Think on This

Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:25:41 -0500
From: Jitendra Deva
Subject: Think on This
To: am-global@earthlink.net

== THINK ON THIS ==

Namaskar,

Baba says, "You are social beings. One cannot live in isolation. When
you feel thirsty, you can't manufacture a spade, dig a well, and draw
water yourself. One person will make a spade, another will add the
wooden handle, and another will dig the well -- this is how we work
collectively. This is the way for human beings to live. In all spheres
of human existence, in the aesthetic sphere as well, humanity should live
collectively. You should live in unison. You should vibrate together to
the same music. You should move in a common psychic flow. You should fight
collectively against your common enemies. Unitedly you should face all
problems, mundane and supra-mundane. In a word, you must reflect the
spirit of harmonious collective living in conformity with the spirit
of the Vedic mantra Sam'gacchadhvam' sam'vadadhvam." (5 April 1981)

Baba's above teaching is the special guideline for arousing
social conscious-- which is lacking these days in the society. It is also
commonly known that some top dadas have gone far off from this
above Baba's teaching.

Namaskar,
Jitendra

Status of EMS

From: Ishvara Deva
Date: Tue 27 Mar 2012 21:36:06
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Status of EMS

== STATUS OF EMS ==

Namaskar,
Many are aware that "EMS" (Ek Manav Samaj) is a branch of our organisation where we sit down with people from the various dogmatic  religions and talk. One of the aims is to bring people from different faiths together so they can overcome their differences, hatred, and anger. This is one of the objectives of EMS, which is a distinct branch
of AMPS.

But this EMS branch where we meditate talks between different religious groups is quite different from our socio-cum-philosophical approach of Ek Manav Samaj, One Human Society.

The idea and reality of Ek Manav Samaj can only be achieved by creating one human society based on ideology. In that endeavour there is no scope or question of creating social unity by merging all the dogmas of the various religions, or compromising with different religious dogmas. That is never going to work - that will never bring social harmony.

Baba says, "How far is the unification of all religions possible?"

"Ans.: – To seek infinite bliss is the only dharma of humanity. Humanity has but one dharma. Thus, the question of the unification of religions does not arise. The apparent dissimilarity between various religions arising due to differences in their ritualistic practices is not a spiritual difference. Whenever rituals dominate and efforts to attain bliss are feeble, whatever that may be, it is not spirituality." (Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell Part 3, Some Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga Philosophy – Excerpt B, question #49)

The only way to create Ek Manva Samaj is to rid society from all such dogmas and build a neo-humanistic social order based on the pure spiritual ideals of AM.

Hence none should think that the tenets of EMS (i.e. talking with different religious groups) is part of the process of creating the social aim of creating one human society.

Namaskar,
Ishvara

Peace of Society...

From: "Gautama Deva"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:11:37 -0500
Subject: Peace of Society...

Baba

== PEACE OF SOCIETY LINKED WITH LIVELIHOOD ==

Namaskar,

Baba says, "For the all-round welfare and development of human beings, society needs  to follow some fundamental socio-political principles. Without the firm foundation of such principles, disunity, injustice and exploitation will flourish."

"First people should not be retrenched from their livelihood unless alternative employment has been arranged for them."

"Let us discuss what happens when people lose their livelihood. Take the example of rickshaw pullers in India. The work of rickshaw pullers is exhausting and poorly paid, but if it is declared illegal, many rickshaw pullers will become unemployed and their lives will become more miserable. Those who cannot find alternative employment will either die of starvation or become criminals in an effort to survive. In either case, society will be adversely affected. So, before this occupation is prohibited, rickshaw pullers should be provided with suitable alternative employment."

"Now you understand the consequences of retrenching people without arranging a suitable alternative livelihood for them." (Prout Nutshell-16, p.68-69)

1. In failing to follow this important point, currently, countries like India are facing a whirlpool of criminal activity.

2. Altogether in this chapter Baba puts forth three cardinal principles for "individual and collective progress". Reference PNS-16 chapter 10 for a full listing & description. 

3. For those who do not have the book, the three cardinal principles are:
(a) No retrenchment from job unless new employed arranged.
(b) No forced religious conversion.
(c) Not suppression of mother tongue.

Baba says, "Without the firm foundation of such principles, disunity, injustice and exploitation will flourish. To avoid this and to safeguard the interests of all people, the leaders of society must ensure that cardinal socio-political principles are strictly followed. Otherwise, individual and collective progress can never be achieved." (Prout Nutshell-16, p.68)

Namaskar,
Gautama Deva

PRABHATA SAMGIITA

“Tumi na’ bole esechile, a’j na’ bole cale gele…”  (Prabhata Samgiita #1327)

Purport:

Baba, without saying anything You came and appeared in my dhya’na, and now today without telling You just left– disappeared. Baba, I was lying in the dust on the path, and You graciously lifted me up and put me on Your lap. You have done everything.

