Re: How Shudras Are Brainwashed #3

== RE: HOW SHUDRAS ARE BRAINWASHED ==

~ Part 3 ~

Namaskar,

"during the holidays and weekends, companies organise various types of "fun" gatherings like picnics and seminars etc whereby the employees pass even their leisure time under the "protective care" of the company. They even take family vacations with their company. The whole point being that employees are led to believe that the company is actually their family. Once this idea gets set in the mind, those employees will walk to the ends of the earth to get the job done for their cherished company."

Lately others have brought the point how big capitalists cast their spell on many of their employees. Certainly there are a growing number of citizens whose eyes are opened wide to capitalist exploitation. Yet, at the same time, those capitalists continue to control and steamroll large sections of the workforce. Their special tactic is to brainwash employees into being loyal to the company - when in reality the "company" is the huge profit-making by a few vaeshyans. All others suffer at the hands of their ruthless exploitation.

In response our approach is two fold. First, create more vikśubdha shúdras, i.e. conscious employees who possess the requisite awareness and fighting spirit to stand up to capitalist exploitation. Second, introduce and implement the workings of Prout's cooperative system. By this dual approach, we can handily overcome the current vaeshyan rule.

COOPERATIVES ARE A KEY ASSET

Once there is a critical mass of vikśubdha shúdras wherein employees and citizens are critically aware of the capitalist exploitative machinery, the Proutistic system of cooperatives is the only way to organise society so it can permanently slip away from the grips of present day blood sucking capitalists.

Prout says, "Cooperatives, run by moralists, are the only safeguard against capitalistic exploitation." (Prout in a Nutshell - 13, p.8)

Next we learn more about important aspects & vital components of the cooperative system.

Prout says, "The success of cooperative enterprises depends on three factors: morality, strong administration and the whole-hearted acceptance of the cooperative system by the people." (Prout in a Nutshell - 13, p.8)

So the Proutist system of cooperatives is the main way to re-build the society in the socio-economic sphere. To achieve this, there must be a widespread movement amongst people to seek out a solution to the vaeshyan rule. Other key factors include an organized approach and strict moralists.

HOW COOPERATIVES OPERATE

"in the cooperative model, the fair-minded earnings of the collective are rationally divided between all participants.

Prout theory states, "The total profit of such co-operatives should be distributed amongst the workers and members of the co-operative according to their individual capital investment in the cooperative and to the service they render to the production and management of the co-operative." (Prout in a Nutshell - 14, p.46)

Thus, as Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar describes above, in the cooperative system the profits are shared based on the merit system - but all are guaranteed enough funds for the necessities of life. In that way, all members of the cooperative earn a fair portion based on their investment and work ethic. This is one of the revolutionary qualities of the cooperative model."

The Proutistic model of the cooperative system is quite grand and dynamic. It is a win-win situation. All involved in the cooperative benefit greatly according to the degree of their activity and investment.

Plus there will be cooperatives in all aspects of socio-economic life: Farmers cooperatives, artist cooperatives, banking cooperatives etc. Here below Shrii Prabhat Ranajan Sarkar guides us about how the farming / agricultural cooperative will work:

"Cooperative managers should be elected from among those who have shares in the cooperative. Members of agricultural cooperatives will get dividends in two ways – according to the amount of land they donated to the cooperative, and according to the amount of their productive manual or intellectual labour. To pay this dividend, initially the total produce should be divided on a fifty-fifty basis – fifty percent should be disbursed as wages and fifty percent should be paid to the shareholders in proportion to the land they donated. Local people should get first preference in participating in cooperative enterprises." (A Few Problems Solved - 9, Some Specialities of Prout's Economic System)

Similarly, the profits and gains of every cooperative will be rationally and justly shared with all members, according to their level of involvement etc.

NOW VAESHYAN ERA IN FULL SWING:

MANY ARE GETTING EXPLOITED

Currently, however, the vaeshyan era is running at high speed - and that spells disaster for employees.

Here it should be known that employee means all levels of employees from common laborers to high level managers. Some may be thinking that employee only refers to those low paying jobs. But that is not the case. Because in the height of the vaeshyan rule all get exploited - all become shudras.

Prout theory states, "Consciousness should be developed among shúdras in order to protect them from the inhuman greed of the vaeshyas. All non-vaeshyas slip into shúdra-hood on the eve of a shúdra revolution." (Humans Society - 2, The Kśatriya Age)

The point being that even many fancy white-collar, higher level employees are getting viscously exploited and brainwashed in this current capitalist structure. Because these so-called well-paid employees work day and night to please their executives and in return are left with nothing left in their life but their job, and the mirage that they are great. When in fact they are mere lackeys for their higher ups – carrying cell phones 24 hrs per day and never getting one ounce of time to even consider and reflect upon their own life. But even then they continue on in their toil as they live out their delusion. Certainly not all employees fall in this category, as some are alert to the tendencies and tactics of capitalists. However, a large swath of the labour force are pinned down in this way.

So whether hourly wage earning employees or big-time managers, all are just pawns in the midst of capitalist exploitation. Because those cunning capitalists have convinced everyone to join their team by selling their soul. However, with every passing day, there is a growing rise of vikśubdha shúdras. As this number increases and we spread the name and ideals of Prout, the faster capitalism will meet its end.

THE FALSE FAMILY FEELING STRATEGY

The common theme these days is for companies to not be a mere company but rather to be "a family". In this way they project themselves – such as the Walmart family, the Microsoft family, the Exxon-Mobil family, the Nike family etc. By this way those top CEO's suck more of the blood of their employees.

And they get success. One reason being that in our western capitalistic countries the general populace does not have big, extended families. Nor do they maintain a strong connection with their unit family. Devoid of that, the company is able to step-in and brainwash the employees to think that the company is really their main family, and that the employees should sacrifice for the company and think first about the company's well-being. Like this those company executives train and mold the minds of their employees in order to set the stage for massive, uncontrolled exploitation.

NOT EASY TO AWAKEN THOSE EMPLOYEES

Indeed those manipulative vaeshyans have done such a masterful job of brainwashing and winning over their employees that if anyone tries to awaken those exploited employees then those employees become angry and lash out. In roaring fashion, they come to the defense of their company and become hostile toward any who approach.

So those employees do not like to hear any talk about brainwashing or psychic exploitation. Instead they blame that whistle-blower for being a trouble maker, jealous of their job, etc etc.

Thus when dealing with these exploited and brainwashed employees one must behave in a very delicate and psychological way. It is just like dealing with a very sick person who is not in proper health due to some disease. The mental condition of those brainwashed employees is no different from those sickly people.

This is the state of affairs nowadays.

Ananda Margiis are aware how this is all going on, and in society there is a growing number of vikśubdha shúdras who are keen to overturn capitalist exploitation. They may not know how or what to do, but they see the capitalists for who they are.

So our duty is to awaken more and more the extreme exploitation that is going on. Everyone must be made aware and society must advance into the next era.

THE SUFFOCATING GRIP OF CAPITALISTS

Under the vaeshyan rule, the entire society falls into the grips of capitalist exploitation. All levels and grades of employees get exploited from upper-level management all the way on down to the basic laborers. That is what we see going on today.

Prout philosophy says, "Today the whole human society is subjected to ruthless exploitation by capitalists. Capitalist exploitation has brought the very existence of humanity to the brink of extreme catastrophe by spreading its exploitative tentacles into every aspect of human life." (Prout in a Nutshell - 13)

ABOUT THEIR BRAINWASHING MANEUVER

Next we see how through their brainwashing maneuvers capitalists have gained control of the society.

"Rapacious Vaeshyas or capitalists are taking advantage of this intellectual inertness [i.e. brainwashing] and have spread a subtle web of exploitation into every corner of society, enabling them to suck the vitality out of the collective body. Through this process the Vaeshyas are insidiously perpetuating their reign of exploitation." (Prout in a Nutshell - 13, 'Capitalism Three Spheres')

WHO IS SHUDRA

Throughout His Proutistic teachings, Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar has discussed the mind-set of those who get exploited by capitalist in the height of the vaeshayan era. Those who give way to this mentality are verily shudras. Unfortunately, now in the early part of this 21st century, many fall in this category.

