Date: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 07:11:04 -0000
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Mandal.Virendra@bharata.net...
Subject: Be Careful Who You Follow
Baba
Namaskar,
When a human being sees someone greater than themselves, then they admire that person, offer respect, and desire to become like that.
Thieves revere great criminals, players honor top athletes, students respect learned classmates, businessmen admire innovative entrepreneurs, and general aspirants respect highly devotional sadhakas.
This equation works in both directions - positive and negative.
The main point is that offering respect comes readily to all. People are eager to follow and emulate those whom they regard. There is a long history behind this as it is related with our fundamental human psychology.
Indeed no one can say that they are not involved in hero worship, in one form or another. Everyone is involved - and therein lies one's failure or success. It is that critical a component towards a person's development. Who you follow in life is everything.
Even then some may proudly declare that they do not adhere to any type of hero worship. So we should examine this issue at a deeper level.
Let's see how hero worship began, how it changed through the ages, as well as what it means today - both for sadhakas and non-sadhakas.
Just as certain developed animals - like cows, horses, elephants, and birds - are gregarious in nature and live collectively in order to care for and protect themselves from predators, since the earliest times human beings have done the same.
When living in the wild, humans would group together in order to face their enemies. Following a particular leader was absolutely vital for survival: Food, safety, protection, shelter etc. People had to pay heed to the call of their chosen leader in order to carry on. Failing that, one was certain to face an early demise.
Thus the trait to follow someone became a basic component of human life. Over the centuries the style of leadership may have gone through changes, but all along people have always been quick to follow a respected person and emulate their characteristics.
This is a built-in human behavior and has a huge effect on one's growth and development.
During the ksatriyan era, courage, valour and bravery were heralded as the top qualities and people naturally gravitated towards those who most personified such characteristics. In turn, those at the helm gained greater power and exploited others with their might.
When the era changed, then people valued something else.
With the rise of the vipran era, intellect and wisdom were seen as the greatest attributes and those at the helm were embodiments of those qualities. People naturally rallied around them and embraced that status in order to gain respect and be like their leader. To maintain their power, the leading vipras created all kinds of doctrines to keep themselves on top.
Over time, money became king and those at the helm were vaeshyas, ie capitalists. In this age people revered those with massive wealth, and overlooked all other qualities. Yet those ruling capitalists gobbled up all the land and material wealth to keep on top.
Now such vaeshyas are in power in most places. But anyone can identify the reigning era of a particular land or country by analysing who gets the most respect. Furthermore, one can assess the quality of the people by seeing who their leaders are. Crude heroes end up leading their followers into hell.
So be careful who you follow as it has a huge effect on the direction of your life.
Who one selects to follow in life is critically important. For instance, if you follow a blind man and he falls into a well, then you too will fall into that same well. Likewise if follow a dharmika who is moving towards Parama Purusa, then you too will come closer to the Supreme Entity. This is the way it works. Just see.
Nowadays in the capitalist era, where material gain and sex is everything and pseudo-culture is rampant, those with the most respect and glamour have huge money.
Pop stars like the late Michael Jackson, athletes like Michael Jordan, movie stars like Angelina Jolie, performers like Madonna, and certain politicians and vaeshyas have scooped up the imagination, hearts and minds of the the people. People run like mad after such stars.
If a pop star gets a certain type of haircut or tattoo, or if a movie icon wears a certain style of dress, then naturally people go chasing in that direction. That is why the big corporations recruit and pay huge money to pseudo-culture stars and icons to model their wares and products as it will boost sales into the millions and billions. In that way they lure and cheat the common people into buying their products. Because the public will do anything and everything to follow their revered one.
People even become get emotionally attached with certain products and brands like Apple computers. Even intellectual get befooled and misguided thinking that everything that Apple does is great. Many companies have this kind of aura: Google, Nike etc. They have cultish followings.
Plus in this superficial era, even fake yoga stars in the west are gaining clout in the form of sponsorships and hero-worship etc.
According to our human psychology, people like to follow others but due to poor examples they get goaded in the wrong direction - they get herded like sheep.
By this way the general public gets drawn into all kinds of degrading activity. To get wealth, even good people will cheat and steal; to get beauty people resort to plastic surgery and skimpy clothing; to attract the opposite sex, people have literally begun to dress like prostitutes.
All because people blindly chase after the leaders of the day. And when the leaders are degenerated, the common populace will be too.
That is why it is so important to carefully choose who you follow in life.
Hearing all this, some may strongly claim that they are not prone to hero worship. They will proudly state that they follow no one and are independent thinkers. Many sophisticated and liberal people talk like this.
