Question of Proximity with Baba

Date: 28 Aug 2010 13:19:25 -0000 From: "Manoj Shaha" To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: Question of Proximity with Baba Baba "Vrhat tumi, ks'udra a'mi, toma'r pa'ne nece ya'i..." (PS 1363) Purport: Baba, You are vast, infinite, & cosmic; and I am just one small unit-- meager. According to Your desire my whole existence revolves around You. By Your grace I have only one longing-- that is closeness at Your lotus feet. Since eternity the loving relation between us has been continuing. Even then You are cosmic and I am unit. Without me You can exist, but without You my existence cannot remain. Without You, my whole existence is meaningless. Except for You, I cannot think anything. You are my sadhana, You are my Goal of life-- my Polestar. Baba, please grace me, please bestow the devotion so with that heart I will go on singing Your glory, Your tales, and Your songs up to eternity....

== QUESTION OF PROXIMITY WITH BABA ==

Namaskar, When Parama Purusa comes in the form of Mahasambhuti, whatever He does in this form, that is called as "Naraliila of Parama Purusa". And many things which He does, usually people don't understand the reason behind that. That's why those type of things are called as "liila". The reasons of which are known to Him only. So Parama Purusa is infinite and His liila is also infinite. This is also one of His liilas, that on one side, in the scripture He has written that He lives with devotees. And that is true. Devotees can feel also. But another side is also there.

HISTORY OF MAHASAMBHUTI

When Lord Shiva came and then Lord Krsna came. In each of those times Mahasambhuti remained engaged with various types of people. Some were very good, some were normal. And some were most normal people. But usually those who working with Him thought that they have more realization and proximity with the Lord. Such persons working around Mahasambhuti think that despite the message of Baba's writing and scripture, they are the most close to Him. Because they are very close in physical proximity - living side by side, traveling and working side by side. So they are close to Parama Purusa.

WAYS HE GIVES HINT OF HIS LIILA

But as Baba's way is His divine liila, sometimes He reveals His ways in some by telling stories or telling some humor, giving some Prabhat Samgiita, or giving discourses. In these ways, He reveals His inner things. But how many persons can understand or are going to understand those things? Please look into this following example about those who were working along with Baba as a WT, or in any type of working relation. They were intoxicated that they are most close. But to remove their illusion, one day Baba told about the "Ringing Bell" story. (If you do not know this story then speak with senior margiis or acaryas.)

THOSE PHYSICALLY CLOSE MAY BE SPIRITUALLY FAR

Baba has also given this following Prabhat Samgiita which reveals that those who were physically living and working around Him. They were not so close. But how many persons could understand this song. Still today we all have to study and reflect. The song is as follows. This is Prabhat Samgiita no. 3286. "Keu ka'che peyeo cinate na're, dure thekeo cene..." (PS 3286) By getting physically close they do not recognize Him, whereas some from even distance recognize His magnanimity. And some by getting His sweet touch even, they drown in staticity. And some without knowing, they unknowingly believe fully in His greatness. Oh my Lord You are doing so many things for me. You are filling my heart with the nectar. I am so unfortunate that after all this grace I do not recognize You and remain oblivious. - PS #3286 By His grace devotees know that this PS #3286 "Keu ka'che peyeo" gives this message that living physically to Parama Purusa is not the whole picture - rather just a small part. It does not mean on is close. Many physically live close but they are living far from Him. But many live physically far but keep Him in their hearts. Innumerable examples of this can be given. Those who were living physically close to Lord Shiva or Krsna or Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. How far they were really close, that was proved in their conduct and behaviour. To see this history one need not look far back.

ABOUT THE JAMALPUR ERA

Earlier in the Jamalpur days, many persons had this type of vanity-- that they were close. And later on their glory became one with the dust. One can cite the name of Pranay Kumar Chatterjee, the first GS. And then Vishokananda, the first PA. Then Madhavananda, and so many such persons. These type of events are not new. We don't know so much history of Lord Shiva, what happened around Him. But around Lord Krsna we know the history of those in the lineage of Lord Krsna, His family the Jadu (Yadava) dynasty. They killed themselves with their blindness. And they were all proud, to belong to the same lineage. This every Margii knows In Baba's physical presence, those who were physically close. We have seen their downfall. And we will go on seeing. Because, ego is the worst enemy. Baba says, "Aham'ka'rah patanasya mu'lam" ["Pride goeth before a fall"]. (NSS)

THE YADAVA DYNASTY

So at the time of Lord Krsna, the Yadavas drank. Now we are seeing the similar scene: Those at the top are drunk with power. Both the sides they are full of vanity. Whatever power and position they have, they are trying to root out others. They are killing each other. Looking back at the history of what happened to the Jadu dynasty -- then I feel scared and disturbed. That, in the same way these persons also will kill each other? We should do something lest history should not be repeated.

