Date: Sat, 28 May 2011 13:32:32 -0400
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Dharmendra Deva
Subject: Re: Not Commonly Known Dangers of Sports
Baba
Namaskar,
Yes, I have also seen how dangerous competitive sports can be; I know of many who have suffered life-long injuries. There are so many tragedies in today's sports industry. So I appreciate the initial message of this email thread. (See link appended below)
Also I would like to add points for others to consider, as well as reflect on Baba's way of including fitness into our AM way of life.
As we all know, physical exercise is a necessary component for leading a healthy life. Then one can utilise their body and mind to serve Parama Purusa and His creation.
Accordingly, Baba has designated asanas, kaoshikii and tandava as the main practices for exercising the physical body. In various discourses, Baba has clearly stated that the asanas and dances prescribed in Ananda Marga exercise the glands thereby keeping both body and mind full of vital energy and positive spirit.
Baba says, "Walk in the fresh air...If the body does not work up a sufficient sweat, then you should know that you have not taken the air properly." (Yogic Treatments, Appendix E)
Baba says, "They will be able to devote ample time to such activities as sports, literary pursuits and spiritual practices." (Problems of the Day, pt #9)
By His above teaching it is clear and very evident that Baba places great value on sports. And the way Baba values sports is radically different from the way sports is valued in the present era.
Baba places value on maximum participation in games and sports so that all may get the benefit. In contrast, the commercialization of sports is based on highlighting elite athletes who play the game while the rest of the society watches. Baba does not approve of this later method.
During general darshan and DMC, Baba would select and allow all kinds of people to do tandava and kaoshikii. He would not select only the same people again and again. It is not that only the best dancers would be put on display. Baba wants that everyone should participate in their personal daily routine; and during general darshan and DMC, Baba would welcome anyone's participation. In fact He would rotate new people into the cycle. Because Baba's clear directive is that kaoshikii and tandava are for all - not just for the elite few. His aim is to encourage all the participate.
In contrast, to participate in sports in today's competitive society, such as for a school team - let alone semi-pro or even pro sports - one must train day-long to be good enough to play. In that way, only a small percentage compete in sports while most of the so-called modern world has turned into a society of spectators or "couch potatoes". They become awed watching highly-trained athletes compete and they think their job is to sit, watch, and spend lots of money on tickets and memorabilia. In that way the theme and essence of sports becomes lost. Sports has become an industry or capitalist venture.
Whereas Baba distinctly advises that sports and games are for cent-per-cent participation by all. Plus Baba wants that we practice asanas, mudras, and bandhas. In individual live everyone must do these regularly, i.e. twice daily.
At the same time, on the collective level, Baba does appreciate healthy competition with respect to sports and games. That is why there are kaoshikii and tandava competitions where Baba would even distribute prizes at DMC. Plus at SSAC camps, games and sports were organized in the form of tournaments and competitions.
Yet all along, the main message Baba has given is that everyone should exercise and keep their physical body in good condition while still striving for psychic and psycho-spiritual development.
Baba says, "Be physically fit, mentally developed and spiritually elevated." (Prout Nutshell, part 21, Nuclear Revolution)
So Baba's message is that everyone should exercise regularly and keep their physical body healthy and disease-free. Games and sports are for all - not just elite athletes as has happened with the commercialization of sports in this capitalist era.
As neatly detailed in the initial letter on this topic, the tragedy is that in today's overly-competitive, commercial market, sports has become an avenue primarily for the elite where so many are fallen, injured and killed. Training is intense and big corporate sponsorships are more concerned with profit than with the health and well-being of the athletes. Unfortunately, this defective mentality has even invaded our high school level sports. So in today's environment, sports has often become a hazard. Yet, this is not what is usually reported in the newspapers and on-line; rather all the headlines glorify the top stars and overlook all those who suffered injury, illness, disability and even death.
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Dharmendra Deva
Subject: Re: Not Commonly Known Dangers of Sports
Baba
== RE: NOT COMMONLY KNOWN DANGERS OF SPORTS ==
Namaskar,
Yes, I have also seen how dangerous competitive sports can be; I know of many who have suffered life-long injuries. There are so many tragedies in today's sports industry. So I appreciate the initial message of this email thread. (See link appended below)
Also I would like to add points for others to consider, as well as reflect on Baba's way of including fitness into our AM way of life.
PHYSICAL FITNESS IS KEY
As we all know, physical exercise is a necessary component for leading a healthy life. Then one can utilise their body and mind to serve Parama Purusa and His creation.
Accordingly, Baba has designated asanas, kaoshikii and tandava as the main practices for exercising the physical body. In various discourses, Baba has clearly stated that the asanas and dances prescribed in Ananda Marga exercise the glands thereby keeping both body and mind full of vital energy and positive spirit.
IMPORTANCE OF DAILY WALK
Plus, as we all know, Baba advocates taking a brisk walk everyday.