O’ Parama Purus’a, O' Baba, my dwelling was old and tattered – broken down. Not only that, I was also without intellect and conscience. My condition was so pitiful that I did not have even one morsel to put into my mouth. With Your love and kindness, You bestowed everything upon me and taught me all that I needed to know.

Baba, I was not understanding the dharma of human life – what human beings should do, and what are the do’s and don’ts. About all these things I was not at all aware. To get You, I did not do any sadhana. Even then by Your grace You have taught me sadhana and blessed me with perfection to move ahead on the path.

O’ Divine Entity, O' Baba, previously in my life I was not even up to the standard of a human being. All the teachings I had been given were full of dogma. Baba, You have graciously poured the sweetness, given me a voice, and lifted me onto Your Divine lap. Baba, You have done everything.

O' my Dearmost, secretly You came and secretly You left – even then You have arranged everything for me. Baba, Your grace is unforgettable...

 

How Culture is One

Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2010 06:48:27 -0000
To: AM-GLOBAL
From: Hariish Deva
Subject: How Culture is One

Baba

"A'mi toma're bhuliya' chinu katadin..." (P.S. 4091)

Purport:

 Baba, I was remaining forgetful and was oblivious of You for such a long
span of time. My life passed like this. I traveled on the rugged, jagged path.
Sometimes I fell down in the ocean current.
 My days, full of stains, were wasted in hopelessness-- without any
achievement, without any genuine progress. So many lonely, isolated nights
passed in crying in utter despair with no pra'na-- just frustration.
 Baba, sometimes I suffered and got hit by the cold northern breeze. And
sometimes that northern breeze took away all my hopes, inspirations, and
gains. Just I drowned in staticity and crudeness.
 But now, by Your grace today spring has come. All the surroundings are
filled with the colourful flowers and sweet aroma. The dark night has
changed into a glittering moonlight, shining in the sky. Peacocks are
dancing in happiness and expressing their joy by extending their feathers.
 The sweet breeze has come. It is shaking my whole existence and making
me quiver in the divine vibration. That sweet breeze is giving me the hint
and telling me, 'Listen! the divine flute, which is resonating, it is
calling you..."


                                  == HOW CULTURE IS ONE ==

Namaskar,
Commonly people think there are so many cultures: African, western, Native American, Chinese, Russian, Indian etc. Indeed, in the last two decades, various terms like multi-cultural, plurality of cultures, bi-cultural etc have come into vogue. People think humans are different according to their "separate culture". Hence it is often thought that there are many different cultures on this planet. In that case there is no question of one human family.

But according to Baba's teachings, human culture is one - not many. This letter is an effort to better understand Baba's sublime teachings on culture, and why culture is one.


                                     WHAT IS CULTURE

First and foremost, according to Baba Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji, culture is the collective name of various human expressions.

Baba says, "Culture is the collective name of various expressions of human life." (A Few Problems Solved - 6)


                               APPLYING THE AFORESAID DEFINITION

Let's examine a few practical examples to better understand what is culture.


                                HUMAN CULTURE IS ONE: GREETINGS

As we know, when people meet then they greet each other. This practice of humans greeting each other when they meet is pervasive. It happens everywhere. A person in the hills of North Korea greets their friend; and a person from a valley in California greets their friend. In both cases, in some way they greet their relations.This is a common practice. This is culture. And because it is everywhere, that is why culture is one.

Of course, people from different lands may express their greetings differently.

For instance, in Ananda Marga we do namaskar or pranam; in some lands, people bow to one another; in other countries people wave their hand and say hello; in some places people say shalom; in other lands people embrace one another or kiss; and many resort to handshaking also. Thus there are many ways that people greet each other. But these various types of greetings are not cultures, but rather demi-culture.

Culture is the act of greeting, irrespective of how it is done. One this point, all human beings share a common thread; they all greet one another.

Some may try and bifurcate the society by dividing people into this culture or that culture. But in truth there is a common thread that is shared among all. Greetings is one such common point. Again, there may be various ways of greeting a friend, but in reality people from all various places are all doing the same thing, i.e. greeting.

It should be very clear that the greeting itself culture , while the way people greet one another is a cultural expression or demiculture. Demiculture may be innumerable but culture is one. That is why all humans are one.

To some it may look like culture is many. However, the very act of greeting another person is itself our human culture. The practice of greeting a friend or neighbor etc is shared by all peoples in all lands.


                              HUMAN CULTURE IS ONE: EXPRESSING ONE'S HAPPINESS

All over the world people express their joy or happiness. This expression of happiness is common to all. This is culture. If someone is happy in Thailand then they express their happiness, and if someone is happy in Alaska or Siberia then they too express their happiness. Expressing happiness the culture of human beings: When they are happy then they express themselves in some way.

It may be through art, dance, laughter, drama, music and so many ways. That is a common point everywhere. That is why human beings are one, irrespective of their geographical area. Because their culture is one, i.e. when they are happy they express their joy.

