Why Are You Here

From: Girish Girish
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Why Are You Here
Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:48:44 -0400

Baba

== WHY ARE YOU HERE ==

Namaskar,
Paying off debt...Purchasing a house...Saving for retirement...Gaining name, fame, money, prestige, beauty etc, etc.

All these plans and programs in today's materialistic society - where people think and plan many decades into the future - point to the idea that people basically think that they will be on this earth forever. Oh sure, they may say, "One day I am going to die", but they do not really believe it. Not in their heart of hearts.

Proof being that their entire life outlook, structure, and planning demonstrate that they feel they will remain on this earth forever - or at least for so long that they need not think about death.

Most aim for material wealth and comfort, name and fame, and all sorts of temporary gains - thinking they will bask in those things up to eternity. And they say that, "When I retire (at the age of 65 or so) then life will be glorious: I will have x amount of money and lots of free time." People begin planning for this so-called golden era of their lives when they are merely 25 years old, or even younger.

Their life revolves around the false notion that they have come here to remain on this earth - as if this place is their eternal abode. They do not think that one day they will leave. Nor do they contemplate that their death could come as early as today or tomorrow. This outlook is quickly spreading from western materialistic nations to all countries of the globe, wherever materialism is in vogue.

However, as we know, this type of mentality is not helpful as it runs contrary to our spiritual ideal and Baba's guidelines.

Plus it invites, at minimum, two serious deficiencies in the practical sphere.

TWO DISTINCT DRAWBACKS

There are two main character flaws which manifest when one thinks of this world as their final abode.

1. People fail to utilise their life to do truly good works that will enhance their progress, i.e. increase their proximity to Parama Purusa. They do not engage in a life of sadhana and service. Instead they spend their time frolicking hither and thither on this earth, from one sensual longing to the next, from one party to the next.

2. When the time inevitably comes to confront death, either their own or their companion's, they are shocked, depressed, and gloomy. They utterly lack the psychic stability to deal with this basic fact of life.

So many people on this earth get trapped in this way and they suffer for it.

DEATH CAN COME AT ANY TIME

So what is it that we should do?

Baba's guideline is that we must always remember the fact that this world is jagat, i.e. mobile. Nothing on this earth is fixed. This earth is samsara: everything is moving - moving towards expiration or death.

That is why Guru's teaching is to remember that death can come at any time - in childhood, in adolescence, as a young adult, whenever. Nothing is sure. Our place on this earth is not fixed - at any moment we may leave this world.

"That is, during dharma'caran, i.e. dharmic pursuits [following yama and niyama, service, svadhyaya etc] one should think that the god of death has already started pulling one’s hair – that one’s death is imminent. And accordingly one should work sincerely and vigorously; one will have to do a great many noble deeds within a short period." (Subhasita Samgraha, part 11)

When one understands that death is near, inevitable, and can show up on their doorstep at any time, they will naturally attend to the most important endeavors first, like trying to please Parama Purusa, and not just waste one's time in worldly pleasures. We should move ahead with this idea in mind.

Here again is Baba's teaching about how we should view everything in this world, including our own life.

Baba says, "Then, Smara nityamanityata'm. Nityam means “always” – “Remember always the transitory nature of things.” [Anityata'm means “the ephemeral”, “the transitory”.]... A thing which was born will die one day...That which comes within the scope of the spatial, temporal and personal factors will alone be born and die." (Subhasita Samgraha - 21)

THIS BODY IS ON LOAN

All this demands a basic shift in outlook. Instead of thinking that we have come here for a long, long time. We should think that we are here on loan only.

This body has been given to us for a limited time - an extremely short time, a maximum of 100 to 150 years, not thousands of years. In addition, one may die anytime and not even see tomorrow's sunrise. In that case, one will rush to do great things immediately and understand one's true nature.

Tragically, most forget that this body has been given to us on loan. They think this body will last forever on this earth. When sunk in such unawareness, one becomes lethargic and lax about life. A person will eat, drink, and be merry or not merry, whittling away one's time.

They will forget that their current energy and strength will not last. After the age of 39, the body begins to decay. One will lose energy, muscle power, hearing, eyesight, and the list goes on and on. Plus any moment, one may be scooped away from this earth without a moment's notice.

Because this body has been given to us on loan. And only Parama Purusa knows for how long - we do not.

As sadhakas, we must always be aware of two things: 1) Our final abode is elsewhere, 2) Our body will not last long.

In that case, we will maximally utilise our body for attaining salvation, not worldly pleasures.

It is just like if a person goes to the market to get medicine for their ailing grandfather. With that goal in mind they will reach to the drug store, secure the medicine, and return home quickly with the medicine for grandfather. They will pointedly do their duty. In contrast, if one goes to the market and fails to remember their goal of getting medicine for grandfather, they will walk past the drug store and instead spend hours and hours in the cinema house, watching one movie after another - until midnight. Finally when they leave the cinema hall and walk to the market all the shops are closed. In the end, they return home empty-handed, with all their money gone and no medicine for grandfather. So they are scolded and punished for being so neglectful.

It is just like how degraded humans get punished by prakrti for forgetting their Divine Goal and instead indulging in other mundane allurements. For wasting their human life, they are punished and sent sliding down the pathway of negative pratisaincara.

