To:ananda-marga-universal-forum-1@yogasamsthanam.net
Baba
This entire email is composed of 3 parts:
(1) Posting: Ananda Marga System of Collective Bath
(2) Prabhat Samgiita #3016;
Namaskar,
As we know, Baba guides us that collective bath is a key element of our social functions and festivals. Here are some critical points to ensure collective bath is done properly - in accordance with Baba's teachings.
In Ananda Marga, collective bath does not mean that males and females will bathe together. It is done very discreetly and separated by gender, unlike in materialistic societies where commonly males and females reveal a maximum degree of bare skin and go swimming together, i.e. half-naked or even fully-naked.
So the body is more covered during the collective bath in our Ananda Marga system, than when co-eds frolic and swim together in materialistic communities. Thus there is a stark contrast between the two. Our manner of collective bath is gender-separated and upholds the dignity and sanctity of our spiritual values, whereas the materialistic approach to collective swimming etc is sensual and degrades the mind.
Thus in our collective bath system, the spiritual flow is maintained as the mind may continue to rise from the muladhara cakra to the sahasrara cakra. In contrast, in materialistic swimming parties etc, the mind gets completely degraded - from the sahasrara cakra to the svadhisthan cakra - whether one wishes to admit this or not.
In conclusion, for collective bath, males and females will go to different sections of the building when doing collective bathing indoors. If the weather is warmer they may bathe outside by the river or lake. If done outside, males will go to one secluded part of the lake or river, and females will go to a completely different place that is hidden and out-of-sight. In either circumstance, in this gender-separated system, particular parts of the body will be discreetly covered. The covering will be loose enough so one may wash properly. By this way, females are neither naked nor exposed in their collective bathroom or outdoor bathing area, nor are males naked in their collective bathroom or outdoor bathing area. Both maintain proper dignity in their gender-separated settings.
If one is bathing alone in a private / locked bathroom, then one need not cover themselves. The covering is used for all avenues of gender-separated, collective bathing - whether indoors or outdoors.
Why is the overall aim of this aspect of our collective bath system? To preserve the sanctity and keep the mind flowing from lower cakras to higher ones. That is the goal.
Here are more of Baba's guidelines about collective bathing.
"Collective social functions. Many social problems arise due to lack of magnanimity, such as not properly understanding or respecting the views of others. This not only keeps people apart, but also makes them hostile to each other. People come together in different festivals and social functions which foster mutual bonds of unity. When they participate in such activities and remain engaged in the same type of collective action, they develop the feeling of temporary affinity. Ananda Marga encourages these types of social functions. Collective bathing and collective meditation on special occasions are as good as common social functions." (Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4, Our Social Treatise)
"Collective social functions: Many of the ills of society develop because people do not care to know other members of society. This may not only mean ignorance of the condition and difficulties of others, but also leads to intolerance and a lack of interest in the affairs of the other members of society. Common social functions bring different members of society together and are therefore a great unifying force. By performing certain functions collectively, all the members are engaged in doing the same thing for some time, and this brings about a feeling of unity and interest in others."
"In Ananda Marga such common social functions are especially encouraged. Milita snána [collective bathing] and dharmacakra [collective meditation] provide grounds for common social functions in the physical, psychic and spiritual fields. Common participation in such functions is a very great unifying force. The participants in such functions will have no intolerance for each other, and will instead get more united. Such functions are, therefore, a great unifying force." (Prout in A Nutshell - 2)
"Ánanda Púrńimá: Collective bath with snána mantra, twice collective Iishvara Prańidhána and Varńárghyadána, collective noon and night meals, merry celebrations, spiritual conferences, annual meetings of workers, children’s sports, and procession with táńd́ava dance." (Caryacarya - 1)
Namaskar,
Gunamaya Deva
****** Prabhat Samgiita #3016
"Jiivaner uts hote je srote bha'siya'chila'm..." (P.S. 3016)
Purport:
O' Parama Purusa, since the very origin of my life - since eternity - in which current I was floating, in that very flow, You were also present. But I did not see You.
O' Divine One, You were with me day and night, ever-awake, holding the lamp of effulgence in Your hand. But that time I could not recognise You.
O' my dearmost Baba, still today You remain along with me. Indeed each and every single moment You decorate this grand universe in hundreds of forms, shapes, and colors. Baba, You are always dancing in that divine vibration, but I did not see You because I was keeping my eyes closed.
O' Parama Purusa, O' Baba, since eternity You have been along with me. Today You have made me realise this very cosmic truth: I am surviving only due to Your boundless grace, affection, and love...
Baba
This entire email is composed of 3 parts:
(1) Posting: Ananda Marga System of Collective Bath
(2) Prabhat Samgiita #3016;
== ANANDA MARGA SYSTEM OF
COLLECTIVE BATH ==
Namaskar,
As we know, Baba guides us that collective bath is a key element of our social functions and festivals. Here are some critical points to ensure collective bath is done properly - in accordance with Baba's teachings.