But truth be known, they are pawns of their chosen leader(s), unknowingly. Just walk into their house and it becomes very clear what they are and whom they revere. Everyone is a fan of someone. Everyone bows down to someone to get respect.
A millionaire prostrates himself to the billionaire; a beauty queen surrenders to some Hollywood goddess; a car enthusiast gives himself to those who own a Mercedes. Everyone in this world is fascinated by something or someone. That is the way of the world. None can claim that they are outside of this dynamic.
By this way, a person sinks or swims. Tragically, most sink as they get lulled into the crude operations and economics of the day. That is why it is critically important to carefully choose with whom you place your respect.
According to their chosen hero, common people will change their habits, tastes, likings - indeed their entire modus operendi is affected. Thus it is absolutely critical that people become aware of who they respect. A person must know who their heroes are - otherwise unknowingly they may fall into a black hole. Especially in this present era when people are fans of characterless individuals.
Unfortunately, up till now, the masses have most often embraced "goats", i.e. degraded persons, as leaders. This is especially true these days. And the ones who suffer the most are our impressionable youths. They are most prone to be
misguided by crude idols. This even leads to their ruination.
As Ananda Margiis we cannot let the situation remain as standstill, where impressionable people get lulled into false hopes and degrading ways. We are to encourage such youths - and the entire society - to give respect to higher ideals like social service etc. Then things will start moving in the right direction.
Let's then take a look at the workings in AM, that will give us ideas and inspiration for guiding the general society.
Baba has designed Ananda Marga along a totally different concept. In AM, we do not offer our respect based on materials things, status, or other crude manners. In AM, respect is given based on one's conduct.
Baba says, "Your ideal is represented by your conduct. Your learning, your social or economic status have nothing to do with your ideal." (A'nanda Va'nii #13)
Baba says, "Aca'ran'a't pa't'hayati yah sah a'ca'ryah – One who teaches through one’s conduct is an a'ca'rya." (AV-23)
And in AM, good conduct means adhering to dharmic principles: Godhood not crudity, selflessness not selfishness, benevolence not malevolence.
To instill this within all in AM, Baba would publicly honor those involved in doing dharmic works. With this type of healthy competition, Baba guided everyone towards righteous works. By this way we all understood that we would earn the respect and regard of others.
For instance Baba would reward the top bhukti with the title, "Jana Seva' Sealed". This bhukti that rendered the most social service won this award. And like that there were all kinds of healthy competitions to get our minds goaded in the right direction.
Competitions like: Sixteen Points, kaoshikii, tandava, dharma mitram (most pracar competition), conduct rules and so many other arenas. Prizes were often based on how much you followed bhagavad dharma and helped the downtrodden masses and the neglected peoples.
Baba says, "You are to purify [yourself] with the help of sa'dhana' and jana seva'. These two factors, sa'dhana' and jana seva', will keep the mental mirror in proper condition, in good condition." (AV-3)
This was all His entirely unique and revolutionary approach. And because we all followed Baba our minds, desires, and actions got goaded in this totally dharmic direction. It is His grace. By this way the whole society grows and there will not be any exploitation from one group to the next.
In the past each of the ruling groups, whether it ksattriyas or vipras, favoured their own clan and exploited the rest. And now today vaeshyas are ruthlessly exploiting everyone to the bone - in ways never before imagineable.
In our Marga, because some have fallen away from AM ideals, there is group exploitation. Tragically, groupists revere crude power not jiivan dharma. So some are moving in this direction. But this phase will be short-lived.
By once again following His teachings and ways, prama will be restored and honor will be given to those involved in Sixteen Points etc.
Baba's is the classic example of how by following someone great, i.e. Taraka Brahma, one will advance on the path towards liberation and salvation.
In a nutshell here is how it works in AM: Our Goal is Parama Purusa so if anyone follows those ideals that lead to Parama Purusa then they earn respect of others. Naturally then, all will move in this direction. It is His wish and hence inevitable.
In the general society it is not like that. People are not familiar with dharma or Taraka Brahma so they get hitched up in another direction. To understand how any society is working, find out what the children want to be when they grow up. Then it will be clear who they follow and what they respect.
Tragically, today most follow a crude example. As Ananda Margiis we are to turn this negative into a positive.
When are are aware that people have a natural tendency to adore those they deem as beings great, then why not utilise this in the proper way and bring all onto the path of salvation. Let all be guided towards parama'rtha and not towards bondage or ruination.
By propagating AM ideals people will follow true sadhakas and start moving in this direction.
