Misuse & Abuse of Manan

To: AM-GLOBAL From: Foster Davis Subject: Misuse & Abuse of Manan Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:38:18 -0400 Baba "Tumi ye path dhariya' esechile ta'ha'r surabhi a'jao a'che..." (PS 756) Purport: Baba, the path on which You came still carries Your sweet fragrance even today. The divine love which You showered upon me with Your sweet and charming smile, its vibration is still dancing to this day. And it is blissfully charging my whole existence. Baba You came with the aroma of sweet songs; You came with the melody and tune. And You graced me and became my nearest and dearest-- You became one with my heart. It is Your grace. Baba, at that time why did You look towards me in such a sweet, attractive way and take my heart away. That very loving gaze is still fresh in my mind. Just one single glance of Yours changed my whole existence. Baba You showered me with Your loving grace. Baba, You thought about me and that is the greatest achievement of my life. What more do I need. The force of that Divine gift is not exhausted even today; it always gives me strength and inspiration to go on loving You. Even today, I am surviving on the hope that I will again get You as my intimate, as my close, as my own. Baba, Your sweet smile is still fresh in my mind and fills my heart with Your divine love...

== MISUSE & ABUSE OF MANAN ==

Namaskar, In this present era, while living in this mostly capitalist dominated world, it is necessary for one to be careful lest they fall in the capitalists' degrading trap. Because with their crooked ways, the capitalists infuse certain negative thought patterns to suit their greedy ends. As we know the Sanskrit term 'manan', i.e. thinking, can be spiritually elevating or totally degenerating. In the case of the latter, those crude thoughts have a terrible effect on the human psyche-- on one's mental structure, causing depression & utltimately degradation. Baba says, "Regarding this faculty of thinking, if it is done in a methodical way, the result is certainly positive...But if it is not done in a methodical way, the general result is negative." (YP, 'Mind Grows in Magnitude') So all should be aware about the sneaky ploy executed by today's capitalist exploiters. Because their goal is to make people misuse and abuse their power of manan, just so that they (the capitalists) can make huge money.

PATH OF THE YOGI: AS YOU THINK SO BECOME

Of course, for ages & ages yogis have held a deep belief in the dominance of mind; and yogis have long cultivated the habit of positive & systematic thinking in order to build a healthy mental arena. For that reason yogis pointedly spend their days practicing the pure approaches to manan, shravan, niddhidhyasana. That is thinking godly thoughts (manan), listening devotional ideas (shravan), and ideating on Parama Purusa (niddhidhyasana). Because yogis understand well the theory, 'As you think so you become'. By this way there is a distinctly positive momentum in the mind and it advances inwards towards the cosmic nucleus. That is, the mind gets transformed and restructured by the continued practice of mantra japa and dhyana. By thinking in that uniquely spiritual way the mind becomes more subtle and sublime and moves towards that spiritual Goal. This is the cherished way of the yogi.

DUPLICITY OF CAPITALISTS

Capitalists-- on the other hand-- are matter-centered and in their crude theory they do not (openly) recognise the concept of mind. Rather capitalists believe that matter is everything. That is their expressed philosophy. Yet, they have one trick up their sleeve as well. Because, in their devilish dealing, the capitalists employ mental tricks in order to control the public. That is they infuse their own ideas into the public mindset in order to get the public to think about their products. This is how the capitalists abuse the practice of manan-- mental thinking. So on the one side in theory such capitalists proclaim that this universe is matter centered and one can just ignore the mind. That is their stated agenda. But their practice is something quite different. They understand that the best way to control a person is through the mind and not through matter. And that is how they sell their products, by staining people's minds. They infuse within people the mental desire to look or be a certain way by buying certain products. That is the sales-pitch of capitalists.

CAPITALISTS INTENTIONALLY DEGRADE THE PUBLIC MIND THROUGH THE ABUSE OF MANAN

That is why we see that through their endless advertising campaigns and media onslaught the capitalists' chief plan is to colour the public mind-set with propaganda about their products. Through radio, tv, films, internet, newspapers, magazines and so many other avenues, the capitalists spread their crude messages to the consumers-- in an attempt to get their slogans deeply embedded within the public psyche. This is their dastardly method. Thus in their hypocrisy those capitalist agencies know that if they can capture the public mind then they make millions and billions of dollars. That is why in their commercials they invent catchy songs and attractive slogans which they hope the public will recite and remember. Such as 'Have it your way at Burger King', or 'Ooh-la-la Sasson' for Sasson jeans', or thousands and thousands of other slogans and advertising messages that get repeated millions of times during the day. Even if one walks into any elementary or primary school, then it is evident that the tender minds of our children are already littered with the ideas of big-business. Because the children walk around singing the songs of those capitalist commercials etc. And that type of abuse of manan-- that type of negative thinking-- adversely affects their development of mind. But for the capitalists it means profit, profit, profit. So this is the heinous trick going on these days. Indeed this is exactly what happens: Those phrases get infused into the public psyche and the peoples' mind becomes saturated with that capitalistic propaganda. In which case their whole mental arena becomes distorted and full of that capitalist junk. Baba says, "Now, everywhere, in cent-per-cent of the cases, there is wastage of human psychic potentiality. The psychic potentialities of human beings are immense, but people do not utilise them because most of their valuable time is wasted in undesirable thoughts, in psychic extravaganza." (YP, p.134)

THE PUBLIC GETS TOTALLY DUPED THEY THINK THE IDEA TO PURCHASE WAS ORIGINALLY THEIRS

So the whole sequence of events is quite nasty and sublime. Because the capitalists invent invasive approaches to enter into the public mind set, in turn the public psyche gets distorted and coloured by crude messages, and in that subliminal tactic that public does not even realise that they are getting affected by those crude propaganda campaigns. Rather when Tom, Dick, or Harry walks into a store and they see an item that they want to buy-- such as cologne or an automobile or a toaster etc-- then they really think that it is their inner heart's desire to purchase that thing. They do not realise that this is a capitalistic schema imposed upon their psyche. Rather that brainwashed consumer takes total ownership of that desire and they are convinced that the purchase of that item will satisfy their inner longing. And this happens to all members of the general public: men, women, children. All start thinking that they must look a certain way, act a particular way, and possess certain items. And they think that this is their true internal longing-- that this will bring them happiness and success. But little do they realise that they are getting cheated to the bone by feisty capitalists. Hence by the abuse of manan-- by infusing negative ways of thinking on the minds of the common people-- those capitalists achieve their crooked ends of selling their products. That is all they care about. And in their duplicity they know that the best and only way to achieve this is to recognise the dominance of mind and distort the public way of thinking. And tragically this is exactly what they have achieved in this negative era of capitalism. And in result the common people suffern in innumerable ways such as depression, anxiety, until ultimately they fall into crude samadhi etc.

GOAD MIND TOWARDS PARAMA PURUSA-- NOWHERE ELSE

As Ananda Margiis, we must never fall prey to the sinister traps set by those hoarding capitalists. We must keep the mind clean and pure and be vigilant not to become painted in the colour of consumerism. This is Baba's strict warning. Baba says, "From the psychic sphere also, unnecessary waves are to be removed. This will remove many burdens from the mind. 'I must not bother about petty things, because that will waste my time' -- people should remember this. This removal or rather withdrawal of unnecessary and undesirable thoughts emanated from the mind, will help you in rationalising the major portion of your mental faculty, and so this must also be practised." (YP) Thus Baba's above guideline is to keep the mind free and clear of negative ways of thinking-- our mental arena must not get polluted by crude thoughts or capitalistic advertising slogans. By ridding the mind of such things, then our human mind can be properly utilised. Ultimately Baba guides us that we should direct all our thoughts towards that Supreme One. Baba says, "Withdraw the mind from physical objects and goad it unto Parama Purus'a". (AV-14) Baba's teaching then is not to let the mind get overwrought with the crude effects of capitalism; rather one is to push the mind in a distinctly spiritual way of thinking. That is the real manan-- otherwise degradation will occur. So we should chant our kiirtan and repeat our ista mantra all day long and not for one second think about the propaganda of those cheating capitalists. We should not allow their tactics to invade our mental arena. This must never be allowed to happen. If it does one will become a slave of capitalism. That is why Baba's mandate is to infuse the mind with sentient thoughts and sweet ideations. Here again is Baba's divine guideline. Baba says, "You must have a spiritual goal. You must know what to do, what not to do, how to do, why to do. And for this purpose, the movement is to make the mind pinnacled, apexed, and bring all the propensities to that point, and goad it towards your spiritual goal." ('Subjective Approach Objective Adjustment')

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace each and every margii will grow in a clean way through proper manan-- through proper thinking. This is Baba's blessing. Baba says, "You will have to ultimately reach Parama Purus'a. This is the pinnacled point, the supreme point of human glory. You should always remember this, during your lifetime and even after your death." - Baba Namaskar, Purusottama

Note 1: MUST WARN THE PUBLIC

Through pracar, education, and constant effort we must awaken the common public to the capitalists' negative and abusive strategy of manan. All must be alerted about these tricky maneuvers lest the common become more and more degraded.

Note 2: THE BEST PRACTICE OF MANAN

Here below Baba outlines the highest and most pure way to do manan. Baba says, "Manana, that is, thinking only about Parama Purus´a and about no one else. If any other person or thing comes in the mind, ascribe Brahma-hood to that person or thing. This process is manana." (AMIWL-11, 'Mantra Caetanya')

*************************************** Futility of Materialism

Baba says, "Materialism is the sign of shallow knowledge. Due to lack of proper understanding and ignorance people become materialists. Human beings should study more and acquire sufficient knowledge. Then they will understand that in materialism there is nothing." (DMC 84 Delhi, SS-16 (H))

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Good Company

From: "Will Chaucey" To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: Good Company Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:11:25 +1000 Baba "Ga'n geye ja'bo, shono na' shono tav iccha'..." P.S. 2305 Purport: Baba, I will go on singing Your song-- Your glory. It's up to You whether You will grace me by listening to these songs or not. But with these songs, in my deep contemplation, I will generate divine vibrations, by Your grace-- and go on serving You. Baba with my deep yearning I am calling You again and again without getting any response-- You are not paying heed to my call. By avoiding me maybe You are thinking that I will not sing Your song anymore and that I will remain quiet. And that in frustration, I will give up the hope of getting You. And that I will no longer engage in the flow of those divine tunes and melodies, which is inundating the vast sky, by Your grace. And that I will not utilize these melodious treasures in my practical life to go closer to You. Baba, with the strength of knowledge, wisdom, intellect, and worldly attributions, Your depth cannot be measured-- nobody can realise You. But by surrendering that very unit "I" which already belongs to You, and with the divine sweetness of singing Your name I will surely get You by Your grace. Baba, I sing my songs only for You--to serve You, to please You. Please be gracious and keep me on Your lap. Note: In the above song, the sadhaka has deep love and a strong yearning for Parama Purusa. So when Parama Purusa does not respond to his call in the way that he desires, then the sadhaka makes one loving accusation towards Parama Purusa. So actually that is not an accusation per se, but rather an intimate type of loving expression. And Baba is approving that devotees have the right to do like this and that this loving way of communication is quite natural.

