Date: Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:36:49 -0000
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Jayant@eggi....com
Subject: For Intense Sadhana
Baba
This entire email is composed of 2 parts:
(1) Posting: For Intense Sadhana
(2) Prabhat Samgiita #4754
Each section is demarcated by asterisks (***)
Namaskar,
Sadhana is the mainstay in the life of each and every margii. It is an integral part of our existence. At the same time we all know that our progress in meditation is systaltic and that sometimes it is difficult to move past certain plateaus or feelings. Here below in this letter are some points from one senior family acarya for how to intensify one's own sadhana practice.
Generally, whenever we do our sadhana then a certain sweet vibration is generated - it happens to everyone. A distinctive blissful energy sweeps through the body and permeates the mind. And this vibration itself is a positive sign that our meditation is working, i.e. that it is fruitful.
From a slightly more technical perspective, we can say that there are certain stages of our sadhana and which represent how the aforementioned sentient vibration results.
Initially by Baba's grace with our iccha shakti - strong desire or will power - we attempt to concentrate the mind. And then step by step the next stages unfold. A sense of surrender develops and with that devotional feeling & yearning we begin the repetition of our mantra. As the practice of our mantra japa continues and strengthens, then mantra'ghat occurs. That is, the mantra strikes on the kulakundalini andthe kundalini begins to rise up. And in result a wave of sentient blissful feelings spreads throughout our being. In brief, this is how that sentient vibration comes in the body and mind.
So with our focused mind and right practice of meditation, a blissful flow consumes our existence. That is a sentient vibration is aroused. And this of course is a positive development.
Because if we do not feel any vibration at all when we do our sadhana then we know that the mind was just running hither and thither; and, all in all, our "sitting in sadhana" was just a waste of time. So in proper sadhana, a sentient vibration must arise.
Hence the arousal of a sentient vibration indicates a certain degree of "success" in our sadhana. But as we know, this is not the be-all of one's sadhana. Rather at this point one has reached an initial plateau
or crossroads where two distinct options present themselves.
Either with one's developed nerve cells and nerve fibres one can manage and digest that spritual vibration or one cannot. That is, either that sentient vibration can be assimilated internally and one can continue to focus on their mantra japa and delve deeper into their meditation. Or, due to one's less developed nerves and according to their samskara, the sweet vibration aroused in sadhana causes an external reaction - such as crying, shaking, laughing, rolling, somersaulting, weeping, bouncing etc.
So the key aspect here is that to further progress in sadhana then one must have the requisite strength to internalise that sentient vibration. Because if we give way to those sentient feelings and allow them to present externally then the mind gets diverted and distracted, in which case one can no longer concentrate on the mantra. And once one's mantra japa gets interrupted then sadhana goes down.
Therefore all those external manifestations in sadhana - such as crying, singing, laughing etc - hinder one's ability to advance. Specifically, they cause one's sadhana to stall since at that point the mind gets externalised towards those outer expressions. In which case the sentient energy created by the mantra repetition just gets drained out.
Here again it should be known that that the initial arousal of a sentient vibration is a distinct sign of progress. But in turn we should not allow those feelings to leak out externally in the form of tears, laughter, horripilation etc. Over time these types of reactions should be controlled, i.e. assimilated within.
So the challenge is to internalise that vibration. Then, by Baba's grace, one will feel bliss inside, yet at the same time the mind will stay focused and continue to devotionally repeat one's mantra. Then one
can reach deeper and deeper into the kingdom of eternal bliss.
Sometimes when we see others crying or laughing or rolling around in their sadhana then the tendency is to think that the person is a great sadhaka or that their sadhana is very high. But actually all it means is that due to a weakness in their nerves the sadhaka could not assimilate those sentient vibrations. And in result that vibration leaked out externally as opposed to being internally channelised to a higher degree of sadhana.
Thus if one is weeping or laughing in sadhana it does not mean that they are the top-most sadhakas. As there may be many others who have reached that same point yet easily absorbed that vibration and by Baba's grace could dive deeper into their meditation.
