Baba's Guideline: Managing Tough Situations

Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2009 06:15:43 +0530 To: AM-GLOBAL From: "Pandit_Sudhakar" Subject: Baba's Guideline: Managing Tough Situations Baba PS Intro: In the life of a sadhaka sometimes sadhana is good and one feels very close proximity to Parama Purusa-- Baba. Then everything in life is pleasing & charming: Blissful. Naturally though, over the course of their systaltic movement, sadhakas inevitably experiences a phase of pause in their sadhana. In that time deep, devotional spiritual ideation and strong sadhana are almost impossible; instead the mind becomes dry. One's surroundings become tasteless and in the heart the sadhaka starts to feel that 'something is missing'. Because in the absence of the Divine Entity-- Baba-- one's surroundings become bland & mundane. Even then in the hearts of good sadhakas, they still have deep longing for Parama Purusa-- Baba. And that blissful, devotional yearning is known as melancholic longing. In the following song, this entire idea has been expressed through the metaphor of the bakul flower garden etc. "Jabe ei path diye esechile, viithika' pus'pe bhara' chilo..." (PS 2141) Purport: Baba, when You came to my home by this path, that time the garden lane was full of sweet, fragrant flowers. By Your divine presence, my mind became spiritually intoxicated with the divine aroma of those flowers. On that occasion also the flow of songs was floating in the air. Baba, since You did not come, even today that bakul flower lane is just lying there vacant-- unused. Innumerable flowers have fallen and become one with the dust. Where has that sweet flower fragrance of the bakul flower gone. Now all its aroma is completely dried up. O' my dearmost, since You have not come to this lane for so long, everyone has forgotten how beautiful and charming that garden was. Because of Your presence. Baba, anyhow still today the flowers on the trees are surviving, but due to Your absence, the garden lane has lost all its charm. So those trees are just weeping thinking how the days of old were so charming and blissful in Your presence. Because in those days You showered Your grace by coming down that garden lane. Those days were so magnificent and blissful. But now You are not coming. So by remembering Your august visit those trees are very unhappy. Their melancholic tears have totally drenched the garden lane. And those trees repeat again and again that despite having everything: The flower, the lane, the atmosphere, and greenery-- despite all these things, in the absence of the One, i.e. You Baba, this entire world becomes utterly meaningless and empty. Baba, please be gracious. Do not remain distant-- always remain inside my heart. Baba, please grace me so that I always feel Your divine presence...

BABA'S GUIDELINE: MANAGING TOUGH SITUATIONS

Namaskar, Life is full of ups and downs and unexpected situations. We all face unexpected times and tough situations that make life overwhelming. However, even then we will not be at a loss for how to proceed. By Baba's grace, He has given us all the right practices and solutions and addressed every circumstance. In one particular English discourse delivered in Patna (1971), Baba graciously gives us an exact 4-step sequence for what to do when we are in an extremely difficult moment. By following His below guideline, we are sure to be successful and maintain proper adjustment and equipoise even in the most challenging and unexpected situations.

UNEXPECTED OR EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES

The baby is sick...my father-in-law has fallen...my son got in a car accident...my best friend was robbed...my deadline at work...my wife is giving birth...my car broke down...I lost my wallet...my plane was delayed....grandfather is dying... So many unexpected and extreme situations arise in life. So many things occur that are beyond our ability to plan - that take us away from our daily routine. Now in this 21st century, life is extremely busy. People are on the go all the 24hrs. So when one big, unexpected event occurs, then life becomes beyond our ability to manage. We cannot attend to our regular duties as we are fully focused on dealing with the task at hand - whether it be a birth, death, or something critical in between. It is in that very extreme circumstance that we are to strictly adhere to Baba's guideline. Then we will be in accordance with dharma and in the best position to gain success and serve others.

MOST JUST EAT FIRST

When common citizens are overwhelmed with life, sleep deprived, and too busy to take care of their basic duties such as eating and washing due to a critical dire circumstance, then when they get a spare moment the first thing they do is eat. This is the common way most people proceed - or if they are really crude they will have a smoke or a drink (i.e. alcohol). In AM also, when submerged in a crises or tough situation - while none of us will smoke or drink - some will indeed eat food the first moment they get. But this is not the proper approach. Baba's guideline is something altogether different.

