To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Prakash Deva
Subject: Who Should Distribute Baba Photos & Films
Baba
"Du'rer aja'na' pathik eseche mor ghare ei viha'ne..." (P.S. 4947)
Purport:
From the distant dawn the Ajana Pathik has come today in my home. About
this very Ajana Pathik, I had longing for Him in my life, in my death,
while awake, in my dream, & in my sleep. All throughout I have been longing
for Him. And that Aja'na' Pathik has come today in my home.
That very Entity is most loving for me, even more than my own prana. He
is the dearest of dear to my soul. He is more adorable than anything else.
He loves me so much; He knows more about me than I know about myself. What
I know about myself, He knows far more.
That Aja'na' Pathik is kaladhiish-- He cannot be bound by time. So He is
kaladhiish. That Aja'na' Pathik is also the controller of the time factor
so He is kalatiita-- One who works beyond the bondage of time. His glory,
charm, and attraction cannot be expressed in words. Since eternity He has
been hiding in a remote corner of my heart. I have been dreaming of Him
with deep longing for hundreds of lives. That Aja'na' Pathik has come today
in my home. He has graced me...
== WHO SHOULD DISTRIBUTE BABA PHOTOS & FILMS ==
Namaskar,
Around town and in our email forums, there has been much discussion
about the management and distribution of Baba photos and films as well
as Baba's other devotional treasures like Prabhat Samgiita etc.
This is an important topic as it is directly related with Ista, the
spread of Baba's teachings, one's individual growth as a sadhaka, and
our organisational systems.
So let's take a look at this critical issue.
SAMGACCHADHVAM SPIRIT
One of the main things that Baba has emphasized is moving ahead in
samgacchadhvam spirit - i.e. working together unitedly toward a common
goal.
Baba says, "The meaning of the sam'gacchadhvam' mantra should be
realized in life. Always remain united. Solve all problems, big or
small, with unity..." (CC-2, 'Society', pt#34)
One can say that for this reason of unity and collective projects, Baba
created AMPS - the tool for spreading His dharmic teachings and programs
in an organised & cohesive manner.
After all, the way to achieve success on this earth is to join together
and work collectively. That makes any job or project infinitely easier.
Even the materialists have learned this basic point. Small businesses
have merged together to create larger companies, and larger companies
have bonded to create bigger corporations, and bigger corporations have
expanded to become world-wide, multi-national enterprises. Their aims
may be selfish, but as a matter of efficiency and approach, the business
world realises that working collectively is the only way to go. In
addition, schools, countries, foundations all follow this same principle.
Naturally then, whether it be on points of pracara, Prout, AMURT,
schools, or the distribution of Baba photos and films, our approach as
Ananda Margiis should be in the spirit of samgacchadhvam, i.e. working
together in an organised way towards a common ideal.
Clearly then, our fundamental manner is to adhere to our AMPS structure
and regulations. Specifically, the distribution of Baba photos and films
should be led and carried out by the corresponding organisational
pathway, such as Public Relations Department and PRS Dada.
That is the way things should work - under ideal or normal conditions.
That is in tune with our samgaddhadhvam spirit.
However, at present, we are not living in normal times. Because when our
organisational structure is cracked, when groupists are doing and dying
for their own fame and power, and when our organisational channels are
no longer doing what they were designed to do, then who can think these
are normal times.
In that case, we have to reconsider the matter entirely.
MANIPULATION OF BABA'S THINGS
When there is care and love, then naturally there will be deep interest
to do things properly. But where groupism is rampant, the desire to
serve the cause of dharma is replaced by the greedy need to rule over
others. Tragically, at present, many of the devotional tools in AM have
been taken hostage by group leaders who suffer from this defective
mentality.
VARABHAYA MUDRA PHOTO: Earlier, all Ananda Margiis had easy access
through the proper organisational channels to a high-quality image of
Baba's varabhaya mudra photo. However, since 1990, the photo being
distributed has been tainted, faded and lightened such that one can
hardly even see the image. This makes both Guru dhyana and Guru sakash
very difficult.
Actually, the history is that after 1990 the organisation (i.e.