   "Shúdras live only for physical enjoyment. They neither bother about ideology nor give any value to rationality. Of the three aspects of time – past, present and future – they think only about the present. They have neither the time nor the inclination to think about the past or the future. Religion, spirituality and a genuine social system have no significance for them..."
   "Shúdras are always sleeping. They can perform work only if someone wakes them up. Once the work is done, they go back to sleep. In order to maintain the cáturvarńika (i.e. shudra, ksatriya, vipra, & vaeshya) social system, some work will have to be taken from the shúdras. Consciousness should be developed among shúdras in order to protect them from the inhuman greed of the vaeshyas. (All non-vaeshyas slip into shúdra-hood on the eve of a shúdra revolution.)" (Humans Society - 2, The Kśatriya Age)

CAPITALISTS WANT TO RUIN COOPERATIVE SYSTEM

Here following Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar - the Propounder of Prout - is sounding the call how corrupt capitalists aim to root out the cooperative approach.

"The main reason for the failure of the cooperative system in different countries of the world is rampant immorality which has been perpetrated by capitalist exploiters so that they can maintain their
economic exploitation." (Prout in a Nutshell - 13, p. 8)

THE SUCCESS OF PROUT IS SURE

More and more are awakened to the extreme degree of exploitation carried out by capitalist leaders. That is enough to spell the demise of capitalism coupled with the rise of the God-centered teachings of Prout.

"We are near the last stage of the Vaeshya Era. If an impact is created, it will help the suffering humanity. It is the most opportune moment for creating an all-round revolution. This is a new sub-theory under Proutistic theory and may be called gati vijina´na - the science of dynamics in PROUT." (Proutist Economics - Economic Dynamics - 1)

Namaskar,
In Him,
Kalyansundaram

NOTE 1: SIMPLE DEFINITIONS OF SHUDRA AND VAESHYA

Shudra: Those who are busy thinking about their bread and butter and do not have space to think about anything else - just their material existence.

Vaeshya: Wealthy businessman.

NOTE 2: FOR MORE INFORMATION

This entire letter is based on the teachings of Prout. Those who wish to know more about this topic should reference the various discourses on Proutist economic policies, or write in with your queries.

NOTE 3: SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

Please write-in detailing what you have seen with regards to the psychic exploitation of the masses by those capitalists. What strategies have you seem them do to befool and brainwash their employees.

NOTE 4: LINK TO THE EARLIER LETTERS IN THIS SERIES

#1: http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-shudras-are-brainwashed.html

#2: http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2013/04/re-how-shudras-are-brainwashed-2.html

Easy But Some Cannot Get It

From: "Vidyasagar.Deva"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject:  Easy But Some Cannot Get It
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2013 22:19:53

Baba

== EASY BUT SOME CANNOT GET IT ==

Namaskar,
It is quite clear that Baba's book - Problems of the Day - addresses many points across the entire gamut of Ananda Marga social philosophy. Yet sometimes this is misunderstood by some.

For instance, some years ago, one respected Dadaji publicly wrote: "the book [Problems of the Day] is focused on just one major problem - capitalism."

Thus Dadaji claimed that the Problems of the Day book is dealing with just one problem. However, we know that this is simply not true. Problems of the Day examines a wide breadth of social issues. And I think that Dada came to understand this fact.

More recently, one "author" misrepresented Problems of the Day. Throughout his own publication, which was proof-read countless times, this person refers to the book as Problem of the Day - i.e. in singular form, not Problems of the Day. Indeed, he titled chapter 17 of his book, "Problem of the Day" and throughout that 9-page chapter refers to it over and over again on every page as Problem of the Day. Why Devashish (Deva’shiis’a / Devashish / Devashiisa)  did like this in his book, The Jamalpur Years (2010), one can only surmise.

Suffice to say here that we should always present "Problems of the Day" to others in a way where they can understand that in this small booklet, Baba has graciously addressed all the major problems plaguing humanity. In seed form, He has addressed everything.

That much should always be conveyed to others - it will generate interest and curiosity - and people will be inclined to learn more. In this manner we can propagate Prout.

So everyone should be perfectly clear that Problems of the Day is not about one issue, rather all of them. Where this has been misrepresented in formal publications it should be corrected.

BEST WAY TO GET AN OVERVIEW OF PROUT

One of the best ways to get an overview of Baba's teachings on Prout is to read these three short discourses:
(1) Discourses on Prout (initially titled "A Discussion")
(2) Talks on Prout
(3) Problems of the Day

Each of the above three discourses has been published as a single chapter in the Prout in a Nutshell book series.

QUICK WAY TO KNOW ALMOST ALL POLICIES OF PROUT

Baba inaugurated the Renaissance Universal movement in Shrii Aniruddha Prasad Singh's house (Trimohan, Bhagalpur) on 26 January 1958 by delivering the famed discourse that was printed in book form as "Problems of the Day".

So Problems of the Day was given even before "Idea and Ideology", and just after Baba delivered Tattvika Praveshika. In those early days, Baba had yet to put forth His teaching on social philosophy, so those margiis were unaware about those critical issues.

Today, we see Prout as a vast body of literature which contains around 200 discourses published in 21 volumes and related books. Now we know well that Baba's Proutistic teachings cover every nook and corner of human experience. Prout is vast in scope and its entirety falls within the realm of the social philosophy of Ananda Marga.

But during those early days when Baba started Ananda Marga Pracarak Samgha, there was not so much written about our social philosophy. So margiis were not aware about Baba's social viewpoints and perspectives. So it was essential to put forth a brief yet comprehensive overview of Ananda Marga's social platform, i.e. the ideals and stand of Prout. And that is exactly what Baba did in this very discourse which HE delivered in Bhagalpur on 26 January 1958.

The 'Problems of the Day' discourse contains 37 points. All those points are independent issues. And these are not ordinary issues - they are burning issues. The whole globe is suffering from these problems. Baba, being the Taraka Brahma, even addressed points in 1958 that were not dire issues in those days, but were to become critical topics in the years to come. So with perfect knowledge and perfect foresight, Baba told everything on that occasion.

This relatively short discourse gives a pointed and dynamic overview of nearly every Proutistic teaching - in seed form. Those aware about Prout philosophy and the Problems of the Day book cannot deny this fact.

SOME OF THE POINTS ADDRESSED IN "PROBLEMS OF THE DAY"

Here are some critical examples what subjects have been addressed in this single discourse, Problems of the Day.

- Cosmic Fraternity and Ownership of Property vs Communism and Capitalism;
- Communism and Gandhism are not the Answer of Capitalism;
- Communistic approach of Accusing Capitalism is Negative;
- Policy of Distribution of Wealth vs. Capitalism and Communism;
- Spiritual Motivation vs. Communism and Capitalism;

The points do not end here. There are many more issues which Baba has addressed in this book, Problems of the Day:

- Issue of Casteism;
- Policy of Decentralization of Economy;
- Policy of Small and Large Scale Industry vs. Gandhism;
- Public Welfare, Mechanization, and Unemployment;
- Trade Union movement / Communism / Political leaders;

MORE OF THE POINTS ADDRESSED IN "PROBLEMS OF THE DAY"

Here are some more points which Baba has addressed in Problems of the Day:

- Policy of Cooperative Movement;
- Policy of Industry and Trade vs Capitalism and Communism;
- Women's Rights;
- Dowry Problem;
- Establishment of World Peace;

And still here are other issues from Baba's Problems of the Day discourse:

- World Citizenship;
- Policy of Forgiveness;
- Geo, Socio, Communal & Religious sentiment, Casteism and Universalism;
- Issue of World Government;
- World Language Issue;

FURTHER POINTS ADDRESSED IN "PROBLEMS OF THE DAY"

Also in the Problems of the Day discourse there are these points:

- World Script Issue;
- Problem of Imposing World Dress;
- Human Culture and Revolutionary Marriages;
- Population Management Issue and Birth Control;
- Control of Science & Laboratory Babes;

Here are some more points which Baba has addressed in Problems of the Day:

- Issue of Unity and Party Politics;
- Social Service and Party Politics and Universalism;
- Importance of Spirituality in Politics / Failure of Communism;
- Party politics and Communism & Capitalism;
- Classless Society and Communism;
- Issue of Education and Party Politics;

THESE POINTS AS WELL ARE PRESENT IN THE PROBLEMS OF THE DAY BOOK

And finally here are other issues from Baba's Problems of the Day discourse:

- World Government / Social service / Sadvipra leadership;
- Failure of Democracy & Election Reforms; Education Policy & Universalism;
- Social Cycle and Sadvipra Leadership;
- Social Dynamics, Revolution and Counter-Revolution;
- Ananda Marga ideology is the Only Solution;
- Materialism (Capitalism and Communism) / Sadvipra Leadership / Human society is One and Indivisible / Samgacchadhvam Mantra.

