Baba Story: Teaching on Fireworks

Date: Sat, 03 Nov 2012 20:36:02 -0000
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: "Naresh Singh"
Subject: Baba Story: Teaching on Fireworks

Baba

== BABA STORY: TEACHING ON FIREWORKS ==

Namaskar,
Here is a story from the 1960's as recounted by senior margii, DR P.D. Singh, an orthopedic surgeon from Ranchi.

The quoted lines below are direct, exact words from our dear margii brother, Dr Singh. That is why this story is told in the first-person using "I".

Here begins the story....

MY VISIT WITH BABA

During the 1960's I was a medical student and I would go and visit Baba often; He was always very gracious would give guidelines and speak on various topics. I had a close and respectful relation with Baba.

On this particular occasion, in late October, during the time of Diipavali / Deepawali, all kinds of festivities were going on, including fireworks / firecrackers.  In celebration of this festival, many in our local neighborhood were also shooting off firecrackers.

At the time, I was sitting with Baba, attending to Him, in His quarters. Baba was speaking on various subjects, but He was interrupted again and again by the loud and disturbing noise of those firecrackers. Finally, He stopped talking entirely.

After a few moments, I said, "Baba, people spend crores of rupees on firecrackers. These firecrackers cause hearing loss and bodily injuries - they are so dangerous."

Baba replied, "Yes you are right, people misuse crores of rupees (tens of millions) on fireworks and erecting huge, multi-story paper temples on the road for this festival, and these temples only last 3 - 5 days. Yet the common masses and poor people are suffering; they do not have proper food, shelter, clothing, medical care and education. They lack the basic requirements. It would be far better if they served those impoverished people with that money - instead of wasting it on firecrackers and other dogma. That would be great social service."

Baba continued, "Not only are these firecrackers a drastic misuse and abuse of funds; they also create lots of noise and air pollution."

Baba added, "The money misused on dogma should be used for social service. Those who love humanity will not misuse their hard earned wealth in this way."

That concludes the story as told by Dr P.D. Singh.

REFLECTION

I think this above story of PD Singh gives a very good and meaningful guideline to us all.

Unfortunately, nowadays in our Ananda Marga there is also a competition of shooting off fireworks. Tragically, that negative trend has been adopted by some during diipavali / deepawali, as well as Ananda Purnima, and on select other festival days.

In the general society, firecrackers / fireworks are commonly used for marriage celebrations, New Year's festivities, and during Durga Puja, Deepawali - among other times. In the western world like the US, firecrackers are used to celebrate Independence Day.

As Ananda Margiis, we should all be more conscious about this. We should not fall into trends of the general society. Those who purchased fireworks for the upcoming Diipavali festival (Nov 13, 2012) should sell them back to shopkeepers. That is the best thing to do; that will be in keeping with Baba's stated guideline.

It is just like if someone purchased poison for their own personal use and later realised that life itself is very important, then they will not ingest it. Rather they will throw it away.

Similarly, those who purchased fireworks should not use those firecrackers.

I also used to shoot off fireworks but after hearing this story I stopped immediately. This is a very practical and meaningful guideline. After all, money should not be used and abused but rather spent in a proper way, i.e. for the service of those in need.

Namaskar,
Naresh Singh

 

 

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"Esechile prabhu surer máyáy..."   (P.S. 1274)

Purport:

Baba, You have graced me by coming with the magical tunes and melodies of Prabhat Samgiita. You Yourself have taken advent here, & on the pathway You are singing Your blissful songs.

Baba, in the early dawn everybody was sleeping so there was no one there to receive You, even then that time You came by singing the song on the path - resonating all around the divine vibrations of those loving, charming, and sweet songs.   

Baba, You are so gracious. You are not concerned about any getting type of special reception. You do not have the longing that everyone should come to receive You. Nor do You desire to be garlanded - that also You do not care about. And on Your blissful arrival, the hari pari mandal, the circle of devotees also were not there to receive You.

O' my Dearmost, on Your face there was a sweet smile, and side by side You were keeping the flute of omnkara. You came step by step, taking one after another divine form.  

Baba, You have taken advent Yourself in the depths of my mind, in the deep core of my heart the omnkara dhvani - eternal sound - of the ankle bell is resonating. O' Baba You have taken Your place in my heart.

In my mental Vrindaban, secretly and surprisingly, You have come and in Your eyes there is anjana. Baba, You have graciously saturated the heart of all those who wanted to be loved. Everyone got drenched in Your love.  

