Disastrous Effect of Buddhist Meditation

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:11:05 -0000 To: AM-GLOBAL From: J. Erikkson Subject: Disastrous Effect of Buddhist Meditation Baba "Toma'r pathe cali a'mi, kon ba'dha'y pechoba na'..." (P.S. 1390) Purport: Baba by Your infinite grace I am moving forward on Your divine path. By Your grace I do not care about any types of obstacles. I will never look behind in frustrated mood. You are my everything; You are my Goal; You are my sadhana. Baba, fortified with the strength of Your divine name my life is moving. Your name is like the lamp on my path of forward movement. By Your grace You have made me realise that there is no comparison to the strength which is residing in Your holy name. Baba, by this way days and months are passing. Our closeness is getting more and more intimate, by Your grace. In my heart I realise that You are my everything. Baba because You are and I am. Except this I do not know anyone. By Your grace I am moving on Your path without bothering about any sorts of hindrances. It is Your grace...

== DISASTROUS EFFECT OF BUDDHIST MEDITATION ==

Namaskar, As the title suggests, Buddhist meditation is more than a little problematic. Here is the underlying logic.

Manaeva manus'ya'n'a'm'

Baba says, "This human mind is a peculiar entity. It is the cause of all our sorrows and predicaments, and it is the cause of our supreme bliss. It is the cause of bondage, and it is the cause of liberation." (AV-30) So our mind is the determining factor of our movement in life - either towards liberation or bondage. Here is another way of thinking about it.

Ya'drshii bha'vana' yasya' siddhirbhavati ta'drshii “As you think, so you become.” (DT-1)

In a nutshell, since Buddhist meditation focuses on "nothingness" or "emptiness" then the practitioner will become one with nothingness. Or in a phrase, they will get turned into microvita like vidhealiina. Baba says, "A spiritual aspirant attains the state of videhaliina as a result of shunya dhya'na or ideation on nothingness. Through such ideation a sa'dhaka develops a psychic pabulum of nothingness. Yet even in this state there remains the possibility of rebirth. Those who embrace nothingness as their absolute goal develop a void in their citta in the absence of Cognitive Faculty. As a result they are unable to establish themselves in the Supreme Cognitive Stance and attain salvation. The spiritual cult which encourages this practice is certainly defective." (AMIWL-9) So the practitioner of Buddhist meditation is marching straight toward the unfavourable destiny of becoming videhaliina - inviting all kinds of pain and suffering. Baba says, "People with this type of psychology attain the state of videhaliina after their demise – an unbearable condition." (MVNS) The entire outcome of Buddhist meditation is not at all good.

WHY SUCH A CRITICAL POINT RIGHT NOW

The question then is why raise the point here and now. As Ananda Margiis, in our sadhana, we channelise the mind toward the Supreme in which case there is no question of falling into the trappings of Buddhist meditation or becoming microvita. However the point hold great relevance for us. A growing phenomenon seems to be on the move these days. The world over people are resorting to yoga to stretch and tone their bodies yet they are turning toward Buddhist meditation to calm and steady their minds. In the popular culture, many do not seem to equate yoga with meditation - they see it only as a form of exercise and they then turn to Buddhist and pseudo-Buddhist principles for their psychic thirst. One clear cut proof of this is that a famous so-called yoga teacher wrote a book titled, "Yoga Body - Buddha Mind." And indeed all over the contemporary yoga movement or fake yoga movement that is attracting millions and millions of people around the world, there is a fascination toward Buddhist meditation and its related themes like watching the breath and "mindfulness" etc. Thus, as ineffective and as harmful as it is, Buddhist meditation has become the fashion these days. As quickly as the population is turning towards yoga asanas, at a similar rate they are turning toward Buddhist meditation. As Ananda Margiis, we should be aware of this trend - have our logic firmly in mind - and be ready to steer this hungry mass toward AM sadhana.

ONE OTHER POINT OF CONCERN

Here is one other point to keep in mind. Nowadays, so many margiis are teaching yoga and meditation in the general society. This manifests in all kinds of ways. Some do it openly under the banner of AM, some not. Since much of the general population may not be ready for tantric diiksa, then some may be teaching other techniques of meditation and relaxation etc. What we're getting at here is that some in AM, knowingly or unknowingly, may be using the principles of Buddhist meditation in their yoga classes with the general public. Some margiis may be saying, 'Become one with your breath', or 'Empty the mind of all thoughts', or 'Still the mind', or 'Be mindful' etc. These are all related with the defective approach of Buddhist meditation. Yet this is what is popular these days and some margiis might be doing this as well in order to skirt the issue of mantra, or Parama Purusa, or God. Here then is just a reminder that no one in our Marga should resort to the misguided ways of Buddhist meditation in their yoga preachings or classes with the general public.

