To Enhance Devotion: Personal Communication with Him

Date: 22 Sep 2012 21:44:58 -0000
From: "Mantreshwar"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: To Enhance Devotion: Personal Communication with Him

Baba

== TO ENHANCE DEVOTION: PERSONAL COMMUNICATION WITH HIM ==

~ Part 3 ~

(Note: This is the third letter of this series, but all three letters have different titles. The names of and links to all the postings are appended below. - Eds)

Namaskar,
"As we know, in devotional life a wide range of personal feelings come in the heart and mind of the bhakta and those need to be expressed and goaded towards Parama Purusa. Often it is difficult to express those sentimental feelings in a collective setting. Every sadhaka has their own way in which they wish to communicate their personal longing for Him. It depends upon a person's devotional standard and relation with Him. Some devotees have a special intimate relation with Parama Purusa and some practice another type of bhava with Parama Purusa. It varies from one sadhaka to the next. And the various Prabhat Samgiita compositions enable one to express these different types of feelings towards the Lord - towards Baba. That is why Prabhat Samgiita stands as an ideal personal practice for each sadhaka - where kiirtan is more applicable to a collective flow." (Difference Between Kiirtan and Prabhat Samgiita, posted 9/16/12)

That is very nicely stated...

Each and every song of Prabhat Samgiita has its own unique beauty. Another specialty is that the entire Ananda Marga philosophy is contained within these divine compositions. From devotional longing to neo-humanism to Prout, all aspects of Ananda Marga ideology exist - in seed form - in Prabhat Samgiita. The large majority of compositions, though, express the devotional link between bhakta and Parama Purusa.

In this way, each song carries a particular bhava, or personal manner in which the bhakta relates with Parama Purusa. The sadhaka may feel that Parama Purusa is their Father, Bandhu (intimate friend & close companion), Beloved, or Child. In this way every song is personalized.

INTIMATE SONGS ARE NOT SUNG COLLECTIVELY

In this devotional approach, Prabhat Samgiita is not meant to be sung collectively like kiirtan etc. The Prabhat Samgiita collection is comprised of personal songs that are completely intimate. They depict the inner sweet relation between the bhakta and Parama Purusa. These deeply devotional songs are not meant to be sung collectively.

There are, however, songs about social festivals, Prout, and general spiritual songs that are fine for collective programs. So it is not that Prabhat Samgiita should never be sung collectively. Here the central idea is that those very intimate songs are meant to be sung personally, not in a gathering with others around.

That is why Baba Himself has written songs such as #463 and #3189 which essentially say: O' Parama Purusa, those songs which I sing with others in public, those songs are not my favourite; they do not carry the inner feeling of my heart. Only when I sing to You in a private and secluded place, only then in an intimate way can I express the true feeling of my heart to You, O' my Dearmost. Only then can I sing my favourite and most intimate songs.

Those familiar with most of the Prabhat Samgiita compositions know that the large majority of songs are deeply intimate, devotional songs. So they are meant to be sung when one is all alone to express the very emotional, sentimental, and devotional longing of the sadhaka.

This type of inner talking and sharing of the heart with Parama Purusa is not present in kiirtan. So kiirtan is more suitable for collective programs.

SPECIAL IMPORTANCE OF PRABHAT SAMGIITA IN DEVOTIONAL LIFE

Yet the human mind is filled with various devotional feelings and sentiments. Naturally then, the sadhaka likes to express themselves - their inner feeling. And it is only in Prabhat Samgiita that such feelings have been put into words.

That is why in each and every devotee's life Prabhat Samgiita has a special place. Of course each and every teaching of Baba has a special place. Some in the realm of philosophy, some in social science etc.

In the realm of devotion, Prabhat Samgiita helps cultivate that very close link between the sadhaka and Parama Purusa. When one selects a such song that beautifully portrays their inner-heart feeling with Him, then best is to sing that song in a lonely, quiet place.

WHO CAN UNDERSTAND

All these ideas about the value and specialty of Prabhat Samgiita come in mind only if one understands the full meaning of the song. If one does not know the full meaning of these deeply devotional compositions, or if one only knows one or two songs like the song of Shiva, Jaya shubhavajradhara shubhra kalevara, then one will not be able to understand the ideas expressed in this letter.