And so many more points have been addressed in this Problems of the Day (POD) book. If any sincere margii will take efforts to read carefully they may find more issues as well.

"PROBLEMS OF THE DAY" IS COMPREHENSIVE

So in this Problems of the Day discourse, Baba has given one special, comprehensive vision in a compact format. That's to say Baba has given the points in very small, form - smaller than mustard seeds yet those issues and solutions into gigantic banyan trees. So this single discourse gives pointed solutions to so many problems.

"PROBLEMS OF THE DAY" DISCOURSE ALONE IS ENOUGH FOR GENERAL PHILOSOPHICAL

OF THE VAST PROUT PHILOSOPHY

These points are very significant and of critical importance. For quick reference, this Problems of the Day discourse alone is enough for
general philosophical knowledge of the vast PROUT philosophy. With the help of this book those early margiis began their socio-political
awareness of Ananda Marga ideals and developed an understanding of the key concepts of Prout.

As we know Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji Baba has given Prout as a part of Ananda Marga philosophy, which is why the essentials of Prout stand in the 5th chapter of Ananda Sutram.

Baba has systematically addressed all the problems causing huge catastrophes and creating serious impediments to the formation of one human society. The whole globe is suffering and burning in these various problems. And Baba has given all those solutions.

Until these things are followed, the crisis is not going to finish. Rather it will escalate. So in conclusion we can say that this Problems of the Day discourse is basic and fundamental, yet dynamic and complex.

POINTS WERE ELABORATED UPON IN SUBSEQUENT PROUT DISCOURSES

Because the fact is that in this Problems of the Day discourse, Baba has given the solution to all the burning socio-economico-politico issues. Since then Baba has given one or more discourses and elaborated further upon all these points and given a more detailed solution. Yet, the foundation was all put forth on that occasion when He delivered, "Problems of th Day."

The ideas Baba has expressed in His Problems of the Day lecture have been magnified in various discourses which are available in
Prout volumes.

Although Problems of the Day is one discourse, or just one booklet or book, whatever we may call it; but its existence is very meaningful. It is like a map which is small in size but represents a vast area. That is the way this Problems of the Day discourse works.

A GREAT WAY TO LEARN THE ESSENTIALS OF PROUT

Those who want to gain a basic understanding of Prout philosophy in seed form should read "Problems of the Day" - again and again. This book touches all the points and hence is an ideal publication to recommend to sympathizers and new persons. By this way they will easily understand our socio-economico-politico stand.

DEFECTIVE SOCIAL ORDER INJECTS AN INFERIORITY COMPLEX

"There cannot be any complex in the spiritual level or existential sphere. In spirituality there is no complex because every person has contact with Parama Puruśa on a purely personal level. There is no third existence between them. There are only two – the spiritualist and the Parama Pitá [Cosmic Father]. Spiritualists move towards the Cosmic Father and sit on His lap. To do this is every one's birthright. Nobody can be debarred from doing so on the pretext of inferior caste, colour, education or poverty. Since this is everyone's birthright there cannot be any complex in the arena of spirituality. The defective social order injects an inferiority complex in the mind which often persists even when people enter the spiritual field. They feel that as the Cosmic Father is so great, how can they, being of low caste or poor or uneducated, go to Him? This is called mahimnabodha in the shástras [scriptures]. But one should not forget that the relation of father and child exists. Even if the father is a great scholar, the uneducated child will go to him and ask for whatever he requires because he or she has affection for the father. Just now I said that in the field of spirituality there cannot be any complex, but there are complexes due to social defects. It is our spiritual duty to rectify the social order. If we fail, there may not be good spiritualists. Even those who have the potentiality to become good spiritualists may not progress. They may be like a flower that dies before it blossoms.
I cannot allow this to happen. For this reason the theory of Prout has been given so that every person can progress speedily in the field of spirituality without any complex." (1)

ENTIRE THEORY OF PROUT STANDS UPON THIS VAEDIKA SERMON

"Suppose you have gathered sufficient money, and there is no dearth of food in your house, but the remaining portion of society, your neighbours, your friends, are suffering from a dearth of money, or food, or clothes. Then it means that you are not following the spirit of “samgacchadhvam”. “Samgacchadhvam” means to build a strong, well-knit society where there shall be no exploitation, no superiority complex or inferiority complex. Just to represent the spirit of “samgacchadhvam”, I propounded the theory of PROUT. So the entire theory of PROUT stands upon this Vaedika sermon of “samgacchadhvam”." (2)

CREATIONS OF VESTED INTERESTS

"Just see the case of air, light, water, respirations and everything. The need for these things is the same for all individuals. There have been no differentiations. These differentiations that we see in society are creations of vested interests, creations of depraved persons, of degenerated, immoral people. So you should not support these actional defects of immoral persons. You should follow the divine vibrational system, that is, you must not try to find any differentiations among individuals. “Devábhágam yathápúrve saḿjánáná upásate.” It is the wont of divine expressions that there be no differentiations, no class of exploiters and exploited. That is, this wont of not creating any differentiations was not only their duty, it was their upásaná, the desideratum of their existential march." (3)

BELONGS TO THE SAME BIG HUMAN FAMILY

"“Samáni va ákuti”. When everything cometh from the same source, from the same Progenitor, and when finally everything goeth back to the same desideratum, there must be the same aspirations, the same longing, in the heart of each and every individual. But due to the depraving actions of immoral people, those exploited, those downtrodden people are forced to forget their goal. They are drifted away from the desideratum of their life. This should not be done. Everybody should get the chance to develop their natural longings for Him.
“Samánáhrdayánivah”. When everything comes from the same Progenitor and moves along the same path towards the supreme culminating point, then should there be any cordial difference between man and man? No, there must not be. Everybody should be given the scope, or circumstances should be created, such that nobody gets the scope to feel that their future is sealed forever, is blocked. So let everybody feel that everybody in this expressed universe belongs to the same big human family. “Ek caoká, ek culhá, ek hyay mánav samáj”." (4)

ENEMIES OF THE BIG HUMAN SOCIETY

"“Samánamastu vo mano.” All microcosms come from the same Macrocosm, and finally, all microcosms will become one with the same Singular Macrocosm. So, while they are in society, while they are in the phenomenal world, they should remember this Supreme truth: that actually they are one, one Entity expressing itself through so many different corporeal structures. And when this is done – and it is not at all a difficult job to do it – then what will it be? It will be a society in the proper spirit of the term. And this is the loftiest, it is the highest mission of all human beings. Those who do not recognize this fact, or those who want to forget this fact, are actually enemies of human society. Those who support casteism, racialism, provincialism, parochialism, nationalism, even internationalism, are enemies of the big human society. Human society is, rather should be, based on only one ism, and that ism is universalism." (5)

Namaskar,
in Him
Vidyasagar

Note 1: WHAT IS PROUT

PROUT: Progressive Utilization Theory; Shrii P.R. Sarkar’s socio-economic theory for the all-round development of society. Proutists are adherents of PROUT. To His bhaktas, Shrii P.R. Sarkar is known as Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji, or simply Baba.

Note 2: REFERENCES

1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, The Social Order and Superiority and Inferiority Complexes
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Saḿgacchadhvaḿ
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Saḿgacchadhvaḿ
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Saḿgacchadhvaḿ
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Saḿgacchadhvaḿ

One Should Know This Proutistic Solution

Subject: One Should Know This Proutistic Solution
Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2012 21:57:36 -0000
From:
To: AM-GLOBAL

Baba

== ONE SHOULD KNOW THIS PROUTISTIC SOLUTION ==

Namaskar,
The ongoing, faltering economy continues to be a point of concern in western Europe and the US. One of the central issues is employment / unemployment. Around the globe, people are very worried about losing their job. And in some countries, where unemployment is 25%, such as in Spain, people wonder how they will ever find a job.