MALES AND FEMALES DO NOT BATHE TOGETHER;
AND, THE BODY IS DISCREETLY COVERED
AND, THE BODY IS DISCREETLY COVERED
In Ananda Marga, collective bath does not mean that males and females will bathe together. It is done very discreetly and separated by gender, unlike in materialistic societies where commonly males and females reveal a maximum degree of bare skin and go swimming together, i.e. half-naked or even fully-naked.
So the body is more covered during the collective bath in our Ananda Marga system, than when co-eds frolic and swim together in materialistic communities. Thus there is a stark contrast between the two. Our manner of collective bath is gender-separated and upholds the dignity and sanctity of our spiritual values, whereas the materialistic approach to collective swimming etc is sensual and degrades the mind.
PROPER FLOW OF MIND
Thus in our collective bath system, the spiritual flow is maintained as the mind may continue to rise from the muladhara cakra to the sahasrara cakra. In contrast, in materialistic swimming parties etc, the mind gets completely degraded - from the sahasrara cakra to the svadhisthan cakra - whether one wishes to admit this or not.
HOW IT IS ACTUALLY DONE
In conclusion, for collective bath, males and females will go to different sections of the building when doing collective bathing indoors. If the weather is warmer they may bathe outside by the river or lake. If done outside, males will go to one secluded part of the lake or river, and females will go to a completely different place that is hidden and out-of-sight. In either circumstance, in this gender-separated system, particular parts of the body will be discreetly covered. The covering will be loose enough so one may wash properly. By this way, females are neither naked nor exposed in their collective bathroom or outdoor bathing area, nor are males naked in their collective bathroom or outdoor bathing area. Both maintain proper dignity in their gender-separated settings.
If one is bathing alone in a private / locked bathroom, then one need not cover themselves. The covering is used for all avenues of gender-separated, collective bathing - whether indoors or outdoors.
THE OVER-ARCHING AIM
Why is the overall aim of this aspect of our collective bath system? To preserve the sanctity and keep the mind flowing from lower cakras to higher ones. That is the goal.
Here are more of Baba's guidelines about collective bathing.
ANANDA MARGA ENCOURAGES THESE TYPES OF SOCIAL
FUNCTIONS
"Collective social functions. Many social problems arise due to lack of magnanimity, such as not properly understanding or respecting the views of others. This not only keeps people apart, but also makes them hostile to each other. People come together in different festivals and social functions which foster mutual bonds of unity. When they participate in such activities and remain engaged in the same type of collective action, they develop the feeling of temporary affinity. Ananda Marga encourages these types of social functions. Collective bathing and collective meditation on special occasions are as good as common social functions." (Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4, Our Social Treatise)
A GREAT UNIFYING FORCE
"Collective social functions: Many of the ills of society develop because people do not care to know other members of society. This may not only mean ignorance of the condition and difficulties of others, but also leads to intolerance and a lack of interest in the affairs of the other members of society. Common social functions bring different members of society together and are therefore a great unifying force. By performing certain functions collectively, all the members are engaged in doing the same thing for some time, and this brings about a feeling of unity and interest in others."
"In Ananda Marga such common social functions are especially encouraged. Milita snána [collective bathing] and dharmacakra [collective meditation] provide grounds for common social functions in the physical, psychic and spiritual fields. Common participation in such functions is a very great unifying force. The participants in such functions will have no intolerance for each other, and will instead get more united. Such functions are, therefore, a great unifying force." (Prout in A Nutshell - 2)
PART OF ANANDA PURNIMA CELEBRATIONS
"Ánanda Púrńimá: Collective bath with snána mantra, twice collective Iishvara Prańidhána and Varńárghyadána, collective noon and night meals, merry celebrations, spiritual conferences, annual meetings of workers, children’s sports, and procession with táńd́ava dance." (Caryacarya - 1)
Namaskar,
Gunamaya Deva
****** Prabhat Samgiita #3016
"Jiivaner uts hote je srote bha'siya'chila'm..." (P.S. 3016)
Purport:
O' Parama Purusa, since the very origin of my life - since eternity - in which current I was floating, in that very flow, You were also present. But I did not see You.
O' Divine One, You were with me day and night, ever-awake, holding the lamp of effulgence in Your hand. But that time I could not recognise You.
O' my dearmost Baba, still today You remain along with me. Indeed each and every single moment You decorate this grand universe in hundreds of forms, shapes, and colors. Baba, You are always dancing in that divine vibration, but I did not see You because I was keeping my eyes closed.
O' Parama Purusa, O' Baba, since eternity You have been along with me. Today You have made me realise this very cosmic truth: I am surviving only due to Your boundless grace, affection, and love...
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