Baba Story: Reached Without Shoes

Date: Thu, 06 Oct 2011 22:54:38 -0400
To: AM-GLOBAL
From: Phanindra
Subject: Baba Story: Reached Without Shoes

Baba

== BABA STORY: REACHED WITHOUT SHOES ==

Namaskar,
In the 1950's, I went to see Baba in Jamalpur for PC. Due to my Hindu religious upbringing, I thought that since I was going to meet my Guru, then I should not wear shoes as that would be disrespectful.

So I left my shoes at my home in Muzaffarpur to show my reverence for Guru, and boarded the train for Jamalpur. I was barefoot the entire journey to Jamalpur - and all the way from the station to the jagrti.

Once I arrived, I waited to get called for PC. No one seemed to notice that I was not wearing shoes.

Soon I was called and entered Baba's room for PC. Immediately I did sastaunga pranam and lay prostrate before Baba. When I completed my salutation and looked at Baba, He asked, "What is your name."

"Vaedyanath."

Then Baba inquired, "Where are your shoes?".

I replied, "Out of reverence, I did not bring them. I left them at my house in Muzaffarpur."

Then Baba replied in my mother tongue of Maethili: "In the future when you come to see Me, then you must wear your shoes."

"Yes, Baba", I responded.

Baba continued, "When you go to your house to see your parents, then do you follow all kinds of rules and regulations or do you just go and see them?"

I said, "I see them, Baba."

Baba said, "Yes, even if your clothes are dirty you will go visit them - you will not wait outside."

Baba continued, "Similarly when you come here to see Me, just come in your regular attire, wearing your shoes."

"Yes, Baba."

The rest of the PC passed in a very blissful way.

Indeed, that was the day Baba told me not to follow dogma. By His grace I also got the teaching that the Guru-disciple relationship is very close - just like a family relation.

Namaskar,
Vaedyanath

ABOUT THE ABOVE STORY

The above story was told by Ac Vaedyanath Jha - a family acarya from Muzaffarpur who was initiated in the 1950's. In that story He is recounting a scene from his PC with Baba.

Here are other key points related with that story.

1. In the various religions, people often dress in a certain way and follow a particular code when visiting their temple, church, synagogue or mosque etc. Jews wear a yamaka and a shawl, Hindus go barefoot, Muslims have their particular dress, and Christians wear their Sunday-best etc. They all have their various rituals and attire.

However, Baba adamantly warns us that when one is just involved in such rituals then they forget Parama Purusa. That is Baba's warning.

Baba says, "To count beads or practice ritualistic worship without directing one’s mind towards the Supreme Entity is of no use. To pretend to be virtuous outside while harbouring sinful thoughts within is absolutely meaningless. Such hypocrisy carries no value." (AMIWL-8, The Macrocosmic Stance and Human Life)

So that is His teaching. The most important point is to be sincere in one's meditation on the Supreme and not get caught up in various dogmatic rituals as happens in the various religions.

2. Here following Baba reminds us that we have a close, family relationship with Him.

Baba says, "He is the Supreme Father. You have a family relation with that Supreme Entity, and not a relationship of external formality. He is yours, and you should also remember that nothing is external for Him. Everything is within, nothing is without. So you have been created by Him and you are in Him, and, because He is your supreme goal, finally you will be with Him, you will be one with Him. For this you require no special education, no knowledge of philosophy, and no other external attributions. Supreme love for the Supreme Universal Entity will make you one with Him." (Subhasita Samgraha-21, Human Life and Its Goal)

Namaskar,
Phanindra

Bogus Logic

Date: Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:46:37 -0000
Subject: Bogus Logic
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Satiish K Deva"

Baba

== BOGUS LOGIC ==

Namaskar,
People often think that if they have logic on their side - then everything is well and fine. Then they feel that their stance is justified and correct. However, this needs our special consideration.