It seems day in and day out big corporations are laying off workers and slashing jobs. Even the big guns like Microsoft, Google, and major steel companies are cutting their workforce by the thousands. Unemployment is rising all across this region.

Despite measures to pull western economies out of its downturn for the past 4 years, still there is much turmoil. This is most evidenced by the scarcity of jobs and speed by which workers are losing their jobs.

MYTH & INDOCTRINATION OF CAPITALISM

What many fail to realise is that they have a lot more power to control the situation than they think.

Right now most people have fallen into the myth that jobs exist because big capitalist enterprises exist. Everyone has become habituated, nay brainwashed, into thinking that the corporate giants give birth to jobs. By that way people can work. This is the prevailing myth around the globe, and certainly so in the west.

This creates an extreme feeling of dependence among the workforce. People feel as if they are powerless to create their own work situation, as if their job is just a product of that capitalist system.

But that is not so.

A GREAT WAY TO KEEP JOBS ALIVE

In the corporate model, it is the workers and managers who know how to do the job and it is the owners / capitalists who exploit them to make a profit. Most often, the owners have less or no ability to do that specific work themselves. This is a key point that everyone must understand.

At present, if a worker wants to keep his job, he has to ensure that the owner is making a sufficient profit, otherwise the worker may lose his job. That is the scary situation.

Here comes the key point. Let's say one owner feels that he is no longer making enough money, or that his business interests have changed, or moved to China, and therefore he wants to shut down a factory. What workers and managers can do is to keep that factory or business open and make it into a cooperative where they all own part of the business.

After all, by themselves they can do the work. They know what needs to be done and how to do it. They have the know-how and training. All they lack is the ownership. And that can be easily gotten.

There are two ways for this to happen: Either they can organise amongst themselves and buy out the owner. Or the government can intervene and help empower workers and managers to become the owners, by creating a congenial atmosphere wherein cooperatives will grow and not collapse.

There is precedent for such types of turnovers and this is certainly going to be one key ways that we move from a capitalist economy to a cooperative economy. This is Baba's guideline.

Prout philosophy says, "In the world today different socio-economic systems are in vogue, but none of these systems are based on coordinated cooperation. Rather, in these systems social relationships are mainly based on subordinated cooperation, resulting in the degeneration of society’s moral fabric...PROUT supports the implementation of the cooperative system because its inner spirit is one of coordinated cooperation. Only the cooperative system can ensure the healthy, integrated progress of humanity, and establish complete and everlasting unity among the human race." (Prout in a Nutshell - 14)

GOVERNMENT MUST INTERVENE

Governments, like the US, have been pumping hundreds of billions of dollars in the form of stimulus packages in order to save or rescue the dying capitalist structure.

If that same money were used to help workers and managers turn their industries into cooperatives, then that would be a boon for the society. As the capitalist system crumbles, politicians and economists will be forced to move in this direction.

Till that time, it is our duty to highlight Prout's cooperative model. Baba wants that there should be cooperatives in all the spheres of economic life: Agriculture, farming, producers, and consumers etc.

When government gets involved in helping workers and managers create their own cooperatives, then that will certainly help in creating a smoother transition. Government officials will have to nurture cooperatives and bring about a congenial environment for their growth.

This will be one excellent way of fighting unemployment. At present unemployment increases whenever ownership feels dissatisfied with their profit margin. But when people realise that they can organise the business among themselves and all make a reasonable income, then they will no longer be at the mercy of those capitalists.

It will be advantageous for governments to help make this a reality because it goes in their favour to have citizens who work rather than have a large sector of the population that is unemployed.

FORMING COOPERATIVES

Here Baba provides some insight as to how the cooperative model will develop. The following is an example related with agriculture. However, the same principles apply to all fields of economic life.

Prout philosophy says, "Cooperative members should form a board of directors for each cooperative. The board should decide the amount of profit to be divided among the members; that is, the dividend to be paid to each shareholder. However, the total profit should not be distributed in the form of dividends – some should be kept for reinvestment or purchasing items such as tractors, manure, etc.; some should also be used for increasing authorized capital; and some should be deposited in the reserve fund. The reserve fund should be used to increase the value of the dividend in the years when production is low. If this system is followed the authorized capital will not be affected." (Prout in a Nutshell - 14)

Baba has graciously laid down a very practical and attainable plan. So no one feel overwhelmed; this is not a daunting task. Rather, this is well within reach. After all, the employees already know how execute the work of their company. All they need to learn is how to organise themselves into a functioning cooperative.

Already some visionary companies have begun to form themselves in this way. As the economic downturn continues, cooperatives will be the key way that people can save their jobs. If we spread the ways of Prout, the cooperative system will be a natural resultant due to pressure of circumstances.

DEFECT OF CURRENT CAPITALIST MODEL

The capitalist model is full of loopholes: The middle man, profit-motive above all else, exploitation of workers, exploitation of resources, etc All these are glaring defects of capitalism.

Now corporate ventures may use profits from one business to keep another business afloat, or they may use profits for extravagant merriment for the bosses etc. Or so many selfish things may be done with the profits. Rarely does it go back into the enhancement of the business itself and betterment of the workers. Rather it feeds the greedy owners.

This is a dead end street and the ways that Baba has described above about the cooperative system are far more dynamic and beneficial.

CAPITALISM KILLS ITSELF

In this economic downturn, capitalists complain and justify that because there is not sufficient demand for their products, then "How can I hire anyone." What they fail to realise however is that they themselves are the cause. Because they swallow up all the profits and do not pay their laborers a decent salary, then those laborers do not have any money to spend. When laborers do not have purchasing capacity, then there will not be demand for the products produced by capitalists. In which case they will not hire anyone. It is a vicious cycle - all a result of capitalist greed.

In contrast, in the cooperative system, the profits get shared among the workers. Their income is thus higher than in the capitalist system. More precisely, they have greater purchasing capacity. In turn, they will spend money on products and services that they need. Money will roll and the economy will not be stagnant. With increased buying power, demand will also rise, and hence there will be plenty of jobs.

So the cooperative system is diametrically opposite to the capitalist system on many levels, including employment / unemployment. The capitalist system creates unemployment whereas the cooperative system heightens employment.

A key example of this is how Apple and other big US corporations have, in total, 2 - 5 trillion dollars in bank accounts, i.e. cash on hand. Those corporations do not want to invest that money because they are not confident that they will get a good return. So they are just sitting on their profits.

Yet, side by side, unemployment stands at nearly 8% in the US. Those companies are not hiring, even though they have stockpiles of cash. Because they do not feel that there will be demand - it will not be profitable.

This is a clear-cut manifestation of how US capitalism is on the pathway to killing itself. The money does not roll but rather stagnates, leading to higher unemployment and decreased purchasing capacity for the populace. The problem of economic stagnation worsens and the economy spirals further downward. That is the tale of capitalism's death.

MUST THINK OUT OF THE BOX

So then why hasn't society begun to move on a mass-scale towards the cooperative system? The answer is simple. People are not familiar with it. Certainly they have heard the name, but they remain unfamiliar with how a cooperative functions.

Generally people only think within that paradigm in which they were born. Muslims can only fathom worshiping Allah and no other. Christians think that Christ is the only way. Those who grew up eating meat feel that slaughtering animals is the only way to fill their stomach. People get stuck or trapped in a particular outlook.

That is why in capitalist countries, people think that jobs can only be born from corporate entities. Even the government has fallen for this myth. That is why they are using all the brain-power and financial wealth to stimulate the corporate cycle all over again.

Soon though they will see that this will not work. Capitalism is a dying breed and another system is needed.

So we should get the ball rolling in the direction of Prout. We should be properly educated, ready, and inspired to show the people how cooperative can be used to save themselves from the depths of unemployment. All they need is a little bit of light to see that something else is out there. Then they will come running.

Once people understand and see how the cooperative system can save their livelihood and given them new life, such cooperatives will spring up in each and every corner of this earth.

PROUT IS ON THE HORIZON

The day is not far off - rather it is quite near - when the policies and programs of Prout will be embraced from the people. As people shake themselves free of the current myths of capitalism, they will naturally turn towards the direction of Prout.