Baba, You have come on this dusty earth and filled the whole universe with Your divine music. The whole creation is vibrated by Your aura...


END NOTES ON PRABHAT SAMGIITA #1274:

Note 1: In the above song, the flute is not literally a flute but rather one of the eternal sounds that signifies the Presence and divine advent of Parama Purusa. His Presence brings the sound of om'ka'ra.

Note 2: This song also represents the unfolding of the cycle of Brahmacakra as step by step from the eternal stance of Nirguna Brahma He is manifesting Himself in different forms and colors. And in this way the created universe has come into being.

Note 3: In various discourses Baba describes how the om'ka'ra dhvani, or divine sounds of realisation, has different expressions such as the sound of the ankle bell or the roaring of the ocean etc. And according to their samskaras, sadhakas hear these different sounds. (Reference: 'Six Stages of Realisation' in Namami Krsnasundaram.)

Deadly Practice

Date: 05 Jul 2011 15:03:44 -0000
From: "Acintya  Deva"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Deadly Practice

Baba

== DEADLY PRACTICE ==

Namaskar,
Fireworks and firecrackers - those loud and colorful bombs that explode in the air - have become popular ways to celebrate various holidays such as the Chinese New Year, USA Independence Day, Islamic Eid and so many other occasions around the globe.

Some have also dragged this custom of shooting off fireworks into our Marga as well. A link to the letter about that is also appended below.

Unfortunately, this way of merriment and celebration is not at all healthy. It is not good for the earth and the environment, nor is it good for our human species, not to mention all the animals and plants. Fireworks are dangerous and deadly.

The articles appended below examine both the environmental hazards and health issues related with fireworks. Should we really be celebrating in ways which pollute the air, land, and sea? Should we really be celebrating in ways which release deadly toxins into the environment. Should we really be celebrating in ways which threaten our human vitality and well-being? Should we really be celebrating in ways which threaten our human safety.

In addition to the environmental articles appended below, there is also a human interest story wherein one male athlete and strongman lost his entire arm just yesterday when shooting off fireworks. He was nearly killed. And indeed so many have been killed with fireworks. In this instance the gentleman will live the rest of his life without one of his arms - a real tragedy.

All in all this is a dangerous - even deadly - activity which leads to so much destruction. Is it not ironic that people shoot off fireworks as a ways to celebrate a seemingly honoured day.

Even worse is that now this poor practice has been dragged into our Marga.

The below articles provide ample impetus to choose another way of celebration than fireworks.

Respectfully,
Acintya

Are fireworks bad for the environment?

Fireworks can unleash a shower of toxins into soil and water, and scientists are only beginning to figure out what that means for human health.

...Here's a look at what's in fireworks, how they might affect people:

Perchlorates and particulates
For fireworks and other pyrotechnics to blow up, they need to blow up something — usually a blend of charcoal and sulfur fuel. They also need an ingredient that can inject oxygen to speed up the explosion, historically relying on potassium nitrate. These three chemicals are mixed together into a sooty substance known as gunpowder.

When a spark hits gunpowder, the potassium nitrate feeds oxygen to the fire, helping it quickly burn the charcoal-sulfur fuel. This produces volumes of hot, rapidly expanding solids and gases that can be used to fire a bullet, explode an artillery shell or launch a Roman candle.

The original blends of black powder can be a bit too unstable and messy for some uses, though, so the potassium nitrate is often replaced by perchlorates, a family of chemicals all featuring a central chlorine atom bonded by four oxygen atoms. Two types in particular — potassium perchlorate and ammonium perchlorate — have become the go-to oxidizers of the pyrotechnics industry.

Perchlorates may have introduced a new problem, though: In high enough doses, they limit the human thyroid gland's ability to take iodine from the bloodstream, potentially resulting in hypothyroidism. The thyroid needs iodine to make hormones that control a variety of body functions, and people running too low on these hormones can develop a wide range of disorders. Children, infants and especially fetuses suffer the worst from hypothyroidism, since thyroid hormones are crucial for normal growth. Perchlorates have also been shown to cause thyroid cancer in rats and mice.

A 2007 study of an Oklahoma lake following fireworks displays overhead found that perchlorate levels spiked more than 1,000 times above the baseline level for 14 hours after a show. While the maximum concentration detected was 44.2 micrograms — less than 1 milligram — per liter, the study was still the most concrete evidence yet that fireworks release perchlorates into waterways.