EVERYBODY HAS THEIR LOGIC

The Sanskrit word "yukti" means logic. The root "yuj" means to unite. And when one unites themselves with a particular thought process, that is their logic. However, such logic can be right or wrong. Because, everyone has their logic - even those on opposite sides of the same issue.

For instance, pro-choice advocates and anti-abortion activists both have their logic. Pro-choice'ers say that a woman has a right to make a decision about her body and that there is no loss of human life whereas right-to-lifers argue that one cannot kill a human life yet abortion does just that. So both sides have their own logic - and the debate roars ahead in that way.

Another hot topic is gay marriage. Those for it proclaim that every human being has the right to marry while those opposed say that marriage is to be done only between a man and a woman. Here again, both sides have their logic.

Likewise, politicians "on opposite sides of the aisle" have their own logic about issues from health care to the economy. Meat eaters and vegetarians have their logic. Convicted criminals and court justices both have their logic. Everybody has their logic.

In the aforementioned cases, both parties are not correct. One may be correct or neither may be correct. It depends. Yet both have their favoured logic on the very same issue.

Here the point is that logic can lead one to the wrong answer. Period. So we have to be careful - logic itself is not to be trusted 100% - we must ensure that our quest for truth goes beyond simple logic.

SAME PROBLEM IN AMPS

At present we have similar issues in AMPS. There are topics on the table for review, and various parties have their logic. So on any given issue - court cases, land disputes, book rights etc - each of the groups has their chosen logic. They all have their ground to stand on, claiming their view or logic to be correct. To escape this predicament - to follow the path of dharma - we have to then go beyond just plain logic.

A CASE IN POINT: MAHAPRAYAN

The main problem is that logic can be formulated around any group, party, or personal interest.

Let's take the case of mahaprayan. If we were to walk into the Tiljala campus, then they can give all kinds of logic as to the importance of mahaprayan. Because their desire is to earn money, make Kolkata the epicenter of AMPS life, and enhance their group prestige etc. For all these reasons and more, they have huge interest in making mahaprayan a success. They may even say that Baba is gone because we do not see Him with our crude eyes anymore. So they have all kinds of logic; and, more about this particular point is addressed in the next subheading.

Yet we all know mahaprayan to be a dogma. Baba is with us in our hearts, yet they proclaim Baba is gone because they want to build up their so-called Mahaprayan program.

Such is the problem with logic. Thus we need to ensure that logic is not just based on private interests, but rather represents universal welfare and spiritual values, i.e. sarva jana hitaya. Then that logic will lead to the proper answer, otherwise not. In case of the latter, it will just be bogus logic, nothing more.

For instance, Baba Himself has said that: 1) Parama Purusa is everywhere and in everything;

Baba says, 'There is no place which is inaccessible to Him. If a person is at a particular place and has to move to some other place, he will have to travel. But the Lord is everywhere, and He in reality does not have to move. In other words, He has so many feet that He is able to reach any place and be available at all places at all times." (AV-30)

2) Parama Purusa is timeless;

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)

3) Parama Purusa always resides in our heart;

Baba says, " When you are established in devotion, you get Parama'tma' too. Then you will experience yourselves that Parama'tma' is seated in your heart, you will not have to go elsewhere in search of Him." (SS-19)

4) In addition, Baba has outlined all the needed celebrations in our Marga and in no place did He mention that mahaprayan should be celebrated. Rather He specifically warned against observing mahaprayan.

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2011/09/story-baba-told-not-to-do-fake.html

Thus for any logic to be correct on the issue of mahaprayan, then it must be in keeping and consistent with Baba's above teachings. It must be in concert with apta vakya, i.e. the eternal truths as given by Baba.

But the dogma of mahaprayan runs totally contrary to all of Baba's stated principles. The groupist mahaprayan celebration mandates that Baba is gone forever. That is their position. In contrast, in countless discourses Baba says that He is always with us.

Both stands cannot be correct.