"People should work to enjoy sweeter fruits by establishing the cooperative system. PROUT raises the slogans: "We want cooperatives"." (Prout in a Nutshell - 14)

Namaskar,
in Him,
Balakrsna

Note 1: MORE PROUT TEACHINGS ON THE COOPERATIVE SYSTEM

"In the modern world the cooperative system is the best system of agricultural and industrial production. In the cooperative system members can pressurize the government because of their collective strength and gain financial help and various facilities to increase production. They can pressurize the government to provide better irrigation facilities and high yielding seeds and even make infertile land productive. Land with little fertility can be transformed into fertile farm land with proper care. This will increase total agricultural production and also help a country become self-sufficient in food production and cash crops, freeing it from food shortages. In addition, plots of land on the same level and of the same fertility can be turned into larger single plots by removing all dividing boundaries. However, if the land is undulating and varies in fertility, the division of land may be maintained, otherwise land cannot be properly irrigated." (Proutist Economics, Cooperative Production)

"Industry, agriculture, trade and commerce – almost everything – needs to be managed, as far as possible, through cooperative organizations. For this, special facilities will have to be provided to cooperative organizations whenever necessary. Adequate safeguards will have to be arranged, and slowly private ownership, or the system of individual management, will have to be eradicated from specific areas of agriculture, industry, trade and commerce. Only those enterprises which are difficult to manage on a cooperative basis because they are either too small, or simultaneously small and complex, can be left to individual management. Similarly, the responsibility for those enterprises which cannot be conveniently managed on a cooperative basis because they are either too large, or simultaneously large and complex, can be undertaken by the immediate state government (in the case of a federation), or by the local body (in the absence of a federation). It is desirable that the management of industrial, agricultural, trade and commercial enterprises not be in the hands of the central government or the world government (after the establishment of the world government). If it is, the common people will not get the direct or even the indirect opportunity to participate in the management of these enterprises. In such cases capitalists, opportunists or self-seeking politicians can easily take control of them and misappropriate public wealth." (Problems of the Day, pt #11)

"Regarding cooperatives, we must not forget that cooperatives only function properly under a strong government. They cannot function under a weak democratic structure. Before starting cooperatives a psychological environment has to be created. In the Proutistic structure rationalization means less labour, more leisure and more comfort. In order to safeguard the interests of these cooperatives in the field of industry, it has to be emphasised that key industries should be run by the government so that there will not be any occasion for a tool down and the consequent closure of subsidiary industries in the cooperative sector. However, slogans calling for the cooperative movement are untimely in the present system as the psychological background is lacking. If cooperatives are established at the present time, they will simply cause losses to the national wealth. It may be questioned whether it is desirable for a government to engage in commercial concerns, and if so, how can the labour problems in such concerns be solved permanently? In principle governments should not run commercial concerns, but in those cases where it is not possible to run a concern on a cooperative basis, the government should take the lead. However, such concerns should be mostly assembly factories. The manufacture of component parts for these assembly factories should be done through industrial cooperatives. In extreme cases, where industrial cooperatives are unable to manufacture certain components, they should be manufactured by the government. In such concerns there will be no net profit because it is often the question of profit which creates labour problems. The cost of production may be suitably reduced to make it a no-profit, no-loss concern. It is, however, necessary to keep both financial and commercial accounts to ensure that the concern does not run at a loss. If any loss occurs in such a factory it should be converted into an industrial cooperative." (Talks on Prout)

 

 

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"A'ma'r ghare tumi ele, cale gele keno..."    - P.S. 778

Purport:

Baba when You have come to my house then why did You leave. If You had the desire & plan to go within such a short period, then why did You bother
to come. It is so unbearable and painful for me.  

You ignited and illuminated thousands of stars in this vast sky. And as I look towards them in this dark midnight hour, they are all encircling around me and questioning me that why I allowed You to go. What can I say - I told them that in the future You may be coming again.

Now it is dawn. Look, the night jasmine is lying in the dust, crying in frustration. It cannot speak because of the cold weather; but it is crying in longing for You. The same thing has happened to the lotus flower in the pond. It does not like to bloom anymore; it is still crying in longing.

Baba, O' my Dearmost, when You Yourself took trouble to come to my house then why did You leave so soon...

Re: Prout Practiced in Every Ideal Family #2

Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2012 18:41:18 -0000
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Re: Prout Practiced in Every Ideal Family #2
From: Valmiki Deva "vd_deva@4link....."

Baba

== Re: PROUT PRACTICED IN EVERY IDEAL FAMILY ==

~ Part 2 ~

(Note: This is the second letter in this series. A link to the first letter is appended below. - Eds)

Namaskar,
"The truth is that Prout is very much a practical philosophy that is already on display on this earth. Already the major tenets of Prout are being practiced by ideal families across the globe.

A true family functions off of the dual approach of service and consumption. Things are done and goods are purchased for the welfare and utilisation of those family members - not for profit. If someone is sick, the right medicine is procured: Period. And if someone is hungry then food is offered etc. There is no question of deliberating if a particular action will be profitable or not. According to their means, family members provide for everyone in their family." (From Prout Practiced in Every Ideal Family - Part 1)

As we know, our Proutistic philosophy mandates that every person be given food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and education and this is what we see happening in our ideal families across the globe.

Baba says, "In a joint family every member is provided with adequate food, clothing, education and medical treatment, and amenities, as per their individual needs, according to the financial capacity of the entire family." (Problems of the Day #1)

ALL ARE CARED FOR IN AN IDEAL WORLDLY FAMILY

Here the whole point is that the ideal worldly unit family (husband and wife, children, and grandparents) is not governed by the profit motive. Rather, everyone's needs are assessed and ultimately met, as far as possible. To that end, the children's education is emphasized, the elderly are cared for, the parents provide food to everyone in the house. Indeed, so many things are done.

Hence on a practical level, on a day-to-day basis, our Prout philosophy is alive and well in our ideal worldly family households, whereas the ways of greedy capitalism are not at all tolerated in our family lives.

Baba says, "If, however, any member of the family appropriates more grains, clothes, books or medicines than he requires, will that person not be the cause of distress to other members of the family? In such circumstances his actions will be certainly against dharma – certainly antisocial." (Problems of the Day #1)

Thus, as Baba points out, there may be some very degraded fellows that do not follow these principles, but they cannot be called true family members. Rather they are anti-social beings who need severe rectification. Because the ways of over-accumulation and cheating are not tolerated in our family life.

And the day is soon to come when it will not be tolerated in our collective life either. The days of capitalism are numbered.

Suffice to note here that in each and every region, we will find proper worldly families who neatly adhere to our code of Proutistic living, whether they are aware of the term 'Prout' or not.

CREATING A PROUTISTIC SOCIETY

So creating a fully Proutistic society is not far off. It is quite close by.

We need not look deep into our Ananda Marga ideology to find that those very tenets, already present in ideal worldly family life, are to be applied to make a Proutistic human society. It is just a matter of extension or extrapolation, nothing more.

On the very first pages of "Problems of the Day", Baba gives this very solution.

Baba says, "We must not forget, even for a single moment, that the entire animate world is a vast joint family...All living beings can enjoy their rightful share of this property, like members of a joint family in the Da'yabha'ga system. As members of a joint family, human beings should safeguard this common property in a befitting manner and utilize it properly. They should also make proper arrangements so that everyone can enjoy it with equal rights, ensuring that all have the minimum requirements of life to enable them to live in a healthy body with a sound mind." (Problems of the Day #1)

So the building of a Prout society is nothing more than the application of our ideal family values to one and all.

That is not to say that Prout will immediately be implemented and flourish on this earth. It will take trial, ingenuity, and, most importantly, a spiritual outlook; but, nonetheless, in its micro form, Prout is already being practiced on this globe. So it is not something foreign either.

Plus, as the ills of capitalism continue to create more and more problems on this earth - from poverty to environmental destruction, from economic depressions to cheating, unemployment, and theft etc - humanity will be desperately searching for a solution.

Now then is the perfect time to do more and more pracar of the Proutistic vision and raise the consciousness of the common people. Then we will easily be able to establish new ideas and new habits. So it is our duty to educate people about Prout.

Baba Himself says that if we merely introduce people to the term Prout, then our Prout movement will be successful. People should know Prout exists, i.e. name recognition. Once that is done, then in a natural, organic manner the ideals of Prout will be integrated into collective norms. That is Baba's stated guideline.