BABA'S BLESSING

I recognize that some difficult challenges may be on the horizon. But by the following Baba's blessing, I never feel pessimistic. I know that the future is bright. Baba says,"There are some people who are pessimistic. They say that the society around us is very bleak, that it has no expression of vitality and that it seems that everyone is in a deep slumber. Pessimists say this because they have never made any detailed study of human history, nor do they care to. Had they done so, they would certainly be optimistic, because if they had looked carefully at the symptoms of pause, they would have realized that significant preparations were being made for the subsequent phase of speed. So under no circumstances should human beings be pessimistic. That is why I am always an incorrigible optimist, because I know that optimism is life." (PNS-7, p.67) Namaskar, Manoj

Note: MORE ABOUT THE YADAVA DEMISE

The history is that after the Maha'bharat was over, these Yadavas-- family members and disciples of Krsna-- they had nothing to do other than to drink wine and enjoy materially. And one day under the spell of wine they started attacking and killing each other. Civil war erupted. And it went on till everyone got killed. Here below Baba describes how the Yadavas killed each other. Baba says, "In the Jadu dynasty during the time of the Mahabharata ... Balaram was the elder brother of Krs'n'a and the king of the Jadu dynasty... Balaram was also an alcoholic. [And when Balaram and the Jadu family drank at one gathering]. The resulting drunkenness caused people to quarrel amongst themselves. Eventually they killed each other at Prabhash Tiirtha and the Jadu dynasty was destroyed." (PNS-15, p. 62) Baba's discourse continues: Baba says, "People who follow a path which is devoid of ideology are bound to meet the same fate. Eventually they will destroy themselves by their infighting... Consequently different groups are formed. We see this situation today." (PNS-15, p.62)

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We should contemplate how this below teaching is related with the present situation of our AMPS: Taraka Brahma BABA says, "For example, in France no government has had the opportunity to stabilize itself for a long time since the French Revolution. That is why, in post-Revolution France, although regal authority and governmental browbeating over the people have finished, the greatest harm has been caused by the lack of a rigid social structure. In the world-famous republic of the United States of America, there is a flagrant lack of social system and discipline, although there is no dearth of education nor is there any lack of the predisposition to social service and unity amongst the general people. In the absence of any authoritative check by the state or any group over people who lack spirituality or spiritual ideal, it is quite unlikely that they will care much about discipline." (HS-2, '87 edn, p. 21)

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Danger of Having & Not Having...

Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:01:28 -0000 To: am-global@earthlink.net From: "Hariish Dev" Subject: Danger of Having & Not Having... Baba "Esechile a'ma'r ghare kon se pu'rn'ima'y..." (PS 4075) Purport: Baba, by Your divine grace You came to my house on one full moon night. It was such a memorable and unforgettable occasion. With Your infinite grace, in song, in dance, and with the pull of the heart, You made me lose myself in Your divine splendour. Baba, I became fully enthralled and captivated by Your exquisite beauty. Baba, by Your grace on that special full-moon night You compassionately listened to all the inner feelings of my heart. You intimately understood all my suffering. Baba, by Your grace You gently removed whatever pain I had. With the august presence of Your sweetness, on that very full moon night, You created one beautiful époque in my life. Baba, it is beyond my understanding why You suddenly went away-- leaving me all alone. Since then so many seasons have passed in waiting for You. Now after such a long time, that distant memory of Your divine arrival to my house on that full moon night has become completely covered by the thick fog of time. Baba, please be gracious and come to me. Please do not forget that You are mine and I am Yours...

== DANGER OF HAVING AND NOT HAVING KNOWLEDGE ==

Namaskar, As we know, on the path of yoga, balance is the key. There must not be too much nor too little of anything. Whether it be food, sadhana & service, study, or any other endeavour, everything must be in balance. That is our approach and that is why AM is madhya ma'rga, or the middle path. Baba is also careful to point out that this balance applies to the realm of knowledge as well. Having too much or too little knowledge is dangerous. That is Baba's teaching.

