Re: Baba's Guideline: Celebration of Ananda Purnima #4

Via: ananda-marga-universal-forum-1@yogasamsthanam.net

Baba

This entire email is composed of 2 parts:
(1) Posting: Re: Baba's Guideline: Celebration of Ananda Purnima #4;
(2) Trailer Quote: Selfishness Is The Main "Quality";

Each section is demarcated by asterisks (***).

== RE: BABA'S GUIDELINE: CELEBRATION OF ANANDA PURNIMA ==

~ Part 4 ~

Note: This series of letters, “Baba's Guideline: Celebration of Ananda Purnima”, has four parts. Each part offers complementary ways and descriptions for celebrating Ananda Purnima. Together, these letters paint a picture for how to commemorate this grand festival according to Baba's divine guideline. Links to the first three parts are appended below. – AM Universal Moderators

Namaskar,
Baba’s holy advent is such a tremendous event that there is no aspect of life that has not been purified and made pristine by His holy arrival. Each and every aspect of creation is ensconced in bliss by His august presence.

In that wholesome spirit, our Ananda Purnima celebrations should be of an equal breadth, size, and stature. Every sphere of life should be touched by our Ananda Purnima ceremonies and festivities.

Here below are further guidelines based on Baba's divine teachings and guidelines for how we can best maximize the celebration of the auspicious occasion of Ananda Purnima. This year Ananda Purnima is Saturday, 25 May.

THE MAKING OF AN EXHIBITION

Around the globe, and in our larger units especially, various exhibitions can be created that encapsulate a wide sampling of Baba’s teachings and programs. In this way, the theoretical side of Ananda Marga ideology and its practical expression can be highlighted. Toward this end, there could be a good news presentation of the wide array of Ananda Marga service projects and socially uplifting programs; plus via story, song, dance, and drama there should be joyous performances that highlight the history and development of Ananda Marga.

In addition, there could be the special showing of Baba’s video and other renewing activities like a tree planting, musical performance, and other cultural activities.

ORGANISING AN ANANDA MELA

A grand Ananda Mela can also be formed in selected places whereby local sentient shops are invited and where cultural programs, sports and festivities, art, music, a children’s theatre and poetry competitions are displayed. Such a gathering could include non-margiis and margiis alike. That will build community relations and involve everyone. It would bring people together in a sweet way and the environment could be nicely maintained by having all the events monitored by margiis. Yet, at the same time, allow non-margiis to participate fully and be active up to certain levels.

Verily, this is an occasion for one and all and could include multi-day or even multi-week camps for honouring and celebrating this most glorified event of Ananda Purnima.

Overall, such types of programs would draw in all the various sections of society and could occur over a month-long period, perhaps 2-weeks before through 2-weeks after Ananda Purnima - as some do in India with the Ram Liila*. Our Ananda Purnima should take on that type of significance and celebration, focused exclusively on Baba, Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji.

VARIOUS TYPES OF KIIRTAN PROGRAMS AND PRASAD

In our various units, across all the sectors, there will be grand kiirtan programs. Certainly, already numerous akhanda kiirtan programs are being held; and, in addition, nagar kiirtan can also be done in our villages, towns, and cities.

As you may know, nagar kiirtan, the singing and dancing of Baba Nam Kevalam through the streets & parks etc, should be done just before sunrise – not during the full-day sun. Furthermore, in nagar kiirtan, the chanting should be soothing, not ear-piercing. As far as possible, this should be done with loudspeakers, bearing in mind the local customs and legal code. What is acceptable in India, however, may not be allowed elsewhere. The overall spirit is for a maximum number of people to hear the holy siddha mantra: Baba Nam Kevalam.

The sound should be natural with the overall spirit being to please Baba by singing and sharing this divine chant with others. Baba guides us that by this way there will be tremendous benefit.

After each and every kiirtan program, there should be special prasad. Because Ananda Purnima is for everyone. Some are involved deeply in spiritual sadhana while some, such as the children, are interested in special treats like prasad. By this way, there will be something for everyone. All will think of it as a delightful and joyous celebration.

OVERVIEW OF FESTIVITIES

The above programs will serve as a great complement to the numerous other festive ways of celebrating the grand occasion of Ananda Purnima that were outlined in prior letters of this series. Some of those activities include: Poetry readings, debates, prize distribution, collective bath, collective food, narayan seva, clothing distribution, collective sadhana, medical camps, food distribution in nursing and convalescent homes, collective social service, singing and dancing of Prabhat Samgiita, the exchange of gifts, sports and games, display of Baba’s diorama, artful presentation of Baba’s liila, cartoons and paintings of how Baba has graced bhaktas, theatrical depictions of how negative forces could not diminish the glory of Baba and Ananda Marga, and so many more ways.

Indeed, this is a time when everyone – young and old, wealthy and poor, literate and illiterate, etc – can come together and rejoice in the sweet celebrations of Baba’s divine advent. The festival of Ananda Purnima should be given utmost importance as it is the most festive day of the year.

ALL WILL REMEMBER...

The grand result being that all will fondly remember and gather round this auspicious occasion. Already many units may be doing like this.

We should always keep in mind that everyone’s spiritual standard is not the same. Not all members of the society are of the same devotional standard. But if everyone is celebrating together via the various festivities etc then they will fondly remember Ananda Purnima. That will enhance unity. And it will draw people near.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FESTIVALS

Here following Baba is describing the great import that festive occasions like Ananda Purnima have on the human psyche. And that such social functions lead to the formation of a unified humanity.