Everyone should be fully warned that they need to be careful about who they follow. To achieve greatness one should follow Ista, i.e. Parama Purusa. To fall into a mud puddle of crudity, then follow any pseudo-culture icon.
That is why everyone should be extremely careful about who they follow.
Baba has blessed us with the ability to understand that we are infinite and that we have the capacity to become one with Paramatma. But that can only happen if we are critically aware about whom we follow in life.
If society is misguided then even good people will be diverted to do negative things. - what to say what will happen to bad people.
As humans, ours is the journey from darkness to enlightenment. By following the true Ista and His ideals, heaven will come on this earth.
Baba says, "United you will have to remain, this is your duty. So that the people of the world may remain united, it is your duty to bring the mahavishva as soon as possible. There will be peace and happiness in the universe, and, established in one indivisible ideology, humanity will march ahead toward the Supreme Goal. Victory be with you!" (Disc MHB)
Namaskar,
Virendra
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Mandal.Virendra@bharata.net...
Subject: Be Careful Who You Follow
Baba
== BE CAREFUL WHO YOU FOLLOW ==
Namaskar,
When a human being sees someone greater than themselves, then they admire that person, offer respect, and desire to become like that.
Thieves revere great criminals, players honor top athletes, students respect learned classmates, businessmen admire innovative entrepreneurs, and general aspirants respect highly devotional sadhakas.
This equation works in both directions - positive and negative.
The main point is that offering respect comes readily to all. People are eager to follow and emulate those whom they regard. There is a long history behind this as it is related with our fundamental human psychology.
Indeed no one can say that they are not involved in hero worship, in one form or another. Everyone is involved - and therein lies one's failure or success. It is that critical a component towards a person's development. Who you follow in life is everything.
Even then some may proudly declare that they do not adhere to any type of hero worship. So we should examine this issue at a deeper level.
Let's see how hero worship began, how it changed through the ages, as well as what it means today - both for sadhakas and non-sadhakas.
THE EARLY HISTORY
Just as certain developed animals - like cows, horses, elephants, and birds - are gregarious in nature and live collectively in order to care for and protect themselves from predators, since the earliest times human beings have done the same.
When living in the wild, humans would group together in order to face their enemies. Following a particular leader was absolutely vital for survival: Food, safety, protection, shelter etc. People had to pay heed to the call of their chosen leader in order to carry on. Failing that, one was certain to face an early demise.
Thus the trait to follow someone became a basic component of human life. Over the centuries the style of leadership may have gone through changes, but all along people have always been quick to follow a respected person and emulate their characteristics.
This is a built-in human behavior and has a huge effect on one's growth and development.
THE SPECIFICS OF EACH AGE
During the ksatriyan era, courage, valour and bravery were heralded as the top qualities and people naturally gravitated towards those who most personified such characteristics. In turn, those at the helm gained greater power and exploited others with their might.
When the era changed, then people valued something else.
With the rise of the vipran era, intellect and wisdom were seen as the greatest attributes and those at the helm were embodiments of those qualities. People naturally rallied around them and embraced that status in order to gain respect and be like their leader. To maintain their power, the leading vipras created all kinds of doctrines to keep themselves on top.
Over time, money became king and those at the helm were vaeshyas, ie capitalists. In this age people revered those with massive wealth, and overlooked all other qualities. Yet those ruling capitalists gobbled up all the land and material wealth to keep on top.
Now such vaeshyas are in power in most places. But anyone can identify the reigning era of a particular land or country by analysing who gets the most respect. Furthermore, one can assess the quality of the people by seeing who their leaders are. Crude heroes end up leading their followers into hell.
So be careful who you follow as it has a huge effect on the direction of your life.
WHO ONE SELECTS IS IMPORTANT
Who one selects to follow in life is critically important. For instance, if you follow a blind man and he falls into a well, then you too will fall into that same well. Likewise if follow a dharmika who is moving towards Parama Purusa, then you too will come closer to the Supreme Entity. This is the way it works. Just see.
WHAT IS HAPPENING NOWADAYS
Nowadays in the capitalist era, where material gain and sex is everything and pseudo-culture is rampant, those with the most respect and glamour have huge money.
Pop stars like the late Michael Jackson, athletes like Michael Jordan, movie stars like Angelina Jolie, performers like Madonna, and certain politicians and vaeshyas have scooped up the imagination, hearts and minds of the the people. People run like mad after such stars.