People of Thailand may dance in a way different from residents of Alaska or Siberia. And that difference in style is their demi-culture, or the cultural expression of that area.

One should not confuse culture and demi-culture. Culture is the trunk of the tree and the demiculture refers to all those branches, and twigs.

So human culture is one, i.e. expressing happiness when they are happy.

In other words in different lands, people express their joy or happiness in various ways. Some sing, some dance, some clap, some whistle, some smile, some laugh, some slap hands, and others hug. There are so many ways how people express their happiness. These are not culture, but rather demi-culture. Demi-culture are different in various lands. The main theme is that when they are happy and they express their happiness. That is common everywhere. That is culture and that is one.


                                 HUMAN CULTURE IS ONE: HUMAN VALUES

Each and every community gives value or importance to something. In the west, matter or material wealth is most valued: people chase after property, possessions and money; in other lands marriage or social status is most valued; and in some places religion is what is most cherished. In each of these areas, people have a chosen arena that they revere or value most; this gives them their stamina and direction.

Giving value to something is present everywhere around the globe. A person of a remote village of Zaire has something that he cherishes in life and deems very important and a person of Canada living in a bustling city also values something in his life. This is the common point everywhere. Human beings have something they cherish. That is the culture of human being. Both in Zaire and Canada this is true. They share a common point in that they both value something. Around the globe, all have this. That is the common point of all human beings. That is culture. It is one. Peoples' values may change from place to place, but the act of giving value to something is common to all.

In other words, that every person in every land gives value to something is our shared human culture. On this point of giving value or cherishing something, people of various lands or areas cherish different things. People in some parts of the world value material possessions, and in some parts people give importance to religion. So there are local variations, but those variations are not culture, but rather demi-culture. Then what is culture? To cherish something in life, that is culture.

So it should be very clear that giving value to something is culture. Every human being on this planet has this quality. This is the common thing to all. That is why culture is one. People of different areas may value different things, but they value something. And that quality of cherishing something is human culture. And that is common. That is why around the planet there is one culture.

In clarification: Demi-culture means chasing particular things: whether it be material or spiritual or intellectual or external beauty or art and literature - they must cherish something. This variety is demiculture and the common point of cherishing something is culture. That is why all humans are one. All have the same culture.


                                     HUMAN CULTURE IS ONE: FOOD

Wherever people live together they have friends or family and on various occasions they share their food. This is common everywhere. In China, people feed their children, relatives, friends and family; and in Australia they feed their children, relatives, friends and family. The common ticket is that they share food with others. This everyone does. This is human culture - it is common and done everywhere. Thus, on the point of food also, human culture is one.

No doubt the person in Australia has his own style of cooking, dining, menu choices, and serving, and those from a remote Chinese village have their way of cooking, dining, menu choices, and serving. These things are demi-culture. Culture is that they all share their food with one another - that is common around the globe. The difference is these expressions are but local variations of a superficial nature. The deeper aspect is common: Preparing and sharing food.

The way people eat may vary significantly from place to place. Some do half-bath, sing kiirtan and do sadhana before eating; others wash their hands and feet and say a prayer; some eat with their hands; others eat with a spoon; some eat vegetarian and some take non-veg. And there are so many ways and foods people eat. The manner and style varies dramatically from place to place. But these things are not culture; they are demi-culture.

Here culture is practice of serving and sharing food with friends, family, relatives and neighbors. This is commonly done all around the globe. That is why Baba says that the culture of human beings is one. Everyone shares food with their children, family, friends or guests etc. Hence, human culture is one.

There are various ways of doing this around the planet, but those various approaches and styles are not culture; they are demiculture. The culture of human beings is one, irrespective of where you are born, culture is one.

We should not separate one human from another by proclaiming people of various areas as having various cultures such that they are alien to each other. Our outlook on this issue is 100% integrated - all inclusive.


                                            CONCLUSION

All human beings are one: (a) everyone greets, (b) everyone expresses happiness, (c) everyone has something they value or holds as an ideal, (d) people share and serve food together, and (e) many similar practices can be included in this list.

Irrespective of their so-called caste, language, so-called race or geographical areas, literal or educated, all have these common qualities. That is why inherently human culture is one. By superficial look, it seems that people live in different ways and express themselves but these are local variations that we term as demi-culture.

The conclusion is that fundamentally human beings are one and there are various local differences and those differences are not cultural but rather demi-culture.


                   WHY ANANDA MARGA PROPAGATES THAT CULTURE IS ONE

Ananda Marga wants to unite all and form one human society. This is one of the main themes: To unite all human beings. If we view culture as many then it is difficult to unite everyone. So our AM's perspective on culture is to find common elements that all have in their general expression. It is by this way we can understand human culture as one.

And when people start thinking human culture to be one then it will be very easy to unite everyone. Then peace can be brought on this earth. Disunity invites violence. People divide humanity on the basis of various platforms including culture. By that way so many problems surface. By understanding culture as one we can unite everyone and bring peace.