So it is our duty to highlight the ideals of Prout in a simple, positive, and practical manner to convince the people to move in this direction. And what better way to do this than to demonstrate how already Prout is functioning on this globe - in our worldly family lives.

Prout is right on the cusp of becoming established - it is not far off. Already, it is present all around us, and in a much shorter time than we think, it will flourish on a grander scale on this earth.

The key point to it all is extending our inherent worldly family feeling to one and all on this earth. And verily this is natural for us as human beings.

OUR NATURAL SOCIAL WAY

In but a few lines Baba explains how it is the dharma of all to live together in a Proutistic manner - with deep affinity for one and all - and that by going against this, one is transgressing their social dharma. Hence if anyone adopts any greedy, capitalistic methods, then theirs will not be tolerated as a proper way of living.

Baba says, "A member of a joint family cannot be called a social being if he does not possess the sentiment of oneness with the other members, or if he does not want to accept the lofty ideal of joint rights and the principle of rationality. According to true spiritual ideology the system of private ownership cannot be accepted as absolute and final, and hence capitalism cannot be supported either." (Problems of the Day #1)

Thus, through our spiritual values, we will be able to easily make Prout a pervasive approach in our society. That is our natural dharma.

Already Prout is the way in our ideal, worldly family households and soon that clean extension will take place to bring our entire human family under the banner of Prout.

BABA'S BLESSING

Baba says, "For a healthy society, for a healthy social structure...Today or tomorrow the entire world will accept PROUT as the only panacea for all the world’s mundane and supramundane ailments. There is no alternative." (Prout Nutshell - 17)

Namaskar,
Valmiki

Note 1: LINK TO PRIOR LETTER ON THIS TOPIC

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2012/10/prout-practiced-in-every-ideal-family.html

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"Sukhe dukhe a'mi toma'y bha'loba'si, toma'r tare ka'ndi ha'si..." (Prabhata Samgiita #2679)

Purport:

Baba, in both my pleasure and pain, I love You. I cry as well as laugh for You. My entire existence is revolving around You. You are my everything. You are the jewel of my heart - my most precious and attractive One. In my mental sky, You are the only shining Entity, like the full moon. O' Parama Purusa, You are my everything.

Baba, I do not know since which hoary past You came in my life. Nor do I know when You made everything effulgent. You created this world, and since the dawn of this creation You are. Since that time the divine effulgence is still shining as it is - unchanged. It did not become faint. It does not obey the time factor. It is eternal.

Baba, You are One but You are expressing Yourself in infinite ways. You are that Singular Entity, but also You have created many. This whole creation is also Your form. So You are always playing Your divine liila with this world which You have created. This divine liila is a mix of darkness and effulgence. By this way, and with the attraction of Your love, sometimes You keep me close and sometimes You keep Yourself at a distance.

Baba, You are my Dearmost, I am singing Your name and keeping Your warm feeling in my heart - all the time, day and night. 24hrs. It is Your grace...

Prout Practiced in Every Ideal Family

Date: 08 Oct 2012 19:06:37 -0000
From: "Acintya Mittra" a88mittra@
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Prout Practiced in Every Ideal Family

Baba

== PROUT PRACTICED IN EVERY IDEAL FAMILY ==

~ Part 1 ~

Namaskar,
In this age of extreme capitalistic greed & avarice, where materialism and the profit motive are king, it is very clear that the time is ripe for the sprout of Prout to grow and come to fruition.

Already, Prout is very much a practical philosophy that is manifest on this earth: The major tenets of Prout are being practiced by ideal families across the globe.

HOW PROUT IS ALREADY MANIFEST ON THIS GLOBE

A true family functions off of the dual approach of service and consumption. Things are done and goods are purchased for the welfare and utilisation of those family members - not for profit. If someone is sick, the right medicine is procured: Period. And if someone is hungry then food is offered etc. There is no question of deliberating if a particular action will be profitable or not. According to their means, family members provide for everyone in their family.

And that is indeed the way Prout functions: It is based on the rational consumption and utility of resources for the well-being of all. So the ideal family unit and Prout are quite compatible.

Furthermore, no true family will ever bring vices into their home that are not needed or harmful like cigarettes, toxins etc. They will not intentionally undermine the well-being of their family in this way for their own self-interest - never.

So the manifestation of Prout as a pillar of society is not something beyond our grasp or beyond human conception. All that is needed is to apply those same Proutistic principles that are already present in our family lives to the greater society.

Now let's take a closer look at this entire situation.

THE WORLD IS READY FOR PROUT:

CAPITALISTS IMPOSE HARMFUL AGENTS INTO SOCIETY

At present, the world is working off of the greedy capitalistic model. Businesses, industries, and economies all over the globe are based solely on the profit motive. That is the be-all & end-all of capitalism: So long as a business is able to make money then its presence is justified in the society.

For that reason, businesses do not care about what is needed in the society, nor do they care what is beneficial for the society. Only they are concerned with turning a profit. That is the golden ticket. With that in mind, an industry may produce all kinds of useless or even harmful products, so long as they think they can make a profit.

For instance, to increase profits, capitalists fill society with gambling halls, narcotics (illegal drugs), perverted literature, violent video games, degrading movies, harmful medicines, tainted food products pornography, and so much more. These vices and caustic items are lethal for society, even then capitalists impose them. Why? Profits. The bottom line for them is how much money they make - not the well-being and proper growth of society.

The world has grown weary of the ill effects of capitalism. Goodp people in all areas are seeking the right alternative to the exploitative and profit-oriented capitalistic system. By merely talking to people about Prout is a big step toward bringing Prout from the model of the ideal family to the general society.

THE WORLD IS READY FOR PROUT:

CAPITALISTS FAIL TO DO THE NEEDFUL, RATHER EXPLOIT WEAKNESS OF SOCIETY

Not only do capitalists inject harmful agents into the society, but there are many things that are needed but are not produced by capitalists because they are not profitable or marketable: Solar cars, cheap medicines, well-insulated homes, locally grown foods, and so many things.

For instance, nowadays doctors, drug companies and lab technicians do not research or produce medicine for uncommon diseases like vitiligo (white patches on the skin), testicular cancer, gastric lymphoma and so many more. Verily, there are so many diseases classified as "rare" where no medical research is in process because the money is not there. Basically, if less than 200,000 people suffer from a disease in the US, it is labeled as "rare" or "orphan" - in which case drug companies and medical researchers do not want to touch it as it is too costly for them, i.e. too difficult to make a big profit. So those people who contract these diseases are left to suffer.

At the same time, there are hundreds of drugs / medicines made each year for common diseases like coronary heart disease because that is profitable. Even though there are a sufficient number of medications on the market to treat those who are ill, they invent more medicines just to make a profit. Often they just transger the same medicines into a new bottle with a new label just to increase sales. Then they stop producing generic medications so people are forced to pay top-dollar for name-brand meds. And of course they rarely (or never) tell patients they can cure their hypertension entirely through lifestyle changes. Why do they not say anything? Because they do not want to lose paying customers for their products, i.e. medicines.

These are but a few of the tricks done in today's greedy medical industry whereby needed products are missing entirely and profitable ones are mass produced because they are money-makers. The outcome: The needs of society are not met - only those at the helm increase their income.

This approach of course is not just related with the medical industry. There are so many much needed products missing from the marketplace on the whole, simply because capitalists do not think them profitable. I am sure everyone can easily generate their own list of things.

Here the entire concept is that the faulty approach of capitalism does not consider human interest and welfare, rather it just imposes its will on society in order to increase sales and make a bigger profit.

Such an approach has gone on long enough - people are looking for answers. And that solution Baba has given: Prout. And Prout is the practical approach as already ideal family members subscribe to Prout principles.

FAMILIES HEAL A WEAKNESS, CAPITALISTS EXPLOIT IT

Here is another way of examining this situation. If any family member is sick, then with a compassionate heart the other members of the family will nurture and care for them. Because that person is in need of support. But in the greedy capitalistic society, when someone is in need of something, then immediately big business and corporate entities devise ways to exploit that particular weakness. For instance, if the power goes out then corporations will double the price of generators because they know people need home generators. Thus, wherever greedy capitalists find a soft spot or point of weakness in society, they exploit the situation to enhance their profits. That is the way capitalism works.

