== IMPORTANCE OF SADHANA + TWO MORE SECRETS ==
Namaskar,
Nowadays in our Margii society one serious psychic disease is groupism.
Although general margiis and many wts are not suffering so much; but those
at the helm are surely in the whirlpool of groupism. And they are trying
hard to lure simple margiis and wts into their camp.
It is not that such persons do not know the philosophical aspects of Baba's
teachings. Theoretically everyone understands; but to bring this into
practice is not easy. That is why those who are not inculcating our AM
sadhana practices into their practical life, their mind gets diseased with
the ailment of groupism. This is not a physical ailment but a psychic one.
And there is no answer other than to follow and practice sadhana in the
practical life. Not superficial sadhana but sadhana done in the proper way.
Otherwise all the approaches of peace meetings and various efforts will go
in vain. So the only solution is to clean the mind with the help of cosmic
ideation-- thinking about Parama Purusa. Please see here what Guru's
guideline.
Baba says, "The humans of today have started to realize that they are the
progeny of Parama Purus'a, an integral part of Parama Purus'a. If people
can properly ideate on Parama Purus'a, they will realize Brahma. On
imbibing cosmic ideation all kinds of ailments will be cured." (PNS-8, p.19)
IMPORTANCE OF SADHANA
So sadhana is a highly significant thing and everyone of us must be very
strict in bringing Baba's teaching into our day to day life.
We know that our AM sadhana system is eight-fold. These are (1) yama, (2)
niyama, (3) asana, (4) pranayama, (5) pratihara, (6) dharana, (7) dhya'na,
(8) samadhi. These are the total 8 folds, or aspects. That is why our
system of meditation is called ast'aunga yoga.
And in this 8-fold system, each and every item is significant. One cannot
neglect any one of these. Because these steps are complementary to one
another. Just like higher cakras control lower cakras. In the same way
lower cakras also affect the higher cakras. If the lower cakras are not
fully controlled then the control of higher cakras is not possible and vice
versa.
That is why those who try to do dhya'na, without placing adequate emphasis
on the other lessons, do not gain success. For them dhya'na will be
difficult.
We know that with the help of Iishvara Pranidhana, mukti can be attained.
And with the help of dhya'na, moksa or ultimate salvation is possible. So
dhya'na is the most significant lesson in our system of sadhana.
In human life everyone wants peace and there are various types of peace:
(a) black peace, (b) white peace, and (c) perfect peace. In true sense,
perfect peace is the real peace. It comes through spiritual practice and
His grace.
While talking about the 'Seven Secrets of Success', Baba has given one
unique discourse on perfect peace. The discourse, "Ka'rya Siddhi Ke Tattva"
later published in AV 24, was given by Baba in the town of Diigha' on 9
January 1990; and this happened when He was returning from Ananda Nagar to
Tiljala.
TWO MORE SECRETS
And this discourse is unique in its own way. We know that there are so many
discourses on the 'Seven Secret of Success', ie dialogues between Lord
Shiva and Parvati. But in this particular discourse of 9 January 1990, Baba
added two more points with regards to getting success and peace. That is
why this particular discourse is so unique.
As you know already in the 7 secrets of success, there are really only 6
secrets. And they are as follows: (1) Firm Determination, (2) Shradda'
(Deep Reverence), (3) Guru Puja, (4) Sense of Equipoise, (5) All-round
self-restraint, (6) Pramita'ha'ra (Balanced and Nutritious Diet). And these
important points are mentioned commonly in several discourses.
But in His unique discourse of January 1990, Baba added two more
significant points:
1. Keeping the mind focused on the Goal or Desideratum. On this point Baba
says that if you remember your Goal then you will get success, and at the
same time you will get mental peace also.
2. The second additional point for attaining success & peace is practicing
dhya'na, off and on, many times throughout the 24hrs.
