== VARIOUS POINTS OF SADHANA + NEWS ==
NEWS: At the bottom of this letter is some news about how certain Dadas
are spending all their time in Didis Camp. See below to find out who they
are and what they are doing.
Namaskar,
Here is a healthy reminder for one and all-- because in this materialistic
era we need to keep strong in all regards.
We all know that there are several important ingredients for success in
spiritual life and that the human existence itself short.
Baba says, "Human beings often attach less importance to the spiritual
aspect of nitya karma and more importance to the physical aspect. This is detrimental
because one should not forget that human life is short. From the moment
of birth one slowly and steadily advances towards death with every passing
second. This short period of time from birth to death is human life. Human beings
have come from the world of invisibility and at the end of this short span of time
will return to the world of invisibility. Those people can be called
intelligent who utilize every moment of their short life engaged in spiritual practice."
(APH-4)
Thus we all have to maximize our time fully in this great endeavour.
Here following is one highly significant guideline given by Baba which we
all discussed recently at dharmacakra.
Baba says, "The worship of Brahma should be done scrupulously, or else you
will later regret and bemoan the futility of your life with the last drop
of your tears at your last hour. You should make your life worthwhile
through your sadhana. How much can your worldly friends and relations do
for you? After your death your relatives may perhaps ask, 'How much money
has he left behind?'. Your friends may go to the crematorium and indulge in
flattering reminiscences about you. Your husband or wife may cry out for
you for about ten or twelve days and then regain their normal composure.
Your lot will be only a profound sigh-- a record of the futility and
frustration of your life. So do not waste your time lest you later have to
repent." (SS-3)
After reviewing the above passage and emphasizing the importance of
sadhana, then our local family Acarya gave some further tips for better
sadhana.
USE OF MALA TO BRING SENTIENT FLOW
He told us that if the mind is not concentrated, then we can use a mala and
do our mantra japa; because with the physical reminder of touching the mala
then step by step the mind will concentrate on the mantra in which case
immediate spiritual energy will come, by Baba's grace. And then by feeling
this resurgence of sentient energy we can engage in our various lessons of
sadhana.
So the mala is a veritable tool for helping to focus the mind.
KEEPING THE SUSUMNA CANAL CLEAR
Acarayaji also warned that, 'Many times people are sitting doing sadhana
like they way people eat food in Indian villages. Their spine is bending
like a bow. This is very bad. You must sit in proper posture.'
Acarayaji explained that, 'Bhojanasana (eating posture) is not the proper
asana for sadhana.'
Especially we learned that when the spine is bent, then the spinal
chord--which is just like pipe--is choked. And in that case, kundalini
cannot go up because of blockage of the susumna pipe.
Baba says, "the one who has followed the straight path of the sus'umna'
canal upwards becomes one with Parama Purus'a." (NKS)
Baba says, "Proceed along the path of susumna not through the zig-zag path
of ida and pingala." (5 Oct '79)
Thus when the kundalini has no scope to go up, then sadhana is completely
ruined. And further he warned, that if anybody is doing sadhana with a bent
spine, it is just waste of time.
It is immaterial that sadhana is vidya tantra or avidya tantra. Something
can only be achieved when full concentration is there. And for proper
concentration an erect spine during meditation is very important. And here
in one of the teachings Baba is giving importance of that.
BABA'S STORY ABOUT HIS CHILDHOOD FRIEND
Here below Baba is describing how in His youth He was watching one of His
childhood friends perform meditation.
Baba says, "He was totally absorbed, like a tree, immersed in meditation.
He didn't blink at all or move even a finger or toe so I kept quiet for
some time and remained standing there, not disturbing him." (SC-2, p. 159)
So by Baba's expression anyone can easily understand that it is important
not to move one's body when doing sadhana and that only in that way can one
progress on the spiritual path.
A CALM BODY IS NECESSARY FOR CALM MIND
About this Baba further tell us:
"If the [body] is restless, the mind [will] also be restless. That is why
during spiritual practice, the body should be kept motionless. One must
practice seated in a certain posture, because if the body becomes calm and
motionless the mind also tends to become calm and concentrated." (AVM-17)
Baba also guides us, "If someone is constantly thinking that they will have
to sit down at a certain time, stand up at a certain time, catch hold of
one's nose or ears at a certain time, the mind will automatically become
restless." (AV-17)
After giving these particular instructions about keeping the spine erect
and sitting in proper posture, and using the mala, then according to Dada's
guidance we sat in different places to practise.
And what followed was completely Baba's grace. How time passed, I was
completely unaware. After some time, I found that someone is gently
pulling on my shawl and I heard him say that time is late, I should stop.
And then I opened my eyes and realised I had been doing meditation since
long.