Namaskar,
Hariish


Note 1:                         COMMON MISUNDERSTANDING

qqq Often, what people think to be culture is not culture but rather demi-culture. Subtle or fundamental qualities which everyone has is culture and that is prevalent everywhere. And that is what we tried to express in the above  letter. qqq


Note 2:                       PERVASIVENESS OF THE PROBLEM

Some may innocently think that this issue of culture is not an important affair or that this is not a problem. Here following is one striking example of the degree to which the present day humanity has fallen into the trap of dividing people into different cultures.

When watching or listening to a news broadcast, reports are commonly given: "75% of Black males...", or "15% of Asians...", or "the majority of hispanics...", or "Haitian immigrants are prone..." etc. People are not treated as people but rather as members of separate groups, clans, castes and cultures.

Here the point is that the news purports to present events in an unbiased, impassive tone. Yet the language which they use itself is divisive: blacks, hispanics, whites, asians etc. They put people in different groups as a matter of course. In turn everyone accepts this as being totally normal. Because when such an authoritative voice speaks in this way, then people take it as an unquestionable truth that there are different cultures or different races on this earth. They do not think twice about it. Just they live as if deep down we really are different and there is no common thread. Such is the dramatic or blatant manner in which people commonly think these days and this is reflected by popular and even intellectual news reports.

So then how should such news be reported. Firstly, people should be referred to as human beings, and not "African Americans" or "Asians" or "Latinos" etc. Everyone is a human being and it should be reported in that manner. Secondly, if indeed it is needed or noteworthy to provide differentiations, then that classifcation can be made on characteristics like lifestyle (i.e. obese persons are more prone to heart disease, or those eating flesh foods are prone to coronary heart disease), economic level, age, educational attainment etc. In all these ways we can groupify people, but not based on race. It should not be reported that on white person attacked three black people or that a chinese man started a new business etc. We are all human - that is our race & human culture is one; our manner of speaking should reflect this inclusive approach.

As Ananda Margiis, it is our job to change this outlook and help all come to the understanding that human culture is one.


Note 3:                         CULTURE CAN BE GOOD OR BAD

One critical point to know is that demi-culture can be good and demi-culture can be bad. When a demi-culture elevates a person or a community it is good demi-culture; and when a demi-culture degenerates a person or a community it is bad demi-culture. More about this will be written in the next letter.


          ******************************************
                       Real Wealth

"Ya'jinavalkya asked, 'What would you like?'"

"Maetreyii replied: 'Yena'ham' na'mrtasya'm' tena'ham' kim kurya'm'"

"'What will I do with things which will not remain with me permanently?
Of what use are the objects which will not establish me in
immortality?...'Please give me that thing which will remain with me
permanently, which I'll be able to preserve forever, which will
establish me in immortality. I don't want anything else.'"

"Then Ya'jinavalkya gave her a number of instructions, upon which a
major part of Raja Yoga is based'." (AV-7, p.44)

Note: As described in the above quote: Really, worldly things cannot
remain with us very long. That is why ideal people run towards Parama
Purusa. Being Parama Purusa and Guru, Baba Himself has guided us how to
reach Him. On this point, we are extremely fortunate to at least have
gotten the path. Now our main duty is to follow it.
            ******************************************

Picture of One Human Society?

From: "Praviira Matel"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Picture of One Human Society?
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 2010 23:01:15 +0000

Baba

"Nu'tan diner nu'tan su'ryat pu'rva a'ka'she ut'heche a'cho..."  (P.S. 1308)

Purport:

 Baba, by Your grace, today the new sun of the new dawn is rising up in
the sky. With the feeling of fear and shyness, the Cimmerian darkness of
the night has disappeared.   O' human being, throw away the staticity and
dogma of the past, and embrace the effulgence of the new dawn. The
divine Entity with the divine effulgence has come to your doorstep--
with new form and color, showering love on all.
 O' human being, the creatures of darkness have disappeared. The Parama
Purusa who is the nucleus of this universe, that very Entity is the
greatest One. Ideating on Him go on doing His service...


                     == PICTURE OF ONE HUMAN SOCIETY? ==

Namaskar,
These days in this digital era, some think that the social network 
phenomenon of "FaceBook" and its 500+ million and ever-growing list
of participants can bring one human society on this earth. But this
type of random collection of people with divergent goals and desires
can never bring our human family together.

Here in this letter we discuss society and why the crowd collected
on FaceBook and the picture portrayed on our "Human Society" book
are not conducive to crating a unified humanity.

Specifically there are a number of 'odd' pictures on the
cover of the recent "Human Society" book that make the whole publication
look displaced-- or worse than that.

Here following is more of the background & details of this entire affair.


                    THE MEANING OF SOCIETY

As we all know in our Ananda Marga, the 'term' society carries a special
meaning.

Baba says, "What is society, what makes it up? What is Samaj?"

               'Samanam ejati iti samajah...' 
              