DHYANA DONE INTERMITTENTLY DURING THE DAY
Baba says that whenever you have 20 - 30 seconds, or one minute time, then
whatever condition you are in, just close your eyes and do dhya'n. By this
way your mind will be in balance and equipoise. And whatever work you will
take in your hand, that will be successful. Because to get success and
peace together, the pre-requisite factor is the mind which has prama'. And
that can only come through spiritual practice. And dhya'n is the most
significant source to do so. It is needed to be done properly.
In other discourses and in so many teachings, Baba has emphasized the need
of kiirtan. And that one should always utilise the time in this way. Means
whenever one has time for few seconds, then one should do kiirtan. So this
very technique and guideline of doing intermittent dhyan during the day is
a rare and unique type guideline.
Practicing dhya'n in small duration many times per day is very essential
for maintaining a proper mental flow and for keeping the mind in prama',
means saturated with His love and devotion.
By His grace, if with that type of mind, anybody tries to do any work, then
both the resultants come together: success and true peace.
Namaskar
Pramod
Note 1: Baba's discourse, "Ka'rya Siddhi Ke Tattva", appears in AV-24 (B)
p.139-153 and AV-24 (H) p.135-145.
Note 2: Here are some of Baba's teachings about sadhana and dhyana:
Baba says, "He is the Supreme Subjectivity. He is the subject and
everything else is the object...During meditation you should think that the
entity on whom you are meditating is looking at you as His object. He is
not your object. He sees whatever you are doing. This should the
psychology. He can never be your object. During meditation you should
remember that the Supreme Entity looks on you, sees you as His object. He
is not your object, you are His object. Do you follow?" (AVM-6, p.25)
Baba says, "While meditating on the Supreme you can not accept Him as your
object. Because He is your subject. Everything is His object. He is the
Supreme Subject. Then how, during japa and dhyana can He be your object? He
cannot be your object. So what is necessary is that-- and herein lies the
charm-- is that while doing japa and dhyana, you should think that He is
seeing you, you are His object. This thing you should always remember
during japa and dhyana. That is the idea. That is the spirit." (AVM-2, p.34)
Note 3: Baba tells us that peace comes in three spheres: physical, psychic,
and spiritual so sadhana is needed for perfect peace.
The following are BABA teachings about peace:
Baba says, "A state of mental equilibrium and equipoise is called peace. It
is important to know how the state of peace is attained, and how it is
disturbed. A systematic, spiritual practice leads to psychic balance."
(PNS-16, p. 20)
Baba says, "Spiritual discipline and relentless struggle against
superstition are required to maintain psychic peace. The principal aim of
human life is to be free of sorrow and misery. Otherwise one cannot hope to
attain peace." (PNS-16)
Baba says, "To attain permanent relief from sorrow and affliction,
paramartha (perfect peace) is the only means. Paramartha can only be
attained through spiritual practice. That is why in Ananda Marga, each
member is encouraged to learn spiritual practices from the age of five. As
one grows, one acquires tremendous physical, psychic, and spiritual
benefits...to enhance physical, mental, and spiritual progress, A'nanda
Ma'rga teaches a methodical and scientific system of spiritual practices."
(PNS-16)
FINAL NOTE: This next teaching of Baba is extremely important because in
very clear words Baba is guiding us that those who adopt the path of
materialism can never achieve the stance of perfect peace. Rather their
lives will always be full of frustration and misery:
Baba says, "The characteristic (dharma) of the mind is to seek the
infinite. The mind attains this goal by concentrating on a particular
ideation. As material objects are finite, those who accept them as the aim
of life eventually feel frustrated. They fail to attain bliss because
neither wealth nor material objects can be enjoyed infinitely." (Prout-6,
p.59)
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Size of Cranium and Spirituality
Baba says, "People may think that they cannot make rapid spiritual progress
unless the size of the brain, and hence the size of the cranium, is
increased. But this is not so because human beings can increase the
jurisdiction of their thinking." (Proutist Economics)
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