If a pop star gets a certain type of haircut or tattoo, or if a movie icon wears a certain style of dress, then naturally people go chasing in that direction. That is why the big corporations recruit and pay huge money to pseudo-culture stars and icons to model their wares and products as it will boost sales into the millions and billions. In that way they lure and cheat the common people into buying their products. Because the public will do anything and everything to follow their revered one.
People even become get emotionally attached with certain products and brands like Apple computers. Even intellectual get befooled and misguided thinking that everything that Apple does is great. Many companies have this kind of aura: Google, Nike etc. They have cultish followings.
Plus in this superficial era, even fake yoga stars in the west are gaining clout in the form of sponsorships and hero-worship etc.
According to our human psychology, people like to follow others but due to poor examples they get goaded in the wrong direction - they get herded like sheep.
By this way the general public gets drawn into all kinds of degrading activity. To get wealth, even good people will cheat and steal; to get beauty people resort to plastic surgery and skimpy clothing; to attract the opposite sex, people have literally begun to dress like prostitutes.
All because people blindly chase after the leaders of the day. And when the leaders are degenerated, the common populace will be too.
That is why it is so important to carefully choose who you follow in life.
SOME MAY WRONGLY DENY
Hearing all this, some may strongly claim that they are not prone to hero worship. They will proudly state that they follow no one and are independent thinkers. Many sophisticated and liberal people talk like this.
But truth be known, they are pawns of their chosen leader(s), unknowingly. Just walk into their house and it becomes very clear what they are and whom they revere. Everyone is a fan of someone. Everyone bows down to someone to get respect.
A millionaire prostrates himself to the billionaire; a beauty queen surrenders to some Hollywood goddess; a car enthusiast gives himself to those who own a Mercedes. Everyone in this world is fascinated by something or someone. That is the way of the world. None can claim that they are outside of this dynamic.
By this way, a person sinks or swims. Tragically, most sink as they get lulled into the crude operations and economics of the day. That is why it is critically important to carefully choose with whom you place your respect.
According to their chosen hero, common people will change their habits, tastes, likings - indeed their entire modus operendi is affected. Thus it is absolutely critical that people become aware of who they respect. A person must know who their heroes are - otherwise unknowingly they may fall into a black hole. Especially in this present era when people are fans of characterless individuals.
YOUTHS ARE MOST AFFECTED
Unfortunately, up till now, the masses have most often embraced "goats", i.e. degraded persons, as leaders. This is especially true these days. And the ones who suffer the most are our impressionable youths. They are most prone to be
misguided by crude idols. This even leads to their ruination.
As Ananda Margiis we cannot let the situation remain as standstill, where impressionable people get lulled into false hopes and degrading ways. We are to encourage such youths - and the entire society - to give respect to higher ideals like social service etc. Then things will start moving in the right direction.
Let's then take a look at the workings in AM, that will give us ideas and inspiration for guiding the general society.
WHO SHOULD GET THE MOST RESPECT
Baba has designed Ananda Marga along a totally different concept. In AM, we do not offer our respect based on materials things, status, or other crude manners. In AM, respect is given based on one's conduct.
Baba says, "Your ideal is represented by your conduct. Your learning, your social or economic status have nothing to do with your ideal." (A'nanda Va'nii #13)
Baba says, "Aca'ran'a't pa't'hayati yah sah a'ca'ryah – One who teaches through one’s conduct is an a'ca'rya." (AV-23)
And in AM, good conduct means adhering to dharmic principles: Godhood not crudity, selflessness not selfishness, benevolence not malevolence.
To instill this within all in AM, Baba would publicly honor those involved in doing dharmic works. With this type of healthy competition, Baba guided everyone towards righteous works. By this way we all understood that we would earn the respect and regard of others.
For instance Baba would reward the top bhukti with the title, "Jana Seva' Sealed". This bhukti that rendered the most social service won this award. And like that there were all kinds of healthy competitions to get our minds goaded in the right direction.
Competitions like: Sixteen Points, kaoshikii, tandava, dharma mitram (most pracar competition), conduct rules and so many other arenas. Prizes were often based on how much you followed bhagavad dharma and helped the downtrodden masses and the neglected peoples.
Baba says, "You are to purify [yourself] with the help of sa'dhana' and jana seva'. These two factors, sa'dhana' and jana seva', will keep the mental mirror in proper condition, in good condition." (AV-3)
This was all His entirely unique and revolutionary approach. And because we all followed Baba our minds, desires, and actions got goaded in this totally dharmic direction. It is His grace. By this way the whole society grows and there will not be any exploitation from one group to the next.