BABA'S GUIDELINES

“O human beings, the path is ready for you, you just come!” Whoever is endowed with a human mind and a human body is entitled to follow this path, and at the end of the journey, one day, one is destined to attain Parama Puruśa. When Parama Puruśa, the Cosmic Cognition, is your goal, success is a must, success will be with you." (Neohumanism in a Nutshell Part 1)

"O human beings! be established in the radiance of divinity and the splendour of valour and chivalry, because yours is the path of revolution. Your path is not the path of extra caution and scheduled movement. You are the traveller of a rugged path. You are travellers of an impregnable path. You have to march ahead proudly with the flag of Marga upright. You have no time to stagger or to look behind." (Subhasita Samgraha - 1)

"O human beings, proceed ahead in the path of oṋḿkára towards subtleness. Do not run after the superficially pleasant mirage, dominated by tamoguńa. Establish yourself in sattvaguńa and then merge into Brahma. Reach the spot whence oṋḿkára has emerged. Awaken your dormant dynamism through sádhaná and devotion. Realize the mental elevation of divinity and merge this into the endless stream of divine mercy." (Prakrti Tattva and Oṋḿkára Tattva)

"From distant ages past, you have been moving toward the Supreme State. You have suffered untold privations, and today you have the most favourable opportunity to become worthy human beings." (Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 1)

Namaskar,
in HIM,
Giriish

 

 

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

 

"Je ga'n chilo mane ga'oya', ga'ini ta'ha' sabha'r ma'jhe..."  (P.S. 3189)

Purport:

Baba, my and Your relation is very close-- very intimate. The feelings and the relation that I have with You, I do not feel comfortable sharing
with others because it is most intimate.

Baba, the song which I prefer to sing for You, that very song I do not like to sing in the meeting-- in dharmacakra, in the presence of others. In
shyness, I do not open my heart then. Those Prabhat Samgiita which I prefer most, I do not sing in front of others. Rather in that situation I sing
more common type of Prabhat Samgiita songs. In that way I suppress my inner feelings & desires.  

Baba, You are always sitting in my heart and You know all these things. You always listen to the throbbing sensation of my heart. You know how much
I love You.

Baba, You are my dearmost; You are my Beloved. When I talk with You, then in my mind I do not feel any dilemma or any kind of complex or shyness. Without any hesitation I open my heart. Because You are my most close. When I came out after the meeting-- dharmacakra, I did not hear the resonance of all songs that had been chanted there. Rather my own preferred song which I did not sing there, that special tune was resonating in my mind. And I went on listening to that very unsung song and it was charging my mind with Your divine love.  

Baba, after forgetting all the shyness and just swaying in the hope of getting You, I go on asking for Your grace and Your proximity - that You please remain with me always as my own...

What is the News?

Date: Sat, 28 May 2011 19:22:58 -0000
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Deva.Virendra@bharata.net...
Subject: What is the News?

Baba

                    == WHAT IS THE NEWS ==

Namaskar,
Generally people live in this world without any definite plan or
program. Most are unaware about the greater meaning and aim of life.
They proceed onwards in a whimsical fashion. This is the common way of
human beings.

It was like this in the past and it is like this today also.

Certainly, people have short term material goals such as getting a job,
finding a spouse, buying a house, producing children, and purchasing a
car etc, but rarely do they think about getting old, and least of all
about death. These latter aspects people do not consider. Rather they
naively think they will remain on this earth forever. They think of this
place as their permanent abode.

Hence they remain basically oblivious of the reality: Just as one day we
have come onto this earth, one day we will also go. This fact no one
likes to consider. No one plans in this way - it is extremely rare.


              BABA EMPHASIZES THE AIM OF HUMAN LIFE

Baba, being the Sadguru, has come to enlighten human beings and show us
the right path. And indeed in countless discourses, stories, and
analogies, Baba reminds us - time and again - about "What is the right
path."

This idea He has given on so many occasions.

Why? Because it is the nature of human beings to get caught up in avidya
maya and take this world as their permanent residence and the entire
reality - when in fact it is just a relative truth. We've come here only
for a short while and nothing in this world is lasting. But people
forget about this fact. That is why Baba brings this point - i.e. that
human life is short - to the fore again and again.

He has given this teaching in Caryacarya (CC-II, 'Sadhana', point #8),
philosophical discourses, stories, shlokas, analogies, and in all kinds
of ways. Because we human beings constantly forget that this world is
not our permanent reality. People live as if they are going to remain on
this earth forever.

In contrast, Baba does not talk about the theory of gravity in dozens
and dozens of discourses. Why? Because already as a people we are aware
that gravity exists and we do not forget this fact. So there is no need
for Baba to remind us of this.

But about the greater meaning and temporary nature of life, people
regularly forget about this. Always we slip back into ignorance. Hence
Baba brings the point again and again.

Here following is one such unique teaching.


                       WHAT IS THE NEWS?

One day a yaks'a approached the great king Yudhisthira.

The yaks'a asked: "What is the news?"

(Note: The sense of his question was what is the real situation of this
material world.)

In reply king Yudhithira told: "The material world is like a frying pan.
The sun is the fire; the day and nights are the fuel. The passing
seasons are the stirring ladle and time is cook. All living entities are
being thus fried in this pan. This is the real news of what is happening
in the material world which is a miserable place full of ignorance."

Such was Yudhisthira's colourful and insightful reply and this is yet
one more way that Baba has brought this critical matter that we have
only come onto this earth for a short time. (Reference: AV(H)-29 chapter
14)

And certainly in so many ways Baba has discussed this point including
during one famous discourse in Mumbai.


                       WHY THIS IS NEWS

The interesting thing about the Yudhithira's above analogy is that the
yaks'a is asking "what is the news". The yaks'a is not asking about
philosophy, ethics, nature of life or anything esoteric like that.

The yaks'a is asking the news, yet such was Yudhisthira's reply.

Why? Because that really is the news. Whenever people are told something
that they do not know then it is news.

Due to avidya maya people commonly forget that they are moving towards
their death. They do not remember the transient nature of life on earth.
People take money, prestige, beauty, attraction and all their worldly
attachments to be of a permanent nature. All their plans and programs
are based on this idea.

They see new-borns come onto this earth, but they never think that one
day they will go.

So Yudhisthira's reply that human beings are in a frying pan proceeding
towards death is indeed news.

It is just like if a coup happened years ago but just today more
revelations about the coup were reported then that would be news. Or
when archaeologists find new fossils. This is also news because human
beings were not aware about these events.

Thus the fact that slowly, slowly we are going towards death - that is
also news.

People think this place is their permanent abode. With that as their
reference point, their behavior, values, logic and reasoning becomes
skewed, even polluted. All of their priorities are based on the false
notion that they will remain here forever and ever. And indeed most live
their life in this way.

