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Taboo

Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2010 15:04:55 -0600 To: AM-GLOBAL From: "Paul Paltrow" Subject: Taboo Baba PS Intro: Progress happens with speed and pause. In the spiritual field, sometimes the mind is very lucid and sometimes quite dry. The dry mind is expressed by summer and the lucid mind is expressed by the rainy season. This is the song of the rainy season. In this rainy season, new plants and grasses have started growing. The lost beauty of the forest is slowly returning back; the barrenness of summer is gone. Now everything is getting decorated in a new way. The sadhaka is asking that invisible Entity, "Who has come and changed the entire scene of the forest?". By all these changes it is clear that someone has come - all these changes reflect the arrival of one Entity. The dress of that Entity is expressed by the lush green vegetation. Prabhat Samgiita #3004 Ta'l tama'lir vaner ma'jhe-, Ta'l tama'lir vaner ma'jhe- Ta'l tama'lir vaner ma'jhe-, Ke go- ele- nava sa'je-------------- Maner dua'r khule- diye-, A'nle a'ma'y tava ka'je--- Ke go- ele- nava sa'je-------------- Varas'an'e pla'-vita- dhara'-, A'---------------------------a' Varas'an'e pla'-vita- dhara'-, Varas'an'e pla'-vita- dhara'- Varas'an'e pla'-vita- dhara'-, Hrid gos'pad ekei ha'ra'- Jhaunkrita man toma'y bhara'-, Nandan surabhi- ma'jhe--- Ke go- ele- nava sa'je-------------- A'ka'sh pa'ta'l bha've eka'ka'r A'----------------------------a' A'ka'sh pa'ta'l bha've eka'ka'r, A'ka'sh pa'ta'l bha've eka'ka'r A'ka'sh pa'ta'l bha've eka'ka'r, Eki chande nritya saba'r, Ek dyotana'r spandita ha'r Toma'r kripa'- kan'a' ja'ce---, Ke go- ele- nava sa'je-------------- Ta'l tama'lir vaner ma'jhe-, Ke go- ele- nava sa'je-------------- Purport: In the palm and tama'la woods, in this rainy season, Who are You Who has come in new dress and form? Opening the door of the mind has engaged me in Your work. The earth is inundated with rain. The puddles and the lakes [1] have become one. The vibrated mind is filled with You in the atmosphere of that nandan [2] aroma. The sky and the underworld have become one in their vibration, both are dancing in the same rhythm. All these are a vibrated necklace of that one effulgence - yearning for an iota of Your divine grace. O' Lord, please shower Your causeless grace on me... NOTES FOR PRABHAT SAMGIITA #3004: [1] Lake: One of the terms in Samskrta for lake is hrd. Baba has clearly mentioned this in His grammar books. But those who are confused wrongly translate hrd as "heart". In that case their attempt at translation only serves to mislead the reader. [2] Nandan: In the above song nandan refers to that beautiful attracting aroma. When human beings come in contact with certain expressions they derive much happiness. It is because of that derived happiness that they seek out those objects. That is why various tourists or nature-lovers visit various places: Because they feel attracted. In return, they wish to give pleasure as well. They donate money or work to protect and keep those places pristine. The goal is to derive and give back pleasure. Those engaged in nandan vijiana are attracted to various worldly things, knowingly or unknowingly: Art, dance, drama, music, paintings - these are all expressions of nandan vijiana, or aesthetic science. In the field of kiirtan also, nandan vijiana plays a role. In the initial stage, devotees do kiirtan to derive pleasure - that is nandan vijiana. When their mind becomes ensconced in Parama Purusa then their sole desire is to give pleasure to Him. Then their mind is above nandan vijiana and it is in mohan vijiana, or supra-aesthetic science. So the idea is that in nandan vijiana the goal is to give and get pleasure whereas in mohan vijiana the sole desire is to give pleasure to Parama Purusa. Nandnan vijiana starts with worldly expressions and builds up to the entry into spiritual life. Those running after purely physical things are in a lower state of mind and when their sentient factor is awakened and the mind is more elevated then they lose interest in physical crude pleasures and they seek out psychic pleasure such as writing, thinking, and reading ete. Then they chase after physical things for psychic enjoyment. Those interested in higher aspects of nandan vijiana & ultimately mohan vijiana may overlook lower aspects of nandan vijana.
