== IDIOTS' LOGO ==
Namaskar,
The Prout logo displayed on the "official" Ananda Marga Prout website
continues to use the term "self-reliance". We have to evaluate how far
this term is an appropriate representation of our Proutistic ideals.
Here everyone should be perfectly clear that Baba Himself did not design
this Prout logo. This logo is the brainchild of certain webmasters or
Prout Dadas etc. Those in charge of the website can best tell who
specifically designed it.
OVERVIEW OF SELF-RELIANCE DOGMA
The history of the term "self-reliance" traces back to the American
transcendentalists, and in particular Ralph Waldo Emerson. Their
philosophy of relying on oneself and not trusting or helping others, was
born out of their reaction to the church. Those days the Christian
church was guiding all aspects of life in a very dogmatic manner. In
reaction, such transcendentalists, like Emerson, created their own dogma
of self-reliance. Theirs then is a reactive approach that focuses on
dogma, not spirituality.
In Ananda Marga, our Proutistic vision is grounded in neo-humanism and
bhagavad dharma where we espouse high ideals. Prout was not given merely
in opposition to church dogma etc. In Prout, we have our stand based on
Baba's lofty ideals and teachings.
MEANING OF SELF-RELIANCE
The meaning of self-reliance is quite evident:
self = unit or individual; reliance = depend upon or rely on.
Hence, "self-reliance" refers to extreme individualism where one need
not care about others. One need not help others; nor are others going to
help you. You are totally alone. Such is the perspective of
self-reliance. This is their so-called society: Depend only on oneself
and be ready to exist alone.
NOT CARING ABOUT OTHERS
The way of "self-reliance" then is purely about oneself - that's all.
There is no need to care about others.
So if anyone is downtrodden, sick, elderly, pregnant, or disabled then
one need not care about them. Just care about yourself and do not care
about others. It is a doctrine of strict individualism, i.e. selfishness.
In other words it is extreme capitalism, the defining doctrine of
selfishness.
Just one should care about oneself and all others should be independent.
People of this mindset are kicking their elderly grandparents and
parents out from their homes. They are even abandoning their own
children and spouses. Just they are living alone.
Even children are kicked from the house and live in foster care due to
this extreme selfishness of self-reliance.
This is not a fairy tale. In any metropolitan city this happens and it
is rampant throughout the west. In many cases, all family members are
living separately from one another. They do not care about each other.
PROUT MEANS CARING FOR OTHERS
So self-reliance is not at all compatible with our Prout philosophy;
self-reliance is the poster boy of capitalism. Self-reliance means
extreme individualism devoid of any service mentality.
In Prout, Baba teaches us that our social duty is to help others.
Baba says, "What is society like? It is like a group of people going on
a pilgrimage. Try to imagine the scene! Suppose one of the pilgrims is
struck down by cholera. Will the rest of them continue on their way,
leaving the sick man behind? No, that would be inconceivable for them.
Rather, they will break their journey for a day or two, and cure him of
his disease. If he is still too weak to walk they will carry him on
their shoulders. If some people run short of food, others share what
they have with them. Together they share their possessions, and together
they march ahead, singing in unison." (AFPS-6)
Baba's above teaching about society is based upon universal love,
cooperation, and helping those in need. Whereas the pseudo-theory of
self-reliance is the antithesis of these values. Yet the term
self-reliance has been glued to our Prout website in the form of the
Prout logo.
SELF-RELIANCE IS THE PET OF CAPITALISM
In the US, self-reliance is a movement synonymous with capitalism
itself. Adam Smith and the "Founding Fathers" of the USA all preached
the gospel of self-reliance.
And today's political environment is quick to refer to self-reliance,
a.k.a. extreme individualism.
For instance, in the forthcoming mid-term election in the USA,
self-reliance is a big rallying point for capitalists. They have
generated popular support to get rid of any and all social safety nets.
The slogan is to rely on oneself alone. Nobody should help each other.
That is why their demand is to get rid of programs like Social Security,
disability, and all other programs which help those in serious and dire
need like the elderly, homeless, disabled etc. This is the cry of some
of the leading politicians in the Republican party for the upcoming
election.
Their entire call is based on the dogma that people should depend only
on oneself. It is not the duty of society to look after anybody.
Such capitalists want to establish this theory of self-reliance as it
gives them abundant opportunity to exploit others. Then the poor masses
can be blamed for not managing for themselves. They will be branded as
leeches for going to homeless shelters and soup kitchens etc. This is
the capitalist approach. Self-reliance is just one key phrase for giving
themselves the right to exploit others and blame those in need.
