== PROUT: SAVE MONEY WITH PSYCHO-ECONOMY ==
Namaskar,
This letter contains something for everybody-- how to save money and be
healthy by paying heed to Baba's Proutistic teachings of psycho-economy.
AN ONGOING, UNDETECTED, BALLOONING ISSUE
The ills of capitalism are fast rising to the surface: Inflation, energy
costs, mortgage lending, collapsed banks, 'bear market', corporate
buyouts etc, etc. These terms make the headlines every day.
However, there is one aspect of this materialistic, free market economy
that is causing great harm yet going largely unnoticed-- or at least is
going mostly undiscussed. Probably because it is accepted as being
'alright' by most of the people, by the general public.
Namely, as we know, today's capitalistic system is based on the
profit-motive, not on consumer needs. In result, corporations or
businesses make piles of money by convincing susceptible consumers of
buying products which they do not need. And the chief outcome is that
that business is praised, honoured, and heavily rewarded $$$, what to
speak of rebuked and rectified. That is one side of the story.
The other is that countless consumers waste what little money they have
by purchasing those unneeded & often harmful products, such as
cigarettes, alcohol, junk food, coffee, pornographic videos, gambling
etc. Or in countries like the USA, people buy more of what they already
have in order to keep up with the rage of fashion. That is why people
have 50 or even 100 expensive, name-brand shirts in their closet, when
really only a few cheaper, yet high-quality varieties are needed.
Or sometimes like with computer parts, they are all manufactured in the
same place, and then various companies put their own labels on those
items. But consumers-- do not see this-- only they chase after that
company label, and pay two or three times the price for the very same item.
So in one way or another people are lured into buying, buying and buying
things which they do not need-- or pay more for what they could really
buy for less. Nearly everyone is ensnared in this debacle. All because
companies take extreme measures to convince the innocent public that to
get ahead in life or to enjoy living then xyz product is a "must-have"
item, or be left out in the cold.
This is the awful environment in today's capitalist system. And most are
unaware about it or too helpless or stuck to do anything.
TEENS ARE MOST AFFECTED
Tragically, this is the on-going issue in today's economy: Consumers get
duped into buying products either which they do not need or that will
not be beneficial for them, either mentally or physically or both. But
because of massive advertising, good citizens have been brain-washed
into purchasing those things. Sadly, it is most often our youths-- our
teenagers-- who fall prey to this.
Teens buy sexually-laced movies and videos, designer clothing,
extraneous gadgets, and so many things which they think they need in
order to look 'cool', 'hip', 'modern' etc. And while for years and years
this practice was going on primarily in the US, now because of the
internet and the growing Asian economy, this negative trend has spread
all around the world.
Outside of teens in general, the second most affected population is
probably women, with teenage women being the most victimised, overall.
But in one way or another everyone is affected. Most certainly even you
and I, to some or more degree.
Below please read more about this systemic problem as well as Baba's
perfect solution: Psycho-economy.
HOW IT HAPPENS
In the dizzying array of today's advertising battlegrounds, general
citizens are bombarded with thousands and thousands of advertisements
each and every day. Of course, the more television one watches, the more
newspapers one reads, the more internet surfing one does, the more one
is prone to getting exploited. Because those advertisements and media
messages goad a person to look or act in certain way; and, the general
people get lulled in that direction, knowingly or unknowingly.
And this pull is only further emphasized by countless movies, books,
billboards, and subtle and not-so-subtle messages from fellow consumers
etc. Verily it is everywhere and nearly everyone is caught up in this
mess, whether they wish to admit it or not. Some people may not have the
money to purchase what they desire, and they are also caught up--
because they will suffer from an inferiority complex, thinking that they
are a low-life for not having that expensive car or costly home or
expensive shoe etc. So nearly everyone gets caught up-- one way or another.
But again, our teenagers are often hit the hardest. In fact, one
sexually provocative novel for teens recently sold 20 million copies--
and this is in an era when hardly anyone ever reads anymore or buys
books. Just imagine how many more are reading those same passages online.
Because teenagers are such an impressionable and innocent group, they
are regularly targeted by corporate advertising departments as well as
by individual scammers trying to make a big sell.
The problem with all of this is that families end up spending whatever
little money they have on items that they really do not need for their
survival, or on things that are harmful for them. Because people
purchase things which they have the psychic urge to buy based on crafty
advertising etc. And most of the time, such purchases lead to the
degeneration of mind as well as degrading habits & life practices like
on-line pornography, crude cosmetics, skimpy clothing, etc. And this may
even force a family to go into debt or forgo the purchasing of basic
essentials of life like food, rent etc.
This is the very grave and real problem which burdens hundreds of
millions-- if not billions of people-- on a daily basis.
HOW PROUT CAN HELP: PSYCHO-ECONOMY
So what is to be done in the face of all of this.
By Baba's grace Prout philosophy has the exact answer: consumer
education-- true consumer education. Not just issuing a cheezy Q & A
pamphlet about how to shop like many consumer advocacy groups publish,
but rather giving a pointed analysis with graphic demonstrations and
protests that will awaken the masses as to what is going on and how they
are getting exploited, befooled, and duped. This highly important aspect
of the Proutistic enterprise is known as psycho-economy.