== TABOO ==
Namaskar, In some places, sex education is totally taboo. But in our view - in the outlook of Ananda Marga - sexual education is a most important topic. It is not something that can be ignored or seen as being off limits. This is a topic that demands our assertiveness and full engagement. Why? Because at present, the wrong information and misunderstanding about sex is being transmitted by the mass media, textbooks, internet, school boards, government, academic studies etc. In all these agencies and circles the wrong kind of eduction is going on- the preachings and advice are misguided. Either they project how fulfillment in life comes from sex or that masturbation is a key practice for adolescents. And along the way so many other dogmas and myths get preached. Their messages they present are harmful and that is reflected in society, especially here in the materialistic west. Thus, if we fail to enter the arena and engage in the public discourse, then what our youths do not learn about sex from us, they will absolutely, positively get from the general society. Their void will get filled with the crude dogma of society. And that will not be good. So this is a topic we cannot and must not ignore. This letter then addresses (1) topics are to be discussed, (2) at what stage in life they should be talked about, and (3) who should lead these discussions and (4) much more. Without a doubt, your input is greatly needed as we collectively rally around this delicate yet highly important subject matter.
MEANING OF "SEX EDUCATION"
Here it should be understood that sex education means proper understanding and use of our sex glands in order to goad the mind in a proper direction. If those glands are misused the results are disastrous. Thus sex education does not mean "how to perform sex", nor is it a survey of different kinds of contraception. Rather it is the way we educate youths about their developing physical bodies and how to goad the mind toward the psychic and spiritual fields. This is the need of the day when children enter adolescence.
WHAT TO DISCUSS: PRELIMINARY POINTS
The first aspect that needs to be decided is what should be included in our sexual education curriculum. Plus, is the title, "sexual education", even appropriate or is there a better term. Please do write in with your thoughts on this latter point. Baba has discussed in great detail the importance of our glands, as well as the significance of our "sexual glands" - the testes and ovaries which are critical for idealistic thinking and spiritual practice. In that sense, they are not merely sexual glands nor is that their primary role and function. Hence, of key importance to this discussion on sex education is the glandular system as well as the benefits of using the glands correctly (good sadhana, courage, bravery etc) and the harm of misusing this system (sexual crimes, diseases, prison, loss of job etc). Both the good and the bad must be discussed. To this end, our discussion must draw heavily from Baba's books, Yogic Treatments and Yoga Psychology, among others.
