Note 2: Supreme Witnessing Entity
Baba says, "He is witnessing everyone and everything. Whatever is being
created is a different stage of creation. He is the subject and all
other entities are His objects. He is the Witnessing Entity because He
is the Supreme controller." (AMIWL-10)
Note 3: Equal Love and Affection for All
Sama plus'in'a' sa'ma mashakena
Sama na'gena sama ebhistribhih lakaeh.
Baba says, "He looks upon a tiny white ant with as much love and
affection as on a mosquito. Nor does He think of a large mammoth more
than other entities, for a mammoth has a mind just as an ant has. So He
thinks equally of all: He thinks of a white ant or a mosquito with the
same seriousness as of a mammoth or an elephant, and He attaches same
importance to each individual creature as to all the three worlds."
(SS-18, p.22)
== ANANDA MARGA FUNCTIONS & PSEUDO-CULTURE EXPOSE ==
Namaskar,
As Ananda Margiis, we are aware that during some grand function like VSS
camp, ETC camp, DMS, retreats and other big occasions, cultural programs
are always held.
Of late, these presentations have been called cultural programs but we
have to examine if really they are cultural programs or something else.
BABA'S STATED GUIDELINE
On this point - before calculating things with our own brain - let's see
what our Guru says.
"RAWA by its sentient vibration will create a taste for spirituality in
the society. RAWA persons can function in their units."
Baba's guideline is that when dance or music goads the mind to a
devotional outlook and the mind starts thinking about Parama Purusa, His
divine love, and parabhakti, then that type of dance and song is called
a cultural program.
If any dance, music or song does not goad the mind toward divinity and
instead goads the mind towards the lower cakras, i.e. carnal and worldly
attractions or animal propensities, then that is not at all a cultural
program.
We must always keep this standard in mind.
WE MUST CRITICALLY EVALUATE THE SCENE
MUST NOT BE LIKE IDOL WORSHIPERS
In various occasions, we Ananda Margiis must arrange proper cultural
programs. So we must think critically whether such dance and music
programs are up to the mark. Or are we merely befooling ourselves - just
as idol worshipers befool themselves and degenerate, ultimately turning
to stone. They think they are worshiping God but because they are
concentrating on a piece of stone their mind gets degenerated.
In their heart of hearts no idol worshiper wants to become stone, but
ultimately it happens. Similarly no Ananda Margii wants to degenerate
themselves by participating in some "cultural program". But something
like that is happening. How?
Please keep reading and you will know what I mean.
CULTURAL PROGRAMS MUST BE FOR PLEASING BABA
MUST MAINTAIN A STRICT STANDARD
In many parts of the world, devotees sacrifice animals in front of their
chosen idol / deity and think that Parama Purusa is pleased by their
action. But the opposite is true; Parama Purusa is not pleased by such
heinous acts.
Similarly, we must evaluate how far today's "cultural programs" are
pleasing to Baba.
In Baba's time cultural programs were going on but that does not mean
that we should therefore continue them irregardless of their quality. It
is not the case that automatically He will be pleased by presenting any
type of degrading display as a cultural program. That type of simplistic
is outlook is not enough. We have to critically evaluate whether our
cultural programs are according to His strict standard.
We must recall that in Baba's time the girls dancing in cultural
programs were below puberty. That was one very dramatic point to keep in
mind. There was not the slightest bit of provocative display. Plus the
style of music was always sentient. That is why those days the mind was
not directed towards the lower cakras.
So today, certain organisers of cultural programs,who are giving the
logic that the programs these days are in accordance with the standard
in Baba's time, are not being truthful with themselves. Because it is
quite apparent what is going on these days.
Top of all, a cultural program means goading mind towards divinity
otherwise it is nothing but an expose of pseudo culture.
YOUR HONESTY AND SUPPORT IS NEEDED
Think about a recent cultural program in AM. Undoubtedly you have seen
or heard about a program at DMS wherein 14 - 25 year old girls and boys
dance together. Then honestly ask yourself if seeing that dance - you
can ask yourself, no need to tell anybody - goaded your mind towards
Parama Purusa or somewhere else.
If it was going somewhere else, then do not attend or support such
programs. Otherwise you are merely befooling yourself.
Not only that, even if your mind was ensconced in Parama Purusa by His
grace, then even then you should come forward and join those who oppose
such so-called cultural programs. Because right now many are complaining
about thses so-called cultural programs and how they do not goad the
mind towards divinity but rather push the mind in the other direction.
Many people are not elevated like you, so you should be sympathetic and
support their cause.