== GOOD COMPANY ==

Namaskar, Baba has graciously blessed with all the needed guidelines for living a spiritual life-- plus He has pointedly alerted us about all the pitfalls as well. In this dual regard, company plays a big role. As we know, the friends we keep and the people around us play a highly significant role in our human growth. By remaining in the midst of noble-minded people then the mind moves on the path of vidya whereas when surrounded by undesirable company then the opposite occurs. This fact we have all seen and realised but even then sometimes a reminder can be helpful. Here then are some of Baba's key guidelines in this regard. Baba says, "A good person or a sa'dhaka needs proper maintenance, for in a world of constant change, care must be taken that the change be always towards the better or the higher. Keeping good company is essential for this positive development. While bad company strengthens the bondage of the soul, good company is conducive to liberation and salvation. The keeping of good company is conducive to liberation and is known as satsaunga in Sanskrit. When satsaunga is followed, either physically or mentally or both, the subconscious mind, and thus the conscious mind, are charged with better and higher influences. This change will move the follower forward towards higher and better goals. The alternative is asatsaunga, the keeping of bad company, which leads one into greater and greater bondage." (AV-33) Thus according to Baba good company or satsaunga leads to liberation whereas bad company pushes one under more and more bondage. And here Baba explains in very colourful language and clear-cut examples about this entire phenomenon. Baba says, "Humans will have to move ahead by carefully watching those with whom they will associate. What is the result of keeping good company? By spending time with good persons, a deep impression is imprinted on the mind, causing the desire to be good, to rise in the mind. On the other hand, if one chooses to associate with drunkards, a desire will eventually come in the mind, what is the harm if I drink a little wine? The same sort of thing will happen if one lives with thieves." "To give an example, a person is standing beside a tea-stall. There the flavour of the tea floats to the nose, and then the person says, 'Bring a cup of tea here, too'. In this incident, the flavour of the tea affects the mind. If that person had not remained near the tea stall, the smell would not have reached the nose and perhaps that person would not have taken tea for two or three days. This is the influence that association has on the mind." "Hence humans should choose their company very carefully, for, a mistake in this will cause them to repent their whole life. Even parents who are not good should either send their children to live in a student hostel or keep them with some of their relatives who are good. One must be very strict in this. In Tantra it is said:

"Satsaungena bhavenmuktir asatsaungesu bandhanam". Tasmat Asatsaungamudran'am' Sa'mudra Parikiirtita."

"The Tantrik practice of Mudra' Sadhana means to associate with good human beings in order to attain liberation...Hence good association results in salvation and bad association results in bondage. Hence evil company must be avoided." (Karma Yoga) That is why we should always try and keep in the contact good company--with Ananda Margiis. As this will bring us along the path of the divine. Here below Baba neatly explains how that good company lessens one's radius with the Lord and bad company pulls one farther from the Lord. That is the primary difference between satsaunga and asatsaunga. Baba says, "So while selecting company, you should be careful whether its discourses, its activities, its plans or programmes are to decrease the distance between you and your Lord. This is Satsaunga, good company. Otherwise it is Asatsaunga. Even intellectual discussions of a high order may not be Satsaunga if it has got nothing to do with lessening the distance between you and your Lord, you and your Goal. That type of intellectual discourse, in my language is called intellectual extravaganza. Baoddhika Amitavyayita´. Satsaunga and Asatsaunga. When it goads you on the path of the Lord, it is Satsaunga. From this moment, you should always try to have Satsaunga." (AV-14) Namaskar, Vinay

Note: CONSTANT VIGILANCE IS NECESSARY

Please excuse me, but sometimes people fall into the trap of thinking that being around Ananda Margiis is enough. And generally this is true since usually as Ananda Margiis we sing kiirtan together, do sadhana, and collectively engage in service projects. Even then sometimes it can happen that there can be a few margiis together but, their company is not satsaunga. Because for one reason or another their talk might be about pseudo-culture movies, or they may be just involved in rajasik activities like shopping or skiing. Or sometimes it can been seen that we travelling together in the car then they will listen to pop music or the like. And sometime margiis just talk about too many mundane topics. All these things can happened. So 100% of the time we should be vigilant to ensure that the company we are keeping is satsaunga and we should ensure that as individuals we are adding positively to the collective flow and keeping all our social interactions sentient and Baba-centered. As this is the retreat season and many are in transit to these blissful functions, here then are some good topics to discuss will travelling: how to better follow 16 Points, Baba dreams, the top three things about spiritual life, favourite aspect of Ananda Marga, how to remember Baba during one's daily routine, or any number of topics which create a sweet and harmonious vibration in the mind.

******************************************** Love For All

Baba says, "The sense of differentiation and distinction are of no value to devotees. For them, all become one, all discriminations disappear. Only human beings can have this type of mentality and that is why they are superior to all other beings." (AV-7, p.12)

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US Public Frustrated With...

Date: Mon 26 Apr 2010 22:48:06 -0400 From: Donald_G To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: US Public Frustrated With... Baba PS Intro: In this song, an above-average devotee is expressing his feeling towards Parama Purus'a. "Badhir theko na'ko priyo, shun'ate habe a'ma'r katha'..." (PS 2310) Purport: Baba, please look towards me. Keeping the yearning for You in my heart, I am crying. Please do not be deaf. You have to listen to my tale of the heart. Please understand the pain of the core of my heart. And please understand the longing and yearning that I have to get You. I want to hold You. Off and on I go on listening to the sound of silence-- the divine flute which You play. I feel that by that way You attract me. And it is there that I see Your effulgence. Baba, I feel that Your sweetness and Your love is present in that effulgence and the sound of the flute. Baba, You are the a'lor & prana and of my life. You are my hope; You are my Goal; You are my everything. If I forget you I will lose everything-- my life will be ruined. Baba, You are the nucleus of my existence. That is why again and again I surrender myself at Your lotus feet. Please understand the longing of my heart. Please do not avoid me. Baba please come close...

== US PUBLIC FRUSTRATED WITH CAPITALISM ==

Namaskar, A dramatic turn of events is underway. The very country which has been the bread and butter of capitalism since its inception is now questioning it. With the latest revelations and leaked emails that seemingly portray Goldman Sachs - the investment bank powerhouse - as reviling in the decline of the US economy, the general public has become quite frustrated and dismayed. Although the public is not overtly claiming that capitalism should be torn down, they are outraged by what the big dogs of Wall Street have done. This itself is a slash against capitalism, albeit indirectly. The irony is that what Baba expressed 40 to 50 years ago is now being realised by the people of this elite vaeshayan nation, knowingly or unknowingly.

BABA'S VIEWS ON CAPITALISM

Baba, being omniscient, was perfectly aware of the defects of capitalism and He began guiding us about this from the very early days of Ananda Marga, if not before that. In His, July 1961, Ranchi discourse, Baba points out how the very essence of capitalism runs contrary to our Proutist vision since capitalists just aim to satisfy their greedy desire and accumulate more and more while others suffer in poverty and want. Baba says, "How was capitalism created? Capital is consumable commodities in their potentiality. Intelligent people collect more capital than others in the form of consumable goods, but since this capital cannot be stored for a long time, they began to keep it in the form of money. Such people are called capitalists. These capitalists are the unworthy sons and daughters of the Cosmic Father because they go against the principle of cosmic inheritance." (PNS-15) In an even earlier discourse, His famous RU 1958 speech in Trimohan, Baba warns how the extremely avaricious nature of capitalism must not be tolerated Baba says, "According to true spiritual ideology the system of private ownership cannot be accepted as absolute and final, and hence capitalism cannot be supported either...Wherever necessary, capitalism must be forced to abandon its ferocious hunger by taking strong measures." (POD, Points #1 & #2) And indeed, Baba sternly delivered countless warnings and involved explanations about the harmful ways of capitalism. As, Ananda Margiis we are fully aware about this - this is a surprise to no one. It is a turn of events however, when all of a sudden, the general public in the so-called wealthiest nation on earth begins venting their frustrations against capitalists. How far they are aware that they are actually leaning towards Baba's Proutistic teachings is a totally separate matter, at the same time it cannot be denied that they are sick and tired of the crude selfishness of top bankers. Why? Because the common people are starting to experience some of the horrors - lost homes, huge debt, no purchasing capacity - that Baba warns about. Hence, as their frustration mounts, they are coming closer to our stand. See here what is going on.

WHAT GOLDMAN SACHS ALLEGEDLY DID

As we speak, congressional hearings are going on surrounding the SEC's (Securities & Exchange Commission) allegations that Goldman Sachs Group Inc made $3.7 billion betting against mortgage-related securities as the US housing market started to collapse. To what degree the general populace can understand the technical nature of this accusation is one matter. But what everyone can understand is the tone of the emails that have been uncovered. In those emails, top traders of Goldman Sachs offer snide and smug remarks about making a fortune in betting against the US economy, and even reviling in the notion that as many hard-working people lose their houses, this clannish investment bank is raking in huge piles of money, profiting off the losses of the common people. That is the reason why the mass of Americans are totally frustrated with these selfish capitalist traders. They are ready to tear them limb from limb.

MORE ABOUT THE AMERICAN PSYCHE

Although they do not say so openly, the typical American is now questioning the pillars of capitalism. They may think they are the proud supporters of the free market economy, but in truth they are not. They have begun to express concern about capitalism's main motive: Make a profit any way, at any and all cost. The top aim of capitalism is to make money - beyond that there is no other goal. According to that platform, there is hardly anything wrong with what Goldman Sachs did. In any manner imaginable, they tried to make money. For years, the American public has admired the wealth that Bill Gates amassed. They felt he personified the American capitalistic machinery. Even when he was accused of monopolization, the mass of Americans were in Mr Gates's corner, dreaming of becoming like him, i.e rich and powerful. However today, just a short while later, the common American citizen has not an ounce of sympathy or regard for the avaricious investment bankers and traders of Goldman Sachs. Even though those bankers are following the dictates of capitalism, the American people are not holding them up as heroes, but rather view them as the scoundrels that they are. This then is a dramatic shift to the American psyche. And that shift is only going to become more dramatic. The common citizen will drift more and more in the direction of AM. That is the drama that is unfolding and our duty is to continue to educate the American people. We should not simply wait for them to come to us - we are to do maximum teachings about Proutist ideals.