So this is one aspect for us all to keep in mind: That we should always aim to keep the body motionless and keep the mind focused on our mantra and reach closer and closer to Him.
As we know, our mantra is a divine tool for calling our Dearest One. And with a heart full of devotion we should continue our mantra japa and focus exclusively on that in our sadhana. Then when any sentient vibration is aroused we will easily be able to cross that threshold and become further immersed in His divine flow-- in the kingdom of bliss.
Here Baba again reminds us that the path of sadhana is the most meaningful endeavour in life.
Baba says, "The ideation on Brahma should be done scrupulously, or else you will later regret and bemoan the futility of your life with the last drop of your tears at your last hour. You should make your life worthwhile through your sadhana. How much can your worldly friends and relations do for you? After your death your relatives may perhaps ask, 'How much money has he left behind?'. Your friends may go to the crematorium and indulge in flattering reminiscences about you. Your husband or wife may cry out for you for about ten or twelve days and then regain their normal composure. Your lot will be only a profound sigh-- a record of the futility and frustration of your life. So do not waste your time lest you later have to repent." (Subhasita Samgraha - 3, p.63)
Namaskar,
Jayanta
It is a constant endeavour for each and every sadhaka to become more and more involved in their sadhana. And for this to happen it demands both sincerity of heart and dedication to our ideal - to Baba. In that case we can all deepen our spiritual practices by His grace. All in all, the above written topic does not at all pertain to those who are just doing 5-10 minutes of sadhana prior to taking food. All the above ideas are related to those who are deeply committed to their sadhana and regularly allot a proper amount of time to their practice. On this regard during holidays & vacations etc, we should all try to spend more and more time focused on our sadhana. Because otherwise in our day to day mundane existence it is not at all easy to deepen one's practice. For that it demands a focused mind and time spent in sadhana. So whenever possible we should leave our house and go outside for sadhana for an extended period of time to practice meditation. Then we will leave behind our worldly distractions and be able to focus the mind on our mantra and call Him with the love of our heart. By Baba's grace we will all move ahead in our sadhana and internally experience His cosmic bliss. By His grace may we all please and serve Him in our sadhana.
Everyone - all family members - are kindly requested to write in with their sadhana realisations and spiritually related experiences.
"Arun'a'cale natun prabha't elo a'ji elo..." (PS 4754)
Purport:
Salutaions to Parama Purusa, today the glorious new crimson dawn has come - it has come by His grace. In this brilliant, new era, no longer should anyone remain drowsy or in a state of slumber. Now is not the time to look back and waste this precious moment. This is the time to rip off all those bondages of sa'dripu*, as't'apa'sha*, mohaja'l* etc, since they hinder our forward progress. Now on this auspicious occasion we should move on and on towards the Goal - keeping the mind focused on Him.
In the past, before this auspicious hour, in that pitch-dark atmosphere you were unable to see. Your vision was enveloped by the cloak of deep darkness. You could not see; you could not understand what is right and what is wrong - what is dharma and what is sinful. Because of that neither could you move forward, nor could you pull anyone towards the higher Goal. Do not waste your valuable time reminiscing about those dark days of old. Now you should forget those memories and throw away that retarded and detrimental thinking. Just think and ideate on Him - because human life is an ideological flow. Parama Purusa is the Goal.
Behold! A new era has come. Look toward the eastern horizon, the crimson dawn has arrived with the seven-coloured chariot. It is so attractive and charming. By seeing that, the inhabitants of the whole planet have become totally captivated with joyous horripilation. Feeling the charged vibration, everyone is smiling in happiness. Behold, in this auspicious new dawn, even in the mud the lotus has blossomed. And by its aromatic fragrance the mind is divinely intoxicated. By the supreme grace of Parama Purusa ordinary people have started doing extraordinary things; and by that way the whole society is getting benefited in multifarious ways. The dark days have disappeared permanently; the era of neo-humanism has
advented. Now is the time to sing and dance and move forward towards Him...
