrisy in spiritual life. So who we are, we should
recognise and act accordingly inside. We should not falsely lie to
ourselves if that is not who we are. So we should be true to our nature and
at the same time dearly hold onto the vision that through sadhana and by
His grace we may increase our standard.
THEORETICAL UNDERSTANDING IS NOT ENOUGH
Theoretically understanding all this is very easy but bringing the feeling
that 'Parama Purusa is mine and mine alone' is very difficult. Bringing
this idea in the domain of one's internal realisation is a huge endeavour.
Just as it is easy to intellectually think that 'I am Brahma'. Whereas to
internally feel and realise that 'I am Brahma' is completely different--
i.e. it is not easy. It takes sincere effort-- it takes sadhana, i.e.
Iishvara Pranidhan or first lesson. And by that way one can get there.
Similarly to develop the realisation that 'Baba is mine and mine alone',
that demands intensive sadhana. Specifically, it means doing prolonged
dhyana or sixth lesson.
STEP TWO: SADHANA IS NEEDED
So the second aspect is that we should be sincere in sadhana. All the
lessons will pointedly help us to develop our spiritual base. These lessons
will clean the mind and with that purified mind we can pointedly rush
towards Him in dhyana. Because actually it is sixth lesson, or dhyana,
which ultimately enables us become established in that highest grade of
devotion.
Why is it that dhyana is necessary? Why is it that dhyana is the secret to
becoming an A-Grade bhakta? Because in dhyana one comes in very close
proximity with Parama Purusa and one loves Him and serves Him and shares
the feeling of their heart with Him. So much internal communication happens
that is completely personal.
And as this feeling grows more and more intense through dhyana then one
internally starts feeling that 'I do not want to share Baba with anyone,
Baba is mine and mine alone'.
So dhyana is the only lesson which gives us the training and requisite
bhakti to develop a more personal and intimate link with Baba. There is no
other lesson like this. But to do dhyana or to reach up to that heightened
stage of dhyana, other lessons are needed. All the lessons will serve as
support pieces for strengthening dhyana. And then with dhyana an intimate
feeling for Baba will grow more and more.
So the regular practice of all the lessons and doing dhyana will bring Baba
in a very close and intimate way. In which case that will make this highest
stance of bhakti attainable.
Of course nothing can come about without His grace. So His blessing is
needed. And that He is surely giving. What we have to remember is that from
our own side, effort is needed. And proper effort in dhyana will raise one
to the highest standard. Because it is only in dhyana that one can nurture
and cultivate that intimate relation that 'Baba is mine and mine alone'.
This feeling can only arise in the mind through intense and sincere
practice of dhyana. That is Baba's teaching.
MUST OFFER ALL COLOURS UNTO HIM
As our practice of dhyana grows then one becomes more and
more like Parama Purusa. That is, one sheds their colours by offering them
unto Him. And in that way, when one is not shackled by so many worldly
attachments, then the sadhaka becomes more and more fixed on the Goal. And
in a spontaneous way the feeling will arise in the mind that, 'Baba is mine
and mine alone'.
This is the beautiful process that happens through dhyana.
Baba says, "'By surrendering all the colours of my mind to You, I want to
become colourless.' This surrender to the Supreme Consciousness propels
human beings towards Him. So this colour festival is not merely an outward
play; it is purely a psycho-spiritual phenomenon. This very
psycho-spiritual phenomenon is operating behind the process of
varn´a´rghyada´na [offering of colours]. 'O Lord, make me colourless so
that I may move towards You without any hesitation'." (NH-LOI, 'Inner Asset')
BABA'S BLESSING
By His divine grace, we will all feel that sweetest level of bhakti in our
lives.
Baba says, "This bhakti is a heavenly attribution, and this heavenly
attribution is enjoyed by human beings." (SS-17, 1 June 1986 DMC, Calcutta)
Namaskar,
Amoghasiddhi
Note 1: MAKING THE MIND CLEAN AND CONCENTRATED
Ultimately to make dhyana a veritable force in our lives, two distinct
qualities are needed. The mind must be both clean and concentrated.
Think of it this way. If you look in the water to see your reflection then
two things are needed. The water must be clear and the water must be still.
Without both those attributions, one cannot see their reflection in the
water.
Likewise, in order to see Baba in dhyana, those same two qualities are
needed.
Firstly, that mind must be clear-- i.e. pure or clean just like that water.
That means the mind must have the earnest desire to move on the spiritual
path and not get hung up on mundane allurements. In this regard the other
lessons and aspects of sadhana help a lot such as iishvara pranidhana,
cakra shodhana (5th lesson), Guru Puja, Kiirtan, etc.
Secondly, that mind must concentrated. That is, it must not move all over
the place like a river. Rather it should remain quiet and still in one
place. Or more specifically there should be a gentle flow of mind towards
the Goal. Dhyana is a dynamic expression of mind.
That is the beauty of concentration and that is a requisite of
dhyana. Otherwise one will not be able to keep the idea & image of Baba in
the mind. And to enhance concentration, then tattva dharana (3rd lesson),
pranayama (4th lesson) and so many related spiritual practices are needed.
So if the mind is dirty or fickle then dhyana is nothing but a dream.
Whereas if we do all our spiritual practices and as our moral conduct
improves then certainly our dhyana will grow more and more.
And by Baba's grace dhyana is that special tool to bring Baba in one's
close proximity and become an A-Grade bhakta. Certainly by regular dhyana,
this sweet and intimate relation will descend in the dry heart, by His grace.
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