BABA'S SYSTEM: HOW TO PRIORITIZE

In His highly unique discourse from Patna in 1971, Baba gives us the following formula for how to proceed in such situations. When totally overwhelmed by a life circumstance and when thrown from our daily routine, then Baba guides us that the first thing we should do is sadhana. So sadhana is #1. In His divine discourse of 1971 Patna, Baba instructs us that even if we have not eaten or bathed or done any of our regular duties because of unforseen circumstances, then as soon as we get even as little as 5 minutes free, then we should do sadhana. Because we are mental beings, and by doing sadhana even for just 5 minutes our mental equipoise will be restored. So Baba's gives top priority to doing sadhana. Then if we have a little more time then we should bathe. So taking a bath is #2. With the mental stamina attained from sa'dhana', then we next address our physical body and attend to basic human hygiene. Taking a bath, according to the AM system, will allow us to further revitalise ourselves. Thereafter, when we have done 5 minutes of sadhana and taken a bath, then Baba says we should take some time to relax. So relaxation is #3. Here relaxation does not mean rest or sleep. Actually in the discourse Baba makes a joke that one should only take rest when they reach the funeral pyre - not before. Everyone in attendance laughed. The main point is that rest and relaxation are two different things. By relaxation, Baba means taking a few minutes to calm the body and settle the mind. It allows a person come back to their normal flow - reach a state of balance. This period of relaxation might just be for a few minutes, but it is very important to do. Finally, after doing short sadhana, taking bath, and relaxing, then one should eat. So eating is #4. Taking food is the final step of this unique sequence which Baba has given in this 1971 English discourse in Patna. And by eating Baba of course means taking sentient food in a calm manner, chewing thoroughly and keeping the mind in a positive mode. So these are Baba's step-wise guidelines for how to proceed when encumbered by difficult life circumstances wherein one is thrown from their normal routine.

MOST PEOPLE ARE UNAWARE

Of course most of the world's population is totally unaware of Baba's teachings so when they get embroiled in a difficult situation, then they do not know how to proceed and their whole life falls into turmoil. In that case, it is not just a single event, but rather their entire course of life gets negatively affected. In addition to the problem at hand like an accident or family death etc, they may get sick, suffer from exhaustion, or fall prey to depression. Or not knowing what to do they may even get in a fight, injure someone, or unnecessarily abuse a loved one. All these things may happen in the heat of the moment. If we follow Baba's above mandate, however, we will always keep the mind in proper flow whereby everything will turn out as best as possible. The situation will not get compounded by other problems due to our own negligence.

IMPORTANCE OF SADHANA

By His system of prioiritization, it is quite clear that Baba gives great importance to sadhana. And of course in so many discourses Baba tells us that sadhana is the main thing in life. Baba says, "The main purpose of human beings coming here to this earth is to do spiritual practice...Sa'dhana' is the main theme of life. Whatever you do in the world, you should do it with a view to promote your sa'dhana' and help the sa'dhana' of others. Human beings come to earth to practise sa'dhana', to move closer to Iishvara, the Supreme Goal – to come closer to Parama Purus'a [Supreme Consciousness]. Thus, the deeds of human beings will not be like the deeds of animals. Whatever human beings will do, they will do in such a manner that the progress in their sa'dhana' will go on accelerating." (YP)

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace our lives are most blessed. He has given us the exact procedure to deal with every event in life - even unexpected ones. By this way we can get success in every circumstance and always abide by the tenets of dharma. So always remember: First is sadhana, second is bath, third is relaxation, and fourth is food. If we keep this system in mind and follow it, then we will be in the best position to handle every and any situation that comes in life. Namaskar, Sudhakar