ASTERISK NOTES (*):
*Sa'dripu: Baba says, "S'at' means 'six' and ripu means 'enemies'. These six faculties in human beings are termed as enemies, as they absorb the mind in crudeness and stop its march towards the subtle. The supreme rank for unit consciousness is subtle, and anything which holds it back from reaching the supreme rank, is its enemy. These six faculties are, therefore, termed as six enemies. Ka'ma (longing for earthly objects), krodha (anger), lobha (avarice), moha (blind attachment), mada (vanity) and ma'tsarya (envy) are the six enemies." (Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy)
*As't'a'pa'sha: Baba says, "As't'apa'sha means the eight fetters. Anyone bound by fetters will lose his capacity of movement. In the creation we find the movement of human beings is from the crude to the subtle. That is, human beings have to move towards the subtle, but by their leaning towards the eight fetters such as lajja', bhaya, and ghrn'a', they get absorbed in crude things only and their progress towards the subtle is stopped. Bhaya (fear), lajja' (shame), ghrn'a' (hatred), shaunka' (doubt), kula (high descent), shiila (complex of culture), ma'na (vanity) and jugupsa' (backbiting) are the eight fetters." (Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy)
*Mohaja'l: (Literal: 'Moha' meaning 'blind attachment' + 'Ja'l' meaning 'net'). When human beings get stuck in the net of blind attachment then they cannot proceed towards the Goal. This is Baba's warning so in the above song the sadhaka is paying heed to Baba's guideline and tossing aside this mohaja'l and advancing ahead with the advent of the new crimson dawn.
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Jayant@eggi....com
Subject: For Intense Sadhana
Baba
This entire email is composed of 2 parts:
(1) Posting: For Intense Sadhana
(2) Prabhat Samgiita #4754
Each section is demarcated by asterisks (***)
== FOR INTENSE SADHANA ==
Namaskar,
Sadhana is the mainstay in the life of each and every margii. It is an integral part of our existence. At the same time we all know that our progress in meditation is systaltic and that sometimes it is difficult to move past certain plateaus or feelings. Here below in this letter are some points from one senior family acarya for how to intensify one's own sadhana practice.
VIBRATION COMES IN SADHANA
Generally, whenever we do our sadhana then a certain sweet vibration is generated - it happens to everyone. A distinctive blissful energy sweeps through the body and permeates the mind. And this vibration itself is a positive sign that our meditation is working, i.e. that it is fruitful.
THE SPIRITUAL SCIENCE BEHIND IT
From a slightly more technical perspective, we can say that there are certain stages of our sadhana and which represent how the aforementioned sentient vibration results.
Initially by Baba's grace with our iccha shakti - strong desire or will power - we attempt to concentrate the mind. And then step by step the next stages unfold. A sense of surrender develops and with that devotional feeling & yearning we begin the repetition of our mantra. As the practice of our mantra japa continues and strengthens, then mantra'ghat occurs. That is, the mantra strikes on the kulakundalini andthe kundalini begins to rise up. And in result a wave of sentient blissful feelings spreads throughout our being. In brief, this is how that sentient vibration comes in the body and mind.
A SENTIENT VIBRATION SHOULD ARISE, OTHERWISE...
So with our focused mind and right practice of meditation, a blissful flow consumes our existence. That is a sentient vibration is aroused. And this of course is a positive development.
Because if we do not feel any vibration at all when we do our sadhana then we know that the mind was just running hither and thither; and, all in all, our "sitting in sadhana" was just a waste of time. So in proper sadhana, a sentient vibration must arise.
TWO ROADS
Hence the arousal of a sentient vibration indicates a certain degree of "success" in our sadhana. But as we know, this is not the be-all of one's sadhana. Rather at this point one has reached an initial plateau
or crossroads where two distinct options present themselves.