JUST UNTOUCHABLE

As for those bankers at Goldman Sachs, they are basically untouchable, i.e. very low. In various discourses Baba outlines which professions are dirty and sinful. Baba says, "So one must have a clean occupation, that is, one must not do anything antisocial, one must not encourage anything antisocial, anything that goes against collective interest. That is samyak a'jiiva (right livelihood) in physical sphere. One may earn money by selling wine. One may earn money by stealing. These are not samyak a'jiiva. Your occupation should be neat and clean – not going against the interest of the society." (AV-30) And in other discourses Baba lists how in addition to stealing and selling intoxicants, one must not earn a living as a money lender, religious trader, or funeral director, ie. profiting off of peope's death. All these are sinful ways of earning money as their ways of earning go against the interest of society. Baba says, "People’s means of livelihood should not depend on the quarrel of individuals, as in the case of lawyers. Lawyers usually set one person against another and in this way they serve their personal interests. Similarly no one should be a trader in religion, because in the name of religion, many people are exploited. Nor should one earn one’s livelihood by dealing with dead bodies because such people want more and more people to die, so that they may thereby increase their income. People should also not earn their livelihood by lending money and taking interest. Such persons want to lend more and more money to gain more and more interest, and they do not want the borrowers to refund the capital. The scriptures stipulate that people should not accept food from such people, because their occupations are despicable." (SS-11) Baba's mandate is that one should not never take food from such dastardly persons. The greater idea is that such persons are anti-social elements. These power brokers on Wall Street fall in this same category. They are totally nefarious in their dealing. Baba says, "Regarding earning money and hoarding wealth, most vaeshyas today are pisha'cavats [ghouls]. In Sanskrit pisha'ca means “one who breaks the neck of an animal and then sucks out all the blood, leaving only the flesh and bones”." (HS-1) The vaeshyas of Goldmans Sachs are 100% anti-social. Now, the public is slowly understanding the dirty ways of such capitalists and they do not like what they see. That is why when the US economy fell, then those Wall St moguls had to hire armies of body guards to keep people from tearing down their houses. The public was that furious with their sinful actions. Soon the public will realize that not only are those top capitalists totally greedy and negative, but the whole umbrella of capitalism is equally dirty and infested. That day is drawing near.

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace, His AM teachings are getting implemented through circumstance. The common people have no philosophical position against capitalism, they are just frustrated by it because it is giving them problems. Their retirement money is gone, their houses are gone, their everything has been severely compromised. Capitalism is ruining them on the material sphere. This much they are beginning to see first-hand. Thus their eyes are slowly being opened. Let us see what unfolds this week during the hearings about Goldman Sachs. Whatever may be, the tide is turning and the consciousness of the people is being awakened as they continue to suffer at the hands of those greedy capitalists. As Ananda Margiis we should go continue to spread the world about Prout. By this way it will not be long before the general populace in all lands is keen to this new vision. Baba says, 'Through Master Units and PROUT, we will elevate the standard of the people in a few months or a few years. We should also serve the people immediately by all-round service. PROUT and all-round service may render temporary service – they move along the flow of life – but our spiritual philosophy is above the flow of life. Hence, with spiritual philosophy as the hub, we are to start as many Master Units as possible. All-round service, PROUT and Master Units are the ways of life." (PNS-19) Namaskar, Divyajyoti

******************************************** Various Remedies

Baba says, "The pungent smell from the juice of the tulsi, lavendar, dhu'p, eucalyptus, and several other trees destroys bacteria. The juice of the leaves of the pine and eucalyptus removes phlegm producing diseases. By this oil, good medicines for various chronic diseases are prepared." (6/12/87, Kolkata)

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Baba's Special Way

From: "Ratan" RSW@STARPOWER... To: AM-GLOBAL Subject: Baba's Special Way Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:06:47 -0000 Baba "Ga'nera jharn'a' baye ya'ya, bela' abela' na'hi ma'ne..." (P.S.#4868) Purport: Baba, by Your divine grace the fountain of Prabhat Samgiita songs is flowing eternally, completely independent of the normal cycle of time. Your blissful songs flow according to their own schedule, according to their own routine-- not caring about day or night, summer or winter. The divine flow and sweet melody of Your Prabhat Samgiita songs are dancing on the jagged path. They lead one towards that vast Cosmic Ocean-- towards the fountain of effulgence, towards You Baba...

== BABA'S SPECIAL WAY ==

Namaskar, From age to age when Taraka Brahma advents, then He has His own special way of revealing His message-- all depending upon the level of the society. That is why we see that each Divine Advent reveals a totally new approach for establishment of His mission: All unveiled in His own unique manner.

BACK IN THE TIME OF LORD KRSNA

When Lord Krsna incarnated then the society was in a different stage of development. The people were simple and needed to hear things in straight language. In that environment Lord Krsna openly proclaimed that He is the Divine Entity-- Mahasambhuti-- and that He has come for a special purpose. "Krsna said in the Giita, as well as elsewhere, that all must follow the path shown by Him."

Mama vartma'nu...

"'If people resort to the path that I show they are sure to attain salvation in the end...I will liberate You'." (NKS, '97, p.210) And in another shloka Lord Krsna has proclaimed:

Paritra'n'a'ya sa'dhu'na'm'.....

"'I incarnate Myself in this world from age to age for the annihilation of the wicked and the protection of the virtuous'." (NKS, Disc 24) So these divine messages Lord Krsna shared with one and all. And the common people of those days totally accepted-- if not embraced-- His call.

BABA'S ADVENT IN THIS MODERN WORLD

Today's society is distinctly different-- the standard is something else. And this is reflected by Baba's vastly different approach from Lord Krsna's way. Rather than openly declaring His arrival on the public platform in front of one and all, instead in this complex era Baba has employed a multitude of ways and techniques for revealing Himself and putting forth His mission.

ON THE PERSONAL LEVEL....

On the purely personal level when relating intimately through His ota yoga with one particular sadhaka then Baba reveals Himself in so many ways. He reveals Himself to devotees in the form of dreams or deep sadhana experiences. By these ways the sadhaka gets deep intuitional confirmation of His divine appearance. Or Baba Himself might directly tell about His Cosmic Dance to one margii in PC. And then to others Baba has discussed in the natural course of the day that He has come for some mission. Or He might raise the kundalini of one sadhaka and put them in a high state of samadhi. Through all these types of personal approaches and through other various ways Baba has lovingly called devotees near Him and revealed the fact of His coming. Otherwise how could people know about the divine Advent of Mahasambhuti. Without any hint or glimmer of His divine appearance then one unit being could never fathom that the Great Cosmic Entity has taken human form. Because when we are only unit beings with limited minds and when He is the residing Lord of the visible and invisible worlds then how could we fathom that all of this expressed creation and unexpressed universe resides in the nucleus of His mind. Without His grace, this is far beyond our conception. Hence accordingly, He has blessed various aspirants-- i.e. Ananda Margiis-- by bring them close to Him.

PINK DRAGONS AND FLYING BUFFALOES: A DIFFERENT APPROACH IN PUBLIC

So while through His ota yoga-- yoga of individual association-- Baba has personally awakened the consciousness of sadhakas and revealed His divine advent to them, in the public sphere His ways of communication were distinctly different. For example, when the world came to see Him during the time of Dharma Samiiksa, then that time in various reportings Baba used to tell that, 'A flying camel or a flying buffalo came and told me this news'. So rather than telling openly that He is that Omniscient, Omnipresent Entity, instead Baba would use humour and interesting tales to express or point out the truth. Thus when one person in a lonely place engaged in some negative act and if that individual never told anyone about this, then to correct that person's conduct Baba would say that, 'One flying pink lizard has told me...'. And then Baba would expose the fact. Of course those understanding Baba's jokes knew that there is no flying buffalo or flying lizard etc. Just this was Baba's psychological way of expressing Himself on the public forum. Certainly we know Baba is the All-encompassing witnessing Entity and that nothing transpires in this universe without His awareness. Yet, for various reasons best known to Him, He chose not to reveal or openly proclaim on the public forum who He was. Mostly likely because there were various standards or disciples and members of the society in His audience etc. This is one possibility. So the standard of society is different now than during the time of Lord Krsna's era. And the proof is that Baba does not reveal everything openly. Rather He uses jokes like that of the flying buffalo, or some bird, or some crocodile etc to say what He wants to tell. Even then His approach is not limited to this.

THIRD WAY-- IN THE PHILOSOPHICAL REALM

In the philosophical realm, Baba has used the books "Nama'mi Krs'n'asundaram" and "Namah Shivaya Shantaya" as a way to project HIS A'nanda Ma'rga philosophy. So in the name of Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna, Baba has put forth all His views. In those books He has revealed indirectly so many philosophical and devotional treasures. When describing Nandan Vijaina Baba is telling about Lord Krsna's beauty and charm.

Apu'rba ta'r cokher ca'oya'....

"His look is unique. The scent of His body is unique. His movement, coming and going, is unique...." (NKS, '97, p.225) So in the above shloka on the philosophical plane it can be said that here Baba is talking about Lord Krsna. Yet in the practical sphere we all know that through countless demonstrations Baba has shown that He Himself is the personification of all those divine beauties and charms. His scent is that of sweet sandalwood or flowers-- and He makes others carry that scent as well. All these things He has done. So devotees understand that in the above shloka Baba is indirectly talking about Himself. And to satisfy those jinanis, He has given these books in such a way that they studied the books "Nama'mi Krs'n'asundaram" and "Namah Shivaya Shantaya" as a historical survey or philosophical discussion of Lord Krsna and Lord Shiva. But in truth Baba is indirectly telling about Himself and revealing all His beauties and grandeur and showing how one can get Him etc. That is why bhaktas just view those two books as the expression of Baba-- Lord Shrii Shrii A'nandamurtiji.