Sarvatmananda's team) had a perfect negative of Baba in varabhaya mudra.
However, as they were more concerned with power than saving Baba's
things, they allowed their negative get ruined by mold in the humid
environment of Tiljala. Such was their level of interest.
By the grace of Baba, committed margiis came forward and began sharing a
high-quality photo, much to the displeasure of the organisation. As they
preferred to have full control, whether they were carrying out their
duties properly or not.
Still today this remains an issue. The PRS and other organisational
channels either do not have a good quality photo or they refuse to share
it with others - both of these scenarios come into play.
In that case, how can we sit back and say, that only PRS Dada has the
right to distribute Baba's photo. Rather, it is the right of every
Ananda Margii to have Guru's photo for the spiritual progress in
sadhana. In the best case scenario, PRS would have a proper system in
place to get the photo to sadhakas of the Marga. But nothing of the sort
has been done. Rather, PRS refuses to share the photo at all.
So this is a clear-cut instance where the organisation is not serving
the aims of dharma. Thus, bhaktas have been forced to step forward and save
the situation so devoted margiis can get a proper photo. Best of course
is if the organisation properly handles this duty, but when they do not
have the interest nor the desire, then other recourse is needed.
PRABHAT SAMGIITA: This is another blatant example how since 1990 the
organisation has failed to live up to their duties. Instead of following
in the footsteps of Baba's dharmic example, the groupists in power gave
up the ship on Prabhat Samgiita and (1) sold out to pseudo-culture and
(2) propagated the late PP's silly rhymes, ridiculously titled as
Shraddha Shuman.
Who can forget how the organisational "leaders" pasted glamorous
pictures of filmy singers on the covers of our Prabhat Samgiita
cassettes and began distributing those cassettes as a collection of
mundane love songs wherein Baba's divine compositions were sold in the
common marketplaces along side pop-music.
Under such a condition, who can think that the organisational channels
were fulfilling their dharmic duties - rather they strayed deep into the
realm of pseudo-culture and dogma.
They have shown they cannot be trusted.
Plus, that is not all, for years and years in that post-1990 period,
Sarvatmananda and Co. were actively promoting, recording and selling PP
Dada's silly rhymes, thereby totally overlooking Baba's divine
collection of Prabhat Samgiita.
All this eerily spells out how the organisational channels were failing
to live up to their responsibilities - thereby forfeiting their duties
to others, i.e. interested margiis and acaryas.
AM BOOKS: Next we come to the publication of Baba's books. Although Dada
Acyutanandji is working hard and has diligently involved in this
endeavor, Dadaji's fine efforts have not been enough to overcome the
dark ways of the Kolkata team.
No doubt, Rudrananda is doing zero to publish AM books, but even worse,
in the opposite corner, Sarvatmananda and his cohorts have adopted the
path of Bangalisation. They hastily toss aside and intentionally ruin
English and Hindi discourses - as well as those given in other languages
- and instead they only attend to Bangla discourses. Or they insist that
all discourses be first put into Bengali - even if Baba spoke in English
- in order to put Bengali on top. There are no shortage of examples in
this regard.
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2009/09/proof-of-distortion-in-new-book-av-11.html
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2009/01/problem-will-linger-until.html
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2009/06/bangla-and-bangalii.html
These above letters are but a few of the many examples of how such
groupists have ruined Baba's books. So this is another clear-cut case
wherein the factional heads have gone against the ethic of AM and
destroyed our treasures.
All in all, it is clear we are not living in normal times. Because those
at the helm of the organisation are violating all the principles of AM.
And even worse is that when others try to pick up the responsibility or
correct things, then those factional monsters wage an all-out war
against that innocent margii.
So the whole scene is quite tragic and the only remedy at present lies
in the hands of those courageous margiis & wts who come forward.
Because organisational authorities have no interest in doing their jobs.
DANGER OF "UNITY" OF GROUPISTS
Actually when these groupists bond together, they can create all kinds
of problems. The most glaring example of this is the dogma of Mahaprayan.
As we all know, in Caryacara part 2, Baba has clearly stated that Guru
is infinite and ever-lasting, forever in our hearts.