Baba says, "Psycho-economy...endeavours to eradicate exploitative and
unjust economic practices, behaviours and structures. It will counter
all economic and psycho-economic exploitation and make people aware of
how capitalists, in their singular or collective roles, exploit society
and create unhealthy, artificial demands which not only poison the mind
but encourage dangerous habits detrimental to psychic sanctity and
expansion. The first and foremost duty of psycho-economics is to wage a
tireless fight against all degenerating and dehumanizing economic trends
in society." (PNS-12)
Only psycho-economy can start to open the eyes of the people as to how
they are getting 'taken for a ride' day in and day out by cunning,
ruthless capitalist exploiters.
A PROBLEM WITH OUR VALUE SYSTEM
Right now, in all the materialistic-oriented countries, which are
growing in number day by day, the whole concept of what it means to be
human is getting lost. People measure themselves based on how their hair
looks, what they own, how they look, what brand of clothing they wear,
and so many other useless and superficial measuring rods. The whole
society is falling in this direction because of living under a
mass-media blitz, 24/7. This creates the desire of buying useless items
and going into debt by overspending, or it creates in people the
inferiority complex that they are not as good as others simply because
the name-brand of their shirt is different.
Here below Baba warns us of what happens when there is this degree of
psychic bankruptcy on the planet.
Baba says, "If there is a lack of prama' in the psychic sphere, then
many omissional and commissional mistakes and defects are bound to enter
into their art, architecture, literature, philosophy, science and other
branches of human knowledge. Dance may lose its rhythm, painting may
lack proportion, music may lose the harmony of its melody and rhythm,
and in the various branches of literature there may be an overgrowth of
the parasitic weeds of immature expression." (Prama-1)
And that is exactly what we are seeing now. Each and every aspect of
human life is infested with crude ways of living and being, and
capitalist exploiters are making billions by selling these degrading
things to the public.
HUMAN VALUES MUST NOT GET LOST
So perhaps the first policy of our psycho-economic statutes that needs
to come forth is teaching everyone what it means to be human. Humanness
is not based on what you wear or what type of soap you use, but is based
rather on sadhana, service, and sacrifice. It is these qualities that
create a true human being.
But capitalist blood-suckers have imposed their will on the public in a
totally different way. Such that a person is someone who has a new
i-phone, mercedes-benz, swimming pool, etc etc. This foresaken,
materialistic recipe leads to the degeneration of mind and the gross and
vicious cycle of selling one's soul by investing more and more in
superficial, material ornaments.
MASS EDUCATION NEEDED
Only through Baba's teachings on psycho-economy can humanity escape from
this harmful loop.
Baba says, "Human society today has reached the stage of degeneration
and, as a result, is lost in the wilderness of economic bankruptcy,
social unrest, cultural degeneration and religious superstition." (Prama-1)
Thus only by becoming aware and awakened to the capitalistic strategies
can we lift out of this crude era. Only by breaking this bondage of
slavery and regaining our purchasing capacity can we fight this
capitalist onslaught.
So we should all understand and teach others about it means to be a
victim of capitalism and the consumer society-- i.e. purchasing things
we do not need and basing the value of life on material gains. All this
is nonsense.
As Ananda Margiis, we have a far greater ability than the common people
to slip out of this trap. But even for us it may not be easy. We have to
take an honest look at how we are living.
So the whole process of education is two-fold. People need to be taught
the real value of human life and spiritual practices as well as be
guided as to how to avoid the psychic trappings of those capitalist
exploiters. Both aspects are needed.
MORE MONEY IN THE POCKET
As soon as one opens their eyes even a wee-bit, then the first thing
they will realise is that they have a lot more money in their pocket
than they did before. And secondly, they will feel mentally free from
the oppressive wave of capitalist advertising.
This is an absolutely huge topic so cooperation amongst all is needed.
All should write in with their thoughts, comments and experiences. I
could not possibly write it all here, now.
BABA'S BLESSING
By His grace we will burst this false bubble of capitalism and provide
real socio-economic values that promote the true fulfillment of human
life-- the realisation of a spiritual ideal.
Baba says, "By propagating spirituality, implementing PROUT and
rendering selfless service to suffering humanity, you will be able to
elevate the standard of human beings in a very short time." (PNS-18)
Namaskar,
Dharma
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Fate of Egotistical People
Baba says, "It is only when the human beings, become puffed up with
vanity and misuse the power granted to them by Parama Purus'a, that He
steals everything from them. Hence, He is called Darpaha'rii - the
stealer of vanity...Vain people suffer a similar fate when their vanity
is destroyed as the balloon faces when its air is let out. But, does
Parama Purus'a snatch away everything from everyone? No, He takes away
only when the unit beings try to create obstructions in the flow of
His creation." (APH-4, p.247)
Note: In the above teaching Baba warns us about the fate of arrogant
people. As we know the ultimate antidote is developing a devotional link
in life and surrendering to the sweet will of Parama Purusa. Then in
that case arrogance will not get the scope to crop up. Unfortunately
some in our Marga overlook their devotional practices and instead get
wrapped up in their own plans and programs. Such persons can be easily
recognised as all day long they tell, 'I did this or I did that... I
delivered one lecture and all were amazed... I created one project... or
I should be the ruler...' and on and on they go about their own unit
deeds & desires-- intoxicated by their little accomplishments and
imposing their will on others. To lovingly rectify such persons, Parama
Purusa describes above what dramatic intervention He takes. Looking
around today, we can see how some in our Marga have already undergone
this thing and others are going to experience the same similar fate.
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