DANGER OF TOO MUCH KNOWLEDGE

According to Baba, knowledge is to be attained only for arriving at the proper path. And that proper path, of course, is the path of spirituality, or sadhana. Beyond that, the the over-accumulation or misuse of knowledge is a liability, a hazard. That is the problem with having too much knowledge, or knowledge that is misdirected Here is Baba's brief story about this. Baba says, "Physical [worldly] knowledge is like the leaf of a shala tree [a tall evergreen with large leaves] on which people take meals. As long as you have not eaten, there is a value in the leaf, but the moment you have finished your meal, the leaf goes into the dust bin to be licked by the street dogs. When you come to realize that this physical knowledge of yours is only worth licking by a dog, then devotion will arise in you. Then you will acquire true knowledge." (SS-19) In the above story: (a) The person holding the leaf is a sadhaka; (b) The leaf plate (pattal) is knowledge. (c) The food on the leaf that gets eaten represents that knowledge which we internalise and use in our practical spiritual life, i.e. sadhana. (d) The food that remains on the leaf after the meal is that mundane knowledge which has no utility in our spiritual practice. (e) MORAL OF THE STORY: The leftover food on the leaf, i.e. that knowledge which is not used for sadhana and spiritual life, is useless and should be tossed aside and licked by dogs. It has no value in our human growth and development.

APPLYING THIS IN LIFE

Baba's basic teaching is that we should be careful not to fill our lives with excess knowledge that has no practical value in. Rather all that we learn should be internalised and used to enhance our own spiritual life and serve others. The classic example of over accumulation of knowledge is the proverbial university professor who has all kinds of theoretical knowledge and can speak Latin and Greek, but has no idea what food to eat, how to take care of himself, or how to help others. All day long he wastes his time in accumulating more and more knowledge that has no practical value nor any use in life. This is not the proper way to live on this earth. That is just like excess food that should be tossed aside and eaten by dogs.

CASES OF EXCESS KNOWLEDGE INSIDE AM

Unfortunately we do not just see this unfolding outside AM. This over-accumulation or misutilsation of knowledge happens inside our Marga as well. Please excuse me, but we see this occurring with some, certainly not all, but with a few of our wholetimers, and even some margii postholders etc. For instance, every WT has expert theoretical understanding of yama and niyama. They teach these tenets all day long. Yet a few of our wholetimers engage in smuggling, living a luxurious lifestyle, or even skipping their sadhana lessons. In that case, all that (excess) knowledge that they acquired about yama and niyama is useless. It has no practical value. Instead it is a liability. Because those few wts think that they know everything about yama and niyama, and hence they cannot be taught by others. Such Wts have a vanity of knowledge. Yet what they "know", they do not follow in their daily life. In which case that "knowledge" is nothing but an impediment to their growth. And the worst part is that since they think they know something, then they are neither able to listen to others, nor willing to learn from others. Then of course there is the case with those few Wts who follow groupism. Each and every one of these workers (i.e. the few who indulge in groupism) can give a beautiful two-hour lecture on neohumanism and universalism, but in their own life they are confirmed groupists. And in turn, they will use their knowledge in tricky ways, i.e. to convince others with flowery language to also join their group, yet all along they will speak of the virtues of universalism. Unfortunately, this is how some WTs have lured unsuspecting margiis and field workers into their group. All this then is also just a clear-cut case of accumulating excess or misused knowledge. Knowledge for knowledge sake, or just theoretical understanding, is that which takes no proper expression in their own life. Knowledge is to be internalised, not collected, nor used to misguide others. That is Baba's teaching, nay His strict warning. Baba says, "If people have developed intellects which are not properly directed, and there is no administration of the sadvipras, people become polished satans and inflict sufferings on others." (AFPS-6) The worst outcome then is if people use knowledge to misguide and deceive others. Baba terms such persons as "polished satans". We should be wary of such beings. To the degree that we can bring theoretical knowledge into benevolent practice is the degree to which our knowledge base is useful to us. One should not thrust themselves onto the road to hell by using their hard-earned knowledge to deceive others for selfish causes. Such persons future is not bright.