 MORE DEVOTIONAL POINTS

Here are some concluding points about the sweetness of Prabhat Samgiita:

(1) Baba has graciously given Prabhat Samgiita so sadhakas may express their personal feelings towards Parama Purusa. But every song is not for everyone per se; people have different emotional and devotional relations with Parama Purusa. Everyone will have their own favourite song. Not all songs will appeal to every sadhaka.

(2) By learning and ideating on His divine Prabhat Samgiita compositions, as well as doing more and more sadhana, one can develop a more intimate relation with Parama Purusa. So Prabhat Samgiita is Baba's special blessing upon every devotee. Those songs teach sadhakas how to get closer to Him.

(3) As we know devotion means serving Parama Purusa, yet one cannot serve by Him keeping distant. One must go close in order to serve Him. Through Prabhat Samgiita, one can cultivate more and more closeness - more and more emotional & devotional feelings for Him. As those feelings grow and become more intimate, sadhakas do not wish to express those thoughts in front of others. Rather they prefer to express those intimate feelings while alone.

(4) Those with a devotional heart surely understand all this; and those who do not have such feelings should try and cultivate a deeper devotional link with Parama Purusa. He will certainly be gracious.

(5) Without a strong devotional longing for Him, without the sharing of the heart and without Prabhat Samgiita, life is dry like the hot sand. Baba has specially graced us by giving this oasis of Prabhat Samgiita to soak our hearts with devotion.

Namaskar,
Mantreshvar

Note 1: LINKS TO EARLIER LETTERS ON THIS TOPIC

#1: Why Prabhat Samgiita Started in 1982, posted 9/13/12

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2012/09/why-prabhat-samgiita-started-in-1982.html

#2: Difference Between Kiirtan and Prabhat Samgiita, posted 9/16/12

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2012/09/difference-between-kiirtan-and-prabhat.html

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

This song offers a special type of devotional expression wherein the bhakta is communicating with Parama Purusa in a dramatic fashion - i.e. addressing Him in the third person yet lodging a loving complaint about Parama Purusa. So the beauty here is that the devotee is talking with Parama Purusa Baba, not with anyone else, yet addressing Him using indirect language.

"Tora' balo go tora' more balo, ja'r'ete keno na'hi phot'e kamal..." (PS 487)

Purport:

Please, tell me about this strange liila of Parama Purusa. He is doing many things in a peculiar and bizarre way. The lotus flower is very charming and full of fragrance, but with the arrival of winter season it withers; it does not bloom anymore. I am crying and crying in His love and longing; He is such a heartless One. He does not care and He does not like to come close to me. I do not know why He makes this type of strange liila. Why is it that for Whom I have love and cry in longing, and He does not care even a little about this.    

Please explain this strange liila of Parama Purusa. In the summer months when there is a great need of water in the pond, at that time the pond is empty - all the water is dried up. So when there is a serious need, then there is no water; and, in the rainy season when there is not so much of a need, then it is full of water. I am singing the songs and kiirtan and I call and go on calling Him with the hope that He will come. But remaining distant He just smiles and does not like to come close. Even then I know that He loves me. Why like this.
   
Please tell me why this happens. The palash tree is covered by orange flowers and becomes so beautiful. There are countless flowers on this tree yet it is so strange that it never bears any fruit. For whom my life is, for Whom I have come on this earth - and also I am doing all sorts of things for Him and He is so close to me - even then He prefers to make me cry in His love and longing by keeping Himself distant.

O my Dearmost, please grace me by coming close...

Those Who Hinder Others' Sadhana

Subject: Those Who Hinder Others' Sadhana
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2012 19:59:21 -0700 (PDT)
From: Nagaraja Rao
To: AM-GLOBAL

Baba

== THOSE WHO HINDER OTHERS' SADHANA ==

(Note: This letter by Nagaraj ji is in response to brother Turiiya's letter appended below. - Eds)

Namaskar,
In ancient times in our history we read that rakshasas (bad people) came and disturbed the sadhu's prayers, rituals, and meditation.

You are graced by BABA and please continue doing exactly what you have been doing. The rakshasas around you caused disturbances in an attempt to interrupt the flow of your sadhana. But their actions should only should encourage you to further to continue your dharma sadhana. By fulfilling your duty, you are bound to be victorious, by His grace.

BABA has come into this world to shower devotion upon all. According to the laws of prakrti, any and all rakshasas will certainly face the consequences of their negative deeds.