FOURTH WAY: HOW HE HAS TOLD MORE ABOUT HIMSELF

Plus in so many other discourses and books such as in His Ghost stories or Shabda Cayanika etc, Baba has revealed much about His own personal experiences and fathomless insights. Because in all these accounts He regularly comes in contact with 'one figure of light and shadow' who uncovers all kinds of unique truths about this universe. So this is yet another way that Baba reveals His inner Self. And devotees can easily understand and feel this truth in their heart; but for jinanis He remains a mystery.

OVERALL MESSAGE

So by all these ways-- and numerous other avenues-- we can understand that through various means Baba is uncovering the divine truth and revealing Himself and putting forth His AM ideology.

BABA'S SPECIAL RECIPE: JOIN THE MAGICIAN'S PARTY

Here below in His story about those watching a magic act, Baba unveils the special way for knowing all the precious secrets of that magician. Baba says, "The magician wants people to witness the display. But what will the spectators or the intelligent persons amongst the spectators who want to join the magician's party, do? They will develop love for the magician and join the party. After joining the party, each and every secret of the magic will be known to them." (AV-2, Discourse #45) So by watching Him and falling in love with His Supreme Self we can get everything-- all the answers. This is Baba's guideline.

BABA IS THAT SUPREME MAGICIAN

By Baba's grace in the following shlokas He colorfully reveals the inner truth of this vast Cosmic expression and shows how we can attain that Supreme stance.

Ya evaeka udbhave sambhave ca'.

Baba says, "The Creator of the universe is a Great Magician...All these magical expressions, magical displays, have their origin in Him. He expressed Himself in the form of so many magical displays. And it is that Magician who retains and nourishes the magically created objects; and finally those objects go back to the inner arena of that Magician." (AV-2)

Ya etadviduramrta'ste bhavanti'.

"That intelligent spiritual aspirant who comes in close contact with the Magician by dint of his extreme love for the Magician attains immortality." (AV-2) Namaskar, Ratan

Note: ONE OTHER SPECIAL TECHNIQUE

In Shabda Cayanika, Baba is also using this series as a way to put forth the truth about historical events and cultural phenomena that would otherwise be difficult to prove. But by using the voice of a ghost or a luminous being, then Baba can effortlessly tell all that He want to say. And devotees will get the inner truth and know how to apply that in today's world. Hence books like Shabda Cayanika are another way of putting forth difficult to prove facts such that jinanis cannot object or argue and devotees understand that Baba is revealing 100% truth. One wonderful example of this is the story about Viresh Vijay in Shabda Cayanika where Baba tells about the special traits of great revolutionaries. And there are countless other wonderful depictions where Baba has beautifully revealed so many grand secrets and solved so many historical puzzles etc.

****************************************** Sadhana Point

Baba says, "Where there is no love, the mind will not run after Him. So dhya'na also becomes meaningless." "Dhya'na is withdrawing the mental propensities from all extroversive entities, and then collecting those withdrawn mental forces, mental propensities, and urging them towards the Supreme Entity. If there is no love for the Supreme Entity, this movement cannot be done." (Patna, 31st August, 1978)

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Do You Know This New Dogma?

Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2010 22:54:19 To: AM-GLOBAL From: V.J.K. Rajpurhit Subject: Do You Know This New Dogma? Baba "A'mi toma'y bha'loba'si, ja'na'i kii kare..." (PS 3837) Purport: Baba, by Your grace I love You. For me You are everything; I love You so much. You know my eyes ceaselessly shower tears of love for You. Baba, please tell me how I can express this feeling of my heart: That I love You. O' my dearmost, the love of my heart resonates in Your heart. By that way You understand. Beyond that I do not have any words to express my feeling of love towards You. Baba, You are so gracious. When the new dawn comes then in the crimson sunrise by Your grace I can see You emanating Your divine effulgence. Baba, You are so beautiful; You shower Your effulgence everywhere. In the form of innumerable flowers and also in the fragrance of niipa blossom, You grace everyone by pouring Your divine sweetness. Baba, in the eastern crimson horizon through the sweet, gentle breeze, You tenderly call me and graciously embrace me in Your bosom. Baba, in the auspicious and charming moment of the colourful evening sunset, with Your infinite love You always radiate Your sweet smile. That very time You reassuringly tell me again and again that, 'Now is the time for you to take rest, tomorrow I will come calling for You'. These are the sweet words You whisper to me in that divine moment. Baba You are so gracious You are always with me. Baba, Your charming and gracious tales and love stories always float throughout this entire universe and also in my mind, in my heart. Baba, You are my everything; I love You so much... Note: Baba says love (prema) is not unilateral or one-sided. Rather when the devotee loves Parama Purusa, the Parama Purusa loves the bhakta-- whether any response comes from Parama Purusa or not. The inner equation is that Because Parama Purusa loves the devotee so much, that is why the devotee also loves Parama Purusa. Divine love or prema is always mutual-- not unilateral. In so many discourses Baba has revealed this fact about the inner secret of love between devotee and Parama Purusa. Here we should remember that prema means divine love-- not attachment (ks'ama) for worldly things etc. And it is specifically in this devotional relation between bhakta and Bhagawan where love is always mutual and never one sided. Baba says, "Human beings love Parama Purus'a and He loves human beings: this love is always mutual, not unilateral." (SS-11, 'What is the Way') Baba says, "The desire in your mind to meet God is only born when He is inclined towards you. It is the result of His desire to meet you. Your meeting with God is not a unilateral affair, it is a mutual thing." (AV-23, p.123)

== DO YOU KNOW THIS NEW DOGMA ==

Namaskar, Unfortunately, a disturbing trend has been in vogue at one group's DMS gatherings the past few years, if not longer. One might think that some typical groupist power ploy is being done, but actually the situation is worse than that. It is really quite serious. Even the other factions have not stooped this low. We should all be aware and ready to unitedly solve the problem.

OURS IS A UNIVERSAL MISSION

As we know, ours is a universal mission. Baba's teachings are for all. It is not that some of Baba's teachings apply to one segment of the population and other teachings are for another. Baba's entire AM ideology is meant to be shared with all, irrespective of race, creed, gender, nationality etc. But at one DMS program it is not happening that way.

ONGOING DOGMA AT JAMALPUR DMS

The ongoing scene at Jamalpur DMS is that they are only singing those few Prabhat Samgiita that were written in Angika language. That means the Ranchi group leaders are only willing to allow the 5 or 8 Angika songs to be sung at this DMS - because Angika is the native tongue to Jamalpur. Here let me say that I personally love the Angika language and regularly sing those Prabhat Samgiita compilations that were written in Angika. Yet, as we all know, in total, Baba has composed 5,018 songs that cover the entire gamut of human consciousness and realisation, as well as all aspects of nature and social occasions. All songs are to be sung by all - they are not to be divided or rejected due to one's language group etc. Tragically, though, that is what is being done at this DMS function. The ramifications of this policy are quite extreme and we will examine that. First, however we should consult Baba's divine teachings on language.

SIX STAGES OF EXPRESSION

In His discourse, Human Society Is One and Indivisible – 3, Baba neatly outlines the six stages of expression and shows how all languages have the same origin. Baba says, "There are six stages to the expression of language: para', pashyantii, madhya'ma', dyotama'na', vaekharii and shrutigocara'." (NHNS-2) Then Baba goes on to explain how from the muladhara cakra to the anahata cakra, every language is the same. From (1) the seed of an idea to (2) the sprouting of an idea to (3) the picture of an idea and the urge to speak and (4) to the initial vibration, this process is the same regardless of the language group. Or think of it this way. Let's say two persons speak different languages and both are thirsty. Then they will both have the same idea of thirst. They will have the same feeling of wanting to drink something. They will both cultivate the image of water in their mind. And they will both desire to express the idea that I am thirsty. All that is the same. Only their vocal presentation or wording will differ. Baba says, 'Para' shakti, the seed of all expression, lies in the muladhara cakra, but the seed is not transformed into language. It is just the seed of the idea. This is called para' in Sam'skrta. Pashyantii, the stage where the seed of the idea sprouts, lies in the next higher cakra, that is the svadis'tha'na. In the next stage, madhya'ma', the idea is consolidated to give a picture to it. That is to say, people visualise the form of the idea they want to convey. In the man'ipura cakra there is an urge to transform the idea into sound form...In the next stage, that is dyotama'na', the idea acquires the form of language. Dyotama'na' means vibrational. In this stage there is some vibrational expression but the exact word is not formed. In the fifth stage, when the vibration reaches the vocal cord, the idea gets transformed into language. This is vaekharii shakti or the transformation of ideas into language. The last stage is called shrutigocara' and occurs when the word gets vocalized with the help of the tongue." (NHNS-2) Baba says, ,"In all languages para', pashyantii, madhya'ma' and dyotama'na' are uniform. Only in the fifth and sixth stages is the expression different." (NHNS-2) For more details read the book. Or another way is that if you do not understand what Baba is saying then here is the idea: If two persons speak different languages yet both are thirsty then they will both have the same idea, feeling, and image of water - only their wording is different. Because all languages share the same source. By this entire science, it is quite clear that language is just the outer layer of human expression. Before any word is spoken or sung, there is a great universal process going on. That is why we appreciate all languages, only superficial distinctions exist from one language to the next. Their inner feeling is the same. To divide or reject Baba's teachings based on which language He spoke is not our way. As His disciples we are universally embracing the idea of His teachings, not selecting or rejecting them on the basis of language. To only sing 5 or 8 songs from His Prabhat Samgiita collection and reject all others because of their language is to miss out on Baba's great gift to humanity as well as His personal instructions to you as a sadhaka. As His disciples, we should be eager to learn and sing all of Baba's Prabhat Samgiita. Each song carries a special idea and teaching for a sadhaka's social and spiritual development. And indeed there is a wide array of songs: Melancholic, special occasions, dhyana, neo-humanism, change of seasons, Prout, social consciousness, fighting dogma, creation theory or sristi cakra, Ananda Purnima, mysticism, dance, music, art, and so much more. The lists goes on and on. The limited number of songs written in Angika do not carry all these teachings. The Prabhat Samgiita in Angika do not represent every occasions and realisation. Thus to choose songs based on the language in which they were written is nothing but narrow-minded and short-sighted. The only question that does arise is this: Why were most songs in Baba's Prabhat Samgiita collection written in Bangla? The answer is that He wants to teach us that the language in which He most frequently spoke should be used for poetry and similar forms of expression.