Another study by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection found perchlorate levels up to 62 micrograms per liter at eight groundwater-monitoring wells on the Dartmouth campus, near where fireworks are regularly fired.

The smoke from fireworks' burned charcoal and sulfur fuel also contains particulate matter that can get lodged in people's lungs, an immediate danger for those with asthma or chemical sensitivities. Prolonged exposure to similar airborne particles from diesel exhaust has also been shown to cause lung cancer. Air-quality monitors reportedly spike for about three hours after a fireworks show.

Metallic compounds
In addition to gunpowder, fireworks are packed with heavy metals and other toxins that produce their sparkling shower of colors. Like perchlorates, the exact effect of fireworks' heavy-metal fallout is still mainly a mystery, but scientists do know that the metals themselves can wreak havoc in the human body.

• Strontium (red): This soft, silvery-yellow metal turns red when it burns, is extremely reactive with both air and water, and can be radioactive. Some strontium compounds dissolve in water, and others move deep into soil and groundwater; radioactive strontium has a half-life of 29 years. While low levels of stable and radioactive strontium haven't been shown to affect human health, they both can be dangerous at high doses. Radioactive strontium can damage bone marrow, cause anemia and prevent blood from clotting correctly, and lab studies have shown it can lead to birth defects in animals. Stable strontium is mainly a threat to children because it can impair their bone growth.

• Aluminum (white): It can affect the brain and lungs at higher concentrations. People and animals exposed to large amounts of aluminum have performed poorly on mental and physical tests, and some studies suggest aluminum exposure may lead to Alzheimer's disease, although that connection has yet to be proven.

• Copper (blue): Fireworks' blue hues are produced by copper compounds. These aren't very toxic on their own, but the copper jump-starts the formation of dioxins when perchlorates in the fireworks burn. Dioxins are vicious chemicals that don't occur naturally and aren't intentionally produced anywhere; they only exist as unwelcome byproducts of certain chemical reactions, one of which happens in blue fireworks. The most noted health effect of dioxin exposure is chloracne, a severe skin disease with acne-like lesions mostly on the face and upper body. Dioxin doesn't stop there, though — the World Health Organization has identified it as a human carcinogen, and it's also been shown to disrupt hormone production and glucose metabolism.

• Barium (green): Fish and other aquatic organisms can accumulate barium, which means it can move up the food chain. The silvery-white metal naturally bonds with other elements to form a variety of compounds that all have different effects — none are known to be carcinogenic, but they can cause gastrointestinal problems and muscular weakness when exposure exceeds EPA drinking water standards. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, breathing trouble, changes in blood pressure, numbness around the face, general muscle weakness and cramps. High levels of barium exposure can lead to changes in heart rhythm, paralysis or death.

• Rubidium (purple): This soft, silvery metal is one of the most abundant elements on Earth. It burns purple, melts to a liquid at 104 degrees Fahrenheit and is highly reactive with water, capable of igniting fires even far below the freezing point. It can cause skin irritation since it's so reactive with moisture, and it's moderately toxic when ingested, reportedly able to replace calcium in bones (PDF).

• Cadmium (various): Used to produce a wide range of fireworks colors, this mineral is also a known human carcinogen. Breathing high levels of cadmium can seriously damage the lungs, and consuming it can fluster the stomach, often resulting in vomiting and diarrhea. Long-term exposure can lead to kidney disease, lung damage and fragile bones. Plants, fish and other animals take up cadmium from the environment, meaning that any released into waterways from a fireworks show can be passed up the food chain.

MORE ON ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

Burning firecrackers brings environmental hazards. First of all, when a firecracker is burst, it emits harmful gases which are bad for our environment. It is pretty much the same case with open burning whereby greenhouse gases such as Carbon Dioxide is released. Thus, burning firecrackers causes green house effect and global warming. Besides, firecrackers produce smoke and dust that may contain residues of poisonous chemical substances such as barium, copper, cadmium, antimony, lithium, lead, potassium, sulfur and many more. Some of these substances are present to create certain effect when the firecrackers are lit. These chemical substances are proved to be very harmful for the human body and can cause respiratory problems as well as many other health issues. The debris after the firecracker burning, if let run free into water systems, can bring harms to marine lives. Not to forget is the noise pollution caused by loud bangs when firecrackers are lit. The noise can be irritatingly disturbing and causes mental disorder in some people. There are other hazards associated in burning firecrackers such as physical injuries, insomnia and mental stress.

