== A DIALOGUE: SADHANA & FOOD ==
Namaskar,
In our unit, some time back there was a three hour akhanda kiirtan program and after kiirtan
and dharmacakra, one acarya did svadhyaya by reading Baba's book. Dada read
just one paragraph and then he explained the importance of sadhana.
Dadaji told: To do better sadhana, one has to follow 16 Pts very strictly,
because Baba has given 16 Points for our all-round development-- physical,
mental, and spiritual. To do better sadhana, physical purification then is
also needed. If the body is sick or where you are sitting mosquitoes are
biting you, then concentration is not possible. So the central idea is that
to do sadhana the body should be disease-free and pure.
To maintain this purity of body, Baba has instructed us about proper food,
asana and upavasa. In loose language people call 'upavasa' as fasting. But
that is not the proper term. The real meaning of upavasa is to remain close
with Parama Purusa.
Baba says, "Upavasa= During these days, keeping their minds engaged in
spiritual matters, sadhakas 'live closer' to God." (NSS)
Dadaji continued: You may ask the question that when the stomach is hungry
then how to remain close to Parama Purusa? What is the connection between
the two? Well, the answer is very simple. After taking food the body gets
drowsy or lethargic and then sleepiness comes. In that very state of mind
what to say about spiritual sadhana or keeping close proximity to Parama
Purusa, one cannot manage better thinking or writing something substantial.
STUDENTS- EXAMINATION & FASTING
Dada explained: That is why practical students during their crucial
examination tests etc, they do not take anything. Rather they do fasting.
Then their whole energy is channelised towards the higher cakras. In
contrast, if food is taken it remains around the manipura cakra. Then to
digest that food, a huge amount of physical energy is involved in that
direction. And during this process of digestion the capacity of the brain
gets retarded. The function slows down. Whereas, if the stomach is empty
and there is nothing in it, no food, then whole energy is diverted toward
the functioning of the brain. And the result is better thinking and pointed
memory.
So to do proper sadhana or remain close with Parama Purusa, an empty
stomach is a prerequisite factor. That is why Baba has made the system that
before taking food one should do sadhana. Otherwise HE would have made the
it in different way. For example He would have told first you eat fully
belly and feel comfortable and at ease, and then start practicing sadhana.
But that would have been meaningless because after eating people would have
slept and dharmacakra would have changed into a sleeping place.
Even then there are a couple persons who do not care about this rule and
after taking snacks they come for meditation. But in that condition they
are feeling more drowsy and they often fall asleep. So by that way anyone
can understand who has eaten something. Need not to ask them just if anyone
is sitting behind you and they start snoring then you will know that this
point is missing. Or for example in our last dharmacakra, one fairly new
margii was sitting behind me and with his head he was hitting me off and on
in the back. And later on I found out that the reason was what I explained.
That is why Baba has made the system in different way. That is before the
meal when the stomach is empty, then we do sadhana. So this point should be
crystal clear that to remain close to Parama Purusa, the emptiness of the
stomach is needed. That is why fasting is a very good day to remain close
to Parama Purusa.
EFFECT OF MOON
ON MIND, BODY, SPIRITUAL PRACTICES & TOTAL HEALTH
Dadaji continued: As we know our prescribed fasting system is on ekadashii,
amavasya and purnima day. Respectively, the (a) 11th day after the full or
new moon; (b) the full moon itself; and (c) the new moon. And these dates
are related with moon, not with the sun. So specific and particular dates
cannot be fixed for this because our traditional western calendar (Jan Feb
Etc) is based on the sun, whereas ekadashii, purnima and amavasya are
based on the moon. For example Ekadashii is the 11th moon and Purnima is
the 15th moon, that is the calculation. The question then is, how is the
moon is affecting our bodily system.
Well again, the answer is very simple. We are living on this earth and the
moon is the closest celestial body. And it is revolving around the earth
and it has its own gravitational pull, so it affects the body. That is why
since ages, people have been aware about some negativity about the moon.
Meaning that the on this earth moon's negativity on certain days is so
extreme that in the oceans, high tidal waves are generated. And many
negative effects are quite visible on the human body. This is known to
almost all. On this point there is no question of margii or non-margii.
But of course for those Ananda Margiis who are living on other planets
their fasting system is different.
EFFECT OF THE MOON - LUNATIC - LUNATIC ASYLUM
You may know the term lunatic. And in the general way, lunatic means crazy
or mad. And if you go in deeper sense you will see that lunatic term comes
from luna, meaning moon. And weak-minded people when they are struck by the
negative effect of moon, then they invite various types of diseases-some
physical and some seriously mental. That is why on certain days doctors are
very alert to receive and treat such patients who are negatively affected
by the moon. So this negative effect of the moon is quite well known in
general society everywhere.
SUN DATES AND MOON DATES ARE DIFFERENT
HOW TO CALCULATE
As mentioned a few paragraphs prior, moon dates are not fixed dates. Just
see. Suppose in one month ekadashii is on the 8th then the next month it
may be on the 7th or 6th. So certain dates are not fixed. That is why since
thousands of years various people & different astronomers have been
calculating the rotation of the moon. And they are making different
calendars to fix when there will be ekadashii, amavasya, purnima, and all
sorts of dates.
And in our AM system many things are depending on the rotation of the moon.