ALL LANGUAGES ARE THE SAME

Here Baba outrightly proclaims that all the 7,500 languages on this earth are His language and hence we are to embrace them all. Baba furthermore condemns the idea of dividing humanity or His teachings due to language. Baba says, "One should remember that all languages are the languages of Parama Purus'a. I may master perhaps one, two, three or maybe 100 or 300 of these languages, but it does not mean that the languages I do not know are not the languages of Parama Purus'a. Hence, it is absurd to divide humanity on the basis of language." (AFPS-3) However, because of their narrow-mindedness, one group is outrightly rejecting Baba's divine gift for humanity by not allowing the vast gamut of Baba's Prabhat Samgiita compositions to be sung at DMS. Or how else can we describe the situation.

HORRIBLE RAMIFICATIONS

Here is one way of putting things into perspective. Baba's divine composition contain golden nuggets of teachings and devotional expression. Every sadhaka should become versed in all the songs to get the benefit. To only learn certain songs based on language is just plain silly and short-sighted. In that case Spanish speaking margiis would not sing any Prabhat Samgiita since none were written in Spanish - that is the message the Ranchi teams is perpetuating. Those groupists only think for their own group interests and do not realise how they are harming the society at large. If we were to apply their silly formula to other facets of AM ideology it would look something like this. Those margiis in Athens, Greece, would only follow one or two of Baba's discourses and reject the rest of Baba's teachings because only 1 or 2 discourses were delivered in Athens. Likewise those in Caracas (Venezuela) or Kaohsiung (Taiwan) would only adhere to those discourses delivered in their areas. Thus they would be bereft of Sixteen Points, yama and niyama, and thousands of other eternal teachings. And those in Suva sector would outrightly reject all of Baba's discourses since He he did not deliver any discourses in Australia or New Zealand. In that case, those margiis might decide to only follow those teachings of Baba which they got in their dream. Those grouipists are giving this teaching and lesson to others and I am afraid others may do like this. Indeed some misguided jinanis have already twisted The Supreme Command and soon others may translated their ista mantra or Baba Nam Kevalam. That is the dogmatic message that Ranchi is sending around the globe by their actions at the Jamalpur DMS gathering. Such is the sheer silliness of those in Ranchi who are essentially banning more than 5000 Prabhat Samgiita songs from the Jamalpur DMS. B group has done many wrongs and violated countless dharmic codes, but at least on this point, the Tiljala team welcomes all of Baba's divine Prabhat Samgiita songs - all are sung at gatherings in Kolkata. Or at least, it always was like that. If anyone has different information then let me know.

BABA'S EXAMPLE OF DMC

Let us remember that when Baba held DMC in Rajasthan, Bombay, Fiesh, or in any area then the DMC logistical announcements were in the local language primarily, but on the dharmic front, the vast array of Prabhat Samgiita were all sung, regardless of the language. On this point Baba did not compromise. Likewise, samgacchadhvam and all chants were done in their original language as well. Those things were not omitted or translated because of where the DMC was held. Today's DMS programs should reflect this same universal quality. That is what Baba wants - we should follow His example. It is not that only Angika Prabhat Samgiita should be sung in Jamalpur or that Guru Puja should be chanted in English at DMS in NY Sector. DMS is a mix of people from all over the globe and all should be welcome and allowed to experience the universal spirit of Baba's teachings. No groupist dogma should limit the expression of our DMS programs.

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace, He has blessed us with a vast array of universal teachings, including Prabhat Samgiita. All margiis are to raise their voice against the dogmatic scene at the Jamalpur DMS program. We should remember that it is very easy to implement dogma. Those egotistical groupists who do not know what Baba wants often invent and impose their own dogma. That is what is happening at the Jamalpur DMS program. But we should not allow it to continue. We should follow Baba's teachings that all languages are our language and we should sing all His Prabhat Samgiita songs at our AM functions, irregardless of the language in which they were composed. Baba says, "The human race has numerous languages. Each language is our language, the language of all of us. In this context sentiments such as, “My language; your language” or, “Indigenous language; foreign language” are extremely defective. Only this much can be said: that we have many languages, but I can express myself in one or more than one language among them." (POD #20) Namaskar, Vidyasagar

****************************************** Cause of Degeneration

Baba says, "Very often people become victims of disappointment for the sole reason that they forget their goal of life. If they look towards their goal, then their disappointments and frustrations will cease...The tragedy is that in their foolish effort to walk alone, people often stumble and fall down." (SS-12, p.5)

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Brahma Brahma'ntar

Date: 23 Apr 2010 219:47:28 -0000 From: "Divyacaksu Deva" To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: Brahma Brahma'ntar Baba "Dukhe kleshe ka'tar haye d'ekechilum ba're ba're..." (PS 3290) Purport: Baba, You are the most compassionate One. You graciously come to all to remove their afflictions. Baba, You know that in the helplessness of my pain and suffering, I was calling You again and again. But in spite of hearing me, You did not pay heed; You remained oblivious. It was so painful. I was anticipating that You would respond, but You did not give any answer my desperate call. It is so painful-- O' my dearmost. Baba, in that dark moment, injustice and torture were rampant all around; everyone's golden dreams withered away. There was no hope in sight. The humanity was bitterly crying with loud lamentation. Everyone was suffering. Baba, by Your grace You advented. Finally You came in the most powerful and thundering form of Rudra*. With the humkara* of Your vishan*, and with the fiery flames, You burned all the demonic forces to ashes. Baba, by Your unfathomable grace You spread Your divine effulgence all around. Everyone became totally ensconced in Your bliss. Baba, You have come and blessed everybody and You are residing forever in our hearts. Baba, You are eternally gracious... ASTERISK NOTES (*): *Rudra= This is one of the countless names of Parama Purusa and it is in this role of Rudra that He makes others weep. The demonic forces get annihilated and cry out while the good people shed tears of joy-- divinely intoxicated in His bliss. Here below Baba explains furthermore. Baba says, "Why call the Supreme Being 'Rudra'? The word Rudra in Sanskrit means 'weeping'. But the Supreme Being not only makes all weep, He also makes them laugh! In both the circumstances, that is, of extreme pain and pleasure, there are tears in the eyes. In pain the tears come from the middle of the eyes, in pleasure they come from the corners of the eyes. A mother weeps when her daughter goes to her in-laws' house. She also weeps when her daughter returns from the house of her in-laws. In one case she weeps for pain, in another she weeps for joy." "If living beings were to live in one state always, there would be extreme monotony and no one would want to continue life. If in a drama we know the end in the very beginning, there would be no interest in the play. We need suspense, ups-and-downs and eleventh-hour surprises to keep life interesting. God, that is, Rudra, is a first-class dramatist. He keeps life floating within the two extremes of joy and pain; hence His liila', His play, goes on." (SS-25) *Humka'ra: Literally meaning roaring or vibration. *Vis'an': In the above song, Baba uses His vi'san (long horn) to destroy the wicked forces and bring peace and prosperity to the dharmikas. Here below Baba gives the historical context of vis'an' and explains how it was used by Lord Shiva in the past. Baba says, "In olden days neglected and exploited people, who had fallen prostrate under extreme oppression, used to look upon Shiva as their supreme shelter. Shiva would crush this exploitation with His thunderbolt -- He would strike the arrogance of vain and egotistic people with His trident, and reduce to ashes the mountains of injustice and tyranny. He felt great compassion for those afflicted people and, making them sit beside Him, advised them how to solve their physical, psychic and spiritual problems. Shiva used to live on a hill, and all kinds of people from far and near would flock to Him. He would call them with the call of His vis'a'n'a, His long horn, and that is why the people of those days could not think of Him without His vis'a'n'a -- so they lovingly nicknamed Him 'Vis'a'n'anina'daka' ["One who Blows the Vis'a'n'a"]." (NSS, 'Song of Shiva')

== BRAHMA BRAHMA'NTAR ==

Namaskar, As human beings, as sadhakas, we have our fixed Goal. By Baba's grace Parama Purus'a is our Goal. Baba is our Ista. And, by His grace, everything we do in our spiritual lives is leading up to His divine stance. Simultaneously, in day to day life a certain adjustment is needed. For various reasons, we cannot maintain our silent meditation practice day and night, sitting in padma'sana all the 24 hours. We have many other duties and responsibilities to take care of in this world. Ours is the path of subjective approach & objective adjustment. Because we have to move on and on towards Him yet maintain our affairs in everyday life. In general, the common occurrence is that in sadhana by His grace the mind gets pointed towards Brahma yet when taking care of worldly duties our mind gets associated with mundane things. This is the common phenomenon. But, Baba warns us that this way of thinking about the world precipitates one's crudification. So we should know the proper remedy to avoid degeneration and keep the mind spiritually vibrated.

BABA'S WARNING ABOUT CRUDIFICATION

Here below Baba scientifically explains how the mind-- our existence-- gets grossly crudified by identifying one's mental waves with crude worldly objects. Baba says, "We hear a sound, but the concept of the word uttered is not clear till the mental waves are brought in contact with the physical concept involved. A child hears the word 'cat'. He sees a cat and the mother says, 'See, my son! That is the cat which drank your milk yesterday'. The boy associates the word 'cat' with the cat seen. That means he establishes a parallelism between the mental waves created by uttering the word 'cat' and the physical wave coming from the physical form of the cat. Hence psycho-physical parallelism is the meaning of a word which itself (the word) is a psychic wave. Psycho-physical parallelism always tends to make the psychic waves cruder, and if the mental wave gets cruder, human beings will be transformed into cruder beings (the path of negative pratisaincara will be taken by them) and spiritual elevation will remain a dream." (Idea & Ideology) As Baba warns us above, one's mental waves degenerate towards crude matter when they think about objects of this world. And this leads to one's downfall. The overall idea is that the mind takes on the shape of its ideation. And in the cycle of life and rebirth, one gets a body according to their thoughts in the mind-- according to their mental pabulum. So if one thinks about a cat they will be reborn as a cat or maybe some other kind of animal. And if one thinks about bricks they will be converted into stone. And if they think about their business finances, they may be converted into a wallet or purse or a silver coin etc. Like this it works. The overall equation being that by thinking about crude matter one's nerve cells and nerve fibres get adversely affected-- i.e. crudified-- and an ectoplasmic change takes place. The result being that ultimately serious degeneration occurs. Where one's entire existence gets converted into crude matter. Baba's warns us about this horrible outcome in the above cited passage and in countless other discourses. This we have all heard.