A TALE OF HUMAN TRAGEDY:

MAN LOSES HIS ARM

Fireworks fun on the Fourth of July (2011) didn't end well for Eric Smith, 36, who was hosting a party at his Long Island, New York home when his arm was blown off while he was setting off illegal fireworks for his friends and family. He was rushed to hospital in an ambulance with his severed arm packed on ice. Doctors could not reattach the limb.

Smith's arm was detached at the shoulder from the Fourth of July accident. Smith's grandfather said, "His arm is gone. It's not going to be attached."

Illegal Fourth of July fireworks can be extremely dangerous. It was a mortar bomb firework that exploded out of a three foot metal launching pipe, that ripped off Smith's left arm at the shoulder. Neighbors said the blast shook houses and set off car alarms. When Smith lit the skyrocket off, he failed to get out of the way quickly enough. Smith's friend and co-worker at the Long Island Rail Road, Simon Hick stated, "He lit the fuse, and it was 'Boom! Boom!' and he was [lying] in the street. That's how fast it happened."
One neighbor spent his Fourth of July evening holding Smith while applying pressure to his torso. This was done in an attempt to try to control the bleeding while they waited for the ambulance to come. Other neighbors quickly packed the severed arm in a cooler on ice, hoping to save it for the doctors to be able to reattach it. According to a spokesperson from the Nassau University Medical Center, unfortunately, doctors could not reattach the limb as they said it suffered too much damage in the fireworks blast. It was a long, agonizing wait for medical attention last night and although Smith remains in a stable condition, but without his arm.

The Fourth of July in 2010 is definitely a day that Smith will not forget. Smith is a father of two and a former football star at Lindenhurst High School on Long Island. He also inspects train cars for the LIRR now for a living and is known for his renowned weightlifting ability. His life is surely changed now.

Facts on Injuries from Fireworks in the United States 

Most injuries and deaths from fireworks in the United States (66%) occur around the 4th of July holiday.

In the United States in 2002,  8,800 people were treated in emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries. Many people died from these injuries.  Fifty percent of fireworks injuries occurred among children 14 years and younger. Seventy-five percent of fireworks injuries occurred among boys as compared to 25% among girls.  More than half of the injuries (66%) involved burns; the hands and fingers (32%), eyes (21%), and the head and face (17%) were the parts of the body most frequently injured.

Most injuries occur with Class C or Consumer Fireworks. The type of firework that seems the most harmless but actually causes the greatest number of injuries is the sparkler.  It’s temperature can reach up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.

ARTICLE ABOUT FIREWORKS AT ANANDA PURNIMA

This below letter describes how fireworks have become a key form of celebration in certain Marga events. Please click on the below link and read that letter.

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2011/05/easiest-way-to-get-babas-blessing.html

Easiest Way to Get Baba's Blessing

From: "Girish Chandra Deva"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Easiest Way to Get Baba's Blessing
Date: Fri 13 May 2011 16:27:38 +0530

Baba

          == EASIEST WAY TO GET BABA'S BLESSING ==

Namaskar,
With the planning for Ananda Purnima celebrations in full-swing, everyone should be critically aware about the contents of this email.

Adhering to 16 Points is very difficult; fortunately however there is no need to pay
heed to these rules to get moksa.

If you have money, then each year you should purchase a huge quantity of firecrackers for Baba's birthday - that will bring you to your cherished Goal. And if you do not have sufficient funds then collect money from others and purchase fireworks. Thus on Ananda Purnima, you can create a huge noise and pollute the whole area.

If any margii does not want to give you money then demoralise them. Tell them that they do not have love for Baba and that they are non-margiis or secret agents of the enemy.

Utterly disregard whatever is written in Caryacarya part 1 regarding Ananda Purnima such as feeding the poor, hosting a medical camp, helping patients, or serving the needy. One need not do those things. Those are all outdated ideas.

Plus, if anybody is trying to do those things then discourage them.

Inspire all that shooting off fireworks is the easiest, quickest and smartest way to gain access to Baba's grace and virtue.


                                      A COPY OF MUSLIM DOGMA

Blasting fireworks (aka firecrackers) has become notorioulsy famous in the Marga of late as Dadas are copying such rituals from the Muslim world:

http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/featured_articles/20001220wednesday.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUUSUQCpGvw

So just as certain Dadas created the dogmatic Mahaprayan program by copying the Islamic ritual of Ajmer Sharif (read this posting), now a similar trend is underway with regards to Ananda Purnima. That means copy the way Muslims celebrate their dogmatic festivals by shooting off fireworks.

