== ARE YOU A SADHAKA ==
Namaskar,
While there are many ways to determine if one is a sadhaka of the
proper standard or not. This following letter clearly delineates
one major aspect of the mind-set needed to be a true sadhaka.
With the utter pervasiveness of materialism, we should all be
vigilant on this point.
Everyone should read the below and then be honest with themselves.
CURRENT SOCIAL MILIEU
In this current social era, in front of Ananda Margiis 2 ideas are floating
side by side. One is from the environmental factor, i.e. the worldly
society, and the second one is from Baba's ideological guidelines & teaching.
Theses days due to a lack of high motivation and not focusing the mind to
Ista and Adarsha, the common public is self-engrossed, thinking about
themselves. Naturally their periphery of mind then gets smaller and
smaller. Because the characteristic of mind is- 'As you think so shall you
become'. So by thinking about the unit self, then the dimensions of one's
mind gets smaller and smaller. And the consequence is psychic disease:
frustration, melancholia, and so on and so forth. So many diseases will come.
In addition, such persons are hungry for someone's praise. They always
harbour the deep desire that someone should come forward and praise them.
Not only every day but every minute, otherwise they feel depressed. This is
the pitiful situation of general people these days.
IDEATON OF ANANDA MARGIIS
But the standard of margiis is quite high. Because the mind is focused on
Ista (BABA), Adarsha, proper ideation, social service and God-hood. So the
mind does not have the opportunity to think about the self. In which case
then the periphery of the mind is getting bigger and bigger and in due
course it becomes infinite. And finally in one golden dawn it becomes so
vast and that it merges into Parama Purusa, and reaches its Goal.
WHY FRUSTRATION
However, those who think about themselves most of the time they
feel frustrated; and sometimes when they get praised by others then they
feel arrogant. And then they foolishly forget that whatever little strength
they have is just the gift of Parama Purusa. Devoid of this thinking they
feel egoistic and are full of vanity. And in result they invite their
ruination.
"Aham'ka'rah patanasya mu'lam" (Shivokti no. 6)
Meaning: Pride goeth before a fall
So this malady has come from the offshoot of materialism. Mostly
materialistic minded people, those whose be-all and end-all of life is
matter, they suffer from such types of diseases. And they need day-long
appreciation by others. Otherwise frustration and depression comes in their
day to day life. Such an unfortunate episode is very common.
Now this is the time we should analyse how far Baba appreciates this
self-praise. Or the habit to enjoy self-praise. How far does this
selfishness have any value in the life of true human beings. We should see
carefully whether this self-aggrandizement is something meaningful or
detrimental.
BABA'S BLESSING
But one thing is for certain. Our scriptures say that those who are great
persons, in their life, they never get recognised. And in the society they
always get abused. About such great people's mentality Baba says:
"Nindantu niitinipun'a'h yadi va' stuvantu laks'mii....na dhiira'h."
"Let those well versed in ethics criticize or praise me, if they so like.
The goddess of wealth may be gracious enough to stay in my house or she may
go wherever she likes. Death may visit me today or decades later - it makes
little difference to me. Wise people will never withdraw from the path of
rectitude the path which they accept as their ideal." (NKS)
in Him,
Sudarshan
Note 1: BABA'S STRICT GUIDELINES AGAINST SELF-PRAISE
(A) AS STATED IN PRABHAT SAMGIITA
In Prabhat Samgiita, Baba guides us that the Divine realm is far beyond
that of criticism and adulation. Therefore those involved in their own
reputation and self-aggrandizement will never reach to BABA.
Baba says, "Ninda-stutira u'rdhva jagate toma'r a'san jyotirmaya" (PS #1280)
Meaning: Baba, Your abode is beyond the censure and praise
(B) LOW MENTALITY
Here below Baba is describing the poor mental condition of those people
who hanker after and paint their existence with their own praise.
Baba says, "Why on earth should anyone indulge in self-publicity? To whom
will he publicise himself? Such acts are the antics of common, avaricious
people with beggar-like mentality." (SS, part 2, p.49)
(C) THOSE WHO ARE VANGUARDS
As Ananda Margiis we should be fully aware of and always remember this
golden teaching of Baba: That the vanguards of society are never praised in
their age.'
Baba says, "You should always remember that those who are the vanguard of
society are always in a minority, but they are the ones who will ultimately
be victorious. Those who opposed, are opposing and will oppose the pioneers
will one day say, `Now we're driving along the roads made by our pioneers
after they cleared the jungles'. That is, they will certainly give you due
recognition in the future. They never give any recognition when something
new is started: this is the rule." (AVM)
(D) So the whole point is that those who are atheist or self seeking they
are involved in their own self-glorification, but our philosophy is not
like that. We should think about God. This is our approach. Hence engaging
in self-praise is not at all proper for a sadhaka-- rather it is unfit to
do so.
Note 2: WHERE THE HANKERING FOR PRAISE IS PREVALENT IN AM
Unfortunately it is often noticed that those who go to this or that
groupist convention or "peace meeting" hanker after running there not because
they wish to bring idealogy into the Marga, but because they want to
be seen, noticed, and appreciated. Such is the shallow mentality of
those in attendance. This is not the case with all, but one cannot say that
it is entirely uncommon either.
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Unruly Free Mixing between Males and Females?
Parama Purusa Baba says, "It does not require the harnessing of any
elaborate logic or reasoning to convince people that the final outcome of
permissiveness is not healthy. But it is also true that the result of free
mixing in society, without self-control, is bad...Hence, along with the
recognition of the freedom of the two sexes, a well-judged code of
self-control will also have to be associated with their mutual mixing."
(HS-1, p.35)
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