Baba says, "Walk in the fresh air...If the body does not work up a sufficient sweat, then you should know that you have not taken the air properly." (Yogic Treatments, Appendix E)
SPORTS AND GAMES ALSO ENCOURAGED
In addition, games and sports are also encouraged in Ananda Marga. Baba says, "They will be able to devote ample time to such activities as sports, literary pursuits and spiritual practices." (Problems of the Day, pt #9)
By His above teaching it is clear and very evident that Baba places great value on sports. And the way Baba values sports is radically different from the way sports is valued in the present era.
Baba places value on maximum participation in games and sports so that all may get the benefit. In contrast, the commercialization of sports is based on highlighting elite athletes who play the game while the rest of the society watches. Baba does not approve of this later method.
During general darshan and DMC, Baba would select and allow all kinds of people to do tandava and kaoshikii. He would not select only the same people again and again. It is not that only the best dancers would be put on display. Baba wants that everyone should participate in their personal daily routine; and during general darshan and DMC, Baba would welcome anyone's participation. In fact He would rotate new people into the cycle. Because Baba's clear directive is that kaoshikii and tandava are for all - not just for the elite few. His aim is to encourage all the participate.
In contrast, to participate in sports in today's competitive society, such as for a school team - let alone semi-pro or even pro sports - one must train day-long to be good enough to play. In that way, only a small percentage compete in sports while most of the so-called modern world has turned into a society of spectators or "couch potatoes". They become awed watching highly-trained athletes compete and they think their job is to sit, watch, and spend lots of money on tickets and memorabilia. In that way the theme and essence of sports becomes lost. Sports has become an industry or capitalist venture.
Whereas Baba distinctly advises that sports and games are for cent-per-cent participation by all. Plus Baba wants that we practice asanas, mudras, and bandhas. In individual live everyone must do these regularly, i.e. twice daily.
At the same time, on the collective level, Baba does appreciate healthy competition with respect to sports and games. That is why there are kaoshikii and tandava competitions where Baba would even distribute prizes at DMC. Plus at SSAC camps, games and sports were organized in the form of tournaments and competitions.
Yet all along, the main message Baba has given is that everyone should exercise and keep their physical body in good condition while still striving for psychic and psycho-spiritual development.
Baba says, "Be physically fit, mentally developed and spiritually elevated." (Prout Nutshell, part 21, Nuclear Revolution)
So Baba's message is that everyone should exercise regularly and keep their physical body healthy and disease-free. Games and sports are for all - not just elite athletes as has happened with the commercialization of sports in this capitalist era.
THE INTANGIBLES OF SPORTS
One other clear-cut benefit of sports is what is often termed as the "intangibles", i.e. the non-physical benefits of sports. These qualities include teamwork, leadership, spiritedness, perseverance, friendship, and so much more. These qualities are not found in the rule book nor can they be tangibly measured, but these also stand as an important aspect and indeed benefit of sports. Any coach, manager or announcer will tell you that.
And for this reason also Baba fully encourages everyone - especially youths - to participate in both individual and team sports and games.
And for this reason also Baba fully encourages everyone - especially youths - to participate in both individual and team sports and games.
MAIN PROBLEM WITH SPORTS TODAY
As neatly detailed in the initial letter on this topic, the tragedy is that in today's overly-competitive, commercial market, sports has become an avenue primarily for the elite where so many are fallen, injured and killed. Training is intense and big corporate sponsorships are more concerned with profit than with the health and well-being of the athletes. Unfortunately, this defective mentality has even invaded our high school level sports. So in today's environment, sports has often become a hazard. Yet, this is not what is usually reported in the newspapers and on-line; rather all the headlines glorify the top stars and overlook all those who suffered injury, illness, disability and even death.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace He has prescribed the perfect system for living a healthy, balanced life. Baba guides us that our human personality is three fold: Physical, psychic, and spiritual. We must not neglect any sphere; we must not neglect physical exercise. If we follow Baba's system and do asanas, kaoshikii and tandava, and keep attuned to His other guidelines like walking etc, then we will best be able to serve Him and propagate AM ideals. Then our bodies will not become crippled and incapacitated at an early or even late age.
Baba says, "...In order to march ahead on the road of human welfare, we will have to strengthen ourselves in all the arena of life. The complete seeds of welfare in all the spheres – physical, mental, moral, social and spiritual – are embedded in the sixteen points. Hence be firm on the sixteen points." (Ananda Vanii #45)
Baba says, "...In order to march ahead on the road of human welfare, we will have to strengthen ourselves in all the arena of life. The complete seeds of welfare in all the spheres – physical, mental, moral, social and spiritual – are embedded in the sixteen points. Hence be firm on the sixteen points." (Ananda Vanii #45)
Namaskar,
Dharmendra
Dharmendra
Note: ORIGINAL LETTER ON THIS TOPIC
Here is the original letter on this topic...
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