Everyone's Concern

Date: 21 Sep 2011 21:43:01 -0000
From: "Subhash Deva"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Everyone's Concern

Baba

== EVERYONE'S CONCERN ==

Namaskar,
One time when we were returning from DMS, on the train so many persons were there-- both margiis and non-margiis. And in many cases people were travelling together. So some persons had traveled to DMS as a single attendee whereas as others traveled to DMS with their entire family including their kids.

So in their natural way, on the train, those kids were quarreling and playing with the other children.

Then one new margii became quite agitated by their behavior and he passed some offensive remark that these small kids are very negative-- they pollute the sanctity and turn the whole peaceful environment into chaos. Then he went so far to accuse that: 'Why do you bring them to these spiritual gatherings'.

Then other persons jumped in and replied that in our Marga the system is that the whole family is welcome to attend our all functions.

Then the new margiis replied that, 'No, the kids are just one disturbance or nuisance. Let them grow because now they are so small and they do not understand anything. Just they are involved in their negative quarreling. They have no sense about what should be done and what should not be done. Those who are a bit older and well-behaved then they should come. Otherwise why should these other kids come and do negative things.'

A few margiis then together tried to convince him that our approach is different. Kids are innocent and just it is their nature to sometimes quarrel with one another.

So back and forth discussion was going and ultimately they could not reach on to the proper common point. And in due course the situation subsided.

But since that occasion it was in my mind to talk to other margiis and get their opinions and then write something for everyone to review.

ALL ARE FAMILY MEMBERS

Sincere margiis know well that in our Marga, everyone is considered as family member whether they be a new-born baby or a 110 year old person. All belong to our family and they have equal rights and we give importance to one and all.

And together our AM family is not only youths, or only elderly persons, but a grand mix of people from young to old and everything in between.

It is just like in a garden if only one type of flower is there then that is not quite proper or colorful. But rather all various types are there-- just like in a bouquet that includes a wide variety of flowers. All get collected and that brings more charm. That is the way it works.

BABA'S GUIDELINE

So on this very point here are some of Baba's guidelines about how we should be mindful of children:

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." (AFPS-6)

So our Guru guides that in viewing the society, the requisite factor is a magnanimous mind which is full of graceful feeling and sweet expression for those innocent children who are under our care and protection. Means those who do not have that vast mind full of love, cannot view one and all as members of our neo-humanistic family. Because if the person
himself is narrow minded or frustrated, then in their outlook that frustration will appear.

The sense is that the sweet heart of one balanced person will never cast any negative, sarcastic remarks toward such tender age innocent babies / kids.

EVERYONE WAS ONCE A CHILD

Because everyone, whether young or old, was a baby in the past and the babies' cry is very natural. Where babies are, surely they cry. And if inside one's heart is pure and loving, then the cry of the babies is not suffocative or negative which can be called as demonic act.  But if  inside someone is frustrated then everything in this world looks dry, harsh,
parched, ugly, crude, negative, etc.

When such frustrated persons see birds chirping in the tree, they feel agitated and brand birds as 'nuisance creator'. And in response they throw stones on those bushes to shoe those birds away.

A few days back my neighbor was doing like this. When I saw here I felt sad thinking the state of her mind. Actually he was in depressed and frustrated mood. That is why he was throwing stones in all the bushes around his house to get rid from the sweet chirping songs of the bird. Because he was irritated by that.

SOCIETY IS RESPONSIBLE

If the baby does anything wrong then discredit goes to the society, parents or to everyone. This discredit never goes to the baby because they are innocent. Sweet, kind, benevolent, motherly heart feels like this. Those who have that type of heart understand, or I should say, they only can understand my feeling. I have experience that those who have devotion they also can understand because of their feeling of divine love.

But those who are frustrated within, their expression and talk reflects that.

PURE AS SNOW

In contrast Baba guides us in the gospel of Bhagavad dharma.

"Kaomar...."

In this description Baba says that small babies are as pure as divine, because they do not have any negativity towards anyone. And it is working in 100% cases up to the age of 5. So in common society if anything right or wrong is done by small kids, then balanced people ignore that. And they will not pollute the environment by raucously blaming the children.

BABA'S DMC GATHERINGS: CHILDREN ATTENDED

Here is one reminder that we have seen even with Baba's presence during DMC. At such an important event and gathering as DMC, that time mothers with infants and mothers with new-borns were always allowed to participate.