THE USE OF A MALA, OR NOT
After finishing my sadhana I told Acarayaji that 'All these sadhana tips
are very helpful. And about this mala, it is useful all the time in all
places?'
He told that "Ananda Marg is universal. There is no limitation of time,
place, and person. Parama Purusa is everywhere. Wherever you feel
comfortable, you can use the mala or not. Only during Kapalika sadhana
and pranayama must one adhere to certain restrictions regarding place
and time.
Otherwise for all other lessons, one has the ability to choose according
to one's comfort."
SPIRITUAL VIBRATIONS
The whole point being that if everything is proper then sadhana will give
certain vibrations. That is, the incantative wave generates and that brings
a very sentient spiritual feeling and one can feel various expressions in
one's own body and mind.
Baba says, "When the mental flow of a spiritual aspirant moves along the
introversal phase of Macrocosmic meditation, one's animative force having
the potentiality of divinity itself, rises above all tendencies-all
samskaras-- and proceeds towards Eternal bliss. In this state the mind is
vibrated with the Cosmic feeling. The unexpressed divine qualities of the
higher glands find expression and the resonance of the mind vibrates the
nervous system. This gives rise to pious expressions in the physical body.
In the case of those people whose occult feelings are not physically
expressed due to causes associated with nerves, the mental vibrations cause
certain radical changes, in the various glands within the body. These
occult feelings are basically of eight types--they are Stambha
(astounding), Kampa (trembling), Sveda (sweating), Svaraveda (hoarseness of
voice), Ashru (tears), Romainca (horripilation), Vaevarna (change of
colour) and Pralaya (fainting fit). There are other associated feelings of
these major feelings. For examples--Nrtya (dancing), Giit (singing),
Vilunthana (rolling), Kroshana (weeping), Humkara (roaring), Lalasrava
(salivating), Jrmbhana (yawning), Lokapeksa tyaga (indifference), Attahasya
(bursting into laughter), Ghurna (whirling), Hikka (hiccoughing),
Tanumotana (relaxation of the physical body) and Diirghashvasa (making long
breath)." (GHC, p. 38-9)
Namaskar,
Vidyasagar
Note: I also asked Acarayaji whether this Mala I can put on my neck or not?
Then affectionately he told that 'No, that is not good because dogmatic
people are making mala for just show. So better not to put on your neck.
This mala is already related with dogma. Because dogmatic people
keep mala in this way but they don't use. But ultimately it is up to you to
decide. Where or when you prefer, you keep on your neck. But there is no
rule on this, and personally I prefer not to wear it around the neck.'
Then I told Acaryaji that 'I have seen that some Avadhuta Dadas when they
are going to meet some ritualistic non-Margiis, to convince them our Dadas
put the mala on their neck with decoration. To show that they are also
religious'.
He told that 'Without using mala on your neck you can do pracar. Better
those Dadas should use this mala for japa, not just for putting on their
neck for show only. That would have been far better.'
NEWS: "RAJNU DADA(S)"
TWO DADAS ALWAYS HANGING AROUND DIDIS
It is well known that Citsvarupa'nanda and Madhuvrata'nanda are always
involved in and busy with the Didi's department. They have no time for dadas.
They try to handle didis dept.
Dadas comment that Citsvarupananda is CWWS of WWD and Madhuvratananda is
SWWS of Didi dept.
B/c of the interference of these dadas, good didis feel uneasy. Indeed
it is well known that Citsvarupa'nanda's character is not good. He is a
“Majnu” brand worker.
For those who are not aware, in 1976 there was a blockbuster movie in Hindi
calle Laila Majnu. And in the movie the lead male was totally infatuated
and glued to the female star, Laila. Majnu's emotional and sensual
attachment was so strong.
Thus nowadays when any male gets infatuated with females people label
that male as "Majnu". That is the proverb these days in Hindi.
Because of Citsvarupananda's poor dealing and deep attachment for
females, he is just branded as Majnu by the mass of Dadas. This is their inside joke.
It is unfortunate that such has become the fate and reputation of
Citsvarupananda. Let us all hope and pray that he can turn his life around and become a
respectable cadre of Ananda Marga. That will be the best outcome.
We should all help maximally in this regard.
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Blow on Human Intellect
Baba says, "They [groupist leaders] concoct various so-called scriptures,
they formulate all kinds of logic. They maintain to the human race that all
the races in this world are not equal. Thus instead of considering the
interest of the entire human society, they give preference to the interest
of a particular community. This loud propaganda in favour of a particular
community, this parading of irrational logic, this sort of fallacious
argument, all combine to stifle the spontaneous growth of human intellect.
This sort of mentality is called dogma." (AFPS-4, p.61)
Note: Some groupist leaders in our Marga are moving in this same narrow
style.
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