They collect cars, chase after the opposite sex, seek out fame and
fortune. They talk all these fleeting things to be the essence of life.

If they thought otherwise, people would keep away from useless
activities like harassing others, fighting, looting, and material
pursuits etc. And they would do more sadhana and help others. But this
is not the case. Just look around and see for yourself.

Thus, Yudhisthira's teaching of thousands of years ago is as relevant
today as it was then. That is why this is the news.


                  HOW WE SHOULD LIVE OUR LIFE

Baba's divine guideline is that we are to complete all important works
(sadhana and service) very soon. There is no guarantee how long we will
survive on this earth. That is why Baba says do all good works
immediately because human life is short. No one decides when they will
come and no one decides when they will go.

Grhiitvaeva keshes'u mrtyurn'a' dharma'caret

Baba says, "That is, during dharma'caran, i.e. dharmic pursuits [following yama and niyama, service, svadhyaya etc] one should think that the god of death has already started pulling one’s hair – that one’s death is imminent. And accordingly one should work sincerely and vigorously; one will have to do a great many noble deeds within a short period." (Subhasita Samgraha, part 11)
Thus we have not a moment to spare. None should get caught up in the
whirlpool of maya and think this world as permanent. None should chase
after frivolous things.

All should bear in mind that we have come here for a limited period and
we have a great many works to do. This is the main outlook of any sadhaka.

One should think: My life is for spiritual practice and serving others,
not carnal pleasures. All Baba's teachings are my food for moving on the
path divine. I must not get swayed by the glitz and glamour of avidya
maya. I am to remember that I am being cooked in one frying pan and
moving towards my death. I utilise my energies for sadhana, not mundane
allurements, then I will achieve eternal life, by His grace.


                        BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace He reminds us again and again that our human life is a
unique opportunity given to us by Parama Purusa. As human beings we are
to take advantage of our free will and do something great - attain Him.
That is what Baba is telling us in Yudhisthira's analogy.

Most of the scriptures of old are filled with thousands of pages of
dogmatic teachings and one has to swift through all those things in
order to find an ounce of truth. Ananda Marga is not like that.

Baba has given us only the most pertinent guidelines to get success:
Remembering the Goal of life is one such guideline. May we always
following His teachings and never get caught up in the whirlpool of
maya, thinking this world to be our permanent abode and chasing after
fleeting fancies.

If we remember the news of the day, we are bound to move on the right
path, by His grace.

Baba says, "If you are asked by God, “What do you want?”, what should
you say?"

"You must say, “O Lord, I want your blessings so that my intellect may
move along the right path.” You know that the intellect is the cause of
your downfall or evolution. So when your mind gets proper direction,
what else would you require?" (AV-21)

Namaskar,
Virendra


Note:          FURTHER READING ON THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2009/08/slowly-towards-cremation.html

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2008/06/noose.html

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2009/12/keep-skull.html

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2008/08/beauty-of-old-age-benefits-of-disease.html

                                         PRABHATA SAMGIITA

"A'ka'shabhara' a'jake ta'ra'..." (P.S. 2523)

Purport:

Baba, the sky of this amavasya night is filled with the stars. The
sweet, nectar-like breeze is blowing mildly. The mind is floating in
divine ecstasy from the known to the unknown world-- towards its final
destination. Baba, ensconced in Your ideation, my mind is getting lost
in Your divine bliss. Baba, the lily flower is constantly looking
towards the sky; the aroma of flowers is emanating all around. They have
forgotten themselves and lost their awareness about their own unit
existence. They restlessly move in the attraction of one call. Baba in
Your longing I am sitting alone, counting the stars. I understand that
by Your grace I have lost myself in this beautiful atmosphere and the
attraction of Your love. Baba, You are ever-gracious and You are always
remaining by my side and guiding me. Baba, on this amavasya night my
heart is yearning and longing for You. Please grace me by coming closer
and still more close...

The Waiting Room

From: "Girish Deva"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: The Waiting Room
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:44:27

Baba

                 == THE WAITING ROOM ==

Namaskar,

Baba says, "This world is just like [a] waiting room. You are to remain
here for a very short span." (AV-12)

Tragically, in this modern world, the mass of people live and plan their
lives in such a way as if this world is their permanent abode. Due to
the ill effects of gross materialism, common citizens think that their
bank account, their house, their job, their physical appearance, their
spouse, and their worldly possessions are the prized aspects of their
existence. For this reason, they use cent-per-cent of their energy
running after these ephemeral things, mistaking them to be the glory of
human life.

This is the way materialism has led everyone astray, into some dark
illusion.

Baba says, "This type of crude material knowledge concerned with the
crude materialism has done much harm to human society during the last
one century." (AV-2)

There is an inner aspect to our human existence that is hungry, yet the
humanity is neglecting that which is inside because of being fully
intoxicated with life's material pleasures.


             EVEN WE ANANDA MARGIIS SUFFER FROM THIS

As Ananda Margiis, we all know what the Goal of life is, as well as what
it takes to get there. The Goal is Baba and the way to get there is by
sadhana. This fact everybody knows.

Yet, to some or more degree, we have also suffered from the ill effects
of materialism, as it has infested each and every pore of society. It is
very difficult to completely separate oneself from that environment.
Huge billboards, internet ads, crude social values, financial pressures
etc meet us at each and every turn.

One of the clear-cut downturns of all this is that some of us do not put
proper emphasis on sadhana in our lives.

I can say that this is certainly true for me. I always think, 'I will do
sadhana'; yet when it is time to start my practice I can find any number
of other things to do. And when I do sit down for sadhana, then often it
gets curtailed due to lack of time, lack of concentration, or feelings
of hunger.

Perhaps some of you have also experienced this or similar things.

And the gross materialism which surrounds us does not help; it leads to
more spiritual lethargy. Whatever inherent lethargy we may have towards
sadhana is multiplied by today's crude environment. Because the world
and all its inhabitants are running one direction, and we are trying to
move in another. We are going against the tide.