Prout, on the other-hand is not based on profit, but rather consumption. Proutists will produce more of what is needed in order to meet the needs of society. They will not exploit the situation for their own gain, but will rather try to solve the problem.

Is this not the healing balm for today's greedy, capitalistic society.

SUMMARY: PROUT IS NOT FAR OFF

Given today's environment, it is clear that soon Prout will take shape on this earth.

In truth, we are much closer than we think. Already Prout is established in ideal families around the globe and soon those ideals will take shape on a broader level in society.

More about this will be shared in my next letter on this topic. Please write in with your thoughts and reflections.

Namaskar,
Acintya

Note: PROUT VS CAPITALISM

Here is but one of Baba's many teachings wherein He contrasts the greedy approach of capitalism with the rational, holistic manner of Prout.

Baba says, "Economic decentralization means production for consumption, not production for profit. Economic decentralization is not possible under capitalism, because capitalist production always tries to maximize profit. Capitalists invariably produce at the lowest costs and sell at the highest profits. They prefer centralized production, which leads to regional economic disparity and imbalances in the distribution of the population. In the decentralized economy of PROUT on the other hand, production is for consumption, and the minimum requirements of life will be guaranteed to all. All regions will get ample scope to develop their economic potentiality." (Proutist Economics, Economic Democracy)

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

Introduction to Prabhat Samgiita #3007:

In this song, Baba explains how even though some sadhakas are aware about sadhana, the do's and don'ts of life, and the disciplined system of practice, they can't follow the cult properly because of the various pashas [bondages] and ripus [internal enemies]. However, by Baba's grace, if in the corner of their heart there is devotion, then they will feel in their heart that the Lord will help them reach the final Goal.

In this song, Baba has come to the sadhaka and the sadhaka is communicating with Him. During the first few minutes, i.e. the first stanza, the sadhaka is speaking indirectly to Him and telling: You promised me in dhyana that You would come, and now You have come so please grace me.

Prabhata Samgiita #3007:

Ke jeno a'sia' marme pashiya',
Bolilo- madhu ma'se a'sibe-

Mor jata dos'a mane ca'pa' ros'a,
S'amiya'- karun'a'- karibe-,
Bolilo- madhu ma'se a'sibe-

Path dekha'yecho path bujhiya'chi
A'--------------------------------a'
Path dekha'yecho path bujhiya'chi
A'lasye upeks'a' karechi---
Jene shune bhu'l pathe caliya'chi
Bharosa'- holo smita ha'sibe-,
Bolilo- madhu ma'se a'sibe-

Ja'ni mor bolite- kichu na'i,
A'---------------------------------------a'
Ja'ni mor bolite- kichu na'i,
Toma'r jinise mor bole ja'i
E moha chalana' shra'nti ya'tana'
Bolo nirasan karibe- kabe,
Bolilo- madhu ma'se a'sibe-

Ke jeno a'sia' marme pashiya',
Bolilo- madhu ma'se a'sibe-

Purport:

(Note: Here the sadhaka is indirectly addressing Parama Purusa as He, but the sadhaka is talking to Parama Purusa.)

One day in my sadhana someone (Baba) appeared in my mind, in my heart, and said He would come in the vernal month. He also told me He will wipe away all the sins which I committed - knowingly and unknowingly - by his karuna of dharma samiksa. He told He would forgive me for my suppressed frustration and all my shortcomings, and shower His karuna'.

(Note: Now in their conversation the sadhaka is directly addressing Parama Purusa as You.)
 
O' Lord now You have come to me. You have shown me the path and taught me sadhana, 16pts, all the do's and don'ts, and conduct rules. I understood everything theoretically and memorized it all. By Your grace I understood Your guideline; yet because of my lethargy, I neglected to follow that path. I always thought I would do dharma sadhana tomorrow but never did it in the proper way. I went on living an improper life. Knowingly, I treaded the wrong path, but because of Your love and compassion towards me, I always feel in my heart that You will gently smile [1] when You come and shower Your grace and clean me. Now You have come, so please grace me, O lord.

Baba, You have created me. This entire universe is Yours. I know I have nothing to call my own; nothing belongs to me.  Even this physical body which is giving me shelter, this also is not mine. Even then I think of Your objects as mine. [2] Because of my inflated ego and false vanity, I wrongly think that all these worldly possessions which I have are mine. This infatuating deception, this agony of illusion, O my Lord, please tell me when You will dispel it.

Baba, I do not have strength to follow your path, now You have come by Your causeless grace pull me towards You on my Lord...


END NOTES FOR PRABHATA SAMGIITA #3007:

[1]: When you have deep, deep love for someone, then you know in your heart that when you see them, they will not think about your past mistakes but will instead express their kindness and affection. It is just like how a small child never thinks: "My mother will only calculate about my wrongdoings when she sees me after school. Instead, with her love my mom will warmly embrace me and serve me something sweet to eat." In stark contrast, in the case of the judge and a convict, that never happens: The judge will always look upon the convict with consternation. Whereas in the loving relation between Parama Purusa and the sadhaka, when they meet He always showers His grace and kindness because at that time both feel truly happy just by seeing one another.

[2]: Commonly human beings think that the material possessions that they have are their own and they brag about that to others. People think, "I
have this property and this mansion and this prestige etc." But they do not know that what they think is theirs does not actually belong to them. The real owner is Parama Purusa. What to say about one's property, their first shelter,. i.e. their body, also belongs to Him.

Baba says, "This body, this mind, this wealth has been given to me by Parama Purus'a...That is, the actual owner of this body, the actual owner of this mind is He." (Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14)

Basic Characteristic

Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2012 20:54:49
To: AM-GLOBAL
From: V.J.K. Rajpurhit
Subject: Basic Characteristic

Baba

Intro to PS: In this following song, the loving Parama Purus'a, Tara'ka Brahma, is communicating directly with the devotee. Specifically, in a personal way, the divine Entity, Tara'ka Brahma, is asking the sadhaka various questions. In contrast, in most Prabhat Samgiita songs, the devotee is singing or expressing his own thoughts to Parama Purusa. But this entire song is different: It is expressed in the voice of Parama Purusa; He Himself is narrating the scene.

"Kende kende tava kavarii-bandha khuliya' giya'che ka'r tare..."  P.S. 1104

Purport:

For whom have been crying such that the braids in your hair have become loose and undone; now your hair is just falling in an unkempt manner. Who is responsible for causing you so much pain. Even then you are trying hard to conceal your grief-stricken & broken heart; but by seeing your pain-filled eyes anyone can understand how sorrowful you are. 

Indeed, you are so upset that you cannot maintain the proper melody or tune of the song which you are singing. Why like this - whose longing has caused all these problems & distress in your life.  

Now look, the whole day has passed and it is reaching up towards evening time. The brightness of the day is gone and now evening is falling. The sun is going to set; that time has come. 

At this time in this lonely place, why are You sitting here by yourself in this isolated forest. Tell me, whose memory is churning your heart; why are you so heart-broken. The whole day you have been sitting here alone involved in contemplation and now evening has come and still you are remaining here. Who is the cause behind all this, how has this happened - please tell me.
 
Always remember that the balaka bird flies off to far distant places, but again and again it returns and comes back to its own nest. Similarly, if your Beloved has gone far away, then He too will return again and come back. So please do not cry.
 
O' devotee, whose love has shaken your whole existence. Rest assured that He will come...

== BASIC CHARACTERISTIC ==

Baba says, "The present world is plagued with numerous problems. To solve these problems we need ideal men and women who are highly evolved from within; strong men and women whose lives are based on the solid foundation of spirituality. In the absence of such people the problems will remain unsolved." (Ananda Marga Ideology - 10, p.759)

In this DMC discourse, Baba guides us that the problems troubling the globe  nowadays can only be solved by spiritually minded soldiers - true sadhakas. Only those whose mind and heart have been dyed in the ocean of cosmic ideation can lead the society into that new era of peace and fulfillment. Such evolved spiritual revolutionaries have the unique ability, by His grace, to bring forth Prout.

Side by side Baba warns us that without such people at the helm, society will continue in its downward spiral. 