WHY THEY DO THIS

The next question one might ask is why they do this. Often people, and some WTs get allured into accumulating knowledge in order to place themselves above others. They think having huge knowledge will enhance their prestige and others will come up to them and say, "Oh Sir, or Oh Dada, you are so knowledgeable and wise..." But this type of false vanity or arrogance will just turn one into a beggar for others' praise. Internally one will feel empty and dry and the so-called knowledge that they do have will not help them progress in life. Or they seek out excess knowledge in order to satisfy their selfish agenda. They search for words and phrases that support their personal or group interest, and skip over the greater meaning of the discourse. People who justify fake Ananda Vaniis, dogmas, crude programs like so-called Mahaprayan, and tirithas fall into this category. This type of manipulation of knowledge also falls in the category of over-accumulation or misutilisation of knowledge. So one must not engage in this overaccumalation / misuse of knowledge. That knowledge which helps one grow and serve others should be internalised and practiced (such as sadhana, dhyana, kiirtan, science, philosophy), and that knowledge which is superfluous to one's life should be tossed aside and licked by dogs.

THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SPECTRUM: LACK OF KNOWLEDGE

From all of the above, one should be careful of their use of knowledge, but one must not then think that accumulating any kind of knowledge is therefore a burden. Knowledge is necessary and needed: It should be pursued wisely and with sincerity, not just to enhance one's prestige or to misguide others. As we know, Baba considers study to be essential. Without study or without knowledge, one will be prone to being exploited. That is His other clear-cut warning. This we see happening outside the Marga, as happened with so many native populations or in the case of people with shudra mentality. Either they sold their land for a song, or they got tricked into making a bad trade, or they got duped into sending their children to schools that did not recognise the local language etc. All these instances are cases of exploitation where one party lacked the sufficient knowledge. Unfortunately, once again we see this happening in our Marga. Of course this does not apply to everyone and since 1990 things have been getting better, but unfortunately due to a lack of knowledge a few continue to get exploited. As Baba warns us, this often happens due to a distinct lack of knowledge. Baba says, "If there is a dearth of intellectual pabulum and the intellectual standard of the people is not high, they can take “dos” to be “don’ts” and vice versa." (AFPS-6) As Ananda Margiis it is essential that we study and review Baba's ideological teachings, then we will not be prone to getting misguided by others. Then we will not get duped about the curtailment of BP rights, or false money collecting, or whatever else some Dadas do behind their tall talks. Unfortunately, due to a lack of knowledge, some become duped into fulfilling the agenda of certain crude Dadas, and in this way such innocent people degenerate terribly. Baba says, "Where the intellectual standard of the people is low, people commit blunders – prompted by such leaders they become beasts." (AFPS-6) Tragically, when some Dadas get convinced to kill one of our own acaryas as in the case of our dear brother Ac. Abhipremannda Avt, they got convinced or blinded due to their own lack of knowledge. In this way they got deceived into committing a heinous crime. Hence the cultivation of right knowledge is essential. Neither should we stuff ourselves with knowledge to create a sense of false vanity or to dupe and deceive others, nor should we remain ignorant about AM teachings and then get exploited at the hands of some opportunistic factional leaders. Regarding knowledge, we should find balance in life. That is Baba's teaching.

BABA'S BLESSING

By His grace we are to develop ourselves in the right way, along the path of vidya, and be vigilant to expose and dethrone those who use knowledge to strangle or misguide humanity. Baba says, "When will the three causes of sin be removed? Only when the sadvipras will be ready to fight against them with an iron hand. Today, at this hour, it is my call to the sadvipras of the world not to delay any longer. They should march ahead and save humanity and make the path of humanity free of thorns." (AFPS-6) Namaskar Hariish

Note 1: HOW TO USE OUR KNOWLEDGE

Baba says, "The duty of the sadvipras will be to hammer these stagnant people who are a burden to society, who suffer from inertness in their physico-psychic sphere, at the appropriate moment so that the path of human progress becomes straight, clear and well-constructed." (AFPS-6)

************************************************* Selection of Males and Females

Baba says, "It is very beneficial for society if people of sublime intelligence and brilliance reproduce more off-spring. The responsibility of rendering proper nourishment to the progeny of such persons will have to be taken by society and the government itself." (PNS-13, p.47)

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