By the firecrackers booming in the air, and the plumes of smoke rising up and spreading all around, the noise (& smoke) will resonate all the way up to heaven. It will reach Baba. He will listen and become satiated. Ultimately He will bless. That is the way it works.


                                 HERE'S HOW TO CELEBRATE

In this upcoming - May 17 - Ananda Purnima program of 2011, a huge blasting of fireworks is needed. This is the 90th birthday, so in order to please Him, 90,000 big firecrackers are needed. That means one thousand for each year.

Regarding the purchase of such firecrackers, do not worry about how much you spend-  spend as much as you can and take loan if necessary.

Let there be a competition between dadas & didis, margiis & avadhutas, acaryas & tattvikas, males & females, all should be involved. See who can put on the the biggest fireworks show. Inspire everyone to purchase at least $50,000 for their unit; prizes should be awarded.


                            FORGET ABOUT DOING SOCIAL SERVICE

All other social service projects like a children's home, schools or relief, are totally secondary. The fireworks show will be the top project - that will get top billing. And if anybody does not cooperate, then punish them.

It is not a joke - this is exactly what is going on in so many units - especially in Ranchi HQ and other places.

According to Baba's teachings, our AM slogan stands for: Liberation of self and service to humanity.

Liberation of self means doing sadhana and following 16 Pts; and service to humanity means rendering selfless service.

But unfortunately that is not the priority these days. Group leaders are instead copying the dogmatic religions. Shooting off fireworks is a mirror image of Islamic namaz on occasions like Eid / Ramadan etc. While performing namaz they create as much noise as they can.

Now see what is going on in the Marga.

Ranchi leaders and others have made the system that on Baba's upcoming
90th birthday, one has to shoot off firecrackers - and with each passing year, the number of fireworks and noise increases. Just add one more every year or more. Some now purchase firecrackers in large groups - by this way it will grow and grow and grow. After 2000 years, margiis will be forced to explode 2,000,000
firecrackers or more.

And when millions will be Ananda Margiis then you can imagine the situation on this planet. Everywhere there will be firecrackers and what about the pollution (air and land) they make.

Some people are commenting about global warming, and worrying about noise and and air pollution - just laugh at them. Just mock and demoralise them as being outdated.

In the future, some radical margiis will explode bombs in order to make a huge sound and gain quick grace and moksa. As a result, unfortunately many will lose their hearing, be exposed to fires & even undergo death. Indeed at last year's Ananda Purnima celebration in Ranchi, the pandal caught fire. The whole area was so polluted it was hard to breathe.

During the last Ananda Purnima celebration, one big firecracker cost 4000RS which is the amount one laborer earns while working full-time for months. DPS Dada did not do social service rather he spent all the money on firecrackers. That is why the food prepared in daytime was eaten in the evening as well, because there was no money for fresh food in evening due to the high cost of the fireworks. And this is in the summer season where the food gets stale very quickly.

So we should see what happens this year - be ready.


                                         MANY, MANY INJURIES

This coming Ananda Purnima - unfortunately - many AM children may suffer burns,
injuries, hearing loss & eardrum damage, and even hospitalisation.

Indeed, last time one margii got hospitalised and suffered permanent hearing loss and
ongoing pain.

And there is a dangerous history associated with firecrackers where people of all ages lose their limbs, vision, and so much more.


                      THE CURRENT SITUATION - RESOLUTION NEEDED

At present, the whole society is suffering from air pollution yet side by side the vanguards of humanity are polluting and encouraging others to pollute the environment by their grandiose fireworks displays on Ananda Purnima. There is a veritable competition between one group and the next, one jagrti and the next, one wt and the next etc.

In place of this type of dogmatic and stupid competition, there should be competitions in 16 Points, serving society and doing sadhana. That is how to celebrate Ananda Purnima.

Baba says, "There are still others who think that they can attain salvation by worshipping Parama Puruśa in a ritualistic manner by ringing bells or lighting candles, or offering flowers. No, they will also meet with equal failure because they are mere slaves of mechanical rituals [and doing fireworks]. By following such rituals these people become bound within hard and fast routine activities. At a particular time they will light candles, ring bells, clean plates, offer flowers to the deity etc.; and in actuality as their whole attention is diverted to those mechanical activities, their cosmic ideation is completely forgotten." (Subhasita Samhgraha, part 11, The Path of Salvation)

Now we have to think how we can solve this problem.