Baba says, "The present-day materialism has brought humanity to this
predicament. Its consequences are dreadful." (NSS)


               BABA'S GRAPHIC EXPLANATION

Before analysing more of the in's & out's of this issue, here is Baba
special teaching about spiritual lethargy, or procrastination in sadhana.

Baba says, "Spiritual lethargy is the worst. Spiritual lethargy means
not to sit for meditation regularly. Those with spiritual lethargy have
time for all other actions, but for spiritual practice there seems to be
no time. They say, “It’s already late today – I’ll do a short meditation
right now, and devote more time to sa'dhana' tomorrow.” They sit
attentively inside the cinema hall, but in dharma sa'dhana' they feel
sleepy." (AMIWL-10)

We should all read the above quote multiple times and honestly evaluate
how far Baba's teaching applies to our own lives.


                     OLD WAYS OF LIVING

In addition to today's gross materialism, here are other reasons why it
is often a struggle to move on the path of sadhana.

As Baba tells us, every human being has come from animal life-- at one
point in time or another. So we are highly familiar with animalistic
desires and propensities. We need not be reminded about these things.
That is a known path to us, and in general people gravitate towards the
familiar and are hesitant to take up new enterprises.

For that reason, it take little or no energy for people to succumb to
the four basic propensities: Food, fear, procreation, and sleep. No one
needs any special training in these spheres; the mind automatically runs
after these things.

In contrast, when sadhana is the most subtle practice for human beings,
then invariably it is something that is very new and unfamiliar to us.
Often it is not something that we have lifetimes of experience with.
Whereas, for incarnations and incarnations in animal and human form, we
have been deeply engrossed in material pursuits.

So being attached to this old way of living certainly contributes to
spiritual procrastination.


                OTHER REASONS WE PROCRASTINATE

          AVIDYA MAYA & SO-CALLED OBJECTIVE ADJUSTMENT

Then there are other things that lead to procrastination in sadhana:

1) Avidya Maya: The force of avidya maya casts allurements each and
every moment, and when the whole society has fallen prey to the spell of
avidya maya, then the force of that maya multiplies and it is very
difficult to escape. If you know you should do sadhana, but all your
worldly pressures tell you to work late, or buy a big house, or go to
the movies, or watch TV, or whatever, then it is difficult to move on
the path of sadhana. And every time we give in to the ignorance of
avidya, then the more sadhana slips out of our fingers, and becomes
something totally foreign.

2) Objective Adjustment: In the name of objective adjustment, we leave
our spiritual practice behind and run after worldly endeavours. We then
justify that going to dharmacakra and doing sadhana there is enough for
the entire week, or thereabouts.

3) Microvita: Various microvita also pull us down and hinders our
sadhana routine.

Plus when the entire society is moving towards money, matter, prestige,
then that multiplies the problem.

Each of us individually should take an honest look at who we are and
what is happening with our sadhana routine, and make special efforts to
overcome whatever is hindering our practice.


              WE HAVE NOT COME HERE FOREVER

Here is Baba's special teaching about the waiting room phenomenon.

Nowadays, everyone thinks that this world is their permanent abode. They
may say otherwise but practically they live as if this is the case.

So we should pay heed to Baba's strict warning.

               Smarana nitya anityatam

 Baba says, "You should remember always that you have come here for a
short span. You won’t remain in this world for a long period. You may
remain here say for ninety or hundred years or say for one hundred and
fifty years. Some saints like Traelaunga Sva'mii lived here for three
hundred and fifty years. He lived in Varanasi in India and died in this
twentieth century. But you are to live under certain limitations –
limitations of time, space and person."
 "So you should always remember that you have come here for a very short
span. It is just like a waiting room of a railway station. You remain
there for a short period and when the train comes, you leave the waiting
room. This world is just like that waiting room. You are to remain here
for a very short span."
 "You should always remember this fact – “I have come here for a short
span and I won’t remain here for a very long period. My home is
elsewhere. I am just like a tourist.” You should always remember this
fact. And as a universal tourist, you, while leaving for your permanent
home, won’t require a passport." (AV-12)

So we must not treat this world as our permanent abode. We should always
keep our mind fixed on Him. And internally, we must remind ourselves
again and again that we have only come here for a short time. Then and
only then can we truly understand that sadhana-- and not money or
possessions-- is the cream of life.

Here again is Baba' reminder about the nature of this human life.

Baba says, "This short period of time from birth to death is human life.
Human beings have come from the world of invisibility and at the end of
this short span of time will return to the world of invisibility. Those
people can be called intelligent who utilize every moment of their short
life engaged in spiritual practice." (APH-4)

Failing to adopt the path of sadhana, will lead us on an endless spiral
of suffering and pain in the myriad of deaths and rebirths in this
material world.


                         BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace we must realise that this world is not our permanent
abode, overcome all tendencies of spiritual lethargy, do sadhana, and
reach up to Him.

Baba says, "The only way to advance is to follow the path of vigorous
spiritual practice." (AMIWL-8)

Namaskar,
Giriish


                         PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"Bha'lo yadi na' ba'sile keno ks'ati na'i, shudhu ka'che eso..." - P.S.
2134

Purport:

Baba, You know that I am not an A-grade devotee. So due to this if You
do not love me then it is no problem, no harm. But please come close and
sit. If You do not like to sit in my little hut, then at least please
come and stand inside with Your sweet smile. Oh my Lord, everyone longs
for You in their heart. That longing I also have and for that I have
requested You to remain with me. And if You do not like to listen to my
request then just You please come close and this much You tell me, 'I do
not love you even a pinch'. Baba, I will go on singing Your song; and my
heart will be mingled with that tune & melody-- longing for You in
dhyana. But because I am not an A-grade devotee that is why I will not
force You to come and sit in my dhyana. So it is exclusively up to You.
What You like that You do. Baba, please come close with Your sweet smile...

