Date: Sat 19 Feb 2011 21:23:42 -0400
From: Divyajyoti_Deva
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Pratiika: Adjustment between Two Cakras
Baba
== PRATIIKA: ADJUSTMENT BETWEEN TWO CAKRAS ==
Namaskar,
As we all know, Baba has placed great importance on the meaning and use of our Ananda Marga pratiika. Here below is a short explanation of how the pratiika is related with our cakras.
1. The two, perfectly-balanced equilateral triangles in our pratiika represent the manipura cakra (i.e. 3rd cakra) and the ajina cakra (i.e. 6th cakra).
2. The manipura cakra is the triangle pointed upward signifying service to society. This cakra gives the body energy and stamina to do action in the world.
3. The ajina cakra is the triangle pointed downward signifying spiritual sadhana and self-realisation. The ajina cakra is the seat of the mind.
4. We must practice and represent this symmetry in our day to day life by keeping perfect balance between our meditation (sadhana) and worldly work (social service).
5. Our mission is: Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca.
A'tmamokśárthaḿ (self-realisation) is represented by the downward pointed triangle (i.e. ajina cakra) in our pratiika; jagaddhitáya ca (selfless service) is represented by the upward pointed triangle ( i.e. manipura cakra) in our pratiika.
6. Maintaining balance between these two triangles - representing spiritual practice for self-realisation & selfless service to humanity - is needed. As sadhakas, we should be in perfect balance just like our pratiika. That means we must do maximum sadhana without losing our adjustment with this world; and we must do maximum social service without forgetting our sadhana.
7. When we maintain perfect balance between our inner world (downward pointed triangle) and the outer world (upward pointed triangle) then we will get all-round progress (signified by the rising sun in our pratiika) and ultimately victory (signified by the swastika in our pratiika).
8. Achieving this state is not easy. All too often, as aspirants we fail to maintain proper balance in life. Most commonly, people get too caught up in their worldly work and their sadhana gets neglected. In some cases the opposite happens. So we must constantly assess our position and strive to keep a balance between our inner and outer worlds.
9. Here the point is that we must not just wear our pratiika around neck, but our daily life must be a proper representation of the pratiika, i.e. perfectly balance between service to society and self-realisation. That means our life must fully represent AM ideology.
Baba says, "What should a person do? Life is a mission. I have said that human life is an ideological flow. That is, human life is a mission; life itself is a mission; one’s very existence is a mission. Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca – “Whatever one is to do one is to do for átmamokśa – for his or her own liberation – and for the elevation of the entire world, elevation of the entire human society.” One is to do both these things: that is, these two things are one’s mission." (Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 30)
10. In the notes below please read about (a) how we use the pratiika in our social and spiritual functions, (b) Baba's description of the pratiika, as well as (c) how the pratiika is explained in the latest editions of our AM books.
Namaskar,
Divyajyoti
Note 1: HOW OUR PRATIIKA IS USED
At dharmacakra, we may display (a) the Ananda Marga pratiika, (b) Baba's photo, or (c) both items.
Likewise, when our acaryas perform diiksa (initiation), they may use the AM pratiika and / or Baba's photo.
During DMC when Baba was up on the stage then there would always be a pratiika on display behind Him. Still today at DMS we present Baba's photo and behind His photo is the pratiika.
Note 2: BABA'S DESCRIPTION OF THE PRATIIKA IN CARYACARYA
Here is Baba's pointed explanation of the pratiika.
Baba says, 'Your Pratiika [Emblem]: A triangle with one vertex up superimposed on another triangle with one vertex down, with the rising sun having a swastika inside. These are symbols of energy, knowledge, advancement and permanent victory, respectively." (Caryacarya, part 1, "Treasures of Ananda Marga")
Note 3: HOW THE PRATIIIKA IS EXPLAINED IN OUR AM BOOKS
Here below is the dharmic way the publishers have explained the pratiika on the inside pages of the recently printed AM books.
The pratiika represents in a visual way the essence of Ananda Marga ideology. The six-pointed star is composed of two equilateral triangles. The triangle pointing upward represents action, or the outward flow of energy through selfless service to humanity. The triangle pointing downward represents knowledge, the inward search for spiritual realization through meditation. The sun in the center represents advancement, all-round human progress. The goal of the aspirant's march through life is symbolized by the swastika, which means spiritual victory.