BABA GIVES THE GRAND SOLUTION

The predicament then becomes: What is the answer. What is the way out. How is it that human beings-- sadhakas-- can live in this world yet maintain their march towards Parama Purusa. Here Baba gives His perfect answer. Baba says, "In day-to-day business, we have to conceive the meaning of words and thereby establish psycho-physical parallelism. Then, is human destiny sealed for ever? No, it is not! We can have a supreme position of the spiritual wave over the physical wave and perceive the latter as one of the manifestations of the spiritual infinite one. This is what Ananda Marga philosophy means by Brahmacarya. Brahmacarya does not mean celibacy but means the assimilation of the psychic wave of the unit mind into the eternal waves of the Macrocosm. Ananda Marga lays down for the spiritual aspirant a practical method by which this spiritual imposition is done and the mental waves are saved from becoming cruder. Rather by bha'va sa'dhana' (spiritual practice of auto-suggestion) at the time of action laid down by Ananda Marga, the mind will tend towards Brahmacarya and thereby towards psycho-spiritual parallelism, the only way to ultimate liberation. Because, for mental liberation, the psychic waves must be made subtler, and this is only possible if one either entertains only subtler mental waves or by inspiring with a spiritual force gets a parallelism of the mental waves with spiritual ones." (Idea and Ideology) In His above revolutionary teaching, Baba guides us that by practicing second lesson-- Brahmacarya-- then while performing mundane works we can goad the mental waves of the mind towards the spiritual realm-- and not towards the crude matter. By this way one can work in the world yet progress spiritually and reach the divine stance.

MORE ABOUT OUR PRACTICE OF BRAHMACARYA

As we know, each and everything in this vast universal creation is the expression of Brahma. So Baba's directive is to ideate on Brahma before starting any mundane work. According to Him we are to apply the feeling of Brahma-hood to our actions. And this, as we all know is our practice of brahmacarya or second lesson of sahaja yoga. By this way, by engaging in the spiritual outlook of brahmacarya, one's mind naturally contemplates or moves from one form or expression of Brahma to another. By this practice the mind is always involved with Brahma-- i.e. it remains constantly in that subtle spiritual realm. In which case the mind can never degenerate. Thus by following the code of brahmacarya and converting one's mental waves into the spiritual sphere, there is no scope for any downfall.

MEANING OF BRAHMA BRAHMA'NTAR

In Sanskrit, the term 'kal' means time. So the phrase, kal kala'ntar, means from one time to another. And in Sanskrit, the term 'gram' means village. Then the phrase, gram grama'ntar, means from one village to another. Similarly, Brahma is Parama Purusa or Cosmic Consciousness. So Baba's guideline-- Brahma Brahma'ntar-- means to move from one expression of Brahma to another. That is the spirit and practical approach of our second lesson. So in our regular dealing, we are to constantly feel and think that when doing worldly duties we are merely interacting with His various expressions - just moving from one expression of His to the next. That is how to see Him in everything and follow the code of brahmcarya.

WITHOUT SECOND LESSON, DEGENERATION IS SURE

Those who fail to follow this practice of second lesson or Brahmacarya will certainly undergo radical degeneration. This is Baba's stern warning. Of course we all know about our 2nd lesson, but even then it is not so easy to do. But by His grace and through constant effort and practice, seeing all as the expression of Brahma will step by step become our natural outlook. So we should make strict efforts. Because without yama and niyama sadhana is an impossibility and the practice of brahmacarya is one of the main steps of yama and niyama. Without this-- without practicing brahmacarya-- then one cannot progress along the path of sadhana.

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's divine grace, as His disciples we should sincerely follow brahmacarya, become established in this practice, and get close to Him.

"Whatever you speak or do, Forgetting Him never; Keeping His name in Your heart, Work, remembering it is for Him, And, endlessly active, drift in bliss." (CC-II, 'Sadhana', pt #10)

Namaskar, Divyacaksu

Note: BABA'S SPECIAL TEACHING

Here is another of one of Baba's special teachings that is intimately linked with the whole topic of brahmacarya and the practice of second lesson.

Mana eva manus'ya'na'm' ka'ran'am' bandhamoks'ayoh; Bandhastu vis'aya'saungi mukto nirvis'ayam' tatha'.

Baba says, "'The mind is the cause of bondage, and this mind, this very mind, is the cause of liberation, is the cause of emancipation.' If the movement towards subtle is encouraged, and there is movement with proper acceleration, then what will happen? There will take place one of two different things: either one's existence will be converted into the Cosmic Mind -- that metamorphosis of unit mind into Cosmic Mind is known as the qualified stance -- sagun'a'sthiti -- or, if the very "I" feeling is surrendered at the altar of Supreme Existence, then the alternative will be that the entire existential factor will become one with the Supreme Cognitive Faculty, with the Cognitive Principle -- one will become omniscient, an all-knowing entity. Thus one will attain sagun'a'sthiti or nirgun'a'sthiti (the non-attributional or non-qualified stance)." (NHNS-1, 'Existential Flow & Its Culminating Point')

Note 2: HE IS WATCHING ME

Another very simple and effective way of practicing second lesson is outlined in the below posting. The basic idea is to think: He is watching me. This idea alone brings Parama Purusa into your awareness - and that is second lesson. Read more about it here:

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2008/04/essence-of-1st-and-2nd-lesson.html

Unpublished Discourse About Weapons

Subject: Unpublished Discourse About Weapons
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:55:28
From: "Gaurishankar Agrawal"
To: AM-GLOBAL  

Baba

"Toma'ke ceyechi a'mi jiivaner prati pale..." (P.S. 2106)

Purport:

Baba, I want You in each and every sphere of my life-- all the time, every moment. Baba, please come in every honey-filled seed vessel of my hundred petal mental lotus. Baba, whatever beautiful things I have, whatever good things I have-- I am offering everything unto You. Baba, please grace me by coming with Your most attractive form.

O' my dearmost, Your everything is so very beautiful. You are that most resplendent divine Entity-- perfectly effulgent. Just as the shining moon does not have any black spots; similarly, O' Parama Purusa, You are resplendent and blemishless-- perfectly pristine & pure. Baba, please shower Your causeless grace on me; please remove my fear and shyness from my unit mind. Please take away all those impurities that are accumulated in my mental plate. Baba, please grace me with the eternal gift of devotion.

Baba, I do not have any worldly desire-- just I want Your closeness. That is why I go on searching You while doing all kinds of works, O' my Lord of Lords. Baba, in each and every moment of my life, in all my deeds and in all my thoughts I want Your Presence-- I want Your grace...

== UNPUBLISHED DISCOURSE ABOUT WEAPONS ==

Note: This posting is based on an unpublished Hindi discourse from Bombay where Baba talks about who should have weapons.

Namaskar,
Nuclear weapons, proliferation, and disarmament are hot topics these days. The recent nuclear security summit in Washington addressed these issues and more.

Certain leading imperialistic nations are eager to put a halt to nuclear proliferation, especially the US. However, these power-hungry, materialistic nations are not for universal welfare or global peace. They just want to keep nuclear weaponry exclusively for themselves. That is their interest.

As Ananda Margiis, we should clearly understand Baba's guidelines and policies with regards to weapons and disarmament. Baba furthermore reveals the hidden agenda of those nations.

Let us also remember that there are all kinds of weapons such as chemical warfare, cyber-weapons, and more. So Baba's stated policy is for the weapons of today and tomorrow.

Finally, weapons are not only for external battles but also for internal ones. Thus every individual must be armed with all kinds of sentient weaponry (yama and niyama, Prout, kiirtan, sadhana etc) so they can overcome degrading tendencies of mind and reach to Parama Purusa.

BABA'S MANDATE IN BRIEF

As a brief overview, Baba's guideline is that moralists should have weapons in order to protect the people and deter anti-social elements, whereas terrorists and rogue parties should be condemned and their might and power should be snatched away.

Unfortunately, today the opposite is true. Moralists are not united and immoralists have banded together and gained access to all kinds of weapons for their various schemes. Thus bad people have weapons and good people do not. Needless to say this situation needs to be reversed.

In this complex, battle-torn world, we should arm ourselves with Baba's divine teachings. We should know His stand on weapons.

THE ESSENCE OF THAT UNPUBLISHED DISCOURSE

Here is a summary of Baba's discourse about weapons delivered in the 1960's in Bombay.

Baba talks about how at the very beginning of human history, individuals would quarrel and physically fight by hitting, scratching, grinning, grunting, grimacing, biting and clawing. That was the socially acceptable manner to settle disputes. Everybody fought using these same basic techniques.

Then one day, one party got an idea. This alpha party discovered that they could attack their chosen target from afar by throwing fist-sized mounds of dirt, or dirt bombs. With this discovery, immediately the alpha party had a distinct advantage over his enemies, i.e the beta party. The alpha party could easily vanquish their foes.

In response the beta party became outraged, fearing that so many would get hurt and destroyed by these flying dirt bombs. The beta party exclaimed, "Come out and fight in a civilized way and meet me face to face - claw and punch. Do not resort to this dangerous method of throwing dirt bombs from your hidden position. Everyone will get killed."

But the alpha party paid no mind to the pleas and logic of the beta team. And the alpha party continued to attack others using their dirt bomb technique. With no other recourse, the beta party decided that they too must use this dirt bomb approach. So they did research, study and practice and soon they were also using dirt bombs for their main way of fighting.

With dirt bombs flying in both directions, the alpha party became disturbed and thought that they had lost their advantage. So they looked around and found that rocks were harder and more potent than dirt bombs. The alpha team then began throwing rocks which easily bloodied and hurt other people.

Once again, the beta party became horrified by this increased level of intensity by the alpha team. The beta person demanded, "Do not throw rocks; they are too hard and dangerous. Too many people are getting hurt. This will destroy society. Only throw dirt bombs - that is our agreed upon fighting strategy. Give up this practice of throwing rocks. There should be disarmament or dis-rock-ament, i.e. no throwing rocks - no one should do this."

But beta's pleas fell on deaf ears. The alpha party was very satisfied with the effectiveness of rock throwing. In turn, the beta team began investigating and experimenting with throwing rocks and soon began employing that technique as well.

In this way the level of fighting increased. All this Baba relays in His unpublished discourse. But it does not stop there. Baba continues to explain the history of weaponry in human civilisation.

When the alpha party saw that team beta was also using rocks, then the alpha team looked around and came up with a new technique in order to gain an advantage. The alpha team began using big animals such as horses and elephants to attack their foes.