Another New Dogma Took Birth

To: AM-GLOBAL
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:33:26 -0000
From: NJK Deva
Subject: Another New Dogma Took Birth

Baba

                     == ANOTHER NEW DOGMA TOOK BIRTH ==

Namaskar,
Recently a kiirtan program was organised "for the speedy recovery" of one Dada.

Certainly, on first glance, this looks like a noble endeavour to help someone in need; but as we all know our psycho-spiritual practice is to be directed toward Parama Purusa, not toward any mundane longing or unit being. That is Baba's distinct guideline in countless discourses. Our psycho-spiritual longing is singular in nature and exclusively for pleasing Parama Purusa.

So we all have to think whether our Baba Nam Kevalam kiirtan should be used to cure someone of an illness as with the recently organised program. Plus we must consider avenues we can take for helping our respected Dada.


                                           MUST NEVER DO LIKE THIS

Baba has given us all the directions and answers for this situation. In very straightforward language Baba warns us that we must never use our psycho-spiritual longing for mundane gains - of any kind. That is His essential teaching.

Baba says, ""Oh Lord, my daughter has attained marriageable age – help me to find a worthy suitor… Let the bridegroom be ideal, let me not spend much on the wedding…” This type of showy devotion that simply asks for mundane objects, is no devotion at all, because it demands everything except Parama Puruśa." (Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 24)

Clearly then our spiritual practices - like kiirtan and bhajans - should not used for mundane matters such as if someone is sick and we wish to cure them.

Here below Baba furthermore explains that only lower grade sadhakas use their spiritual practices for worldly achievements.

Baba says, "Rájasika Sádhakas – Those performing spiritual practices with the object of attaining a particular finite object are called Rájasika, The characteristic of Rájasika Sádhakas consists in their being engrossed in realizing their selfish ends and, not in causing detriment to others." (Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 1)

In this next teaching, Baba warns us that if our spiritual practices are done with any other motive in mind, such as curing one Dadaji of his illness, then this is an inferior approach.

Baba says, "The aim of the aspirant is channelized in a different direction and he carries on with an inferior object. All the three such bhaktas – sáttvika, rájasika and támasika are gaońii or inferior bhakti. Where there is no object other than the Supreme Brahma, it is called mukhya bhakti. In mukhyá bhakti, the aspirant is free from the three guńas. He is absorbed in spiritual practices to Nirguńa Bhakti." (Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 1)

Thus, Baba's guideline is that our spiritual practices like kiirtan and sadhana are to be directed solely towards pleasing Parama Purusa, and not for any mundane affairs, such as curing one of their sickness.


                                        JUST ACCUSING PARAMA PURUSA

Actually, if anyone prays to the Lord for someone's recovery it means they are indirectly accusing Parama Purusa:

"O Lord, Your duty was to help this person, but You have not done so, why have You ignored him for this reason I am praying for their welfare - please listen and respond to my prayer."

This type of accusation towards the all-knowing, omniscient Parama Purusa is itself a sinful idea as the sadhaka is blaming Baba for mundane problems.

That is why in Ananda Marga we do appreciate this type of crude prayer. Baba knows what is best and we are only to think of Him.

Baba says, "In fact, the best thing is not to ask Parama Puruśa for anything." (Ananda Vacanamrtam Part 22, Serve the Supreme by Kiirtana)

If any aspirant has any remote desire in the mind for mundane longing while doing spiritual practices kiirtan, like curing one Dada, then they are going against the inner essence of our devotional cult. Those who directly or indirectly pray to the Lord for certain mundane things are verily accusing the Lord of not performing His divine duty to care for the suffering people.


                                    MUST OBEY ANANDA SUTRAM

In His teachings of Ananda Sutram, Baba directs us that in our kiirtan and sadhana practices we are only to ideate on the Supreme. We are not to engage in any kind of ritualistic worship whereby we ask or pray for things from the Lord.

                         3-12. Bhaktirbhagavadbhávaná na stutirnárcaná.

           [Devotion is ideation on God, not flattery of God or ritualistic worship.]

"Purport: Being merged in the constant thought of God is devotion. Devotion is not related to the chanting of hymns or ritualistic worship with different paraphernalia." (Ananda Sutram 3-12)

So if we encourage such type of kiiran programs for curing a Dada of a particular disease etc, then Baba's guideline of Ananda Sutram will be lost in oblivion. And all over these types of crude devotional kiirtan gatherings will be held.

Indeed, people will start doing kiirtan to cure their dog who was coughing or to help their child get into university or for so many mundane reasons. And some people will even do kiirtan to kill their enemies or defeat others in a court case. If such things happen, there will be no difference between those dogmatic religions and Ananda Marga.

Indeed this is the way things degenerate.

For instance, let's say is an existing dogma in society such as praying for someone's illness to be cured. Then in a weak moment, such as when one respected Dada is ill, then someone innocently suggests that we should do kiirtan to cure Dadaji. They justify that this is a common phenomenon in the society and that before coming into AM they always did like this. Some sadhakas may feel uneasy hearing this but they think that, "OK, Dadaji is sick - I should not disturb the situation". Thus a kiirtan session is held to cure Dadaji. Then the next time a Dada or revered person gets sick, others openly proclaim that this is our tradition: To sing kiirtan to cure that diseased person. By this point, those who disagree are greatly outnumbered and they cannot stop the program - rather they succumb. In this way, new dogmas take birth. So we should all be extreme careful.


                                       STORY OF MISGUIDED SADHAKA

This below story from Shabda Cayanika is highly related with this entire situation. When the below sadhaka was using his psycho-spiritual energy for mundane gain, Baba intervenes and strongly condemns this negative approach.

Baba says, "Such misuse of the human being’s hidden internal powers would not help to elevate the human race. Rather it would bog down one’s hands and feet in the quagmire of power and bring stagnancy into one’s forward movement." (Shabda Cayaniká Part 2, Disc: 13)

By Baba's above teaching, it it quite evident that our psycho-spiritual energy should not be diverted towards crude or worldly gain such as curing a respected Dada of his illness. Baba is adamant on this point.