WHAT TO DISCUSS: THE BENEFITS
Youths should be fully informed how the right use of their developing bodies can lead them to greatness. With the development of the testes and ovaries comes courage, tenacity, idealism, compassion, kindness, intellectual sharpness, and love for the Supreme. All of this Baba clearly discusses in His discourses. Thus our sexual education curriculum must highlight how those glands are not for sex per se, but for helping to develop the entire human personality. With this clear-cut understanding & empowerment, youths will have logic and reasoning to steer clear of depraved behaviour. Here Baba guides us how the testes and ovaries are linked with high qualities of mind and proper conduct. In this first quote Baba tells us how sexual restraint leads to greater intelligence as the lymph is best utilised. Baba says, "If the testes function properly and if there is no hindrance from the lymphatic glands, intelligence will develop. Without the testes, the solar plexus will not be developed and intelligence will decrease." (YP) In this below teaching Baba reveals how the sexual glands promote clear thinking - so restraint is a must, otherwise that faculty of mind will not develop. Baba says, "If the testes are over-active [highly active] and there is over-secretion [high secretion] of hormones, a youth develops the spirit of rationality." (YP) In this next teaching Baba guides us how the right use of those glands brings a sense of responsibility. Baba says, 'If the secretion of the testes glands is normal, a sense of dutifulness will be created in the mind." (YP) Finally, those glands are highly related with spiritual thirst and creating a link with the Supreme. Baba says, "If there is over-secretion [high secretion], a youth acquires the power to transform that longing into universalism. In those of you who have a longing for Parama Purus'a [Supreme Consciousness], an over-secretion [high secretion] took place in your hormones between the ages of fifteen and seventeen. At that stage the idea to become great comes into the mind." (YP) Thus if anyone wishes to become an ideal human being, they must be aware that their glandular system has to be maintained and used properly. This must be reinforced again and again to our youths. We will have to teach the point that the lymph is "food for the brain" and "food for the glands", and should not get senselessly converted into spermatoza and wasted. Baba says, "In males the testes are the glands which convert lymph into semen. As soon as lymph is converted into semen, the nerves are affected and there is a corresponding change in one’s thoughts. It is the pituitary gland which tells the testes to convert lymph into semen [that is, testosterone and spermatic fluid]. When the production of lymph goes beyond the capacity of the body to utilize it, it is converted into semen and comes out of the body." (YP) Unfortunately, in today's society, the lower vrttis are encouraged by negative propaganda in which case many youths and young adults cannot develop the right qualities in life. Our aim then is to give youths the right theoretical knowledge to understand that we should safeguard lymph - and not get drawn into sexual stimulation - and that by this way they will develop all kinds of great qualities in life. Then they will become true leaders in society, extraordinary aspirants, and get the respect of others.
WHAT TO DISCUSS: MUST OVERCOME NEGATIVE ELEMENTS OF SOCIETY
Again, one of the main themes of our sexual education curriculum has to be fueled by the stark reality that the general society has established views on sex. They teach masturbation to adolescents, use of condoms and other forms of contraception as well as many other points related with sexual practice. The point being that they expect and even encourage teens in this regard. Whereas the point of our discussion is to goad youths in another direction entirely. Because those who become lured into sexually oriented lives get caught up in so many problems: disease (gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes), crime (date rape, pedophilia, sexual predator), death (AIDS etc) and so many other issues like poor student life, teenage pregnancy etc. These are all regular occurrences for youths in materially oriented areas. In particular, our young girls should receive extensive training about female diseases. Baba has placed much emphasis on the care of women in this regard and our young girls should be fully schooled in this way. It is a tragedy that so many females in materialistic nations suffer from a string of ailments. Males also suffer but generally not as badly as females as the female biological system is more complex and prone to disease. And of course the point of teen-pregnancy is such a growing problem. Thus we should warn our youths about the pains, shame, harm, and depravity of sexually related diseases. Such diseases can make a person sterile, bed-ridden, or even lead to death. Of course no one ever thinks that they themselves will contract a sexual disease or suffer hygienic problems. But it happens. That is why we must warn our youths about this. They think everything will be fine but it is not true. Awful problems are destined to mount if anyone travels down that dark road. The other danger is that sex is not just a vice like alcohol or cigarettes. There is a huge emotional attachment as well - another human being is involved. Youths get attached to the opposite sex and spend all their time in that direction and their studies get left by the wayside. A good student can lose all their ability to concentrate and focus. both due to emotional attachment and lack of lymph. Here we are focusing more on the emotional part. Recently in the USA, one tragic case occurred where one college student murdered his ex-girlfriend (a student at the same college) due to extreme jealousy. So now the girl's life is over and the boy will spend the rest of his life in jail. Their dreams are shattered and their lives ruined. And both were smart students attending a prestigious school. Yet sexual involvement destroyed all that they had and destroyed their existence. There are no shortages of other cases where youths spend all their time arguing and compromising their values because of heated emotional feelings for the opposite sex. Thus instead of having a successful academic career and paving their way for a bright future, they get caught up in negative relationships and their whole life gets stuck in that way - just a pile of missed opportunities, or even worse. These represent but some of the many pitfalls and horrors. Finally, we should remind our youths that Parama Purusa is watching everything and He does not like to see His young children absorbed in crude sexual dealing and deviant behaviours etc. So this is another factor.
