To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Re: DMS News: Uncultured Dance in Cultural Program
From: Viplava Deva
Baba
Namaskar,
This letter is related with the May 2012 DMS RAWA program. I was most definitely astonished by the report about degrading activities going on in the name of RAWA at DMS:
"All females aged 16-21 danced with their mid-section totally uncovered. That means the entire region from just above their waist to just below their chest was totally bare."
And indeed there were so many issues of sensuality and pseudo-culture at the RAWA program led by Mrinal Pathak. I think the only way to undo this poor show and get things back on track is to once again center the mind on Baba's divine teachings.
The "R" in RAWA stands for "Renaissance." In the present day general society, so-called cultural activities like song, dance, drama and film have become crude. Life is fast going in the wrong direction - everything is backward. The pseudo-culture dance, drama, movies and novels that dominate the world today push the mind far, far down. "Cultural" life has verily reached its degenerated state. We should not let this same downward momentum strike at our RAWA programs. That is the height of all irony.
Baba has given RAWA because a renaissance is needed in the visual and performing arts. Without this, people cannot easily move on the path of spirituality. So Baba has brought forth a renaissance movement in the spheres of song, dance, drama, literature, and more. This is our RAWA: Renaissance Artist and Writers Association.
According to Baba, our cultural / RAWA programs are to direct the mind from the lower cakras to the higher ones; ultimately, that helps deepen one's spiritual practices. So if any dance, music or song does not lead the mind toward divinity and instead submerges the mind towards the lower cakras, i.e. carnal and worldly attractions or animal propensities, then that is not at all a cultural program, but something else. That may be called an "uncultural" program, or you can say a "rude" program.
By this definition, who can consider the programs directed by Mr Mrinal Pathak to be true RAWA programs. We cannot. Rather Mr Pathak is forcibly dragging pseudo-culture into RAWA. And this has to stop. Once again we must focus on Baba's aim and guidelines.
MALE - FEMALE RELATIONS
Here is what our Sadguru Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji guide us about RAWA and our cultural programs:
Baba says, “Men and women should not jointly participate in theatrical performances.” (Caryacarya-1)
Baba says, “It should be remembered that a woman’s friend is a woman and a man’s friend is a man. The more distant the relationship between men and women, the greater should be the courtesy maintained in mutual conversation and behaviour between them.” (Caryacarya-1)
According to Baba, our cultural programs must be consistent with Ananda Marga ideals and must be of a requisite standard. Baba Himself has told what constitutes a real RAWA program.
Yet, Mr Pathak is taking half-dressed, 16-21 year-old boys and girls, and mixing them together on the big stage where they touch and mingle with one another. Literally, Mr Pathak is pushing Bollywood and Hollywood sensuality on our RAWA programs. Most shocking is that the in-charge Dada Acintananda is giving verbal public support to Mr Pathak's performances. Clearly there needs to be a change: A change in leadership by our Dadas; a change in directorship by taking the reins out of Pathak's hands; and a change in the overall mentality so our RAWA programs again reflect Baba's teachings.
Let’s all take a moment to further reflect on His divine guidelines for our cultural programs, and evaluate if what transpired at the recent Ananda Nagar DMS was up to the proper standard, or not.
On this point – before calculating things with our own brain – let’s see what our Guru says.
“RAWA by its sentient vibration will create a taste for spirituality in the society.” ERAWS guidebook
Baba’s guideline is that when dance or music channelises the mind to a devotional outlook and the mind starts thinking about Parama Purusa, His divine love, and parabhakti (highest devotion), then that type of display of dance and song and music is called a cultural program. It raises the mind from the ajina cakra to the sahasrara cakra. That defines a true RAWA program according to Baba.
Namaskar,
Viplava Deva
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2012/06/dms-news-uncultured-dance-in-cultural.html
Purport:
Baba, I am moving around this lonely forest without any knowledge of the path. Indeed, I have been off the path for such a long time: I have lost the path; I do not know what to do; how to move; or where to go. O' Prabhu, please come and show me the path. Please give me some awareness. On points of intellect and rationality I am negligible. Please arose my consciousness by showering Your causeless grace on me.
From where I have come and how I reached to my place in this life, and what is my destination and where I have to go, all these things I do not understand. I do not understand the beginning and the end. O' Baba, O' Ajana Pathik, please grace me and show me the path - show me how I can reach to You.
In my distant past, since the dawn of my first birth, You have known me. Baba, O' Divine Entity, You have known me since eternity. In this created world I am floating in Your divine flow. Though I am meagre, but I am Yours. Please do not forget this truth. Please do not remain oblivious of this fact.
Baba, I have lost my path; please grace me and guide me so I can reach unto You...