In the past each of the ruling groups, whether it ksattriyas or vipras, favoured their own clan and exploited the rest. And now today vaeshyas are ruthlessly exploiting everyone to the bone - in ways never before imagineable.
In our Marga, because some have fallen away from AM ideals, there is group exploitation. Tragically, groupists revere crude power not jiivan dharma. So some are moving in this direction. But this phase will be short-lived.
By once again following His teachings and ways, prama will be restored and honor will be given to those involved in Sixteen Points etc.
Baba's is the classic example of how by following someone great, i.e. Taraka Brahma, one will advance on the path towards liberation and salvation.
In a nutshell here is how it works in AM: Our Goal is Parama Purusa so if anyone follows those ideals that lead to Parama Purusa then they earn respect of others. Naturally then, all will move in this direction. It is His wish and hence inevitable.
HOW TO KNOW WHO GETS RESPECT
In the general society it is not like that. People are not familiar with dharma or Taraka Brahma so they get hitched up in another direction. To understand how any society is working, find out what the children want to be when they grow up. Then it will be clear who they follow and what they respect.
Tragically, today most follow a crude example. As Ananda Margiis we are to turn this negative into a positive.
When are are aware that people have a natural tendency to adore those they deem as beings great, then why not utilise this in the proper way and bring all onto the path of salvation. Let all be guided towards parama'rtha and not towards bondage or ruination.
By propagating AM ideals people will follow true sadhakas and start moving in this direction.
Everyone should be fully warned that they need to be careful about who they follow. To achieve greatness one should follow Ista, i.e. Parama Purusa. To fall into a mud puddle of crudity, then follow any pseudo-culture icon.
That is why everyone should be extremely careful about who they follow.
BABA'S BLESSING
Baba has blessed us with the ability to understand that we are infinite and that we have the capacity to become one with Paramatma. But that can only happen if we are critically aware about whom we follow in life.
If society is misguided then even good people will be diverted to do negative things. - what to say what will happen to bad people.
As humans, ours is the journey from darkness to enlightenment. By following the true Ista and His ideals, heaven will come on this earth.
Baba says, "United you will have to remain, this is your duty. So that the people of the world may remain united, it is your duty to bring the mahavishva as soon as possible. There will be peace and happiness in the universe, and, established in one indivisible ideology, humanity will march ahead toward the Supreme Goal. Victory be with you!" (Disc MHB)
Namaskar,
Virendra
PRABHAT SAMGIITA
"A'ma'y keno bha'laba'sile..." (P.S. 2283)
Puport:
Baba, You are so loving and so gracious - why do You love me so much. I do not have any quality, nor do I have any knowledge or learning. What then did You see in me that made You shower Your grace on me. You have saturated my heart with a strong feeling of devotion for You. You have bestowed upon me an intellect to serve the society. Knowing that I am shelterless, You have granted me everything. You have given me all that was needed. It is Your causeless grace. Baba, You brought me on this earth by providing me with a human body. And You filled my mind with devotion. And top of all, You infused a strong longing of paramartha for You. Even then, such is my miserable condition that I always remain forgetful about You and Your grace. Baba, why do You love me so much...
Baba says, "And what is discipline? The Sam'skrta term for 'discipline' is 'anusha'sanam'. And what is anusha'sanam?
Hita'rthe sha'sanam ityarthe anusha'sanam
When the code of discipline is imposed with the spirit of welfare, with the spirit of development, it is called `anusha'sanam' in Sam'skrta. There is no corresponding English word." (AV-3 p.30)
Puport:
Baba, You are so loving and so gracious - why do You love me so much. I do not have any quality, nor do I have any knowledge or learning. What then did You see in me that made You shower Your grace on me. You have saturated my heart with a strong feeling of devotion for You. You have bestowed upon me an intellect to serve the society. Knowing that I am shelterless, You have granted me everything. You have given me all that was needed. It is Your causeless grace. Baba, You brought me on this earth by providing me with a human body. And You filled my mind with devotion. And top of all, You infused a strong longing of paramartha for You. Even then, such is my miserable condition that I always remain forgetful about You and Your grace. Baba, why do You love me so much...
***************************************
Definition of "Real Discipline"
Definition of "Real Discipline"
Baba says, "And what is discipline? The Sam'skrta term for 'discipline' is 'anusha'sanam'. And what is anusha'sanam?
Hita'rthe sha'sanam ityarthe anusha'sanam
When the code of discipline is imposed with the spirit of welfare, with the spirit of development, it is called `anusha'sanam' in Sam'skrta. There is no corresponding English word." (AV-3 p.30)
***************************************
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