So their chosen ways of self-reliance are not at all suited to Prout; it
is just one capitalist dogma. Yet, tragically, it has made its way onto
our Prout logo.
RUSH LIMBAUGH ADVOCATES SELF-RELIANCE
Here is further proof how the term "self-reliance" is just one
capitalist strategy. Many of you may have heard of the gigantic radio
personality Rush Limbaugh, whose nearly every work goes against our AM
way of thinking. Well this same Rush Limbaugh, who is the mouthpiece of
the republican party, praises self-reliance up to the sky.
In Rush's special edict, "Rush Limbaugh's 35 Undisputed Truths of Life",
he heartily espouses self-reliance in his very first point.
"1. There is a distinct singular American culture - rugged individualism
and self-reliance - which made America great." (Rush Limbaugh)
And this is the same Mr. Limbaugh who has said the following:
"24. Feminism was established as to allow unattractive women easier
access to the mainstream of society." (Rush Limbaugh)
"6. The Earth's ecosystem is not fragile." (Rush Limbaugh)
So this same Rush Limbaugh, who so rudely opposes women's rights and who
so outlandishly lashes out against global warming, is a great proponent
of "self-reliance", i.e. the selfish belief of caring for oneself and
neglecting others.
Mr Limbaugh is an ultra-conservative radio show host with loads of
listeners. It seems that those who designed the Prout logo are also his
followers.
WHAT IS THE REALITY
In Ananda Marga, we know well that self-reliance is but a myth. It
neight works in the spiritual realm nor in social life.
The very foundation of AM spirituality is that humans are not to rely on
themselves, rather we are to rely on God.
Baba says, "Depend on Him, rely on Him, have Him as your only object of
ideation. Nothing else is required for your spiritual salvation." (AV-5)
Thus in the spiritual sphere we are to surrender everything to Parama
Purusa. He is the base of life. In AM spirituality, self-reliance is a
mere falsehood or dogma.
Then in our social life, we know that everything in this universe is
interdependent. Nothing exists in a vacuum. All are connected. Thus,
self-reliance has no place in our social philosophy either. We are to
readily help others and view all as part and parcel of this cosmological
order.
We can see then that self-reliance has nothing to do with our AM ideals
is really but a dogma of capitalism. So it is a tragedy and
ill-conceived plan that "self-reliance" became an integral aspect of the
Prout logo on the official Prout website.
ONLY IDIOTS COULD GET CONFUSED
Self-reliance is a totally loaded term that espouses extreme
individualism and capitalist greed. Side by side this term grossly
rejects the need to provide help and services to the suffering and
impoverished. It is such a blatant contradiction to Proutistic ideals
and our AM way of life. It seems only sheer idiots could have possibly
thought that the term "self-reliance" would be appropriate for the Prout
logo. Only idiots could have gotten so confused and attempted to link
this with Prout.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace He has given His Prout philosophy to uplift the masses
and bring well-being to all.
Whatever slogan we use on our Prout logo should reflect His teachings
and not the talking points of capitalists, like the self-reliance theme.
Our Prout logo must use terms, words, and images that wholly reflect
Baba's culminating sutra about Prout.
Pragatishiila upayogatattvamidam' sarvajanahita'rtham'
sarvajanasukha'rtham' praca'ritam.
Baba says, "This is the Progressive Utilization Theory, propounded for
the happiness and all-round welfare of all." (Ananda Sutram, Chapter 5)
Namaskar,
Yogendra
Note 1: MORE ABOUT MR LIMBAUGH'S EDICTS
To read the full list of Mr Limbaugh's so-called truths, click on the
link below. His points are diametrically opposite to AM ideology. It is
utterly shameful his ways have become part of the Prout logo.
Note 2: MORE PROOF ABOUT THIS CAPITALIST DOGMA
Such radical republican bloggers also issue warnings like this:
"Destroy the welfare state and reestablish self-reliance."
When their sole aim is to annihilate all social service programs and
champion extreme capitalism through their self-reliance slogan, then
this stands as one more reason why we as Proutists should distance
ourselves from this term and remove it from our logo entirely.
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WT Conduct Rule: Dealings
Baba says, "Supervisory workers will have to take proper care of each of
their supervised staff in all respects." (Pt #2 of 'Six Additional Rules')
Note: This is a very significant rule but in today's Wt culture
supervisory bosses are more focused on emptying the pockets of their
subordinates and using them for their groupist schemes. This is the only
"care" they do. In future when standard of devotion in supervisory
workers is higher, these rules are likely to be followed in which case
the situation will be better.
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