WHAT TO DISCUSS: LIFE PRACTICES
We have now discussed both the huge benefits of right understanding that leads to the development of the higher human personality as well as the horrible outcomes of wrong understanding wherein youths get caught up in disease and strife and ruin their entire life. The next matter is how to fortify our youths to move in the right direction. They need to know what to do in order to avoid the pitfalls and grow in a proper manner. Here are some points to include in our curriculum: 1) Right Company: Boys should befriend boys and girls should befriend girls. Never should members of the opposite sex be together in a lonely, isolated place. This should start early in the pre-pubescent years, as some go through puberty as early as 11 years old. 2) Yoga: Youths should be encouraged in all kinds of yogic practices like sadhana, kiirtan, asanas, kaoshikii and tandava. This will goad their mind in the right direction as well as keep their bodies healthy, balanced, and sentient. 3) Regular Fasting: At a young age, students should start fasting. If they are still in elementary school or primary education the fasting can be modified according to what our doctors and acaryas decide is healthiest for their growing bodies. And by early adolescence and young adulthood, our youths should be on a regular fasting program. This will divert their physical energy away from lower inclinations and will give them strength of mind and time for spiritual practice. 4) Proper Dress: From an early age our boys should be taught about wearing a laungota and our girls about appropriate undergarments. Our Ananda Marga has a scientific system that helps in restraint. That is one point. The second point is that our youths must not be allowed, encouraged, or swayed into wearing provocative clothing. Unfortunately now in materialistic nations many of our students wear revealing clothing and that drives the whole existence in the wrong direction. So we must teach and enforce the policy for appropriate dress. And in addition to dress there must be inherent respect for both oneself and the opposite gender. 5) Sixteen Points: Our youths must get the full teaching about joint hair, use of water, half-bath, and other key points of health and hygiene such as applying oil to the joints. By our special system, the glands are kept cool and the mind is diverted upwards. These all need to be critical aspects of our curriculum. 6) "Cakuna samvaro...": Baba's teaching from Lord Buddha's preaching is most important. Baba says, "“Caks'un'a' Sam'varo Sa'dhu” O spiritual aspirant! O Bhiks'u! O monk! O devotee! You should have proper control over your eyes; whatever will have bad effect on your mind, you must not see it. “Sa'dhu Sotena sam'varo”. Whatever will have bad effect on your mind, O good man, you must not hear it. “Gha'nena Sam'varo Sa'dhu.” You should have control over your nose, “Sa'dhu Jibha'ya Sam'varo.” You should have control over your taste. “Ka'yena Sam'varo Sa'dhu.” You should have control over your body. “Sa'dhu Va'ca'ya Sam'varo.” You should have control over your language also; and “Savvatha Sam'varo Bhiks'u.” If you want emancipation, if you want liberation from worldly fetters, you must have all-round restraint." (AV-14) This is a key point in this media-centered era. Youths should keep away from websites, movies, music, television etc that is sexually alluring etc. That means our youths need to be introduced to a whole new modality that is separate from the flow of the general society. But actually it is not as difficult as it sounds. Because there is a movement in the regular society in this direction and as margiis we have a lot to offer. So if we put forth some effort - spiritual clubs, sports, and strict use over technology etc - then our youths can easily get success. So that stands as an introduction or partial list of what types of practices and endeavours should be included in our curriculum. More can certainly be added. We expect as much.