Baba says, "The one formless, beginningless and infinite Parama Brahma
(Supreme Consciousness) is the only entity to be attained by living
beings – That alone is Jagat Guru (the Supreme preceptor), That alone
has revealed Brahmavidya' (intuitional science) to us through the medium
of the name and form of Anandamu'rtijii. Unit beings must be made to
appreciate Its majesty." (CC-2)
Yet, when all the groupists were "united" and serving as footstools to
Sarvatmananda, then in '90 they unanimously voted to insert the dogmatic
Mahaparyana addendum to Carycarya part 1, essentially stating that Baba
is gone.
Such is the hell that groupists can do when they are all on the same
page, i.e. working together.
WE MUST RECONSIDER
Now let us again return to the main query: Who Should Distribute Baba
Photos & Films?
Given all the information and proofs from up above, we have to
reconsider the situation. Because when the organisational channels have
no desire to attend to this responsibility, then there is no other
option except for others to come forward.
Certainly, the Public Relations Dept should be in charge, but when they
shirk their responsibility, the only recourse is for rational margiis to
take up the job.
MARGIIS ARE THIRSTY FOR BABA'S THINGS
IT IS THEIR BIRTHRIGHT
We must remember that those leaders at the helm of the organisation are
not like some capitalist owners who may do as they please. The only
avenue of post holders in AMPS is to serve Guru and the Marga, beyond
that they have no right.
Thus when top Dadas are failing to carry out their duties and when
devoted margiis around the globe are thirsty for devotional treasures
like a proper Baba photo etc, then other dharmikas must come forward and
demonstrate initiative.
Because, all sadhakas should have proper access to Guru's gifts.
Baba says, "Human life is short. It is wise to get all the instructions
regarding sa'dhana' as soon as possible." (CC-2, 'Sadhana', pt#8)
So when Baba's photo is such an essential part of our sadhana practice
and when His discourses and Prabhat Samgiita are some of our devotional
treasures, then every Ananda Margii has a right to those gifts. That is
Baba's stated wish.
TEMPORARY SOLUTION
Given the severity of the situation, the only practical way to move
ahead is for interested Ananda Margiis - be they family margiis or wts -
to share Baba photos and Prabhat Samgiita etc. That is the only way to
remedy the situation at present.
But, this is only a temporary measure - a quick band-aid.
The main solution is to clean up the organisation and have people in the
chair who wish to serve Guru and propagate His ideals. Then PRS Dada
should have full authority over the distribution of Baba's photo etc.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace He has created AMPS as medium for us to work together in
spreading His ideal. Without that, it would be impossible. So we must
fix the organisation. Till that time - until all groupists have been
removed or rectified - pathways are needed to ensure things like Baba's
photo get distributed properly to other sadhakas. In that case, any
interested margii can do.
Baba says, "All have come from Him, and therefore all will remain
together. But this is not sufficient. All have come from Him, are in
Him, and will merge in Him, therefore all people will have to live
together. For you, unity is the natural course, and division is
unnatural. You well know that the Cosmic Energy will not long tolerate
what is unnatural." (Disc MHB)
Namaskar,
Prakash
Note 1: SANCTITY A MUST
Just because margiis and field workers are now involved in sharing
Baba's image and writings does not mean that they can carry out this
work indiscriminately.
Rather, it should be done with the utmost sanctity and reverence for
Baba's gifts.
Thus, we should be vigilant that no one go against the ethic of the
Marga in this regard. If that happens, these instances should be
reviewed on a case by case basis, and conclusive action should be taken.
And again, best of all will be if the integrity of our AMPS can be
restored. Then the organisation can resume full authority of all
devotional properties etc. That will be best.
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About Rich People
Parama Purusa Baba says, "It must always be remembered that the value of
money lies in its proper use. If more money is accumulated than what is
necessary, it becomes valueless for want of use. To the extent that you
keep idle and valueless money with you, to that extent you become
responsible for the injustices done to the hungry and the naked. Your
valueless hoard will have to be made valuable by providing opportunities
for use by others. Those who do not know the right use of money on the
basis of the exchange of mundane resources are in fact the enemies of
society." (HS-1, p. 41)
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