This was quite alarming for the beta party. They were rattled and complained bitterly that the alpha team would destroy all of humanity and kill everyone using this new method. The beta team pleaded that animals not be used for fighting as it was too dangerous and creating too many deaths.

Once again, the alpha party did not listen and they enjoyed their fighting supremacy. The beta party did their related research, trained animals and fighters, and also began using animals in their warfare. The two warring parties were again on equal ground.

Next, the alpha party invented spears and other sharp throwing devices. The beta team vigorously objected claiming that these spears were too dangerous - everyone will be killed and entire countries destroyed. The alpha party did not pay heed. With no other recourse, the beta team began developing their own spears and sharp fighting tools.

In this see-saw manner, the level of fighting increased.

The alpha team then invented the bow and arrow, and again the beta team exclaimed that this was too harmful and the alpha team should be civilised in their fighting. The alpha party ignored their plea so the beta party created their own bow and arrow.

Then around four hundred + years ago, explosive weapons came into vogue like guns and canons. The alpha team enjoyed unparalleled superiority and the beta team was aghast by the wreckage of such weapons, and petitioned that such weapons be banned. But instead the beta team was defeated and destroyed.

BABA TELLS A STORY

At this point in His Bombay discourse, Baba tells the real history of how King Babur invaded Delhi from the Middle East and at the battle of Panipat, King Babur used his advanced weaponry to defeat Abraham Lodi, the Sultan of Delhi. Actually Abraham Lodi had a much bigger army but because Babur's troops had canons, firearms, and other weapons they were victorious. Abraham Lodi did not have canons - he only had standard, conventional weapons of the day as well as lots of foot soliders and animals. But because he did not have firearms his party suffered big losses and he was defeated.

Then Baba tells that this is the way history works. Those who invent new weapons are victorious.

BABA'S QUESTION

Baba then asks this rhetorical question: Do you want to be in the alpha party or beta party?

The margiis responded: Alpha party.

Baba replied: Yes, never be in the beta party - always be in the alpha team.

Baba continues to explain that weapons should always be in hands of sadvipras and that such moralists should have the latest weapons. Indeed sadvipras should be ever vigilant to create more refined and powerful weapons in order to save the society. Side by side, never allow weapons to fall in the hands of the wrong people. Terrorists, imperialists, and other anti-social elements must not be armed with strong weapons.

Baba furthermore guides us that as society and civilisation develop, new types of problems come to the fore. For example, internet crime has now become an issue. In response, moralists must always have superior weapons to counteract and solve problems caused by rogue elements. Baba's mandate is that moralists must have ultra-modern weapons in the external and internal worlds.

Our external weapons include bombs, internet security, scanners and so much more. And our internal weapons include Prout, kiirtan, yama and niyama and sadhana.

WORLD SCENE

If we look at the world history over the course of the 20th century, it becomes quite clear how having newer weapons is so important.

For instance, during World War II, the US dropped the atom bomb on Japan because the US knew that Japan did not have that weapon. Thus Japan suffered terribly. In contrast, during the cold war, the US did not drop the atom bomb on the USSR because the US knew that the Russians also had the bomb. In the latter case there was no actual war - just the cold war.

In a similar fashion, India and Pakistan have fought three wars since 1947, but there has not been a war since each got nuclear weapons. The teaching from all this is that wars happen when one party feels they can crush their weaker opponent without suffering much damage.

More recently, we see how Iraq was attacked because there was no fear that they could retaliate with strong weapons, whereas the western powers did not attack North Korea because there was the very real threat that North Korea would use their nuclear arsenal.

In the more distant past, India was negligent in developing weapons which is why the Indian subcontinent was often overrun by invaders - either moguls or Britishers.

That is the history and the teaching we should all get is that the weak get destroyed and ransacked by belligerent parties. Having the latest weapons maintains the peace.

In AM, our main point is that the moralists should always have the latest weapons because good people should never suffer at the hands of those exploiters, imperialists or terrorists. We never advocate that terrorists should also have weapons. Rather top weapons should be in the hands of moralists alone.

In order to bring world peace, moralists must have the best weapons and terrorists and imperialists must not be allowed to have weapons at all. But now the opposite is the case. Good citizens do not haven weapons while and terrorists have huge weapon supplies.

With regards to the recent summit in Washington, it is not a new thing. Always those who have been in power and possessed top weapons petition to not allow others to get weapons. Because they want to maintain their dominance. Same is the case with the US today. And that is the psychology since the prehistoric era: Always those with might have been keen to not allow others to get weapons.

All in all it looks like the race for arms is a dangerous game, but the truth is that it is only dangerous if weapons are only in the hands of negative people. To establish peace then, all moralists must play this game of armament in order to save humanity - there is no other option. Then there will be peace and security.

SPIRITUAL IMPORT

Finally, armament does not just mean guns and other external weapons.

Enemies exist externally and internally (in the form of negative propensities), and in both cases ultra-modern weapons are needed. Those following religious dogmas or idol worship will not be able to free their mind from narrow-mindedness and the baser propensities.

Thus Baba's entire discourse serves as an analogy for spiritual growth and development. The aim is for every sadhaka to wage a war against all depraving tendencies of mind and reach to Parama Purusa. One must defeat all the internal enemies - i.e. kama (lust), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), mada (vanity), moha (blind attachment), matsarya (envy), and all other crude propensities.

In that case, ritualistic worship is totally impotent, that is the equivalent of fighting one's inner battles with antiquated weapons like sticks and stones. Such weapons are impotent. Stronger weapons are needed, i.e. AM sadhana.

BABA'S BLESSING

Ananda Marga sadhana is the very logical and ultra-modern weapon that will lead one to His alter. Just as in the material plane, moralists must have the latest and greatest weapons in the form of bombs and lasers in order to maintain social order and keep the peace; similarly in the inner world, one must be armed with neo-humanism, Prout, kiirtan, sadhana, yama and niyama, and His ever-present grace. Then one is sure to get victory. That is what Baba is telling us in His unpublished discourse and a very similar idea is expressed in this following guideline.

Baba says, "In this fight against avidya shakti one must have sufficient weapons. You know, a soldier requires weapons, and sa'dhana' is a fight. In your internal sphere, that is, in your mind, you should have ten weapons. Those ten weapons are five yama and five niyama [moral principles]. And similarly, while fighting against evil forces in this crude physicality, you should have ultra-modern physical weapons also. Those who want disarmament and those who want to ban the atom bomb are not friends of human society. They do not want to accelerate the speed of human society. Rather they want to retard its progress. Weapons you must have, but you should have control over your body and mind. There must not be any abuse or misuse of your weapons. Now, in this progress, that is, in the realm of intuitionalism, you should have ten internal weapons – yama and niyama – [for] your progress in sa'dhana'." (AV-34)

Namaskar,
Gaurishankar

**************************************
Serious Matter

Baba says, "The system of education prevailing today was formulated or evolved long ago, mainly with a view to suit the needs of the capitalist class. For the last three to four thousand years, the same type of education is being imparted. The main purpose behind this sort of educational system is to create persons with a slavish mentality to fulfill need of those capitalist exploiters. This sort of education is fundamentally defective. It is certain that this type of education which serves the capitalists' interests is not at all suitable. This sort of education creates obstacles in the evolution of humanity. We have to thoroughly revamp the entire educational system. A new educational system must evolve to produce sadvipras." (11/29/70, transcribed from cassette)

Note: Those who are bragging about the standard of their education should know what type & what category of knowledge they have. In this regard, we should ponder Guru's above guideline.
**************************************

Re: Circumcision & Herd Psychology

From: "Will Chaucey" To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: Re: Circumcision & Herd Psychology Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2010 08:19:17 Baba

== RE: CIRCUMCISION & HERD PSYCHOLOGY ==

Namaskar, This is in follow-up to the earlier letter as some still seem to have questions and confusion about this. Here we are going to discuss two points: How and why circumcision was adopted by the Semitic religions and the mistranslation regarding circumcision and Caryacarya. This is a short letter - all should write in with their thoughts and queries.

BRIEF HISTORY OF SEMITIC RELIGION & CIRCUMCISION

Circumcision began in the Semitic religions and then spread around the world. And here is why those religions adopted circumcision. The Semitic religions basically took birth in the desert of the Middle East where it was dry, sandy, and drought-prone. What was a scarcity. In that case having extra water to clean the genital organ and the area beneath the foreskin was a luxury that they did not have. Extra water was not readily available. So for hygienic purposes they cur the foreskin. Actually in beginning, circumcision was performed on males and females and but because female was very serious and there was a lot of bleeding,that is why it was stopped in most places. But the male circumcisions continued and spread around the globe. Here the point is that all the religions developed their own rituals based on their own local conditions and climate. Their rules and regulations are not grounded in logic and rationality, but rather convenience. Those Semitic religions - being from desert regions - took to burying dead bodies because they had lots of open space and suffered from a shortage of wood so burning the bodies was not always possible. In AM though we should follow Baba's teachings, not the customs of the dogmatic religions, because AM teachings are founded in rationality, not convenience.

CIRCUMCISION & CARYACARYA

Now let's come to the point of how circumcision got placed in Caryacarya. When Baba first delivered His guidelines of Sixteen Points in Patna just prior to the jail period, then Baba has simply told all margiis to pull the foreskin back. No further option has given and the Hindi and Bengali books of Caryacarya reflect His golden guideline. Meaning: Pulling the foreskin back is the sole teaching of point #2 of Sixteen points. In those original Caryacarya books there is no mention of the word circumcision. Only when certain later English editions of Caryacarya got printed did the word "circumcision" appear on the scene. Thus, when preparing the book for overseas sales, it seems those editors in short-sighted way made the so-called link that being circumcised fulfills the guideline of "keeping the foreskin pulled back". Yet in actuality, the circumcision term has nothing to do with Baba's expressed guideline. We can say were two basic reasons why the circumcision term got inserted into Caryacarya under point #2 of Sixteen Points 1. The translation was wrong - period - as there is no mention of circumcision in Baba's original talks and listing of Sixteen Points. 2. The editors sympathized with ongoing Semitic dogma so readers / overseas margiis would not get reacted. This was all due to the mental weakness and miscalculation of the translator. The historical backdrop of course was that this was during the jail period and everyone was busy and under others pressure. In that hectic environment, this dogma of circumcision was infused and accepted. It was just in their naive way of dealing, on their own those editors actually gave circumcision as an option and printed that word in the English version of Caryacarya-- when in fact this is not Baba's guideline. And this word 'circumcision' never ever got included in the Hindi or Bengali editions of Caryacarya. Baba has never included it. And to this very day you will not find it in those editions of Caryacarya. Those interested should read the original.