WHEN TO REVIEW THIS TOPIC
The next aspect concerning our curriculum is when it should be introduced. It should not be done at too early an age, nor too late. Some of us discussed might be the best time and we collectively thought that introducing this topic about 1 year before children reach puberty. At that point they can learn about wearing a laungota and using the right undergarments etc. Then progressively more points should be introduced as children begin to enter puberty etc. The main idea being that children should have the knowledge they need ahead of time. That way they can prepare. It is just like being told about a hurricane before it strikes. If one is forewarned then all kinds of preparations can be made. Same with entering into adolescence. The more the children know - so long as it is presented in a serious manner and by the right person (discussed below) - then our youths will be able to avert so many problems and find the right course in life. So timing is a key point. The child should not be forced to raise questions on their own or be left to learn from their peers. That should be avoided at all cost - then it means that the right time has passed. We should be vigilant because although there is a general time period that is appropriate for most kids, there are bound to be some who need instruction and guidance earlier. We should be tuned in and ready.
WHO SHOULD LEAD SUCH DISCUSSIONS & HOW SHOULD THE DISCUSSION GO
This section has two parts: Who should lead the talk and what should be the tone & environment of the talk. The person leading the sexual education series might be a teacher, a respected elder, or an acarya - or anyone else the parents of the community deem appropriate. Generally speaking, it should not fall directly upon the parents to impart this knowledge since many children prefer not to talk about this with their parents. Whoever is selected to guide our youths, that designated person must be (a) a sadhaka of AM, (b) familiar with Baba's teachings in Yoga Psychology and Yogic Treatments, (c) of proper moral character, and (d) well regarded as a teacher. These are the absolute minimum requirements of the guide. Now let's discuss the teaching environment: 1) Taught by gender: This should not be co-education. There should be strict separation of the sexes. A respected female will teach to the girls and a well-regarded male will teach the boys. Under no circumstances should there be boys and girls in the same class. Nor should a male teacher lead the girls or vice-versa. It should be a single-sex environment. 2) No jokes or crude comments: The tone of the talks should be of a serious nature and those with questions should be encouraged, not ridiculed. Thus the teacher will have to establish a proper forum where all feel included and silly jokes and/or lewd comments are eliminated. In sum, a positive, safe, inclusive, and respectful forum needs to be established. 3) Emphasize science: The curriculum should be science based. Baba has given great teachings about the glands of the human body, the role of lymph the functioning of mind, and the relationship between mind and body. Thus this course should include all the teachings and draw from the fields of human anatomy and physiology, biology, metaphysics and intuitional science. 4) Recording: The forums can be recorded via audio or video so that parents can review what is going on. They should also be in the know. Plus, there may be other uses for such media.
SUMMARY
So this is but a small look into what our sexual education curriculum might look like. In addition, there is still the problem of the name itself, "Sexual Education" - a better term is certainly available. Everyone should write in with their thoughts and input about all aspects of this letter. We must keep in mind that if we do not take the lead on this topic, then our youths will learns from other such as the media or their peers. In either case, their training will be in the wrong direction. As Ananda Margiis, we should have our stand and present our curriculum. Once established, those in the general society will take shelter in our programs as well. Because our way is for the welfare of the entire society.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace, we are to bring our youths into this world in the proper way and teach them all they need to know to get success. This is our way - then society will truly flourish. Baba says, "Our world needs a great change in order to move forward and progress. A new order, a new wave, will have to take the place of the old to remedy all the physical, social, intellectual and spiritual ills of the world. As the vanguard of this new movement, the youth are indispensable. It is the youth, and the youth only, who have the vigour to bring about the necessary change. It is the youth who have the resilience to change and adapt and implement the vision of a new society. Without this vision, without the youth, the world will continue in the morass of suffering, injustice and exploitation that is our present social condition. It is the youth of the world only who can help bring about the new world order and the vision of a new humanity." (PNS-18) Namaskar, Punya'tman
Note 1: RELATED TOPIC
This below recently posted letter speaks to the point of castration and physical surgeries as forms of contraception. Of course, such practices are not condoned in AM. Reference the below letter for all the details.

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