Since Baba's every word is supreme truth and by definition apta vakya, then that must be accepted and any other logic discarded. In that case, all sincere Ananda Margiis will adhere to Baba's dharmic teachings and not listen to any other groupist logic in favour of observing the dogma of mahaprayan. Because the logic in favour of mahaprayan is just bogus logic guided by group and party interest, separate from the truth of universal welfare.

LOGIC LIKE MPD BASED ON SENSE PERCEPTION

Relative logic is based on sense perception: what one learns from the world using their eyes, nose, ears, tongue, and hands etc. This is by definition limited and mistake prone. Various groupists saw Baba with their crude eyes and then when their crude eyes could no longer see Baba, they declared that He is gone, and voila - mahaprayan.

So their dogmatic logic of mahaprayan is based on their crude sense perception. So we should never get trapped by this materialistic approach. Day in and day out people are led in the wrong direction by sense perception.

Baba says, "Whatever people say they “know” about an object is only their sense perception, and not real knowledge. And that sense perception remains unsubstantiated." (AMIWL-8)

Those then who claim that Baba is gone and give their logic of mahaprayan are totally misguided, fooled and blinded by the limitations of their crude sense experience. Sadhakas of the Marga should instead rely on more subtle ways of knowing. Guided by intuition and devotion, such bhaktas can feel in their heart that Baba is there. In that case, how can one claim that He is gone.

That is why no true Ananda Margii follows the dogma of mahaprayan. The dogma of mahaprayan(MPD) is nothing but the brainchild of those leaders who got swayed by their own petty interest and limited sense experience. Such is their condition. And indeed when their logic for MPD is measured against the touchstone of divine truth and realisation, then very quickly their logic falls on its face and is proven totally false.

BOGUS LOGIC: MANY SUCH EXAMPLES

To get the truth, logic must be grounded in rationality, universal welfare and spiritual sentiment. Then that logic will lead one in the right direction.

Unfortunately now in AMPS, each and every group has their own distinct logic, i.e. bogus logic. It is not just that ne team that suffers from this syndrome with regards to the dogma of mahaprayan. Any individual sympathetic or aligned with any group will give their phony logic based on narrow sentiments. That is the nature of groupism.

1. There are some who will give tons of logic how it was appropriate to change the by-laws in NY sector. Such persons are not guided by any welfare motive, but rather by their own group sentiment.

2. There are some who will detail with all kinds of logic how expulsion is a needed and proper tool for keeping our Marga clean. But such logicians are just guided by their personal desire for power etc. That is the basis of their bogus logic, not AM teachings.

3. And there are people who will justify all kinds of things: Fake Ananda Vaniis, scripture distortion, eradication of margii rights, fake BP manual etc. There is no end to their logic. But such logic is not correct and not in accordance with the dharma of AM. Their views are just the outcome of group sentiment etc.

In each and every case, on each and every issue, we have to see if a particular view is based on rationality and represents universal well-being, i.e. sarva jana hitaya. Then and only then can it be accepted as proper and true. Then that logic is beneficial. We should never be swayed by the logic of groupists. Theirs is just bogus logic and will not lead one along the path of welfare.

FATE OF GROUPISTS IS NOT GOOD

If a person ideates on Parama Purusa and takes His teachings to be true, then that sadhaka will merge in Him and be one with AM ideology, in thought, word, and deed. There will not be any difference. But if one gets glued to groupist logic, then one will stray far from the universal values of AM and become permanently plastered to their group. They will bind themselves to the dogmatic logic of group sentiment. That will be their miserable fate. And there will be no escape. No one should meet such an ugly destiny. The only way to save oneself is to wholly divorce oneself from the logic of all groupist policies like the dogma of mahaprayan and instead follow the great teachings of Parama Purusa in the form of AM ideology. Then one's position in life is safe and secure. Then one will float in His bliss, otherwise not.

