== HOW TO IMPROVE SADHANA: PART 2 ==
Namaskar,
Recently the discussion was raised about Sixteen Points. As a follow-up
reply, here are some further thoughts and reflections; and others are
requested to also share their insights and experiences. By that way we can
all grow in one harmonious manner.
SIXTEEN POINTS BRINGS FORCE IN THE LIFE
As we are all aware, Revered Baba graciously introduced Sixteen Points just
prior to the jail period and Emergency, as He wanted everyone to be
prepared and ready to deal with the dangers and difficulties to come. Or to
say more strongly, by this way we Ananda Margiis will be able to overcome
and annihilate the demonic forces.
And certainly who cannot recall that if anyone ever visited Baba in jail
and if they told Him about the problems and difficulties which sadhakas or
the organisation was facing, then always Baba's reply was to be strict in
sixteen points-- and by that way everything will be alright and you will be
victorious.
Baba says, "Be firm on sixteen points. Unite all the righteous forces. All
the tall talks of the evil forces will be silenced." (Ananda Vanii #44)
This Baba story posting leads in this same direction:
So this is the special blessing which Baba has been given. And it applies
universally to each and every circumstance in life. Thus 16 Points
generates tremendous vitality and force.
Hence when 16 Points is such an essential part of our very existence, it is
helpful for us to know all the 'ins and outs' of these precious guidelines.
In that spirit, here below is some historical, social, and practical
aspects of the first point of 16 Points.
RISHIS FIRST INTRODUCED THE 'USE OF WATER'
Long back in India, thousands and thousand of years ago, various rishis and
seers of the society introduced the idea that water plays an important role
in life-- especially for health, hygiene, and proper maintenance of the
human body. And they introduced the idea to the old Indian society that
water should be used for washing before and after meals, before cooking,
and those rishis also told that one should wash with water after passing
stool as well as after urination etc. All these points they told.
And we have to remember that this was all given in that pre-historic era in
and around the ice-age when the general population around the globe was
hardly even aware about hygiene; rather they were more involved in
animalistic type of living. Yet in that historical context, those rishis
introduced certain sentient habits to the Indian populace.
So since long these things were happening in India. Yet over the course of
time some degeneration occurred and the general populace lost the idea of
using water after urination. But the practice of washing the body with
water after defecation did not get lost-- primarily because people
understood that it was obviously dirty. So they were conscious about that
aspect at least. That was the case in India.
Yet in many of our so-called first world countries outside India, that
basic awareness of hygiene never developed. In which case water was not
even used for cleaning the anus after passing stool. Just dry paper was
used. And about this practice more is said down below, but here the point
is that still most of our first-world nations continue with this dirty
habit of using toilet paper. And even more tragic is that inhabitants of
some third world countries have begun emulating everything that the
so-called developed world does-- including using toilet paper.
Indeed a report has come that certain Didis in India are also
resorting to the use of toilet paper. This is the new fad in WWD,
some say.
Yet this crude habit of using toiler paper is not at all hygienic or
healthy. Unfortunately on this point, an imbalance is growing all around.
Thus we are left with this following quagmire: Namely that when animals do
not wash their backside with water and when humans also are not doing, then
from the perspective of hygiene what is the practical difference between
the two. Unfortunately, this is the sad state of affairs in the general
society.
BABA RE-INTRODUCES THE POINT OF WATER
Thus during His Holy advent Baba has given the dharmic approach in each and
every sphere of life. And in that course, He has given the point that how
and when water should be used. And as we all know the following stands as
the first point of 16 Points:
"After urination, wash the urinary organ with water".
Here below is a further look at the meaning of this simple yet
all-important guideline.
TELLING THE NEEDFUL
As we know Guru's teaching is always concise and pointed. What was needed
to tell, He has beautifully revealed. And what was not needed, He did not
tell.
For example the Indian society was prone toward idol worship so Baba was
very strict and He has warned everyone that idol worship should not be
done. But never once did He warn people not to flap their arms and fly to
the sun since no one was ever going to do like that.
Secondly, it was obvious that people had the negative tendency to create
tiirthas (pilgrimmages). That is why for fourteen long years Baba did not
go to Jamalpur. And from 1965 up to 1990 Baba never emphasized the
importance of Jamalpur or any such place. Rather on numerous occasions He
has guided us that external tiirthas are nothing but one nasty dogma,
because Parama Purusa is everywhere.
Similarly Baba has guided us to trim our fingernails but never did He tell
us to cut the horns on top of our head. Because when we do not have horns
then what was the need to tell anything about that.
Likewise human beings have the natural tendency to live outside of the
water, that is why there was no need for Baba to guide people to live
primarily on land. Because human beings are already doing like that.
The sense is that when people are naturally following any given point then
what is the need for Baba to give that as a rule.
Thus when 16 Points itself was first given in India and when at that time
the general populace was already using water for washing after defecation
then there was no need for Baba to tell that point. But since everyone had
lost the notion of washing with water after urination, then there was the
practical need for Baba to give that teaching.
Hence Guru's instruction is very pointed and precise-- perfect. And He
always gives what is needed.
SOME NOT AWARE
Thus Baba has given point #1 of sixteen points as: After urination wash the
urinary organ.
And by this way anyone can understand that included in this is the idea of
washing the backside after passing stool also.
Unfortunately, as mentioned above, all around the globe in most of the
so-called advanced societies the general people are only using toilet paper
or blotting paper as a means to "clean" themselves after defecation. But
this is not at all proper. Rather such persons are totally lacking any kind
of hygienic sense.