Their Intrinsic Nature

Date: 11 Dec 2009 11:44:32 -0000 From: "Bhavanath Rajpal" To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: Their Intrinsic Nature Baba "Tumi a'ma'y bha'lo besechile, a'mi toma'r pa'ne ta'ka'i ni..." (PS 801) Purport: Baba, You have loved me and showered me in Your divine blessing, but I did not look towards You. I did not care or pay heed to Your love. Baba, You have graciously bestowed everything upon me. But I did not give You anything in return. Drowned in my own selfishness, I did not surrender at Your alter. In spite of that You love me. Baba, You are do gracious. Baba, in those deep, black foggy days of my life, when I was feeling helpless, isolated, and lonely, then You gently held my hand and consoled me and you lovingly kept me along with You. In bleak those foggy days, You got wounded on the thorny path, but I did not apply any ointment to ease the pain. I was so selfish. Baba, by Your grace You always help me in each and every circumstance. In my sorrowful days, when in danger, and in my broken heart, You console me by filling my entire being with Your sweet nectar. Even then in the grand universal arena of Your divine liila, I could not become useful in any work. Due to my own lethargy, my existence could not be utilised. Uselessly I wasted my time. In spite of this still You love me. Baba, You are my dearest; You are my own; You are my everything; You have showered You causeless grace and made me Yours...

== ANANDA VA'NII: THEIR INTRINSIC NATURE ==

Namaskar, Baba's original and true Ananda Vaniis have their special intrinsic nature. But as we get closer and closer to the upcoming A'nanda Purnima, each of the groups is preparing their Fake Ananda Vanii. But this dogma will not continue much longer as rational Ananda Margiis are losing patience and will not tolerate this nonsense forever-- already everyone just calls those things Fake Ananda Vaniis. Here are some original and special qualities of Baba's holy Ananda Vaniis.

#1. ANANDA VANIIS ARE OF ETERNAL VALUE

As Ananda Margiis, we know that Baba has always utilized each and every day to bestow upon us innumerable new teachings and countless special guidelines. Often that has come in the form of a discourse or Prabhat Samgiita or field walk etc. In that way each and every discourse or Prabhat Samgiita song is dated and marked where it has been given. Of course, though, every bhakta clearly understands that the given discourse or Prabhat Samgiita song has eternal and permanent value. No one thinks that the discourse was only useful on that particular day when it was given and that thereafter it has no relevance. None think in this manner. Rather we all consider that the discourse which Baba has given is a universal teaching that transcends time, space, and person-- and that the attached date is for record purposes only. In that way all Baba's divine teachings can be organised in chronological fashion yet retain their own original integrity timeless quality. Hence the matter is straightforward & clear. Unfortunately, though, Baba's original and true Ananda Vaniis are not getting treated in that same dharmic fashion. Because although Ananda Vaniis are eternal in nature and universal in application, some persons are limiting the relevance of a given Ananda Vanii to a particular date and year. They think that every Ananda Vanii is of January 1 of such-&-such year or of Ananda Purnima of such-and-such year and that now it is outdated. This is their misguided outlook. So in that way Baba's divine and timeless Ananda Vaniis are not getting their duly deserved eternal status. Yet just as Ananda Sutram is of a universal and timeless value, same is that case with our Ananda Vaniis. They can be referred to and studied again and again just like various sutras, but this is not being done. Means Ananda Vaniis are not respected as being an eternal guidelines; rather some off the mark people wrongly consider Ananda Vaniis to be limited to a particular time and place. Yet just as the sutras of Ananda Sutram are treated as key points of AM philosophy, in the same way all the inspirational guidelines which Baba has given as Ananda Vaniis deserve that same sanctified status. But instead they are often treated as or reduced to something temporary or passing. As if the Vanii of 1st January 1961 no longer applies to today's world and that that Vanii itself is just a point of history-- nothing more. When true devotees know that all Baba's Ananda Vaniis are eternal guidelines, applicable to numerous situations. So that injustice has been done to our Ananda Vaniis. Overall then we must work to restore the proper sanctity and reverence of Ananda Vanii. Nobody tries to relegate Prabhat Samgiita or Baba's discourses to a specific place or person or date-- thinking that they are antiquated. Similarly we cannot blame that Baba's original Ananda Vaniis have gotten old like one outdated crusty newspaper. But some are doing like that-so that should be corrected.