Often the babies were crying and Baba was just moving ahead with His program and continuing with His discourse. And if the crying became very loud, then politely it was suggested to take them temporarily outside. That is all. Nobody seriously believed the baby should be banned. They thought that in AM society the cry of baby is one beauty. Because this brings one color in DMC. And it gives the feeling that in our AM society everyone is the member. From infant to senior citizens. Everyone has right to participate
in spiritual gathering.

DHARMA IS FOR ALL

Ananda Marga also says that dharma is not only for polished so-called elite
people only. Dharma is for all.

Baba says, "I dedicate A'nanda Ma'rga in this DMC to all sections of society...from this DMC onwards I have become a man of the people because I believe that dharma is the property of the masses, not the exclusive monopoly of a handful of so-called educated middle class elite. Dharma belongs to one and all. From this DMC, I recognise it as the property of the common people." (AV-7)

Namaskar,
Subhash


              SOME IMPORTANT BABA'S GUIDELINES ABOUT CHILDREN

Note 1: Here below Baba sheds more insight into the nature of children.

Baba says, "Children are by nature most inclined towards play, so a thirst for knowledge will have to be awakened in children through the medium of play -- children should be educated through play methods. Children are also by nature inclined to listen to fantasies and stories. Through stories children can easily be taught the history and geography of various countries, and they may also be taught the initial lessons of how to practise universalism in their lives. Children love play and stories almost equally, so in their case the two should be equally utilized." (HS-1)


Note 2: Here Baba gives us one golden guideline about parenting and raising children.

Baba says, "In order to develop a healthy outlook, the most important thing children need is robust idealism. To impart this, parents require only two virtues: self-restraint and good judgement." (HS-1)


Note 3: Baba guides in this below quote that children raise children in the proper manner because they are the future of society.

Baba says, "[It] is essential to sow the seeds of true development in the minds of children and to ensure that these seeds grow into small seedlings, flourish, and bring forth foliage, flowers and fruits" (HS-1)

 

 

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

 

PS Intro: In this following song the devotee is talking to Baba, all the
while indirectly referring about himself.

"Jeo na', shon'o katha, bojha vytha', abujha hoyo na'..."  (PS 660)

Purport:

 Baba, please be gracious, please do not leave me all alone, please do not go far away; please keep me in Your shelter. Baba, please listen to the tale of my aching heart; please understand my pain and suffering-- because of my deep longing for You. Baba, I beg You not to remain aloof about my yearning and crying for You. Baba, You have graced me and have made the flower of devotion blossom in my heart. And these flowers are solely for making one beautiful garland for You-- ultimately surrendering them at Your lotus feet. Baba, please do not mercilessly crush those flowers. Baba, please be gracious.

 Baba, by Your infinite grace please keep me close. Please do not permanently forget about that person who is under shelter day and night. Baba, it seems You have removed him from Your memory. Baba, please recall how in the past You loved him deeply up to his heart's content. That time You saturated his mind with bliss and filled his eyes with Your loving gaze. You were so gracious those days. Baba, You know that very person was with You in each and every rhythm of the song, he was also with You in all kinds of works-- always remaining by Your side. Baba, please do not forget him.

 Baba, by Your grace I never forget this eternal truth that You are everything. You are the effulgence of the day as well as the darkness of the night. Baba, in this life of mine I have loved only You. Baba, You are the heart of my heart. Please shower Your divine grace on me day and night, incessantly. Baba, even if You always remain forgetful of me, that I can tolerate. Only I ask one thing of You. Baba, please do not push me away from Your holy, lotus feet.   Baba, You are my closest & dearest One. You are my everything. Baba, please keep me in Your shelter...

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             The Place of Occult Powers in AM

Baba says, "In spiritual life as well as in ordinary life, if one retains
simplicity it is helpful for the attainment of God; through this one's life
and mind become filled with the effulgence of Parama Purusa. This is the
supreme attainment. Spying out every nook and cranny of the eight occult
powers is another name for stupidity." (SC-2, p.149)

Note: Unfortunately in the general society people think that occult powers
themselves are the essence of spirituality. Indeed, devoid of occult
powers, such persons do not have any concept of spirituality. In AM however
it is different; it is not like that. In our Marga devotion gets utmost
importance.
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