== EVERYONE'S CONCERN ==
Namaskar,
One time when we were returning from DMS, on the train so many persons were
there-- both margiis and non-margiis. And in many cases people were
travelling together. So some persons had traveled to DMS as a single
attendee whereas as others traveled to DMS with their entire family
including their kids.
So in their natural way, on the train, those kids were quarreling and
playing with the other children.
Then one new margii became quite agitated by their behavior and he passed
some offensive remark that these small kids are very negative-- they
pollute the sanctity and turn the whole peaceful environment into chaos.
Then he went so far to accuse that: 'Why do you bring them to these
spiritual gatherings'.
Then other persons jumped in and replied that in our Marga the system is
that the whole family is welcome to attend our all functions.
Then the new margiis replied that, 'No, the kids are just one disturbance
or nuisance. Let them grow because now they are so small and they do not
understand anything. Just they are involved in their negative quarreling.
They have no sense about what should be done and what should not be done.
Those who are a bit older and well-behaved then they should come. Otherwise
why should these other kids come and do negative things.'
A few margiis then together tried to convince him that our approach is
different. Kids are innocent and just it is their nature to sometimes
quarrel with one another.
So back and forth discussion was going and ultimately they could not reach
on to the proper common point. And in due course the situation subsided.
But since that occasion it was in my mind to talk to other margiis and get
their opinions and then write something for everyone to review.
ALL ARE FAMILY MEMBERS
Sincere margiis know well that in our Marga, everyone is considered as
family member whether they be a new-born baby or a 110 year old person. All
belong to our family and they have equal rights and we give importance to
one and all.
And together our AM family is not only youths, or only elderly persons, but
a grand mix of people from young to old and everything in between.
It is just like in a garden if only one type of flower is there then that
is not quite proper or colorful. But rather all various types are there--
just like in a bouquet that includes a wide variety of flowers. All get
collected and that brings more charm. That is the way it works.
BABA'S GUIDELINE
So on this very point here are some of Baba's guidelines about how we
should be mindful of children:
Baba says, "Society must ensure that proper care is taken of human babies
who are totally dependent on the care and protection of their parents for
their existence. These helpless children can only convey their pain and
discomfort through tears. To raise children from infancy to maturity is an
immensely important task." (AFPS-6)
So our Guru guides that in viewing the society, the requisite factor is a
magnanimous mind which is full of graceful feeling and sweet expression for
those innocent children who are under our care and protection.
Means those who do not have that vast mind full of love, cannot view one
and all as members of our neo-humanistic family. Because if the person
himself is narrow minded or frustrated, then in their outlook that
frustration will appear.
The sense is that the sweet heart of one balanced person will never cast
any negative, sarcastic remarks toward such tender age innocent babies / kids.
EVERYONE WAS ONCE A CHILD
Because everyone, whether young or old, was a baby in the past and the
babies' cry is very natural. Where babies are, surely they cry. And if
inside one's heart is pure and loving, then the cry of the babies is not
suffocative or negative which can be called as demonic act. But if inside
someone is frustrated then everything in this world looks dry, harsh,
parched, ugly, crude, negative, etc.
When such frustrated persons see birds chirping in the tree, they feel
agitated and brand birds as 'nuisance creator'. And in response they throw
stones on those bushes to shoe those birds away.
A few days back my neighbor was doing like this. When I saw here I felt sad
thinking the state of her mind. Actually he was in depressed and frustrated
mood. That is why he was throwing stones in all the bushes around his house
to get rid from the sweet chirping songs of the bird. Because he was
irritated by that.
SOCIETY IS RESPONSIBLE
If the baby does anything wrong then discredit goes to the society, parents
or to everyone. This discredit never goes to the baby because they are
innocent. Sweet, kind, benevolent, motherly heart feels like this. Those
who have that type of heart understand, or I should say, they only can
understand my feeling. I have experience that those who have devotion they
also can understand because of their feeling of divine love.
But those who are frustrated within, their expression and talk reflects that.
PURE AS SNOW
In contrast Baba guides us in the gospel of Bhagavad dharma.
"Kaomar...."
In this description Baba says that small babies are as pure as divine,
because they do not have any negativity towards anyone. And it is working
in 100% cases up to the age of 5. So in common society if anything right or
wrong is done by small kids, then balanced people ignore that. And they
will not pollute the environment by raucously blaming the children.
BABA'S DMC GATHERINGS: CHILDREN ATTENDED
Here is one reminder that we have seen even with Baba's presence during
DMC. At such an important event and gathering as DMC, that time mothers
with infants and mothers with new-borns were always allowed to participate.
Often the babies were crying and Baba was just moving ahead with His
program and continuing with His discourse. And if the crying became very
loud, then politely it was suggested to take them temporarily outside. That
is all. Nobody seriously believed the baby should be banned. They thought that
in AM society the cry of baby is one beauty. Because this brings one color
in DMC. And it gives the feeling that in our AM society everyone is the
member. From infant to senior citizens. Everyone has right to participate
in spiritual gathering.
DHARMA IS FOR ALL
Ananda Marga also says that dharma is not only for polished so-called elite
people only. Dharma is for all.
Baba says, "I dedicate A'nanda Ma'rga in this DMC to all sections of
society...from this DMC onwards I have become a man of the people because I
believe that dharma is the property of the masses, not the exclusive
monopoly of a handful of so-called educated middle class elite. Dharma
belongs to one and all. From this DMC, I recognise it as the property of
the common people." (AV-7)
Namaskar,
Subhash
SOME IMPORTANT BABA'S GUIDELINES ABOUT CHILDREN
Note 1: Here below Baba sheds more insight into the nature of children.
Baba says, "Children are by nature most inclined towards play, so a thirst
for knowledge will have to be awakened in children through the medium of
play -- children should be educated through play methods. Children are also
by nature inclined to listen to fantasies and stories. Through stories
children can easily be taught the history and geography of various
countries, and they may also be taught the initial lessons of how to
practise universalism in their lives. Children love play and stories almost
equally, so in their case the two should be equally utilized." (HS-1)
Note 2: Here Baba gives us one golden guideline about parenting and raising
children.
Baba says, "In order to develop a healthy outlook, the most important thing
children need is robust idealism. To impart this, parents require only two
virtues: self-restraint and good judgement." (HS-1)
Note 3: Baba guides in this below quote that children raise children in the
proper manner because they are the future of society.
Baba says, "[It] is essential to sow the seeds of true development in the
minds of children and to ensure that these seeds grow into small seedlings,
flourish, and bring forth foliage, flowers and fruits" (HS-1)
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The Place of Occult Powers in AM
Baba says, "In spiritual life as well as in ordinary life, if one retains
simplicity it is helpful for the attainment of God; through this one's life
and mind become filled with the effulgence of Parama Purusa. This is the
supreme attainment. Spying out every nook and cranny of the eight occult
powers is another name for stupidity." (SC-2, p.149)
Note: Unfortunately in the general society people think that occult powers
themselves are the essence of spirituality. Indeed, devoid of occult
powers, such persons do not have any concept of spirituality. In AM however
it is different; it is not like that. In our Marga devotion gets utmost
importance.
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