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Needs of Our Margii Children- III

Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2010 21:03:27 From: "Giriish " Subject: Needs of Our Margii Children- III To: AM-GLOBAL Baba PS Intro: This following Prabhat Samgiita works in two ways. (1) Baba is depicting the idea behind the advent of Parama Purusa as Mahasambhuti in the play of His divine liila. And (2) this song refers to Baba's divine appearance in dhyana. "Na'm na'-ja'na' ma'na' na'-ma'na' rauniin parii ese pa'she..." (P.S. 2983) Purport: One shining, colorful angel of unknown name has come close to me. This angel was not concerned about getting respect or not. Just it came to me. Its eyes were glowing with golden effulgence, and this divine angel told something to me. The angel told: 'My abode is in the divine world yet to accomplish the work & for the welfare of all, I move around this entire universe. And all those who love me, I pull them close.' 'Without stopping I move continuously around this entire universe.' And the angel also told that, 'In the bond of love, I get caught also. And I float in the flow of divine songs.' From the divine world one angel has come and it graced me and told me all the secrets of its advent... Note: In this song Baba is using the allegory of an angel, yet in true sense He is talking about Himself. Thus, although the word-- parii-- literally means 'angel', but in Prabhat Samgiita the real meaning of the term parii is: Baba the Parama Purusa.
== NEEDS OF OUR MARGII CHILDREN: PART III ==
Namaskar, Our Marga society is on the cusp of something great. With all the troubles plaguing our AM society we have moved into a deep state of concentration and contemplation-- trying to figure out the way to move ahead. And by Baba's grace we are sure to find the road to advance. Hence this present period of pause in our Marga will be followed by a phase of tremendous speed. So it is sure that all the weak links will soon become strong: Including the present problem of how to bring our margii children into the fold. Already a variety of key points have been discussed such as bringing children onto the path of AM early in life, creating special AM programs for margii children, and celebrating Marga festivals in our own locale and home etc. The links to earlier letters on this topic are noted below. And here following are more aspects to this highly important topic of building a healthy AM society that incorporates 100% participation and involvement of our margii children. Plus down below we take a look into some of the phobias in our India about bringing margii children into AM.
EMPHASIZING TRIFARIOUS ASPECT OF HUMAN EXISTENCE
So many times we see that our children are raised primarily caring for their physical well-being and intellectual growth. We want our children to be disease free and smart. Often that is looked upon as a great accomplishment in the raising a child. And indeed, in the greater society that is enough for that child to be called 'developed' and 'educated'. However, according to Baba, physical and psychic growth is not enough: That is not the whole picture. Spirituality must also be included in human growth and development. Baba says, "You know, human expressions are trifarious in character. Human beings have so many physical manifestations, psychic desires and longings, and also a spiritual thirst. This spiritual thirst is the specialty, or rather the special characteristic, of human beings, and there lies the difference between humans and other animals. Where there is no spiritual thirst in a man, physically he may be like a man, but actually, psychologically, he is not a man. So this special determination of human beings should always be encouraged, so that man may develop for an ordinary human being to a superman." (AV-12) Thus, per Baba's view, it is that spiritual component which allows one to become great and it is that spiritual aspect that separates humans from the animal world.