Because just see, here is the proof of their foolishness. When they want to
clean the stool or excrement out of their toilet bowl, then they use a huge
amount of water. And by that way they see & feel satisfied that indeed
their toilet bowl has become clean. So they never try to clean their toilet
bowl by only using dry papers. Because they know that such paper alone will
not rid the toilet of all that excrement. It just will not work. Thus they
understand that water is needed to clean the toilet.
Yet when the moment of truth comes to cleanse their own backside of fecal
matter, then they do not rely on that same fine logic. Rather they revert
to their dogmatic mind-set that toilet paper alone is sufficient. As if
toilet paper can do the job. But anyone with eyes to see-- or any hygienic
sense-- will understand that this is just not so.
So see the contradiction and poor hygienic sense of so many of our
so-called first world nations.
NOT THEIR FAULT
But actually those common people who are not aware about or not habituated
to using water are not to be blamed. It is never anyone's fault for being
downtrodden, ignorant, or dirty. Rather it is our fault for not bringing
them onto the path of light.
Because Baba always guides us we should never blame those innocent people
from parts of the globe like our remote African jungles for their
"backwardness". Because it is our wrongdoing for not helping them to develop.
Similarly our European & western nations that could not develop a proper
sense of hygiene should not be blamed. Just we should take care to show
everyone the proper way.
CONCENTRATED TEACHING
In all the realms Baba' teachings are crystallized points of dharma-- very
concise. So to properly understand any guideline or teaching, it demands a
little concentration or mental thought.
For example a group of fools may think that by walking together to
McDonalds for a hamburger then they are following Samgacchadvam since they
are all "moving together". But that is nonsense. Their dealing has nothing
to do with samgacchadvam.
A literal interpretation of Guru's teachings will never work. Rather more
and more explanation is needed to get the proper picture.
That is why when Baba has given the pin-pointed sutras of Ananda Sutram,
then side by side He also gives a purport so that those distilled
teachings, i.e. sutras, can be understood in the proper way.
Likewise this should be done with each and every aspect of Sixteen Points.
Because Guru's teaching is distilled and given in seed form.
I hope everyone will contribute in this regard.
Namaskar,
Rasa Deva
NOTE 1: NEED I FOLLOW ALL THE POINTS OR JUST A FEW
Now some people may carelessly think that it is not needed to follow all
the points. But that is not correct. We should see it in this way:
If a boat is otherwise fine but whether there is one hole or 5 holes or 16
holes, under any of these conditions the ship is going to sink. So best is
that all the holes should be plugged and sealed.
Likewise we should not invite any problem by being loose or slack in any of
the Sixteen Points. Baba has graciously given each and every aspect of 16
Points for a particular reason and each one has its own specialty and use.
So step by step we should be more and more practiced in all the points.
NOTE 2: ALL THE POINTS HELP IN SADHANA
Each and every point of 16 Points is beneficial for our spiritual
development. And all points help a sadhaka do better sadhana. Because a
healthy body and a strong mind are needed to do sadhana. Without a
well-maintained body then sadhana will be disturbed. While a sentient body
will help the mind rush up towards Parama Purusa.
NOTE 3: WASH FULLY AFTER URINATION
As a reminder, for maximum benefit of point #1 it is absolutely necessary
to pour a sufficient amount of water over the entire pubic region. That
means using a full liter or more of cold water. So no one should cheat
themselves by applying a meagre amount and then start wrongly thinking that
they are following 16 Points. Because that is not the way.
NOTE 4: SIXTEEN POINTS GIVES TREMENDOUS STRENGTH
Baba says, "The more rigidly you follow the 16 Points, the more your mental
strength will increase. It will increase so much that it will be more
powerful than the collective mental strength of 100,000 people. In a
psychic clash they will have to concede victory to you...The more rigidly
you follow the 16 Points, the more psychic strength you will acquire. It
will not take you long...Such development will lead to not only 100,000
people surrendering before you, but the entire universe." (AV-7, p. 80-81)
Baba says, "The mutative force is a hundred thousand times more powerful
than the static force, and the sentient force is a hundred thousand times
more powerful than the mutative force; hence you should not be afraid of
any force in the universe." (CC-2, '87 Edn, p.18)
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Not True Society
Baba says, "If going ahead in mutual adjustment only out of narrow
self-interest or temporary gain is called society, then in such a society,
no provision can be made for the disabled, the diseased or the helpless,
because in most cases nobody can benefit from them in any way. Hence it
will not suffice to say that all people marching ahead is only a collective
form of segregated psychic phenomena; for in that case there always remains
the possibility of some people getting isolated from the collective."
(AFPS-6, 'The Spirit of Society')
Note: Unfortunately what Baba is describing above is the exact picture of
today's so-called developed western nations where the entire social fabric
is based on people's various self-interests. In the absence of true service
mentality, everything is done on a give and take basis-- business relation.
So long as one has something valuable to give they will recieve something
from others-- otherwise not. And in that setting, in that selfish scenario,
those who have strength invariably solidfy their stand by taking advantage
of the common people-- BY committing crimes and exploiting them etc. And
simultaneously the weak and the helpless suffer a lot and get stepped on by
the rest of the society until finally they are completely aliented,
depressed, or placed in an insane asylum etc. In that awful circumstance,
people lose all hope in life and fall prey to feelings of insanity and
suicide etc. Unfortunately this is the lowly standard of today's western
materialistic societies. Tragically these elements are increasing day by
day in our western so-called developeed nations and the people are
suffering terribly. That is why in those places the term 'society' is just
a namesake only. Even then all around the globe masses are madly rushing
ahead to copy and emulate the west in all regards. So we should be alert
because this is not some great ideal to be copied. Rather it will create
hell in communities around the globe. That is why Baba says that under such
conditions described above where selfishness and exploitation are the theme
of the day, then that is not at all a true society.
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