"Here 'moving together' does not mean march or double march, here 'moving
together' means that all portions of society, all portions of the
collective body, should have the spirit to move ahead." (PNS-3, p. 49)

Thus moving together does not mean holding hands and going to the cinema
theatre. Nor does it mean attending the Olympic games where several hundred
thousand people are sitting next to one another. Because in neither case
are those persons moving together. Rather theyt all have their own plans
and programs. Indeed no two are moving together. Their thoughts are all
different. Their goals are different.

So in the real sense of the term, 'society' is a high ideal that means
collectively moving together in one direction towards the Supreme Goal. So
it is not an ordinary thing.

Hence Baba has specifically given the special shloka, "Saman ejati...", as
beautifully noted above.


                    SOCIETY VS. CROWD

So only those assembled together with one Goal and moving ahead in one
direction are a society. Otherwise any group of people is nothing but a
crowd.

Anyone who has visited Kolkata knows that Howrah railway station has a huge
number of people-- a huge crowd, but you cannot say it is a miniature form
of a society.

And the same can be said of any such public spot in nearly city. And the
same can be said of all those pictures that got glued up on the cover of
our Human Society book. Which is discussed in greater detail down below.
The main idea being that there is a vast difference between the formation
of a society and the gathering of one crowd. The crowd is not at all a
society-- rather far from it. And all Margiis are aware about this.

That is why in AM we say that the term 'society' has special meaning and in
countless discourses Baba has beautifully depicted how a human society
should be and what steps should be taken to build it up. Indeed our AM
mission is inherently linked with the formation of one human society.
And here in this unique discourse Baba reveals that fact in the human
history a society has never been made and that our only AM carries the
right vision to lead in the creation and progression of a society.

Baba says, "Society in the true spirit of the term is yet to be formed in
the world. So our primary duty now is to form a society. The seed of social
consciousness is inherent in our 'Sam'gacchadhvam Samvadadhvam' Mantra.
Where there is no such Mantra there is no ideology, and where there is no
ideology, life is a goalless voyage." (PNS-8, p.1)

Hence the special link between Ananda Marga and the formation of one human
society.


       NEGATIVE PHOTOS PASTED TO THE COVER OF HUMAN SOCIETY

Yet the cover of our very own "Human Society" book parts 1 & 2 ('99 Edn) is
filled with all sorts of negative photos that go directly against the
build-up of One Human Society. Means the perfectly dharmic pages of Baba's
grand book is telling one thing and the dogmatic front cover of the book
made by the Publications Dept is leading in an entirely different
direction. Such an irony: One book & Two diametrically opposed  statements.

Please see the following examples:

1. As we all know that Baba has told on numerous accounts that the horrible
defect of Buddhism is its sheer and blatant inability to be able to guide
the society. Rather the Buddhist monks and nuns themselves are part of the
problem as they were co-habitating and getting into all sorts of crude
relations until finally as a religion they basically were kicked out of
India due to their extremely poor conduct. And then those dogmatic
Buddhists went off and created thousands of sects and groupings. And the
black tales of Buddhism go on and on. Yet on our very own Human Society
book there is one close-up picture of one Buddhist monk in full clad when
in no way does our AM supports their dogmatic, negative behaviours or their
defective teachings. So this photo does not at all depict the formation of
a society-- neither in letter nor spirit.

2. Next, which Ananda Margii does not know that gross American imperialism
and its capitalistic approach is arguably the last negative empire before
the build-up of sadvipra samaja. Baba has warned us about the grotesque
ways of capitalism. And currently the exploitative ways of American
capitalism have led that ruthless nation to invade and manipulate the
government and economy of one after another countries in order to exploit
their resources and turn those innocent local people into tools for the
American capitalist machine. And not only throughout this globe yet now
those capitalists have feasted their greedy eyes on capturing other planets
and satellites as well-- with the same nasty motive. To exploit and rule by
economic might. So this entire capitalistic strategy is condemned by our
Prout philosophy and Baba Himself opted & refused not to step foot on
America soil. Yet on our very own Human Society book there is one close-up
picture of an astronaut standing on the moon wearing an American flag. When
in no way does our Ananda Marga advocate those negative dealings of
American capitalism. So this photo also does not at all depict the
formation of a society-- neither in letter nor spirit.


             AND MORE DOGMATIC PHOTOGRAPHS ON THE COVER...

3. In a similar fashion on the cover of the Human Society book ('99 Edn)
there is also a snap-shot of one female who got completely tied up by
western pseudo-culture. And instead of leading a life of dignity and
simplicity that brings one to the respectful motherly status, instead of
that this female on the cover of the Human Society book fell right into the
dungeons of western modernism where the female is nothing but one negative
sex toy of the males. Such a terrible plight where females use all sorts of
poisonous cosmetics in order to make themselves appealing to their lustful
male counterparts. Yet the exploitation runs so deep that those degenerated
females think that they are gaining something when in fact they've been
tragically cut down and stripped by male western capitalists. Of course AM
only supports the dignity of women and the deeply respectful and
significant role of mother in the society. So when such a negative picture
is displayed on the cover of the Human Society book then it gives the wrong
impression that we appreciate such things. So this photo also does not at
all depict the formation of a society-- neither in letter nor spirit.