From: Divyajyoti_Deva
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Pratiika: Adjustment between Two Cakras
Baba
== PRATIIKA: ADJUSTMENT BETWEEN TWO CAKRAS ==
Namaskar,
As we all know, Baba has placed great importance on the meaning and use of our Ananda Marga pratiika. Here below is a short explanation of how the pratiika is related with our cakras.
1. The two, perfectly-balanced equilateral triangles in our pratiika represent the manipura cakra (i.e. 3rd cakra) and the ajina cakra (i.e. 6th cakra).
2. The manipura cakra is the triangle pointed upward signifying service to society. This cakra gives the body energy and stamina to do action in the world.
3. The ajina cakra is the triangle pointed downward signifying spiritual sadhana and self-realisation. The ajina cakra is the seat of the mind.
4. We must practice and represent this symmetry in our day to day life by keeping perfect balance between our meditation (sadhana) and worldly work (social service).
5. Our mission is: Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca.
A'tmamokśárthaḿ (self-realisation) is represented by the downward pointed triangle (i.e. ajina cakra) in our pratiika; jagaddhitáya ca (selfless service) is represented by the upward pointed triangle ( i.e. manipura cakra) in our pratiika.
6. Maintaining balance between these two triangles - representing spiritual practice for self-realisation & selfless service to humanity - is needed. As sadhakas, we should be in perfect balance just like our pratiika. That means we must do maximum sadhana without losing our adjustment with this world; and we must do maximum social service without forgetting our sadhana.
7. When we maintain perfect balance between our inner world (downward pointed triangle) and the outer world (upward pointed triangle) then we will get all-round progress (signified by the rising sun in our pratiika) and ultimately victory (signified by the swastika in our pratiika).
8. Achieving this state is not easy. All too often, as aspirants we fail to maintain proper balance in life. Most commonly, people get too caught up in their worldly work and their sadhana gets neglected. In some cases the opposite happens. So we must constantly assess our position and strive to keep a balance between our inner and outer worlds.
9. Here the point is that we must not just wear our pratiika around neck, but our daily life must be a proper representation of the pratiika, i.e. perfectly balance between service to society and self-realisation. That means our life must fully represent AM ideology.
Baba says, "What should a person do? Life is a mission. I have said that human life is an ideological flow. That is, human life is a mission; life itself is a mission; one’s very existence is a mission. Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca – “Whatever one is to do one is to do for átmamokśa – for his or her own liberation – and for the elevation of the entire world, elevation of the entire human society.” One is to do both these things: that is, these two things are one’s mission." (Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 30)
10. In the notes below please read about (a) how we use the pratiika in our social and spiritual functions, (b) Baba's description of the pratiika, as well as (c) how the pratiika is explained in the latest editions of our AM books.
Namaskar,
Divyajyoti
Note 1: HOW OUR PRATIIKA IS USED
At dharmacakra, we may display (a) the Ananda Marga pratiika, (b) Baba's photo, or (c) both items.
Likewise, when our acaryas perform diiksa (initiation), they may use the AM pratiika and / or Baba's photo.
During DMC when Baba was up on the stage then there would always be a pratiika on display behind Him. Still today at DMS we present Baba's photo and behind His photo is the pratiika.
Note 2: BABA'S DESCRIPTION OF THE PRATIIKA IN CARYACARYA
Here is Baba's pointed explanation of the pratiika.
Baba says, 'Your Pratiika [Emblem]: A triangle with one vertex up superimposed on another triangle with one vertex down, with the rising sun having a swastika inside. These are symbols of energy, knowledge, advancement and permanent victory, respectively." (Caryacarya, part 1, "Treasures of Ananda Marga")
Note 3: HOW THE PRATIIIKA IS EXPLAINED IN OUR AM BOOKS
Here below is the dharmic way the publishers have explained the pratiika on the inside pages of the recently printed AM books.
The pratiika represents in a visual way the essence of Ananda Marga ideology. The six-pointed star is composed of two equilateral triangles. The triangle pointing upward represents action, or the outward flow of energy through selfless service to humanity. The triangle pointing downward represents knowledge, the inward search for spiritual realization through meditation. The sun in the center represents advancement, all-round human progress. The goal of the aspirant's march through life is symbolized by the swastika, which means spiritual victory.