So if we do not know the proper rotation of the moon in that country where
we are living, then we will miss the entire benefit of fasting. As well as
other pursuits like kapalik sadhana.
Dadaji said: Let me clear it more. Suppose here in India today is
ekadashii. Then the moon will certainly affect the lithosphere of India
today. But at that same time the moon may not be present in England. So if
margiis of England start using the Indian calendar then most probably they
are doing wrong. Because when ekadashii has already passed in India then
they may not be experiencing ekadashii there in Europe. So in this case to
avoid the incongruity, depending on the local calendar according to the
area or country is better. And this local calendar must be a local, lunar
calendar.
One other approach is to check various astronomical websites or astronomy
academies for example like in the USA they have the Naval Astronomical Dept
etc. That has the official calendar of phases of the moon and similarly
there are so many sites like that.
But the sense is remaining in dogma and following the Indian dates of
fasting or amavasya will not serve the purpose. That will be treated as
mindless or dogmatic approach.
After listening this entire discussion from respected Dadaji, I raised the
question.
'Dadaji, what way are you managing there in Suva sector where you are
posted. Because these types of moon calendars are available in India,
because most parts of India the moon calendar is used in the agricultural
system. So here such lunar calendars are commonly available, even
illiterate villagers know about this. But how in western countries are
people aware about the moon calendar?'
Dada replied, 'Remember, this is the advanced age of science and people
have various types of calendars. I have seen in different countries that
the moon calendar is not very common but if anybody searches then they will
find it.
'So each year I purchase an astronomical calendar published in Australia
that gives the exact time of the phases of the moon, ie when Purnima /
Amavasya start and finish etc and the peak time, according to Australian
location on the planet. According to this we do fasting and I do Kapalik.'
Then I asked, 'Dadaji, does everyone follow like this, is it a commonly
known thing? What about general margiis and other Dadas. Are they also
aware about the moon calendar, and accordingly do they do fasting and
Kapalik sadhana?'
Dada replied, 'There a few perfect that is very aware-indeed some margiis
are very careful and profound on this point.'
'Or let me say some clearly that some WTs in Suva who do fasting and some
Avadhutas who do Kapalika follow the AM diary published in India. And that
is completely different dates from Suva Sector. I have been aware that
certain Dadas / Didis do Kapalik sadhana a day sometimes 2 days before the
Australian Amavasya date. And according to the Australian calendar
sometimes it happens that the day they are doing sadhana is not even the
time of Amavasya. So you see it is their ignorance.'
I then asked, 'Dadaji why did you not correct them?'
Dada said, 'Many persons correct themselves but some are still following
the dogmatic path. Those who did not like to understand when I raise the
question to them, they generally reply dogmatically that for them the AM
diary is the most important guide. Some of them even joke that they
imagine they are in India, that is why they follow India dates and times.
But the number of people who do like this is meagre, and shrinking more and
more. Because these days people are following logic and reasoning more than
dogmatic beliefs, so the situation is getting better and better day by day.'
After listening to all this one margii suggested:
'In the future the administration itself will issue a statement that each
sector must publish their own fasting / Kapalika sadhana calendar for
margiis / Kapalikas according to the lunar cycles of that place. Otherwise
this international AM diary with published fasting/Kapalik dates is causing
confusion and dogma amongst margiis.'
After listening to all this description in detail, we thought that this is
quite an interesting chapter and that the entire global margii society--
those margii brothers and sisters living in each and every country-they
should also be benefited. And not only this I personally am more interested
to know other senior margiis and WTs valuable thoughts and opinion on this
highly practical subject which is directly related with our sadhana. Please
write your opinion.
Brotherly,
Manjit
Note 1: In dogmatic religions like Christianity during their prayers they
eat also. And what they eat we are all aware-- wine, bread etc. Because
they are purely ritualistic so they do not know higher things so they get
stuck in dogma. And same is with the Muslims. They do not eat but their
namaz is just like stretching the body-- means it is just like some physial
exercises etc. These are all the proof how they are tied up in the tight
noose of dogma.
Note 2: When people of this earth will start travelling to other planets
then their fasting dates will be changed.
Note 3: Up above in the main letter one point was addressed about AM has
reached to different planets. Those who attended that General Darshan on
3rd January 1979 in Patna where Baba is talking about how AM of Jamalpur
became universal, and in that very discourse Baba is telling that now
A'nanda Ma'rga has reached to 49 planets and is spreading across the from
one planet to the next. Specifically Baba says that AM has already spread
and now it is spreading more. So those who do not have the cassette they
should find out and listen-- remaining in ignorance is not good. In the
book Ananda Vacanamrtam part 7, those who transcribed the discourse did not
have the shakti in their heart so because of their standard of mind they
knowingly omitted those lines of Baba's discourse about AM being on the 49
planets and spreading to more-- so that could not come in the printed book.
(Reference AV-7, Disc 150 'Spiritual Truth Surpasses Everything')
Note 4: Here below Baba tells about the deep importance of sadhana.
"Question: What is more important in this life: Brahma Sa'dhana' or
constructive work?"
"Answer-- The aim of a living being is Brahma Sa'dhana'. Just like having a
bath, eating, and sleeping, constructive work is also a part of Brahma
Sadhana. Therefore Brahma Sadhana is more important than anything else."
(APH-3, p. 227)