                                     
                              SIMILAR TO HINDU SHRADDA DOGMA

Actually this notion of doing kiirtan to cure someone of their illness is just like the Hindu  shraddha dogma where in their ceremonies their intention is to provide comfort for the deceased soul. But we never do such things in Ananda Marga. We know that Baba is taking perfect care of everyone - all of the time. All our spiritual practices are solely for pleasing Parama Purusa and serving Him. So we must not allow our kiirtan programs to degenerate and become a mirror image of this type of Hindu dogma where we pray for someone else's mundane needs. This is not our way.


                                      DO NOT CHASE AFTER SIDE-EFFECTS

Doing kiirtan to cure one of an illness is just like bringing everyone together to perform social service under the motive of getting name and fame.

Yes, if one does service one may receive acclaim in the society, but that is not why we do it. We do service to please Parama Purusa. That is our sole motive. Public praise is a mere side-effect. And if one does service only for getting prestige, then that prestige may not even come at all. One may not get any recognition. There must be purity of intention and our service is for pleasing Him.

Similarly, we do our kiirtan for Parama Purusa; that is our sole motive - to please Him. Toward that endeavour so many side effects may result: All kinds of calamities may be dispelled and averted etc. However, our entire goal in kiirtan is singular: To serve Parama Purusa; we do not do kiirtan with any other aim in mind.

Hence just as we do not perform social service with the inner motivation of getting recognition and public acclaim, similarly we do not do kiirtan with the expressed motive to dispel a particular calamity like curing a person from a disease.


                                    BABA'S STORY ABOUT KALAPHAR :

                                  NEGATIVE REPERCUSSIONS

If this current trend of organising kiirtan gatherings for curing people continues, then if such bhaktas do not get what they are demanding, they will start blaming Parama Purusa. They will think, "We did kiirtan but still Dadaji is sick."

Baba's below story leads in that direction.

Not only will they blame Baba in this way but they will lose faith & leave entirely. They will think, "Look what happened to me, or my wife, or Nigamananda etc, we did the kiirtan yet still we are suffering terribly."

Thinking thus they will lose faith and leave the path. This is what occurs in all those religions where people pray in this way. And if such events are brought into the Marga, the same negative outcome will result: People will lose faith and leave if their selfish agenda is not fulfilled. This trend is not at all good.

Here below Baba tells the story of Kalaphar and what he did when his mundane prayers were not fulfilled.

Baba says, "There is a well-known story about a Zamindar from Bengal called Kalachand Roy, later Kalapahar, who was a follower of Kálii. He worshipped a stone image of Kálii with great devotion. At that time some invaders, belonging to another religion, started a campaign to destroy all Hindu temples and deities. When Kalachand’s temple was about to be destroyed, he prayed to Kálii saying, “Mother, I do not have the power to protect you, so please protect yourself.” But how can a stone idol protect itself? In due course his temple and idol were destroyed, and Kalachand lost faith in Kálii. He was converted to the religion of the invaders, and became known as Sheik Kaluddin Khan. He launched his own campaign of terror throughout Bengal and Orissa and forcibly converted people to his new religion. He disfigured deities, destroyed temples and threatened people with physical violence to convert them. Once he travelled to Kashi and set about converting a widow who also happened to be his elder sister. She refused to succumb to his threats, and scolded him mercilessly for his bad behaviour...This made him realize the error of his ways, and he abandoned his campaign. If Hinduism had not practiced idol worship, Kalachand would not have been converted. Because of his forcible conversion, Kalachand became extremely hostile towards Hinduism and launched his own campaign of terror against it. A religion should be so strong that no one can be converted from it." (Prout Nutshell-16)

Likewise, if some in AM resort to ritualistic worship and do not get their selfish ends met, then there is every likelihood that they will not only lose faith and follow a different path, but they may even become inimical to AM. We have had defectors in the past and this type of crude kiirtan gathering could and will generate a whole new wave of defectors. That is the very real outcome based on Baba's above teaching.


                                     WAYS WE CAN HELP A PATIENT

To help any patient, we can give our economic support, physical support (food, heat, clothing, medical attention etc), and emotional care. These are all very effective and appropriate ways of helping someone suffering from an illness.

But in our spiritual practice we are not  to request Parama Purusa for mundane boons such as curing a patient etc. Doing kiirtan to cure them is not at all acceptable.


                                  MORE POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION

1. Baba guides us that sadhana should be done whenever possible but that does not mean that one openly declares that now I am doing sadhana for cyclone relief, or mother's illness, or for earthquake victims. Our spiritual practices are for pleasing Parama Purusa - not any mundane cause.

2. Baba has specifically mandated that spiritual potentiality should never be directed towards mundane reasons, causes, or gain.

3. One may do kiirtan and sadhana any day and any place, but the stated purpose must not be something mundane, such as one Dada's illness or one margii's unemployment etc.


                                                   BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace, He has given us the practices to reach unto Him and we must not let those practices to be tainted by bringing in dogmas whereby we pray for mundane matters during our Baba Nam Kevalam kiirtan. So we cannot support the recent program where some gathered for kiirtan in order to cure Nigamananda ji. During kiirtan we are to ideate on Parama Purusa and Him alone.

Baba says, "At the time of kiirtana, so many people, so many devotees assemble, and all their collective physical energies function unitedly. But more than that their collective psychic energies are flowing in the same channel under the inspiration of Parama Puruśa." (Ananda Vacanamrtam - 22)

Baba says, "...So let one’s vision be fixed on the goal. There is no necessity to think of anything else." (Ananda Vanii #67)

Namaskar,


Note 1:                         MUST NOT DO TAINTED KIIRTAN

Certainly after doing sadhana the mind becomes calm, quiet and blissful. But in truth we do not do sadhana for these effects. The goal is to please Parama Purusa and attain Him.

Similarly, by doing kiirtan all kinds of natural calamities can and will be dispelled but the purpose of doing kiirtan should not be this. The purpose of doing kiirtan is to serve and please Parama Purusa.