Either with one's developed nerve cells and nerve fibres one can manage and digest that spritual vibration or one cannot. That is, either that sentient vibration can be assimilated internally and one can continue to focus on their mantra japa and delve deeper into their meditation. Or, due to one's less developed nerves and according to their samskara, the sweet vibration aroused in sadhana causes an external reaction - such as crying, shaking, laughing, rolling, somersaulting, weeping, bouncing etc.
SENTIENT VIBRATION MUST BE ASSIMILATED
So the key aspect here is that to further progress in sadhana then one must have the requisite strength to internalise that sentient vibration. Because if we give way to those sentient feelings and allow them to present externally then the mind gets diverted and distracted, in which case one can no longer concentrate on the mantra. And once one's mantra japa gets interrupted then sadhana goes down.
Therefore all those external manifestations in sadhana - such as crying, singing, laughing etc - hinder one's ability to advance. Specifically, they cause one's sadhana to stall since at that point the mind gets externalised towards those outer expressions. In which case the sentient energy created by the mantra repetition just gets drained out.
Here again it should be known that that the initial arousal of a sentient vibration is a distinct sign of progress. But in turn we should not allow those feelings to leak out externally in the form of tears, laughter, horripilation etc. Over time these types of reactions should be controlled, i.e. assimilated within.
So the challenge is to internalise that vibration. Then, by Baba's grace, one will feel bliss inside, yet at the same time the mind will stay focused and continue to devotionally repeat one's mantra. Then one
can reach deeper and deeper into the kingdom of eternal bliss.
A COMMON MISPERCEPTION
Sometimes when we see others crying or laughing or rolling around in their sadhana then the tendency is to think that the person is a great sadhaka or that their sadhana is very high. But actually all it means is that due to a weakness in their nerves the sadhaka could not assimilate those sentient vibrations. And in result that vibration leaked out externally as opposed to being internally channelised to a higher degree of sadhana.
Thus if one is weeping or laughing in sadhana it does not mean that they are the top-most sadhakas. As there may be many others who have reached that same point yet easily absorbed that vibration and by Baba's grace could dive deeper into their meditation.
So this is one aspect for us all to keep in mind: That we should always aim to keep the body motionless and keep the mind focused on our mantra and reach closer and closer to Him.
MANTRA REPETITION: CALLING OUR DEAREST ONE
As we know, our mantra is a divine tool for calling our Dearest One. And with a heart full of devotion we should continue our mantra japa and focus exclusively on that in our sadhana. Then when any sentient vibration is aroused we will easily be able to cross that threshold and become further immersed in His divine flow-- in the kingdom of bliss.
SADHANA IS THE PATHWAY OF LIFE
Here Baba again reminds us that the path of sadhana is the most meaningful endeavour in life.
Vrtha' janma.....
Baba says, "The ideation on Brahma should be done scrupulously, or else you will later regret and bemoan the futility of your life with the last drop of your tears at your last hour. You should make your life worthwhile through your sadhana. How much can your worldly friends and relations do for you? After your death your relatives may perhaps ask, 'How much money has he left behind?'. Your friends may go to the crematorium and indulge in flattering reminiscences about you. Your husband or wife may cry out for you for about ten or twelve days and then regain their normal composure. Your lot will be only a profound sigh-- a record of the futility and frustration of your life. So do not waste your time lest you later have to repent." (Subhasita Samgraha - 3, p.63)
Namaskar,
Jayanta
Note: BECOMING MORE AND MORE SINCERE IN SADHANA
It is a constant endeavour for each and every sadhaka to become more and more involved in their sadhana. And for this to happen it demands both sincerity of heart and dedication to our ideal - to Baba. In that case we can all deepen our spiritual practices by His grace. All in all, the above written topic does not at all pertain to those who are just doing 5-10 minutes of sadhana prior to taking food. All the above ideas are related to those who are deeply committed to their sadhana and regularly allot a proper amount of time to their practice. On this regard during holidays & vacations etc, we should all try to spend more and more time focused on our sadhana. Because otherwise in our day to day mundane existence it is not at all easy to deepen one's practice. For that it demands a focused mind and time spent in sadhana. So whenever possible we should leave our house and go outside for sadhana for an extended period of time to practice meditation. Then we will leave behind our worldly distractions and be able to focus the mind on our mantra and call Him with the love of our heart. By Baba's grace we will all move ahead in our sadhana and internally experience His cosmic bliss. By His grace may we all please and serve Him in our sadhana.