“When people become tired and uninspired, when they can no longer look towards the future with hope, when their colourful dreams are shattered, at that time the sweetness of a festival brings new joy and vigour in life. Thus in individual and collective life, the importance of festivals is tremendous. One should always remember that festivals should be such that all can take part in them without any ostentatious display of wealth, and with an upsurge of their life force. And these festivals should be conducted in such a way that people take part in them from a spontaneous inner urge. I hope that you will make such arrangements so that all are attracted towards your festivals which will be more and more charming – and this will bring about your collective welfare.” (1)

ONE'S PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL CONNECTION

In addition to all the social festivities and ceremonies, Ananda Purmina is also a time for reflection. On the purely personal & devotional level, for Ananda Margiis, A'nanda Pu'rnima can signify that great moment in one's existence when Baba first appeared in their life - in their dhya'na. By His grace, the connection with Him is internal and on-going, yet at the same time there was a starting point - a time when you first realised or experienced Baba in your heart. It might have occurred in a dream, during kiirtan, just prior to initiation, in sadhana, or at any moment. So on the individual level A'nanda Pu'rnima' is a time to reflect and cherish your internal link with Him.

THE BLISSFUL OCCASION OF ANANDA PURNIMA

“This is a day of rejoicing, and amidst this rejoicing people will have to determine ways of improving their individual and collective life, developing their resources in all the strata of life for their future progress.” (2)

"The humans of today are possessed of spirited intellect and accomplished wisdom. They are keen to advance with rapid step shattering the shackles of dogmas. They will no longer be entrapped by the illusion of opportunism. The rays of the crimson dawn of a new humanity on the eastern horizon have started weaving textures of colours on their eyelids and in the subtle recesses of their minds. As for those who have been dreaming of keeping humanity imprisoned by dogmas, their days are numbered; their blissful dreams are being shattered to pieces. I call upon all enlightened people and say: “Go ahead with courage. The humanity has been awaiting you. Establish it in the excellence and grandeur of glory." (3)

"Knowing oneself is the real knowledge; serving all with the ideation of Náráyańa, the real action, and the vow to please Parama Puruśa the real devotion." (4)

Namaskar,
Yours in Him
Tanmay Deva


REFERENCES:
1. A  Few Problems Solved - 5, p.18
2. A Few Problems Solved – 5
3. Ananda Vanii #53
4. Ananda Vanii #25


* Ram Liila: The Ram Liila is an annual theatre drama depicting the glory and greatness of Ram staged in the evening for several weeks. This theatre drama highlights the life of Ram for the public to see, learn and enjoy.

In a similar manner, we should produce a theatre reenactment of all the great events in Baba's life. This should include His younger years, the formation of Ananda Marga, the spread of devotion, the jail period, Emergency, how the margiis faced so many problems, how the communists were destroyed, the vast array of AM service projects, spiritual life, etc. All the good and bad times should be depicted for everyone to know.

Note 1: LINKS TO PREVIOUS POSTINGS OF THIS SERIES

#1: This first letter discusses:
Mahasambhuti's Advent / Ways of Celebrating / Gift Giving / Sports Games / The Arts & more

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2013/05/babas-guideline-celebration-of-ananda.html


#2: This second letter discusses:
Celebrations in each unit  / Samgacchadhvam spirit / Importance of Festivals & more

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2013/05/re-babas-guideline-celebration-of.html


#3: This third letter discusses:
Social Functions and Unity / Spiritual Values / Importance of Food For Collective Spirit & more

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2013/05/re-babas-guideline-celebration-of_9.html

The section below demarcated by asterisks is an entirely different topic,
completely unrelated to the above material. It stands on its own as a point of interest.

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Selfishness Is The Main "Quality"

   "What a dangerous outlook! What a rosy philosophy of capitalism! God save humanity from such perverted philosophy. Man’s desire for worldly pleasure does not cease until he finds a really great ideal. His hunger is insatiable. The wolf in him seems to say over and over again, “I am hungry, I am hungry.” His mouth is agape all the time and the fools of the earth, resigned to their belief in predestination, are swallowed by it. These wolves eat up their flesh and blood and cast away their insipid bones. Are we to support this wolfish philosophy? The dirty-clothed laborers, their faces lined with hard labor and fatigue, are not human beings in the eyes of those who have Mammon by their side. The characteristic of a vested interest is that it has no other thought but itself. The selfish man is the eater, the others are his food. His needs are never-ending. Out of his salary the poor man has to pay his house rent, support his family, educate his children, provide milk for his baby, marry his daughters. Are those necessities only for the people of the upper classes? Are these not the minimum necessities of life? Yes, but these thoughts of the poor are no concern of the rich! Such thinking involves some sacrifice, does it not? From where would objects of luxury for the rich come, if hunger were not the hard task-master of the poor? Let the daughters of the poor collect cow-dung forever and their sons be slaves in the households of the rich. What a fine arrangement! The high hopes of the poor?–pooh! pooh!! Aren’t they all moonshine?"
   "No two things in the world are alike. So I do not suggest recasting everything into one mold. Still, for humanism and justice, equitable distribution of the resources of the universe is indispensable; co-ownership of the world’s resources is the birthright of every individual. Even a small attempt at depriving someone of this right is gross selfishness. Except when a special favor becomes necessary to give certain individuals impetus and inspiration, all persons must be given equal rights and opportunities in all spheres. Every individual must have equal rights regarding food, clothing, housing, medical aid and education — those things that are absolutely necessary for existence." (Human Society Part 1, Social Justice)

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Ananda Marga System of Collective Bath

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;

== 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

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...