Baba says, "The best method of rendering psychic service to Parama Puruśa is by doing kiirtan." (Ananda Vacanamrtam - 22, Serve the Supreme by Kiirtana)

Those who are not ignorant can easily differentiate between doing kiirtan to please Him and doing kiirtan to dispel calamities. When the mind is involved in thinking about someone's sickness during kiirtan then that kiirtan is itself tainted. It is not pointed kiirtan. So that will not serve the purpose or achieve the desire effect anyway. It is true that calamities do get dispelled through kiirtan but that is the side-effect not the goal. So this way of thinking should never be encouraged.

Unfortunately some ignorant organised a kiirtan program encouraged people to do like this (see note below). But they do not have any idea what  they are doing. They want to do something good but in reality they are doing just the opposite.


Note 2:            KIIRTAN ANNOUNCEMENT TO CURE NIGAMANANDA JI

Here is that announcement of that kiirtan program to cure our dear Dada Nigamanandji's illness. It was an SMS from Mobile No.- +91-78386 94435 (Delhi / NCR mobile no., India):

"Baba Nam Kevalam kirtan, 11 to 14 hrs at Gadaipur Baba Qtr (not at Mandavali) on Sunday 20th FEB for speedy recovery of Ac Nigmanada Av. Lets attend and pray......"


Note 3:                       RELATED LETTER ON DADAJI'S ILLNESS

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2011/02/feeling-happy-by-others-suffering.html

== Section 2 ==

~ I Remember Everything But My Ista Mantra ~

"A'mi a'r  kaono kichu bhuli na', shudhu bhule tha'ki tavo na'm..." (P.S. #838)

Purport:

O' Parama Purusa, it is so unfortunate and painful that I do not forget anything mundane; but I always forget Your divine name. I cannot remember it constantly, because worldly things always come in my mind. And those mundane things I always remember, only I forget Your name. O' my Dearmost, please grace me. I want to remember Your name all the time - within each and every breath and respiration - but alas I forget. O' Divine Entity, although I don't chant Your name and remember You, even then I can see that You love me. By Your grace, I always feel Your love, especially when I look towards You. You are very charming and gracious.

O' Parama Purusa, You are the most magnificent One. When by Your grace the stars shower from Your heavenly effulgent bosom, then the effulgence from those particles fills my heart with divine ecstasy.

 

Baba, the Parama Purusa, You are the most compassionate One. The divine love which You have poured in my heart - the affection that You saturated in my mind - always vibrates my being and brings me to the divine world. The melody that You played within my mind, in its tune, today I do sastaunga pranam to You again and again with that very tune and melody which You have resonated in my heart & mind. 

O' my Lord Baba, please shower Your causeless grace on me so that I always chant Your divine name...

                 ****************************************
                                 A Few Medicines

Baba says, "Aloe juice is a medicine. Dried aloe sap is called musabbar
in Arabic. A type of rasa'injana also used to be prepared out of aloe
sap, or musabbar, which was used as medicine -- it was used to treat
blood pressure and insanity due to gall bladder disorder." (SC-3, p.109)

Baba says, "The retention-of-urine ailment that results when the
movement of the urine is obstructed is also called kabandha. The water
from soaked fenugreek, fresh date juice, palm juice, and sha'nkha'lu [a
conch-shaped esculent] are medicines for this disease." (SC-3, p.103)
                ****************************************

Main Reason of their Death

From: "Karma Rasa"
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Main Reason of their Death
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2010 21:02:46 +0000

Baba

"Vinati ja'i kare tava caran' dhare..." (P.S. 3687)

Purport:

 Baba with folded hands I go on requesting You again and again holding
Your lotus feet that: Please come to my home. Please grace me again and
again. Baba, You have countless abodes to go visit or stay that may be
according to Your liking; even then You should not forget that this
little hut of mine is Your creation. Baba I always dance in Your rhythm
and sing in Your melody, in Your tune. I feel that You are the tune,
melody, and lyrics-- everything. I play Your viina.

 I am Yours, and everyone is Yours. Your divine play is our world. What
way You play Your liila, that is my entire existence. I am always
ensconced in Your ideation, in Your dhyan. I always speak and sing Your
ideology, Your tales, Your teachings. I move accordingly by Your grace.

 Baba, when You play Your flute, with that attraction You pull me close
to You. And that is my vital energy for forward movement. Baba You are
the base of everything. You are the quintessence. Your glory is
unfathomable which cannot be expressed. You are everyone's soul--
everyone's heart. Baba with my folded hands I do sastaunga pranam that
You please come to my little hut. Please grace me...

== MAIN REASON OF THEIR DEATH ==

Namaskar,
With each and every passing day it becomes more and more clear that we
are at the height of this vaeshyan era. The situation is almost over the
top. But we are not there yet, still tougher times lay ahead.

We are seeing its final series of pulsations as it unsuccessfully tries
to rescue itself before its final death.

Unfortunately, this spells trouble for the common people. Not just
ordinary trouble, but the deep-seeded type of trouble, or sheer
desperation, which leads one to the brink of suicide, or even suicide
itself.

Everyone wants happiness, that is what every human being is searching
for. And when they lose all hope in getting it, then thoughts of
self-destruction arise.

Tragically, this is the phase we witnessing now in this present era.
Because of the inherent defects of capitalism people are falling into
this chasm.

Every day this or that report comes on the news how such and such
billionaire has killed himself or how an ordinary person who lost their
home due to foreclosure committed suicide. This is the horrible reality.

As Ananda Margiis it is our duty to understand the deeper nature of the
problem, avert that dark whole ourselves, and help others come onto safe
and stable ground.

TWO ROOT CAUSES

There are two root causes of the recent rash of suicide cases: (1)
Improper goal, and (2) isolation.

Both are part of the inherent defects of capitalism.

In capitalism people get enslaved into materialism and they think that
crude objects and money are the goal. Their entire existence gets
painted and shaped in that color. They think that is everything: Their
job, their prestige, their house, their car, their whole way of life.
And when that is jeopardised or lost, then they think everything is gone
and there is no reason to live. That is one of the main causes of
extreme desperation and suicide these days.