A FEW STUMBLING BLOCKS OR CHALLENGES
Unfortunately in so many margiis families inside India and out, there is much more emphasis placed on the physical and psychic development of our children-- and spirituality is looked upon as less critical, less necessary. This is not always the case but at the same time it is the prevalent approach, however we wish to admit it or not. One hurdle is that often due to a huge concern about the future financial success of our children, we as parents sometimes think that getting a good general education is the main aspect of life. And once this is achieved then spiritual values can be imparted. But this brings two problems: Firstly it pushes us back into the animal world. Because as Baba describes even animals impart physical and psychic training to their offspring. So merely sticking to that two-fold approach is not enough. Baba says, "This spiritual thirst is the specialty, or rather the special characteristic, of human beings, and there lies the difference between humans and other animals. Where there is no spiritual thirst in a man, physically he may be like a man, but actually, psychologically, he is not a man." (AV-12) Hence our children must be awakened to the idea of who they are and why they have been born-- as well as what is the goal of life. These existential cum spiritual topics are needed to create that whole human personality. And the second problem is that waiting to impart spiritual values later in life means raising a child without any spiritual education at all. Because those early years of a child's life stand as the foundation for nearly all their future endeavours. This much even the terrorists and dogmatic religions understand. That is why they start at the earliest moment to indoctrinate their children into their dogmatic way of life. Because they know if you can teach a child early then you have taught a child for life. In AM we should follow that same principle, lest we become disillusioned and depressed when we see that at the age of 18 or 22 our children have not the slightest interest in AM and are instead soaked up in materialism, pseudo-culture, and even the negative vices of drugs and alcohol. This dreadful outcome must be averted and the solution is imparting spiritual values and spiritual practices in the very earliest part of their childhood.
BABA'S MANDATE: SPIRITUAL TEACHING A MUST
Here then Baba provides an ideal picture of how our margii should grow and how we as parents can help support that process. Baba says, "Proper attention should be paid to the physical, psychic and spiritual development of small boys and girls. Just as they sit and study to develop their intellectual capabilities, they should also sit to do their spiritual practices with their parents. That is the way they will develop their spiritual practices. They should take diiks'a' [spiritual initiation] from an a'ca'rya(a') [spiritual teacher] when they grow up. They should practice the lessons of sa'dhana' - japa, dhya'na, a'sana, pra'n'a'ya'ma, etc. - along with their regular academic lessons. All that is necessary for their trifarious development, and it must be perfectly balanced. One should remember that the absence of a proper balance will harm not only the individuals, but also the society as a whole." (5 March 1984, Jammu) Clearly then having a well-mapped out spiritual routine is necessary for all our children. Just as we would think it intolerable for them to go to school without their homework completed, similarly no child should pass the day without setting aside ample time for their spiritual sadhana etc. This is Baba's supreme directive and by His grace in that way the child, the family, and the society will be greatly benefited.
ONE OF THE PHOBIAS IN INDIA
So it is certain that an emphasis on spirituality will yield good results all around. Even then due to a lack of understanding and prevailing dogmas, there are some margii parents who fear having their children absorbed in our AM way of life. That is some margii families intentionally keep their children arms distance from AM life. Not totally away, but not too close either. This may sound difficult to believe but it happens-- especially in Delhi sector. Please excuse me but there are some parents who feel that if they bring their children into AM then the children may become deeply involved-- and they may even become Wts, in which case what will happen to us, i.e. the parents. Tragically this selfish tendency can creep into the mind, especially in India. Because across Delhi sector everyone follows the joint family system where in their old-age the parents live with the children. It is rare for the children to move away in their adult years and it is unheard of for elderly parents to get placed in a senior citizens home. This does not happen. So everyone lives together always-- the only conceivable so-called impediment being if one of the children runs toward WT life. So a few parents wonder to themselves: Let all the children of this earth be brought into AM except my children. Otherwise what will become of me in my old-age if my children become wts. Thus huge pracara is done with the children of non-margii families: To turn those children into WTs. And side by side there is an unwritten rule to not openly encourage margii children in this same direction. This is the silent code that everyone in Delhi sector understands. Thus not only do some margii parents not stress AM to their own children but they do not impart AM values to other margii children-- lest they should upset those margii parents. In our Delhi sector we see such things unfolding. Of course there are many margii children who go to AN for their schooling and that gives them immense benefit in their life. But side by side there is that silent culture of keeping children only moderately interested in AM or even less. Thereby ensuring that the children will grow to become "bread winners" for the family and not sannyasis. Some may express shock about this but the proof is in the numbers. Without any doubt, the large numbers of Indian Wts come from non-margii families. There is no question about this. And one severe drawback is that in the process of keeping our own margii children away from the path of WT life, we also end up keeping them less interested in even margii life. Because by not vigorously encouraging AM practices and margii interaction then our children fall prey to other ways. Here the point is not to adopt a grim outlook but to see the situation for what it is. Perhaps there are similar types of blockades in our overseas sectors, most probably so. But here in India this is one pattern that is commonly seen amongst our margii families.