4. And also on the cover of the Human Society book is a picture of one
dogmatic Muslim Mullah. When the Muslim religion is nothing but one
negative force that stands for the repression of people and suppression of
free thinking. Because in countless discourses Baba Himself condemns and
exposes the rampant hypocrisy and negative ways of Muslims such as their
exploitation of women or meat-eating or countless other things.

4A. Plus there is a photograph of one athlete who is in first-place and
highlighting the 'Nike' trademark. When Nike is one negative international
corporate power that is infamous for its labor sweat shops in the third
world. And so many other exploits. And on countless occasions Baba lashes
out against such exploiters and as a solution He has put forth the
Proutistic system of cooperatives. But those at the helm of the
Publications Dept placed the 'Nike' photo on the cover of our Human
Society; when in true sense Nike is one of many negative corporations
responsible for tearing society apart.

5. And not only these above photos but the entire cover of the Human
Society book is filled with numerous such photographs such as village
people stuck in the age old dogmas of their area or simple people who are
working like oxen at the hands of exploitative rulers. So these photographs
which they placed on the cover have nothing to do the dharmic buildup of
society. Rather these photos represent the dark forces clutching at
humanity's heels.

6. Because indeed when you take one mullah and one Buddhist monk and each
are following their own dogma. Where Muslims have to eat several pounds of
meat each day by killing/sacrificing animals; that is their common food.
And Buddhist monks also have their negative foods and dogmas. Then what
society are they going to form.

7. Likewise in Islam, three females are equal to one male. Females have no
right to vote, even no right to speak or get an education or go outside and
play. They do not have rights-- period. Muslims are the kings of that
dogma. Yet our Dadas placed that photograph of the Muslim priest (Mullah)
on the cover our Human Society book. This makes it look like we think
dogmatic fundamental Islamic law as being one key ingredient for building a
society.

8. By all this it is evident in fact haphazardly bringing Jews, Christians,
Hindus, and Muslims etc, when are all tightly clutching onto their own
religions. And then snapping their photo and gluing them all together and
saying this is the society-- that is one false notion.


            DOGMATIC RELIGIONS CAN NEVER BRING UNITY,

               BHAGAVATA DHARMA MUST BE FOLLOWED

In Tattva Kaomudii Baba Himself says that the unification of various
dogmatic religions is impossible and can never lead to a true human
society. (Tattva Kaomudi, Q&A, #49)

The point being that those locked in the grip of degenerative habits and
dogmatic beliefs can never lead the society ahead.

Baba says, "The right of preserving, building, and rebuilding society is
the duty only of those who are moving, not of those who are motionless, who
are dead." (Prout-10, p. 4)

Rather people will have to follow Bhagavad dharma, then unity will come,
otherwise not.

So altogether this cover to the English edition of the Human Society book
is one poor showing. Because in true sense human society is one seamless
dharmic movement of the people. Yet here on this book cover they just glued
up various dogmatic faces and images and stuck them together and the whole
things is moving in the wrong direction.  At least they could have selected
a single picture that showed people working hand in hand. But even that
could not be done. Just in their narrow-minded individualistic way they
one-by-one collected single dogmatic photographs and stuck them there so
that each one has its own negative vibration. And there is not even one
iota of feeling of collective movement. Rather this entire imbalanced
collage that somehow got placed as the book cover wreaks of oh-so-many
dogmas and negative scenes.


             ABOUT ROLE OF THE EDITORS & PUBLISHERS

By seeing all this on the cover of our book then many common people will
surely think that the "Human Society" book is nothing but a collection of
dogma or that we Ananda Margiis are ourselves dogmatic. Because the Human
Society cover gives that feeling / negative depiction. So really our
publishers and editors should be careful.

In this below teaching Baba guides us that any person who does not have a
proper understanding of the meaning of society (samajam) then they will
allow all those negative tendencies of the past to continue. In such a
terrible condition society will never advance, rather it will sink.
Baba says, "If those who have not comprehended what the form of the society
will be allow the trends of the past that have shaped the present to
proceed unchecked, then they can never lead the society to the path of
perfection. They will indeed thrust the society into darkness." (PNS-10, p.
10)

How far the editors and publishers of this edition of the Human Society
book fall into this category is for you to decide

Prior to '90 Baba did not allow such things and when His name was signed on
any book cover then it was sure that everything was done in proper way. Yet
now with the recent edition of the Human Society book, something else is
going on. Because on the one side Baba is the Dharma Guru Supreme whose
teachings are the guiding light for the humanity and side by some few
editors etc are pasting negative, dogmatic photographs all over the front
cover of Baba's divine book-- Human Society.

Please write your opinion how far we can compromise on such an issue as it
is directly related with the sanctity of Ista etc.