Namaskar,
Girish


                                        PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"Maner kon'e samgopane ke go tumi base ekela'..."   (P.S. 3529)

Purport:

 O' divine Entity, by secretly sitting alone in the remote corner of my
mind, You are vibrating my mind and heart-- my whole existence-- in
divine ecstasy. Please tell me who are You. Neither do You share the
feelings of Your heart with me so I do not know what is Your desire. And
when I ask You what You want, then You tell that You do not want
anything. Just with Your charming smile You are showering sweet nectar
like a garland of pearls.

O' Supreme Personality, please tell me, are You alone? Have You no
companion? Are You searching for someone? Is that the reason why You are
always wandering around this entire universe in all the ten directions--
because You are searching for some companionship. Is that why You are
busy enjoying Your divine liila in this bottomless and endless, mobile
and immobile world-- i.e. in Your entire creation.

O' Divine Entity, of all the bhavas You are Mahabhava. You are the
quintessence of all thoughts and ideations-- the ultimate Goal of all
the samadhis. O' Supreme One You are complete unto Yourself and
infinite. You do not have any shortage or dearth of anything; You have
everything. You control the unit as well as the vast-- everything. You
go on creating Your liila in hundreds of ways and flows. Your grandeur
is infinite & endless.

O' divine One, who is most charming and attractive, please grace me by
revealing Your identity. You have captivated me by Your causeless grace
and by the infinite bond of Your divine love...


             ******************************************
                Health Guideline: Sleeping Related

      "Do not sleep on a soft bed." (CC-3, Chap 6, Pt #4)

Note: This above point that Baba is describing has deep meaning. Some
ignorant people however who are unaware about health and hygiene get
swayed by pseudo-culture and they use a spring-loaded bed with thick
mattresses. But that is very detrimental for the various joints,
muscles, & organs of the body and it creates an ill-effect on the body
systems such as digestive disorders & diseases. Mostly because of
hunchback syndrome and because the stomach is pressed. Keeping this
view, including many more benefits, Baba has graciously introduced this
above rule. Everyone should follow this and then they will realise the
deeper aspect of its value.

Amongst conscious people it is commonly known that soft beds lead to the
onset of many diseases including incurable backaches and joint pain.

So one should be aware. One should not fall in the trap of momentary
pleasure and invite more dangerous diseases.

Note 2: Revealing the spiritual significance of this point, Baba guides
us that those who are using a hard bed in day to day life, their body
becomes more and more capable for intense psycho-spiritual practice.
Such sincere sadhakas keep away from using a pillow also.
        ******************************************

Quickest Approach to Gain Virtue & Moksa

From: "Girish Chandra Mitra" To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: Quickest Approach to Gain Virtue & Moksa Date: Fri 24 Sep 2010 22:05:14 +0530 Baba "Maner kon'e samgopane ke go tumi base ekela'..." (P.S. 3529) Purport: O' divine Entity, by secretly sitting alone in the remote corner of my mind, You are vibrating my mind and heart-- my whole existence-- in divine ecstasy. Please tell me who are You. Neither do You share the feelings of Your heart with me so I do not know what is Your desire. And when I ask You what You want, then You tell that You do not want anything. Just with Your charming smile You are showering sweet nectar like a garland of pearls. O' Supreme Personality, please tell me, are You alone? Have You no companion? Are You searching for someone? Is that the reason why You are always wandering around this entire universe in all the ten directions-- because You are searching for some companionship. Is that why You are busy enjoying Your divine liila in this bottomless and endless, mobile and immobile world-- i.e. in Your entire creation. O' Divine Entity, of all the bhavas You are Mahabhava. You are the quintessence of all thoughts and ideations-- the ultimate Goal of all the samadhis. O' Supreme One You are complete unto Yourself and infinite. You do not have any shortage or dearth of anything; You have everything. You control the unit as well as the vast-- everything. You go on creating Your liila in hundreds of ways and flows. Your grandeur is infinite & endless. O' divine One, who is most charming and attractive, please grace me by revealing Your identity. You have captivated me by Your causeless grace and by the infinite bond of Your divine love...