The second cause is also due to capitalism. Selfishness is direct result
of capitalism. People are taught to satisfy and indulge themselves, and
not worry about the plight of others. This brings isolation such as in
the US where the family system has broken down and where people live
more and more unto themselves and interact with others less. Computer
games and blogging-- and the pursuit of owns own selfish desires-- have
taken the place of friendship and community. In that case, when tough
times arise, there is no one to turn to for help and support.
Desperation then multiplies and suicides can result.

NOT A QUESTION OF RICH OR POOR

IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE GOAL

Here we should remember that the problem does not only strike those who
are rich or those or are poor. The amount of wealth is not the operating
factor. There are some poor people who have lost their homes due to a
typhoon or unemployment and mentally they are alright; and there are
some poor people who have lost their homes due to economic woes and they
are totally distraught and stricken with thoughts of suicide.

The same variation can occur with the wealthy. Some may lose their
wealth and be able to cope and some lose their wealth and can only think
of ending their lives.

So the root cause is not one's economic status or social status. The
main cause is harboring a mundane ideal as the goal of life. If one
thinks their house or car or wife is everything-- no matter the size,
cost, or beauty of that thing-- then if and when what disappears from
their life, one becomes prone to extreme desperation and even suicide.

That is why a person who lost their house in the US is far more prone
to suicide than someone of the same economic means who lost their house
in Bhutan or Indonesia. Because the US is far more materialistic and its
citizens feel that the value of their life is tied up with material
things. That is the common way of thinking.

Hence today, with all the economic woes - i.e. when the carpet has been
pulled out from everyone - then there is so much cause for concern,
especially in western, materialistic countries like the US.

Because knowingly or unknowingly millions and millions of people have
been focusing on material wealth as the goal of their life. And with
that gone, a crisis like a rash of suicides can occur-- and indeed
we are now seeing this horrible trend.

So we should all be aware and sincerely ask ourselves how far
materialistic interests have crept into our mental framework.

LIFE IS SYSTALTIC - COMMUNITY HELPS

Let's revisit the other side of this equation.

As we know life is systaltic: It goes up and down. Sometimes one is
happy and sometimes sad. Often, it is friends and family who help us
through difficult times.

So in a materialistic era, when people view money and material wealth as
the crowning jewel or goal of life, and when economic woes are
everywhere, then naturally one will be in a time of trouble and difficulty.

Now here is where the other part of the problem strikes.

In places where extreme materialism is in vogue, like the US, then
because of the very self-centered attitude, many of the social
conventions and safety nets are gone. Friends and family have been
alienated and one may feel alone.

And then when there is an utter dearth of social programs from the
government side, then people will really feel helpless, as if there is
not a hope in sight. At that point, feelings of suicide will swirl in
the mind.

CAPITALISM IS BAD ON SO MANY LEVELS

When the economy is down, as it is now, then we can really see the
horrific effects of capitalism. Capitalism is not just a harmful
economic approach, it is a way of life that railroad people's lives into
dust. Their minds become saturated in a materialistic outlook and they
lose touch with family and friends. In a phrase, materialism and
selfishness destroy the whole human personality. In that case, when the
tidal wave of economic woes erupt, then people feel that their whole
world has come crashing down and they have nowhere to turn. That is why
capitalism is an agent of suicide.

And that is why Baba harshly warns us off the ill effects of
materialistic philosophies like capitalism.

Baba says, "Materialism is the most dangerous – indeed, suicidal –
philosophy." (NSS)

Tragically, that is the fate many will face, if they do shift their goal
away from the material venues like property, cars, retirement accounts,
stock options, etc

EVERYONE MUST BE ALERT

We should all be vigilant to ensure that we are not depending on
physical or mobile things as our goal. Because when those slip away, one
will feel sad, hopeless, and ultimately shelterless and depressed. That
is when suicide feelings begin.

Although materialism is everywhere, we must rise above it and keep our
spiritual aim in mind. That is the only path of our survival and
success. Being a materialist is not based on how much one owns but
rather what one values in life.

We should all ensure that the Supreme Goal is what we most treasure and
not any fleeting thing of this world like prestige, wealth, etc. Even in
AM, we sometimes see how lust of post is a reflection of one's
materialistic bent of mind. For that they can kill others or even
themselves. So this disease of materialism is rampant and those who
follow it will not be spared.

We should all be alert and help awaken others also.

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace only the God-centered approach of Prout can save the
people from the poison of materialism. As Ananda Margiis, we have to
propagate His ideals and show the people that there is more to life than
materialistic pursuits. And by His grace society is already hungry and
thirsty for something more. So it is the ideal time to propagate
spirituality and Prout and bring relief to the people, lest they fall
prey to the illes of capitalism like suicide.

Baba says, "Both capitalism andhave failed to provide the proper
ideological inspiration and desideratum to human beings. In the
interests of the welfare of humanity, these systems should be replaced.
PROUT is against the exploitation by capitalism and the false dogma of
communism as both are detrimental to the all-round progress of human
beings...When the crimson sun is reflected on our faces we should
understand that the entire day is ours. Victory will be ours." (PNS-15)

Namaskar,
Karma Rasa

*************************************************
Allopathic Medicines Not Good

Baba says, "When people take allopathic medicine to cure a disease, the
medicine disturbs the ecological balance of the body because more
negative microvita get concentrated at the point of the disease.
Allopathic medicines do not kill diseases -- diseases die by their own
natural death. Although the medicine may check the disease, the
increased concentration of negative microvita can overcome the effect of
the medicine. In fact, the increased concentration of negative microvita
caused by allopathic medicines creates many new types of diseases, and
due to this, two or three new diseases are presently being created every
decade. So what is the solution to this problem? Our approach should be
two fold-- external and internal. Externally we should take medicines to
check diseases, but internally we should perform spiritual practice."
(MVNS, p.136)

*************************************************