                                           
                      BABA'S BLESSING

Here below Baba is guiding us that all sadhakas of the Marga ensconced in
Supreme Benevolence are sure to build up that glorious, unified human society.

Baba says, "Moving together with the people they will continue to sing
their marching song-- they will go on filling the human mind with the sweet
nectar of eternal life." (Prout-10, p.5)

Namaskar,
Praviira


Note 1: Here Baba is warning that those guided by groupism or dogmatic
differentiation like religions etc will never be able to build up one
society.

Baba says, "If going ahead in mutual adjustment only out of narrow self
interest or momentary self-seeking is called society... it will not
suffice." (PNS-9, p.3)


Note 2: Baba guides us that the dogmatic religions are the cause of so much
negativity & divisiveness in the society.

Baba says, "There are a variety of religions in the world formulated by
different propounders. But instead of enhancing the spirit of unity in the
human society, these religions have actually increased disunity and mutual
conflict. How many wars have been fought in the name of religion? So, far
from being a unifying force, religion should be seen as a cause of
disharmony." (PNS-7, p. 23)


Note 3: A few years ago when I visited DMS then I saw some beautiful covers
of various AM books that did indeed represent the dharmic spirit of
society. In particular on the front cover of one of those books there was a
wonderful drawing or picture of a near endless line of colorful & diverse
people from all the four corners, who were all marching together in
unison-- everyone carrying the triangular saffron flag with the white
swastika emblem, and simultaneously raising the Jai slogan. The whole scene
depicted on the cover is one glorious sight that nicely represents AM
ideology and the spirit of a universal human society (samajam). Indeed it
was a pointed and attractive cover for one of Baba's books. So creating a
proper and well-suited book cover is a task well within our reach. So I
have hope that the next edition of the Human Society book series collection
will be up to the mark.


Note 4: Here following are more of Baba's beautiful and dharmic guidelines
about the formation of one human society:

Baba says, "All human beings must attach themselves to others by the common
bond of love, and march forward hand in hand, then only will I proclaim it
a society." (PNS-9, p. 3)
Baba says, "'Samgacchadhvam' means to build a strong, well-knit society,
where there shall be no exploitation, no superiority complex or inferiority
complex." (PNS-3, p. 49)

Baba says, "The entire society of A'nanda Ma'rga is thus founded on a
common ideal, the goal of becoming one with Brahma...the unity in a society
founded on the ideal of Brahma will be everlasting." (Tattvika Praveshika)


           ****************************************
                      Proper Care Needed

Baba says, "Pregnant women and female animals may work half of what they
usually do at other times; but under no circumstances should they be
allowed to do strenuous work, as it may lead to premature delivery or
stillbirth." (SC-20)

Note: Those who are forcing or allowing expecting mothers to do such things
may be developed materially but are not at all developed on humanitarian
grounds-- with regards to understanding others' problems. That is why
nearly everywhere in the western world, in all offices up to the last stage
of pregnancy women are working as they did in when they were in 100% fit
and healthy condition. That is why nowadays the most affected on this point
are females in western countries. And in result serious damage to the
babies happens. One can easily imagine that when mothers do not get resting
time before giving birth, then how will that same mother provide love and
affection to new born infants. Because in one week or so they will again
join their career jobs. This is a very sad state so I invite everyone's
attention to this. Because this is related with the future of the people in
those affected areas. And indirectly the whole globe is seriously affected.
Because without proper love, their children's development is severely
hampered-- their full psychic growth and the growth of their brain is
impossible because of this problem. Baba tells this in His book, Namah
Shivaya Shantaya.

Likewise in many third world countries like Indian, the people do not care
about female animals on this same problem. And not just animals but very
poor mothers in third world countries are also suffering from the same
problem of being overworked in the late stage of pregnancy.
            ****************************************

Which One Is Better

Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2010 08:29:41
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Which One Is Better
From: "Ishvara"

Baba

PS Intro: In this song, an above-average devotee is expressing his feeling
towards Parama Purus'a.

"Badhir theko na'ko priyo, shun'ate habe a'ma'r katha'..."  (Prabhata Samgiita 2310)

Purport:

  Baba, please look towards me. Keeping the yearning for You in my heart,
I am crying. Please do not be deaf. You have to listen to my tale of the
heart. Please understand the pain of the core of my heart. And please
understand the longing and yearning that I have to get You. I want to hold
You.   Off and on I go on listening to the sound of silence-- the divine flute
which You play. I feel that by that way You attract me. And it is there
that I see Your effulgence.  

   Baba, I feel that Your sweetness and Your love is present in that
effulgence and the sound of the flute. Baba, You are the a'lor & prana and
of my life. You are my hope; You are my Goal; You are my everything.     
If I forget you I will lose everything-- my life will be ruined. Baba,
You are the nucleus of my existence. That is why again and again I
surrender myself at Your lotus feet. Please understand the longing of my
heart. Please do not avoid me. Baba please come close...