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace He has given us perfect and pure teachings in all the realms of life. His ideology will lead us to the goal. One should keep all groupist logic - i.e. bogus logic - off to the side, or better yet in the trash bin. We should only follow His teachings, the ideology of Ananda Marga - the path of divine intuition.

Baba says, "Logic is a psychic survey. Such a survey may or may not be correct, therefore it is futile to follow logic blindly... This psychic survey, embedded in relativity, may or may not be correct. Intuitional vision is the best logic. Intuitional vision should be your guiding ideology." (PNS-15)

Namaskar,
Satiish

Note 1: WHOSE LEGACY IS MORE DANGEROUS

It is worth taking a moment to compare the (mis)deeds of both Rudrananda and Sarvatmananda as it gives deep insight as to how to prevent our AM society from further harm.

Essentially, Rudrananda is after power and he has done some nasty things - no doubt. But when his time on this earth expires, "Rudranandaism" will be gone. His negative legacy will be nil, i.e. not long lasting. Because he has only chased after post and power for himself and after his time on this earth that chase will be done, without any real lingering effects. Of course, here we are not wishing or waiting for anyone's expiration, rather our aim is their rectification.

So the above is a mere analysis, nothing more.

Then there is Sarvatmananda. In stark contrast, his actions will have a long(er) lasting effect and will probably stand for some time after his life terminates. Why? Because "Sarvatmanandaism" is focused on systemic manipulation of organisation and ideology, not just his personal lust for power. Sarvatmananda also has the goal of Bangalisation & WT superiority.

To that end he has ruined the BP Manual, invented Fake Ananda Vaniis, founded the dogma of Mahaprayan, ruined countless Hindi and English discourses, invented expulsion as a weapon, eradicated the ACB, and indulged in countless other horrific activities.

That is why Sarvatmananda's "legacy" will be far worse than that of Rudrananda. It will take time and effort to clean-up the mess made by Sarvatmananda whereas the dirt created by Rudrananda will get swept away at the time of his own death. That is the chief difference between the two.

On personal basis, I have no ill will against either of these Dadas, rather I think fondly of them as my elder brothers. Only my comments refer to the repercussions of their misdeeds. We should be cent-per-cent vigilant not to let anyone distort or change Baba's eternal guidelines. In this critical time, that is our main duty: To keep Guru's teachings in tact.

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

 
"Pratham jiivane, tumi a'so niko, ta'r la'gi, mane kono klesh na'i..." (PS 379)

Purport:

Baba, You did not come close to me in the dawn of my life; but I do not have any agony in my mind about why You did not bring me under Your shelter that time-- why You did not come close to me and become very intimate. For that I do not have any mental anguish or suffering. But I do have repentance in my heart for why I did not search You that time. That is why my heart is burning and crying all the time. The fault is mine that in my early years I did not search You. For that I have deep remorse. Baba, that time You were so close to me-- living side by side, always. Even then I did not call You or try to search for You by learning sadhana. I did not care about that back then. Just my days and nights passed in vain, doing various useless pursuits that time in the early stage of my life. Yet, now in the twilight of my life, the more those early remembrances sprout in mind, the more pain I feel. Baba, by Your grace everyone comes onto this earth for a short span of time, for a calculated period. And there are so many works to do. Yet fruitlessly people waste their time blaming God for their misfortunes-- but there is no benefit in this. Because everyone is facing their own samskara. When they remove the umbrella of vanity, they will realise that Your grace is showering eternally. Baba, You are ever gracious; what You do is best for me. My only desire is to always remain under Your shelter...

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Colourful Future

Baba says, "As life becomes increasingly easy, there will be greater opportunities for intellectual pursuits. A day will come when there will be hardly any need for human beings to work. This may sound strange today and perhaps we might not like to hear such a thing, but that day will surely come. Physicality will be transformed into more and more intellectuality, and intellectuality will be transformed into the culminating point of spirituality." (PNS-17, p.36)
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