FREE WILL: PROS & CONS

We must remember that every human being has the freedom to do what they will on this earth. All have the power to choose. Most live life in an ordinary way and are subject to inchworm like progress along the path of pratisaincara, staying far from the Cosmic hub. Those who pointedly goad the mind in a particular direction, move in one of two ways: Toward the Supreme or toward degradation. As Ananda Margiis we are speeding toward Parama Purusa, but those practicing Buddhists are not. With their practiced and pointed mind, they are moving toward nothingness, nihilism, and degradation. They will become microvita. That is Baba's exact teaching. In this regard, having free will becomes a liability if one acutely guides the mind in the wrong direction. Of course we all know that thievery is bad and that such bandits & hardened criminals will suffer the consequences. But what people often fail to realise is that Buddhist meditation will also lead one in the wrong direction. It is not a joke - that is the reality. Yet right now, hoards of people are innocently embarking on this dark pathway thinking it will bring them into the light. Once this point is crystal clear in our own minds, we will best be able to help and serve the general populace. We must not watch idly as they transform themselves into microvita - suffering endlessly in that way.

BEAUTY OF MANTRA MEDITATION

In Ananda Marga, our approach is to positively goad the mind toward Parama Purusa and the main technique is the use of mantra. Baba says, "You cannot call all the sounds of the world mantras. Why? Because they do not possess the capacity to liberate a person from bondage. There are so many sounds, so many syllables and so many words in this universe...but only that sound whose acoustic expressions or acoustic waves have the stamina to goad the subtlest portion of the human mind unto the supreme stance can be a mantra." (SS-24) We do not subscribe to the theory of nothingness, rather we knowingly fill the mind with a divine thought in the form of our ista mantra or dhyana mantra. And by His grace with that mantra we can become one with Ista. Buddhists have no Supreme Ista. Their meditation leads to a total void. But in AM we move towards our Ists with love and sincerity by His grace. That is our Goal and that is what clearly separates AM sadhana from the trappings of Buddhist meditation. Baba says, "You are all spiritual aspirants. You are yogiis and you should know that the only interpretation of yoga is “Samyoga yoga Ityukto Jiiva'tma' Parama'tmanah”. All other interpretations are baseless. And you should also remember that for your movement toward your Is't'a, you have only to practise, your unification with your Is't'a is your only goal." (SS-12)

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace He has given us the correct approach in meditation and He has also directed that "it is the bounden duty of every Ananda Margii to being all onto the path of bliss." Thus we should be cent per cent involved in not allowing the general people to fall prey to the nothingness of Buddhist meditation. We should guide and teach them to move towards the Supreme, lest they become microvita. Baba says, "As a yogic practice, pratya'ha'ra means “withdrawal of the mind from external objectivity and goading the withdrawn mind toward Parama Purus'a”." (YP) Namaskar, Jayanta

********************************************* Crow and Cuckoo

Baba says, "It is said that there is a particular species of the cuckoo bird that is incapable of nesting and raising its own offspring. So to protect and save her babies, the mother cukoo gently places her own eggs in the crow's nest, even though the crow is her dreaded enemy. But since the eggs of both the birds looks the same, the crow carefully cares for those cuckoo eggs which were placed in her nest-- thinking them to be her own. At the time of birth, the newborn birds of both species are black; so seeing the baby cuckoos, the mother crow does not initially realise that the baby cuckoos are not her own offspring. It is only when the baby birds become a little bigger and start to call out and cry, that the crow realises those are not her babies. Then and there the mother crow becomes very angry, suddenly understanding that it has gotten duped. But because of having given long-term care and developed sincere love for the baby cuckoo, the mother crow gives up the idea of attacking and killing the cuckoo. And instead the mother crow raises the baby cuckoo as one of her own." (SC-10)

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What Is the Meaning... + NEWS

Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:26:11 -0000 To: AM-GLOBAL From: J.Young Subject: What Is the Meaning... + NEWS Baba "Bha'loba'si toma'y a'mi, keno ta' ja'ni na'..." P.S. 2329 Purport: Baba, I love You but I do not know why I love You. You go on pulling my heart-- but what is the mystery behind this, how and why You are attracting me, that I cannot say. Baba, all I know is that You are the divine effulgence of my dark heart. By Your grace I will never allow that effulgence to get extinguished. Baba, I will always keep Your love in my heart. By Your grace I will always hold Your image in my mind. Baba, all the love I have in the deep core of my heart, and all the hopes and longings I have in my mind, all these desires and aspirations of mine are revolving around You. And by Your grace they get expressed through Your songs, dance, melody, and rhythms. Baba, You are the focal point of my life; You are my everything. Baba, by Your divine grace I feel that You are guiding each and every aspect of my existence. There is not even a single ounce of confusion in my mind. Everything is totally clear by Your grace. Where am I, where will I go, and from where have I come: All these types of useless questions never creep into my mind. Baba, by Your grace, I do not even want to know these things. Just I am fully depending upon You-- that You know everything and that everything is in Your control. For me that is enough. Baba, You are my shelter, You are my anchor. And You are the Supreme Controller of this vast universe. Baba, You are always ever gracious on me. I love You with all my heart; my whole existence is Yours...

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE SUTRA 5-14: 'OUR SPIRITUAL POTENTIALITY MUST BE MAXIMALLY UTILISED' + NEWS: NEW MARGIIS SHOULD BE MORE CAREFUL

Note: At the bottom of this letter is a news piece about the conduct of one of our vishesh yogis. Namaskar, Each and every Ananda Margii understands well in their heart that spirituality is the summum bonum of life. This idea Baba has infused within our AM culture-- within each and every Margii. In all His teachings, including in His comprehensive Prout philosophy & the 5 Fundamental Principles of Prout, Baba has placed a distinct emphasis on great importance of spirituality. Among these Proutist directives, Baba guides us that our spiritual potentiality must be maximally utilised-- "harnessed and brought to fruition". (Ananda Sutram, chapter 5, 5-14) Here below Baba describes more how this is to happen. Baba says, "I have told in the Prout philosophy that those who have been endowed with spiritual strength will have to render spiritual service to the society. Such sadhakas must not just sit in their Himalayan caves doing tapah without ever teaching or guiding anybody. That will not be approved. They will have to serve. They will have to render spiritual service. I do not say they have to pull a rickshaw; but if they do not do spiritual service, and just sit in their Himalayan caves and do not come in contact with the world, and instead proclaim that the world is an illusion, yet at the same time go on eating fruits and roots and accepting physical service from other human beings of this world-- this type of approach will not be allowed to continue any longer. That has been going on for a long time, but it will not continue any longer; that day has gone." (AV-4, Hindi) In His above teaching of Ananda Vacanamrtam, Baba is elaborating on the idea which He has so beautifully expressed in Ananda Sutram, Sutra 5-14. Namely that one's spiritual potentiality must be maximally utilised. On this very point some of our respected Dadas are confused and think that in sutra 5-14 Baba is talking about the development and use of occult powers. But that is not correct. Instead Baba's expressed guideline is that one's spiritual potentialities should get utilised as described above-- that is by teaching and guiding others. Hence those endowed with spiritual strength should be engaged in serving the society by teaching the various aspects of yoga, morality, and sadhana such as asanas, pranayama, 16 Points, dhyana, etc. In sum, they should be guiding the society along the path of spirituality. According to Baba, that is the real manifestion of one's spiritual potentiality and that is rendering true service to society-- not using occult powers. So what Baba has written in seed form in Ananda Sutram, He has further explained that idea in various discourses etc. The above cited guideline from Ananda Vacanamrtam is but one of the many examples. Here it should be further clarified that spiritual service does not mean some type of magical display or the granting of worldly boons etc. Rather true service in the spiritual realm means guiding the society towards the path of spirituality and teaching the practical process-- imparting the lessons of sadhana and spreading the ideology etc.