== QUICKEST APPROACH TO GAIN VIRTUE & MOKSA ==

Namaskar, Adhering to 16 Points is very difficult; but there is no need to pay heed to them to get moksa. If you have money, then each year for Baba's birthday you should purchase a huge quantity of firecrackers - that will bring you to your cherished Goal. And if you do not have sufficient funds then collect money from others and purchase fireworks. Thus on Ananda Purnima, you can create a huge noise and pollute the whole area. If any margii does not want to give you money then demoralise them. Tell them that they do not have love for Baba and that they are non-margiis or secret agents. Utterly disregard whatever is written in Caryacarya part 1 regarding Ananda Purnima such as feeding the poor, hosting a medical camp, helping patients, or serving the needy. One need not do those things. Those are all outdated ideas. Plus, if anybody is trying to do those things then discourage them. Inspire all that shooting off fireworks is the easiest, quickest and smartest way to gain access to Baba's grace and virtue. Regarding the purchase of such firecrackers, do not worry about how much you spend- spend as much as you can and take loan if necessary. Let there be a competition between dadas, margiis avadhutas and acaryas about who can put on the the biggest fireworks show. Inspire everyone to purchase at least $50,000 for their unit. Any other social service project like a children's home, school or relief, is totally secondary. The fireworks show will be the top project - that will get top billing. And if anybody does not cooperate, then punish them. It is not a joke - this is exactly what is going on in so many units - especially in Ranchi HQ and other places. According to Baba's teachings, our AM slogan stands for: Liberation of self and service to humanity. Liberation of self means doing sadhana and following 16 Pts; and service to humanity means rendering selfless service. But unfortunately that is not the priority these days. Group leaders are instead copying the dogmatic religions. Shooting off fireworks is a mirror image of Islamic namaz. While performing namaz they create as much noise as they can. Hindu priests also make huge noise in their puja. Ranchi leaders and others have made the system that on Baba's upcoming birthday on 90th birthday that is coming one has to shoot off firecrackers - and with each passing year, the number of fireworks and noise increases. Just add one more every year or more. Some now purchase firecrackers in large groups - by this way it will grow and grow and grow. After 2000 years, margiis will be forced to explode 2000 firecrackers or more. And when millions will be Ananda Margiis then you can imagine the situation on this planet. Everywhere there will be firecrackers and the pollution (air and land) they make. In the future, some radical margiis will explode bombs in order to make a huge sound and gain quick grace and moksa. As a result, unfortunately many will lose their hearing, be exposed to fires & even undergo death. Indeed at the last Ananda Purnima celebration in Ranchi, the pandal caught fire. The whole area was so polluted it was hard to breath. During the last Ananda Purnima celebration, one big firecracker cost 4000RS which is the amount one laborer while working full-time for six months. DPS Dada did not do social service rather he spent all the money on firecracker. That is why the food prepared in daytime was eaten in the evening as well, because no money for fresh food in evening due to the high cost of the fireworks. And this is in the summer season where the food gets stale very quickly.

THE CURRENT SITUATION - RESOLUTION NEEDED

At present, the whole society is suffering from air pollution and on the other side the vanguards of humanity are polluting and encouraging others to pollute by their grandiose fireworks displays on Ananda Purnima. There is a veritable competition between one group and the next, one jagrti and the next, one wt and the next etc. In place of this type of dogmatic and stupid competition, there should be competition for following 16 Points, serving society and doing sadhana. That is how to celebrate Ananda Purnima. Now we have to think how we can solve this problem. Namaskar, Girish

****************************************** Health Guideline: Sleeping Related "Do not sleep on a soft bed." (CC-3, Chap 6, Pt #4)

Note: This above point that Baba is describing has deep meaning. Some ignorant people however who are unaware about health and hygiene get swayed by pseudo-culture and they use a spring-loaded bed with thick mattresses. But that is very detrimental for the various joints, muscles, & organs of the body and it creates an ill-effect on the body systems such as digestive disorders & diseases. Mostly because of hunchback syndrome and because the stomach is pressed. Keeping this view, including many more benefits, Baba has graciously introduced this above rule. Everyone should follow this and then they will realise the deeper aspect of its value. Amongst conscious people it is commonly known that soft beds lead to the onset of many diseases including incurable backaches and joint pain. So one should be aware. One should not fall in the trap of momentary pleasure and invite more dangerous diseases. Note 2: Revealing the spiritual significance of this point, Baba guides us that those who are using a hard bed in day to day life, their body becomes more and more capable for intense psycho-spiritual practice. Such sincere sadhakas keep away from using a pillow also.

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