In Baba's presence cultural programs were done regularly. But then the
girls were below 8 years of age and all aspects of the program were very
sentient. So the programs achieved the goal: The mind was led in proper
direction, not a negative one.
So we should be honest with ourselves. We go to DMS not for carnal
satiation or to satisfy our lower propensities, nor for all kinds of TV
channel delights or Holly / Bollywood movie scenes. Going to a dharmic
ceremony should entail strict adherence to a code of discipline and not
any negative encouragement of the mind.
MUST NOT DEGENERATE THE MIND
Girls below puberty should dance for a co-ed audience whereas those
girls above puberty can dance to an all female audience.
When any drama or dance occurs that requires boys and girls to dance
together, then similar aged girls should play the role of boys. And they
too should be below puberty.
Even then small girls should not wear revealing or Hollywood type of
dress. And the music must be sentient. The music itself also carries a
vibration, positive or negative microvita.
Baba says, "If someone makes a sound like 'ra, ra, ra -- cha, cha, cha' or
if someone sings, 'Follow my song! Let us sing and dance our way to hell',
these are sound inferences, but they carry a very crude idea." (MVNS, p.
94)
We should not let such scenes unfold in our own Ananda Marga cultural
programs.
KEY FACTOR
One thing we should never forget is that the purpose of such cultural
programs is to elevate the mind of the entire audience toward the
thought of the Supreme and drench the mind in devotion.
If any such program fails to do so it is not worth being called a
cultural program; rather it should be called a pseudo-culture expose.
We should be honest with ourselves. Baba is our greatest Self. He is our
greater "I". We should not try and hide behind any hypocrisy. We should
goad the mind toward our inner "I". And He knows if that is happening or
not. He knows the truth.
If you watch something that is degrading to the mind - and you know it
is wrong - but you have a stake or personal interest in the program and
you do not want to admit it is wrong, then you should be honest and not
lie to yourself. Otherwise Baba will know as He is your Inner true self.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace we are to ensure that all our cultural programs are done
with the right idea in mind and goad the mind unto His Divine stance.
Baba says, "One must not forget this fact – that the Supreme Entity is
with you, and loves you like anything. And the only goal of one’s
propensities must be Him. That is, all the propensities of the human
mind should be goaded unto the Supreme Existence." (AV-12)
Namaskar,
Manoj
Note 1: GIVING A VOICE TO THE VOICELESS
This letter is not based on a single ETC or DMS or ERAWS or other such
cultural programs. This is a general trend and this comment is related
with all recent cultural programs. It is wide-spread issue related with
all cultural programs.
I have personally talked with so many margiis and wts and I am writing
with their voice in mind. Because they are not in direct control of the
program so they do not have a voice per se. So this is their voice - I
am speaking on their behalf. That is why when such programs being held
many sadhakas of the Marga do not like to participate. They wish to keep
their mind pure.
Note 2: THE MORE CULTURAL PROGRAMS THE BETTER
RAWA programs and cultural programs can be held for all kinds of venues
not just huge occasions. They are also appropriate for any local or unit
gatherings, functions or festivals etc.
****************************************
Revolutionary Angle of Vision
Baba says, "The people who have committed some misdeeds driven by want
(be that want of food or clothes or of physical or mental gratification)
make society responsible for it. They want to convey to us that their
want was created due to flaws in the social system, which is, however,
substantially true." (HS-1, '87, p.77)
Note: Here following are some observations about Baba's above teaching.
1. This tragic scene which Baba is describing is happening throughout
the globe. In "third-world" countries and in so-called advanced nations,
often the common mass is denied getting their basic necessities-- in
which case, with no other option, they are pressured into committing
crimes.
2. And then, in turn, the "powers-that-be" wrongly blame that individual
as label them as a thief or criminal.
3. However, in His dharmic & revolutionary approach, Baba views the
situation completely differently. He holds that the society is at fault
for putting its own citizens in such a dire position wherein they cannot
even get their minimum requirements.
4. We should pay heed to Baba's guideline and also make it known that
the real culprits are those who are hoarding all the material wealth and
not allowing general society members to get their basic needs met.
5. Parama Purusa has given an enormous amount of wealth for maintaining the
human society, but due terribly improper distribution drastic
inequalities have emerged and so many problems have erupted around the
globe.
6. Everyone should remember Prout's unique approach that 100% of
the wealth belongs to Parama Purusa. He is the owner. All can and have
the right to utilise this wealth in a rational way, but He is the
Creator and the Owner.
****************************************
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