FINAL TEACHING

Here again, Baba warns us that without spiritual values the society will go astray-- off the path. Hence those blessed with spiritual understanding must teach and guide others along the path of rightesouness. That is the inner essence of Sutra 5-14. Baba says, "The absence of spiritual morality and spirituality in individuals will break the backbone of the collectivity. So for the sake of collective welfare one will have to awaken spirituality in individiuals...This potentiality has to be harnessed and brought to fruition." (AS, 5-14, 'Purport') Namaskar, Jagatmitra

Note: NEWS: NEW MARGIIS SHOULD BE MORE CAREFUL

As many may know, Ra'ga'nuga'nanda has been posted in Madhya Pradesh as DS. Once, when staying at the house of one of his newly initiated margiis, this dark scene happened. The new margii had great respect for Ra'ga'nuga'nanda as this was his acarya. So he brought Dada to his house and called the entire family to listen to Dada's Baba stories. But then later, when the family dispersed, Ra'ga'nuga'nanda made an advance and tried to force himself on the young teenage daughter. The girl was strong minded and quickly slapped Dada and started shouting and yelling for help. The father and other family members came quickly but already Ra'ga'nuga'nanda had run from the house. The margii father wrote a letter to Centre but those at the helm ignored the complaint. Centre knows that Ra'ga'nuga'nanda has poor conduct but they do not do anything about it because he is one of their agents. So still Ra'ga'nuga'nanda is a "vishesh yogi." Here the main point of awareness is that new margiis must be more alert and not assume anything about our acarya cadre. When any Dada comes then they should keep sharp eyes. Otherwise such unfortunate events can happen. In contrast, if margiis are alert then such things will not happen and not only the young girl but Dada will also be saved. There is a dual benefit involved. Old margiis are well aware about such outcomes. That is why when any Dada comes to the house they watch that Dada as if they have a closed-circuit security camera. That means, at least one mature person in the household always has their eyes on Dada at all times. Then the visit will go alright. Note: For the sake of the girl's honour, we are not sharing her name, town, family name, age etc. She is a true dharmika and all biographical data is being withheld. People should talk to the guilty party directly. If the guilty party is not willing to accept his crime, then the name and all details will be released.

****************************************** Eternal Treasure

Baba says, "This japa yoga or dhya'na yoga which elevates human beings through constant self-analysis, obliterates the very existence of the non-spiritual, and expedites one's elevation into the supreme spiritual stance." (MVNS, p.92) Note: Due to the crude influence of materialism, in their hum-drum approach common people often believe that "progress" can be achieved via the mundane arenas of their existence: health, occupation, material possessions, or financial wealth etc. They naively think that through these activities they will become elevated-- and therefore achieve greater fulfillment, peace, & happiness in their lives. This is their common misconception. Of course in Ananda Marga we know that this is not the truth. According to Baba, material things are bound by time, space, and person. They are ephemeral, ever-changing, and cannot provide long-term satiation. Instead, by their very transient nature, depending on such material things only invites various types of psychic diseases where misguided people try to quench their infinite desires by chasing after more and more mundane things. But as much crude wealth as one acquires, the hungrier one gets. Such limited objects cannot satiate our desire. Indeed all the crude material wealth of this entire world is incapable of satisfying one human being's innate longing for greatness. And in result, these common citizens get more and more crudified. Not only that, their degenerate starts in this very life. It is not that in their next life their degeneration will begin. Rather their horrific degradation is immediate. All around us we can see this happening such as in the case of greedy businessmen who walk around the streets like desperate, ravaged animals. All the sweetness is gone from their lives. They have just become two-legged beasts. This is the common yet tragic phenomenon in this materialistic era. And then of course in their next life such depraved beings will fall further and further into the depths and get reborn as asses, pigs or stones etc. That is why Baba reminds us again and again that there cannot be real progress of one's individual existence through "mundane achievement". True progress can only occur in the spiritual realm-- by decreasing one's radius with the Cosmic Nucleus. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the population is totally oblivious of this very fact. Thus it is our duty to bring them along onto the path of righteousness-- onto the path of Ananda Marga. By Baba's divine grace in countless discourses, as well as in His above cited teaching, He tells us that we should always be engaged in higher, subtler pursuits. And that we must strive to come closer and closer to Him through our japa or dhya'na yoga. Being the Sadguru, Baba guides us that this very endeavour to attain that eternal treasure-- i.e. the Supreme Stance-- is the cream of the life. And, by His grace, when a jiiva embarks on the path of sublime spirituality-- ie the path of Ananda Marga, then instantly they begin receiving the infinite Cosmic Grace of Parama Purusa Baba.

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