Baba's teaching is quite obvious so most in our Marga are understanding, but still a few are thinking that non-sadhakas can be leaders of Prout. But this is just their misunderstanding. Non-sadhakas can be sympathizers and helpers, but not leaders.    

Baba's golden guideline is that without spirituality no human being can solve even meagre problems what to say about grave problems.

Namaskar,
Vidyasagar

Economic Myths Around the Globe: Part 3

To: AM-GLOBAL
From: Prakash-42@eos....com
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2012 - 0000
Subject: Economic Myths Around the Globe: Part 3

Baba

== ECONOMIC MYTHS AROUND THE GLOBE ==

~ PART 3 ~

Namaskar,
Thus far in this series the following myths of capitalism have been debunked:

Myth #1: Everyone can be a billionaire
Myth #2: Economic Depressions Are Natural & Unavoidable
Myth #3: Worker Layoffs are Inevitable

Here is yet another myth that is prevalent in this capitalist era.

MYTH #4: THE WEST IS INNOVATIVE

These days, around the globe, many people wrongly believe that the west is innovative, i.e. that the people of Europe and the US are more innovative thinkers than in other parts of the globe. This is a common notion, albeit false.

The real program at work is that since, at present, there is more money in the west due to massive exploitation of natural resources and labor, then the west is able to attract the greatest minds and most talented people from around the globe to come and work for their companies and corporations.

Tens of thousands, or even millions, of gifted students and professionals from India and other nations have touched down in the west to pursue their aims. Because of the opportunity to earn money.

Prout philosophy states, “This is the reason why the brain drain is happening in India. When talented people leave India, they leave [permanently to pursue opportunities abroad].” (Prout in a Nutshell – 17)

And this same idea is expressed in other discourses such as in Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 9.

So this belief that the US is the most innovative land as if the air or water in America makes people more innovative is totally wrong. Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries in the US are the result of talented people from other parts of the globe living on American soil.

Here we should keep in mind that every country has talented people and every country has foolish people. Good people can be found everywhere.

This then is yet another myth.

In a Proutistic economy, this brain drain phenomenon will be obsolete as each and every samaj will be able to provide proper job, professional, and economic opportunities for people from that locale. In that case talented citizens will not run off to some far distant land because that is the only place to earn a living.

THE FUTILITY OF MATERIALISM

Here Baba points out the futility of materialism and how sooner or later all will run to the path of spirituality.

Prout philosophy states, “In the first stage of human life, when people notice the colourful processions of various tanma’tras such as form, taste, smell, colour and touch, they immediately become attracted towards them. The entire universe appears to be a grand caravan of many colours; it seizes their senses and their minds rush after it, taking it to be the goal of life. In the first stage, this enchanting material panorama propels people from their inner world to external life. If at that stage, someone tells them to move towards the internal world, they become irritated and annoyed. They think, “Oh, I’m quite fine here!” Blending their colours with the colours of all, strolling on soft carpets of green grass, they think, “All these things are meant for me!”...Trials and tribulations compel people to ponder deeply; sorrows inspire them to analyse the law of cause and effect. Their wounded hearts want to be soothed with a healing balm from an entity greater than themselves.” (Namah Shivaya Shantaya)

BABA’S BLESSING

So spirituality within a Proutistic system yet at present there are countless myths spinning around the globe about the inevitable ways of capitalism, as if those are the ultimate realities of life. By spreading the word of Prout and teaching the people, we will easily be able to show the world that the myths of capitalism need not hinder our human progress any longer.

Prout philosophy states, “PROUT’s approach is to guarantee the minimum requirements for all, guarantee maximum amenities for all and guarantee special amenities for people with special capabilities. This approach will ensure ever increasing acceleration in the socio-economic sphere. The question of retardation does not arise; even the question of maintaining speed does not arise. There must be acceleration. Acceleration is the spirit of life, the spirit of existence, the spirit of the existential faculty. One may not be a genius, one may simply be a member of the ordinary public, and not properly accepted or respected by all, but even then one will get the minimum requirements and maximum amenities in an ever increasing manner according to the environmental condition concerned, according to the demands of the day.” (Proutist Economics)

Namaskar,
Prakash Deva

Note: LINKS TO EARLIER LETTERS IN THIS SERIES

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2012/06/economic-myths-around-globe.html

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2012/06/economic-myths-around-globe-part-2.html

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"Ga'n racechile keno tumi ja'no..."    P.S. 4493

Purport:

Baba, Your ways are so divine. Only You know why You have composed so many beautiful songs. Baba, You have graciously filled Your sweet and tender songs with an intoxicating melody & tune that satiates everyone's heart and mind.  

Baba, with those blissful songs You have spread Your divine effulgence in every nook and corner of this dusty earth, and also along the dark bottom of the deepest chasm - everywhere, all throughout the five fundamental factors. Baba, by Your grace, everyone has become divinely vibrated. Baba, You have lovingly expressed Your heart-felt feeling with Your divine touch. Before this nobody could imagine Your exquisite sweetness, but now by Your grace everyone's mind is drenched in Your cosmic bliss.

Baba when starting this creation You lovingly thought, 'I want to become many. And I will start My divine play with pleasure and pain within all My creations.' Baba, You have made the flower blossom and filled it with the color; and You have showered us with the grace of Your divine effulgence and awakened our hearts with divine truth. Baba, Your liila is incomparable. You have created this whole universe; You have created the divine songs of Prabhat Samgiita, and shown the path how to love You. Baba, Your liila is infinite...

How To Solve the Problem

Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2012 22:48:51
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: How To Solve the Problem
From: Jiivendra

Baba

"Ruper mela'y bose tumi arup ga'n shun'iye ja'o..." (PS 3331)

Purport:

  O' Formless One, O' Divine Entity, You have situated Yourself in the festival and grandeur of form. You have created Your advent in this colourful world. You are playing Your flute -  singing Your song for me. Baba, You have come emanating Your eternal call. Bathing Yourself in the ocean of form, You resonate Your divine sound in my heart. That is: by leaving Your eternal formless stance of Nirguna Brahma, You graciously descend upon this earth as the Taraka Brahma and come into the world of form. You fill the heart with devotion and with the irresistible urge to get You. O' my dearmost, You have come into the world of form and showered Your grace by playing Your eternal flute.  

Baba, Your sound - Your divine flute - resonates eternally in animate and inanimate beings, in flora and fauna, in mobile and immobile beings, everywhere. You saturate Your divine love in every thought and in all expressions.   Baba, You play Your flute and by Your grace it vibrates in all atoms and in every molecule - in everything and everywhere.

O' Parama Purus'a, You are the Na'dtanu [1] of the ages, You are beyond time; You are Ka'la'tiita. You are immutable. You remain in one unaltered state in all times: past, present and future. Because of Your immutable characteristics, You are not only beyond the bondage of time (Ka'la'tiita) but also beyond the bondage of space (Desha'tiita) and beyond the bondage of form (Rupa'tiita).  

O' Na'dtanu, O' Parama Purusa, I do sastaunga pranam at Your alter...


END NOTE PRABHAT SAMGIITA #3331:

[1] Na'dtanu: This is one of the countless names that describes one of the infinite attributions of Parama Purusa. Specifically Na'dtanu refers to that Divine Entity who is the Lord of all music and dance. That is, the One whose very body is made out of the na'da - the primordial sound - is Himself the Lord of the dance.

== HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM ==

Namaskar,

Baba says, "All the urges and longings should be channelised and directed towrds the Supreme. If this is done indomitable psychic force and invincible spiritual energy will grow from within. This will enable people to solve all the world's problems - economic, social, cultural, big and small. Unless one develops oneself in this way, as an ideal human being, one will not be able to solve any problem, no matter how madly one beats one's chest or how loudly one shouts slogans." (Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 10, p.758)

In the above quote Baba guides us that spirituality is an indispensable quality for solving the world's social problems, and becoming a Prout leader. That means only with the great force of true spirituality and by serving others can one be an ideal Proutist and lead the society along the golden road of welfare.    

However, on & off again, some start thinking that non-spiritually oriented activists can be ideal Proutists. They think even an atheistic person who puts forth a social platform can become a Prout leader.

Baba gives the reply that those not inclined towards spirituality cannot help and guide others beyond the degree to which their own self-interest is served.

Namaskar,
Jiivendra