DO NOT FALL PREY TO HERD PSYCHOLOGY

Here we should remember that we are Ananda Margiis and our only way is to follow Baba's teachings, not the wayward dealing of the various religions whether it be casteism of Hinduism or circumcision of the Semitic religions. We should not follow the masses in either of these directions - nor in any other ritualistic tradition. With our pointed intellect we are to understand AM teachings and follow that - thus we should all be critically aware that circumcision is not part of our AM way of life. Namaskar, Vinay

Note 1: OTHER LETTERS ON CIRCUMCISION

(A) Read here for more critical facts on the dogma of circumcision.

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2010/04/circumcision-herd-psychology.html

(B) Read here to find out why it is faulty to think circumcision helps prevent AIDS.

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2007/12/am-aids-prevention.html

(C) These two letters address the original aspects of Sixteen Points and why circumcision is not in accordance with Baba's teachings.

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2008/11/improving-sadhana-iv.html http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2008/11/improving-sadhana-iii.html

(D) This letter contains key points from Senior Acary Diary:

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2008/05/to-those-who-came-from-semitic.html

Circumcision & Herd Psychology

Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2010 14:01:42 -0400 To: am-global@earthlink.net From: Douglass Lauder Subject: Circumcision & Herd Psychology Baba "Toma'ke bha'lo bese ja'i ye bhese kon se aja'na'y..." (PS 739) Purport: Baba, by loving You, I go on floating towards one unknown divine land. O' my Beloved, even today, by Your grace I have ensconced myself in the courtyard of the tunes-- in the hide and seek of the pleasure of getting You and in the pain of not getting You. Baba, my sleepless, hungry eyes yearn to see You day and night. Baba, by Your grace, my eyes get lost in Your infinite divine world-- in one far distant place in search of You, O' my dearmost. Baba, if You want You can forget me, but please do not forget that I love only You. O' Divine Entity, please come, please come close; with Your love please be gracious and sit near me-- by my side. Baba, You are my dearmost, You are my everything...

== CIRCUMCISION & HERD PSYCHOLOGY ==

Namaskar, This entire letter is related with AM's view on circumcision. Right now some are running after this, but this is just their herd psychology, not their rationality.

BABA HAS GIVEN THE WAY

It is commonly known in AM that a calm mind is needed to do sadhana. For this reason Baba has graciously provided us with the perfect array of practices which cultivate a peaceful feeling in the mind. These practices include: Kiirtan, shuddis, yama and niyama, asanas, bhajans, svadhyaya, satsaunga, etc. All these things wonderfully aide in creating a sweet and sentient vibration in the mind. In addition, on the purely physical plane, cleanliness is needed. Without that the physical body will be dirty and diseased and in result the mind will get directed toward those physical ailments. That is, the mind will become crudified. So proper health practices and hygienic habits are needed for mental well-being and to do proper sadhana. These include AM bathing system, sentient food, half-bath, fasting, etc.

ATTENTION NEEDED

And one important point which is going on these days related with health and hygiene which needs our attention is: circumcision. Because circumcision is not something which Baba advocates yet it is going on under our own roof.

A COMMON CONCERN

Some may think that this is only a male issue-- but it is not like that. It is a concern and point of awareness for all. Since it is our respected mothers who are primarily involved in the raising of our children. Hence they are often the ones to have a say on such things. At the same time fathers should also be aware. Here the point is not to pass blame to anyone but rather to generate the notion that this point of circumcision is of common concern.

A VARIETY OF POINTS RELATED WITH CIRCUMCISION

1. Nature has its own wonderful ways of protecting the human body. The hair in the nostrils filters the air, joint hair keeps the glands cool, the kidney purifies the blood etc. Likewise the skin on the genital organ has its one particular value and utility: It helps protect that area from disease in one's younger years. It is part of nature's special system. And when that skin is removed by surgical procedure then that interrupts the natural process. 2. Of all the places on the human body, the genitals may be the most sensitive and tender. Even the human brain is encased by the cranium but the genitals are openly exposed. So it is a very delicate and tender area. And at the very young age to have a surgical procedure done on that area is a distinct shock to the system. 3. In those early years covering of the undeveloped gland is needed to protect against disease. And then once one reaches adolescence, that skin can naturally be pulled back since its purpose has been fulfilled by that point. Because the organ or gland has become developed and strong-- it is no longer so susceptible to infection etc. Rather keeping the area covered in adolescence is itself unhygienic due to bodily secretions etc. But surgical removal is not needed in those teenage years. Simply the foreskin can be pulled back. This is Baba's expressed guideline in Sixteen Points. Here we should remember that at the time of birth that area is covered and hence protected by the foreskin. So that is nature's way of providing protection to that area. And when that protection is no longer needed then it will naturally get folded back. So the foreskin has a distinct utility, but via the process of circumcision that benefit is totally lost. 4. In only very, very rare cases-- like one in a million-- is an incision needed to pull back the foreskin on an adolescent. And even then that is not a circumcision procedure, just a small incision is needed to loosen the skin so it can be pulled back neatly.

CONSISTENT WITH BABA'S GUIDELINE

So the above represent a few of the basic points which point to the fact that circumcision is itself unnatural. And as we know Baba does not condone such type of procedures like circumcision. His guideline is to pull back the foreskin.

RESEARCH NEEDED ABOUT THE EFFECT OF CIRCUMCISION

Certainly it is clear that the dharmic and healthy way to move ahead is not to circumcise our children. Rather they should grow in a natural way. By this process they will get all the subtle benefits of nature's grand plan. And side by side, where possible, research should be done focusing on the physiological and psychological effects of circumcision. As there are solid indications and evidences that circumcision invites the tendency of sexual indulgence and weakness. One such reason being that it desensitizes the genital. Hence, circumcision in infancy or in childhood invites desensitivity. Obviously this is a critical matter, because Baba guides us in a few places that over-indulgence leads to the excessive loss of lymph and shukra-- in which case sadhana is severely hampered if not impossible. So further research should be done so that we have the hard facts to warn people about the serious defects and hazards regarding circumcision. At the same time the point should be crystal clear in the mind of every Ananda Margii. Since Baba has already shown us the way to proceed.

NOT A WAY TO PREVENT AIDS

Some claim that circucision helps in AIDS prevention and disease. But this is a baseless argument. See this posting:

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2007/12/am-aids-prevention.html

Those who do not clean do get benefit from circumcision but Ananda Margiis follow strict shaoca so there is no problem. So their agenda that circumcision is the way to prevent AIDS is off the mark. It is like if you do not wash your mouth then it will attract flies so the best thing is to clip the lips, but if one cleans the mouth there will not flies in which case there is no need to clip the lips. Same with circumcision. If one is clean then there is no need to cut that region as a means of disease prevention.

AM ADARSHA IS ONE

So around the globe in our Marga society, there should be a consistent and unified approach regarding circumcision. Now, however, the situation is not like that. In some places good margii families are having their children circumcised whereas in other regions established margii families are not circumcising their children. Generally it depends upon the dogmatic perceptions of their area. For example in European areas many do circumcision whereas in India it is not at all commonly done. Both have their dogmatic and traditional reasons. But we should all be making the right choice for the right reason. That will bring unity and wellness. Because our ideological stand is straight and clear: It is singular in nature. In that case there is no need for a varied approach. Rather what Baba has said should be understood and followed. Failing that, on points like that of circumcision, there could be the massive spilling of blood from one community to another. Such religious strife and fighting has occurred on all the continents. This is the tragedy that has filled human history. And it should be averted in our Marga. And the way to avoid it is to develop oneness on all point of ideology. Thus for the health of the child as well as for the well-being of our AM society, we should develop a unified understanding our adarsha on this point of circumcision. None should fall prey to herd psychology and choose circumcision because that is the prevailing trend in their area. Rather we should stick to our AM ideals. Otherwise we will fall prey to meat-eating, crude movies, and all kinds of other trendy things.

SADHANA ORIENTED LIFE

Ours is a sadhana oriented existence. So we should avoid those things like circumcision which hinder one's physical and mental growth and we should follow those dharmic guidelines which support our spiritual life-- thus keeping the mind free from the effect of lower vrttis. Baba says, "As a created being, everybody in the universe by birth is a pashu, an animal. But the standard of beings is to be exalted towards divinity, towards godliness. A pashu, that is, an animal, becomes man, man becomes god. This process, the process of exaltation, the process of upliftment, from animality to godliness, is your sa'dhana'." (AV-1)

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's divine grace we will all progress and achieve supreme fulfillment. Baba says, "The one endowed with cosmic grace gets liberation from these bondages by dint of sa'dhana', and attains oneness with that Supreme Entity." (AV-4) Namaskar, Dharmendra

Note 1: JUST A LEFTOVER RELIGIOUS DOGMA

Here Baba uncovers the truth behind the ongoing religious dogma of circumcision. Baba says, "Long ago the Jews started practising circumcision. When Moses converted some of his contemporaries to Judaism, and later when Mohammed converted some local people to Islam, neither prophet dared to instruct their new followers to discard the old customs they followed, consequently the old customs continued after their conversion." (PNS-21, 'How to Unite Human Society') Here the ramification is that those margiis who have come from Hindu backgrounds do not do circumcision whereas those from the Chrisitian world usually attend to circumcision. So on the one side there are the Buddhists and Hindus who do not follow circumcision and on the other side there are the semetic faiths. That is the way it is divided on this point of circumcision. As Ananda Margiis, however, we are not to give credence to any of these aforesaid religions but rather should do what Baba wants. That is our dharmic approach.

*************************************** WT Conduct Rule: Vow of Silence

Baba says, "You will cultivate the practice of maonbrat (vow of silence) at least half an hour every day during working hours." (Pt #9 of Fourteen Points) Note: In the above conduct rule Baba is giving the solution of one common problem. Because many suffer from the mental disease of gossiping needlessly. It can happen to anyone but certain Wt's are more indulged because they talk all day long. Even if a kiirtan program is going on then still they are sitting and talking non-stop. So this is the psychic disease of some wts. And to stop this Baba has given the aforementioned conduct rule. So if any one is not following Baba's above guideline then they should be encouraged (or pressurized) to practice. And by that way they will gain control over their negative habit of talking uselessly. Indeed by that way one can make the extroverted mind introverted.

***************************************