I recall that When BABA graced us with His arrival to Manila for the first time, there was continuous 24-hour sadhana by Baba's room door. BABA loved that.

So keep up with flow of your dharma sadhana - do not be swayed by their attempts to disturb you - your approach is proper - Baba's grace is with you.

Namaskar
Nagaraja Rao (USA)

On 09/20/2012 10:17 PM, AM-GLOBAL wrote:

From: Turiiya_Deva34@fitness.disc.....
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Re: About That Famous Bogus Quote #4
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2012 20:01:29 +0000

MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

I recall my own experiences from being in India for DMC and reporting with Baba. In those days, to best utilise my time and prepare my mind for His divine darshan, I would sit for 10 hours of sadhana so I might receive and see Him in a devotional way. This was my approach, by His grace. Because if the mind is fickle or extroverted then one cannot feel His true sweetness. But some did not think I should be doing 10 hours of dhyana daily because it was "unbalanced." Those who spoke like this - primarily dadas - were mainly karmiis. When in fact, doing too much karma yoga and not enough dhyana was the real cause of any imbalance for many.

Yes, there are some in the world who not only do not want to realize Baba in every sitting, but they do not want others to know Him, either! They purposely scoff and mock!

I recall one time when I meditated many hours while waiting for Baba to come to the dais and I was told later that some Didis were laughing saying,"What is he sitting like that for?! Liberation?!" When I heard that I said to myself, 'Why of course, what else would I be sitting like that for?! We must sit each time as if we want Him now, not later on. He is our priority, not just doing sadhana as if it is a chore to check off our list of things to do for the day!'

At times, I used to do sadhana outside Baba's Tiljala gates waiting for Him to go to Lake Gardens. So, my presence at that spot gave me a good vantage point. When He would leave I would get a front row seat to see Him. One time while doing long sadhana outside Baba's gates in Tiljala, one Indian LFT shouted, "Baba's coming, Baba's coming!" I leaped up to see Him and saw that it was a false alarm. The brother was hooting and hollaring with laughter that he disturbed my sadhana in such a manner. Others laughed along with him, too. I sat down and resumed sadhana. Afterwards, I thought 'Why would someone do that? Why would someone disturb another's dhyana on Baba?' I still do not have the answer except maybe they are jealous that they have not been graced by Him to sit long hours pining for Him. I don't know.

In my home country of NY Sector, when anyone sat for long sadhanas, some margiis (mostly karmiis) thought that the sadhaka was "anti-social." These karmiis would prefer to gossip, that is, talk about things other than Him. Or sometimes they were jealous and said the sadhaka was "showing off."

SUCH THINGS ARE STILL GOING ON

And while many of these events occurred years ago, I have come to know these same types of things continue to go on in the organization today:

(1) In particular, one central didi becomes angry when anyone sings during paincjanya in the jagrti / Central office (Ranchi). She bitterly complains, "What are you doing! This is my time to sleep - do not make such noise! If you must sing then do it in a whisper - this is my time to sleep!" Then didiji promptly goes back to bed.
(2) Not only that, this same didi then wakes up at 7am - if she sees that others are still doing their sadhana lessons, she cries out, "Stop your sadhana, breakfast is needed, I have to be in Central Office by 8am - quick quick." Didiji skips her sadhana and asanas entirely; she takes bath and then directly goes to take food - which others have prepared for her.
(3) The name of this Central Didi is Ananda A. She is the one who sleeps late, does not allow others to practice paincajanya, and interrupts those doing longer sadhana.
(4) Many say that Ananda Niitimaya has similar habits.
(5) Then there is this point: As many know, for avadhutas, it is mandatory to do night sadhana one time per month. For tantrikas - i.e. for all Ananda Margiis - night sadhana is a very special practice. However, if any young and inspired dada or didi shows an inclination and deep interest in night sadhana, then top Wts harass and abuse that worker. They say, "This is not good - if you do more night sadhana then Baba will curse you!" So they do everything they can to discourage and mock those interested in deeper sadhana.
(6) What so speak of sadhana, even if one didi or dada is sincere in kaoshikii and tandava or half-bath, then they face abuse and ridicule from their seniors and supervisors.

Such is the "culture" that has developed in our organization. Those inclined toward spiritual practice are sidelined, abused, and alienated.