Everyone - all family members - are kindly requested to write in with their sadhana realisations and spiritually related experiences.
Prabhat Samgiita
"Arun'a'cale natun prabha't elo a'ji elo..." (PS 4754)
Purport:
Salutaions to Parama Purusa, today the glorious new crimson dawn has come - it has come by His grace. In this brilliant, new era, no longer should anyone remain drowsy or in a state of slumber. Now is not the time to look back and waste this precious moment. This is the time to rip off all those bondages of sa'dripu*, as't'apa'sha*, mohaja'l* etc, since they hinder our forward progress. Now on this auspicious occasion we should move on and on towards the Goal - keeping the mind focused on Him.
In the past, before this auspicious hour, in that pitch-dark atmosphere you were unable to see. Your vision was enveloped by the cloak of deep darkness. You could not see; you could not understand what is right and what is wrong - what is dharma and what is sinful. Because of that neither could you move forward, nor could you pull anyone towards the higher Goal. Do not waste your valuable time reminiscing about those dark days of old. Now you should forget those memories and throw away that retarded and detrimental thinking. Just think and ideate on Him - because human life is an ideological flow. Parama Purusa is the Goal.
Behold! A new era has come. Look toward the eastern horizon, the crimson dawn has arrived with the seven-coloured chariot. It is so attractive and charming. By seeing that, the inhabitants of the whole planet have become totally captivated with joyous horripilation. Feeling the charged vibration, everyone is smiling in happiness. Behold, in this auspicious new dawn, even in the mud the lotus has blossomed. And by its aromatic fragrance the mind is divinely intoxicated. By the supreme grace of Parama Purusa ordinary people have started doing extraordinary things; and by that way the whole society is getting benefited in multifarious ways. The dark days have disappeared permanently; the era of neo-humanism has
advented. Now is the time to sing and dance and move forward towards Him...
ASTERISK NOTES (*):
*Sa'dripu: Baba says, "S'at' means 'six' and ripu means 'enemies'. These six faculties in human beings are termed as enemies, as they absorb the mind in crudeness and stop its march towards the subtle. The supreme rank for unit consciousness is subtle, and anything which holds it back from reaching the supreme rank, is its enemy. These six faculties are, therefore, termed as six enemies. Ka'ma (longing for earthly objects), krodha (anger), lobha (avarice), moha (blind attachment), mada (vanity) and ma'tsarya (envy) are the six enemies." (Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy)
*As't'a'pa'sha: Baba says, "As't'apa'sha means the eight fetters. Anyone bound by fetters will lose his capacity of movement. In the creation we find the movement of human beings is from the crude to the subtle. That is, human beings have to move towards the subtle, but by their leaning towards the eight fetters such as lajja', bhaya, and ghrn'a', they get absorbed in crude things only and their progress towards the subtle is stopped. Bhaya (fear), lajja' (shame), ghrn'a' (hatred), shaunka' (doubt), kula (high descent), shiila (complex of culture), ma'na (vanity) and jugupsa' (backbiting) are the eight fetters." (Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy)
*Mohaja'l: (Literal: 'Moha' meaning 'blind attachment' + 'Ja'l' meaning 'net'). When human beings get stuck in the net of blind attachment then they cannot proceed towards the Goal. This is Baba's warning so in the above song the sadhaka is paying heed to Baba's guideline and tossing aside this mohaja'l and advancing ahead with the advent of the new crimson dawn.