#2. ANANDA VANIIS HAVE PURPORTS

All along it was has been the standard practice for Baba's discourses to be translated into as many languages as possible-- but never was further explanation given about a particular discourse by Baba Himself. Classes may have been offered later on by this or that acarya, but Baba never would deliver a discourse and then directly afterwards give further explanation about that very discourse. This was not done. Reason being that His discourses are already explanatory in nature and contain numerous stories, analogies, and descriptions in order to make the matter perfectly clear and understandable. In contrast, with His Ananda Vaniis the case is totally different. They are pointed, distilled teachings given in concentrated form-- hence they demand further elaboration and explanation. For this reason Baba Himself was delivering purports for His Ananda Vaniis during DMC itself. As many are aware, Baba's Ananda Vaniis are only a few lines in length and Baba Himself would write it down in His own handwriting. And then that very Vanii was read aloud at DMC in all the languages. Directly afterwards Baba Himself would give a line by line explanation of the Ananda Vanii. This would happen for half-an-hour or more. So you can imagine how much He used to say. So He Himself would give the initial explanation and thereafter others were invited to speak and share their understanding of the Vanii-- and during that period Baba would often interject in order to lovingly guide the Margii speaker. But always the system was that first the Vaniis would be read in the various languages; second Baba would provide His own explanation or purport; and then others were also called up to comment and say something. This was the regular pattern. All done in this fashion because Baba's Ananda Vaniis are so pointed and intensely concise. Altogether His Ananda Vaniis are similar to the Samgacchadhvam mantra, Guru Puja, etc in that a discourse is needed to provide the meaning of the mantra. Likewise Baba was giving extended purports of His Ananda Vaniis to provide further insight about their meaning. So by this way we can understand that Baba's original and true Ananda Vaniis are very concentrated and very pointed. Treating them as ordinary discourses is not at alll appropriate since Baba used to give explanations or purports for those very Ananda Vaniis. Overall Baba's Ananda Vaniis are similar to the case of Prabhat Samgiita and Ananda Sutram in that Baba has given purports for each of these three genres. Baba's original Ananda Vaniis are about inspiration and moving ahead whereas Prabhat Samgiita comes within the scope of aesthetic & supra-aesthetic science and Ananda Sutram is our philosophical treatise. But all three are similar in that they all fall in the same unique category-- as they all demand further explanation such that Baba Himself has given purports for all these three teachings. In contrast this quality or concentrated approach is not there in the quotes of His regular discourses. Hence when groupist leaders take a few lines from one of the standard discourses and falsely present that as an Ananda Vanii then that is terribly degrading. Rather that is nothing but a Fake Ananda Vanii. And those doing this are culprits since they are degrading the real status of Baba's true Ananda Vanii. Finally when the Author (BABA) has given a title of a particular discourse then by altering the title and by bringing in quotes from regular style discourses but calling it as an Ananda Vanii. This is all non-sense as one cannot give a quote as Ananda Vanii. Because Ananda Vanii's are in a totally different league. Plus call them as Ananda Vaniis is against Baba's system-- and against Baba's desire.

CONCLUSION

Baba is Parama Purusa and all He has given is apta vakya-- eternal truth, so why should some things be discarded or marked as being outdated or be replaced by something entirely Fake. Rather we should celebrate the dharmic quality and everlasting value of Baba's original Ananda Vanii.

BABA'S BLESSING

Baba says, "If you think that you are the child of Parama Purusa and have come to this world to accomplish the job assigned by Parama Purusa, that you are never alone and that you are a small baby always sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa, why should you be afraid of anything? There is no reason to be afraid of anything." (PNS-7, p.63) Namaskar, Bhavanath NOTE 1: All know that Baba has given purports for Ananda Sutram & Prabhat Samgiita-- as those purports have made it into book form. But nowadays the purports of Ananda Vaniis are not at all being recognised. Some got recorded and some not. But none are being recognised or referred to. When surely many years worth of Baba's purports of Ananda Vaniis were recorded and heard by one and all in the DMC pandal itself. So these explanations should be accepted as discourses. A call then must be put forth to recover and print those pristine purports which Baba has given for Ananda Vaniis.

********************************************* Who Should Get Credit

Sadguru BABA says, "The duty of human beings is only to continue their efforts to please Parama Purusa. Thus when any work is done, the concerning sadhaka is not to be given any credit; the credit should be given to Parama Purus'a." (SS-18, p. 7)

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