SPECIAL GUIDELINE REVISITED
Here again then is Baba's sacred guideline that will bring health and wealth to all margii families-- both here in Delhi sector and overseas. Baba says, "Proper attention should be paid to the physical, psychic and spiritual development of small boys and girls. Just as they sit and study to develop their intellectual capabilities, they should also sit to do their spiritual practices with their parents. That is the way they will develop their spiritual practices. They should take diiks'a' [spiritual initiation] from an a'ca'rya(a') [spiritual teacher] when they grow up. They should practice the lessons of sa'dhana' - japa, dhya'na, a'sana, pra'n'a'ya'ma, etc. - along with their regular academic lessons. All that is necessary for their trifarious development, and it must be perfectly balanced. One should remember that the absence of a proper balance will harm not only the individuals, but also the society as a whole." (5 March 1984, Jammu)
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace, inculcating proper spiritual training to our children will harmony to the individual and the collective, and will invite lasting peace and fulfillment. This is Baba's eternal blessing. Baba says, "While doing spiritual practice, spiritual Sa'dhana', while singing Kiirtana and dancing, we should remember the fact that all our spiritual activities are just a dance around Parama Purus'a, lessening the distance, lessening the length of the radius, coming from close to closer proximity to our ideological Desideratum. We should always remember this fact. And there cannot be any peace, any happiness or any beatitude till the aspirant comes in tactual contact with the Supreme Self." (AV-12) Namaskar, Giriish
Note 1: EARLIER POSTINGS IN THIS SERIES
Note 2: THREE TERMS FOR THREE LEVELS OF HUMAN EXISTENCE
Here below Baba outlines the three spheres of human existence and gives the Sanskrit terminology for each and the spheres: physical, psychic, and spiritual. Baba says, "As human existence is trifarious, so human expression and human activity are also trifarious. Human success in physical strata is called Pratis't'ha' in Sam'skrt. Human success in psychic strata is called Sarvajinata' in Sam'skrt, and human success in spiritual strata is called Siddhi in Sam'skrt." (AV-14, 'Seven Secrets')
Note 3: RAISING OUR CHILDREN IS THE DUTY OF ALL
Some may think that if they do not have children then they need not worry about the fate of the younger generations etc. Or they may adopt a more relaxed attitude about this. But here Baba gives us the firm mandate that everyone should take a maximum amount of responsibility to ensure that every child on this earth grows up with a deep sense of spiritual understanding as well as an ardent zeal for sadhana. Baba says, "Society must ensure that proper care is taken of human babies who are totally dependent on the care and protection of their parents for their existence. These helpless children can only convey their pain and discomfort through tears. To raise children from infancy to maturity is an immensely important task. I have said before that the members of society must advance in unison. The newborn babe is another traveller on the path. To adopt a child as our companion, as one included in the society, is called the "Ja'takarma" of the child." (AFPS-6, 'The Spirit of Society')
******************************************* Mayan Civilization, USA, and India
Baba says, "At one time, the ancient Mayan civilization of America was more advanced than many other civilizations, but because they lagged behind in the invention of the wheel, they were forced in subsequent times to acknowledge their defeat at the hands of other civilizations. The oldest existing artifacts of the Mayan civilization give evidence to advanced ways of life but no wheel. One should keep in mind that the Sanskrit name for America, Mayadviipa, came from the name of the Mayan civilization. During the Chola, Pa'n'd'ya, and Pahlava dynasties of the Indian Middle Ages there was contact between America and India--this was before Columbus' discovery of America." (SC-1 p. 87)
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