== WHICH ONE IS BETTER ==

Namaskar,
A young innocent boys grows up to be a grown man feeling hatred, fear, or
animosity towards someone just because they have different color skin. Why
like this?

A tiny infant reaches up to adulthood harboring feelings of superiority,
inferiority, or disdain towards someone just because they are of another
so-called caste. Why like this?

There are so many institutions, customs, and codes across the globe which
only serve to undermine the very fabric of our human society. From religion
to education, from racism to casteism, from rich to poor-- there are so
many ways that differences are made. And that causes huge tension and
problems all around.

By Baba's grace, He has given the perfect remedy to dispel those myths and
correct those inequalities, permanently. All we need to do is apply the
grand ideas of Prout to the specific social ills of the day.

And sure enough, with regards to racial tension and communal hatred, a
practical solution is right at hand.


                       WHY TENSIONS OCCUR

One of the chief reasons behind the existence of racial and ethnic tensions
is having the various races and ethnic groupings grow up and live in
separate communities.

A young white girl who has never seen a person with black skin before has
been known to cry out of fear the first time she lays eyes on a black man.
It happens-- and vice versa as well. But that fear is not at all based on
rationality, just unfamiliarity and the dogmatic belief that the person
next to me is something different. And that social dogma, that
unfamiliarity, creates a gap that leads to racial and ethnic tensions. This
we all know.

Of course in our Marga, such differences are basically nil-- non-existent.

Because in AM everything is totally mixed. Due to (a) revolutionary
marriages, (b) our wt system where acaryas work in a country different from
their birth, (c) our children's homes and schools where kids of all
backgrounds play and live together, and (d) due to so many other life
practices, racial differences have been obliterated in our Marga and
replaced with the universal feeling, 'manav, manav ek hai', meaning all
humans are one.

However, in the stark absence of such an integrated way of living, various
peoples in communities around the globe develop social stigmas about other
social groups.

Here the point is that when people grow up in racially separate and
ethnically isolated communities, then, irregardless of the community, the
tendency is for there to be ill feelings towards those outside of their
group.

Some classic examples of this are white-black relations in the US or the
brahmin-harijan communities in India. In both circumstances, there is
moderate to extreme distrust or disdain for the other party. And this is
primarily due to having grown up in completely separate environments, in
'different pockets', even though they may have been living in the very same
city, town, or village.
                                

                         WHICH WAY IS BETTER
So in our Marga, we advocate mixing everything up until differences between
any perceived social groups become lost in the great sea of humanity. And
then with the help of sadhana, we cultivate common ideal that all are
brothers and sisters-- all are children of Parama Purusa. And this creates
a wonderful bond of love. That is our basic approach in Ananda Marga.

Baba says, "The multi-coloured garland of humanity will be enriched to the
extent diverse human groups blend together from a position of strength and
independence out of a genuine love for each other, and are not forced
together through fear or compulsion." (AFPS-9)

So that is one way of living on this earth. The other way is what various
capitalist nations like the US have done. And that we are going to briefly
revisit now.


                    SITUATION IN USA: PRESENT DAY CRISIS

As many may know, in the last 75 years, the US constitution has preached
the likes of (1) 'separate but equal', (2) then dismantled 'separate but
equal', and (3) then finally accepted-- albeit indirectly-- 'separate but
so-called equal'.

So initially 'separate but equal' was in vogue: White schools, black
schools, white buses, black buses, white bathrooms, black bathrooms, etc.
But this created huge chaos and hatred, and indeed there were huge
disparities between the quality of what the whites got versus what the
blacks got. So the phrase 'separate but equal' got rejected and was
declared "unconstitutional".

And in that vacuum, in the aftermath, everything was hurriedly integrated.
Black children were bused far distances to go to school with whites. And
there was forced mixing on all levels. That went on for several decades
where the 'blacks' were forced to mold themselves to the rules that whites
imposed on them. Because the integration occurred due to the mandates of
the white leaders.

So it went from segregation to integration and now the US has 'blossomed'
into a new stage. Now the policies of integration have been more or less
abolished. No longer is it policy to bus black children to white schools;
and instead, the phony ideal has been put forth that 'we are all one'. But
secretly capitalists harbor the idea that 'let there be differences in the
economic sphere'.

Thus the US capitalist ideal that everyone is free and all are part of the
same whole is just a euphemism for distinctly separate communities. Because
on the basis of economics the US remains quite divided. The poorer blacks
live primarily amongst themselves and manage with lesser institutions etc,
whereas the richer whites primarily live amongst themselves in
comparatively better environments. This is the practical expression of the
crude capitalist theory that-- we are all one, all are Americans etc.

                           
                WHICH WAY IS BETTER (PART II)

By the above review and, more clearly, from our own living experiences we
can easily see which one is better. Baba's Proutistic vision of forming one
human society by making a "multi-coloured garland of humanity" or the
capitalist model of eliminating integration and creating a so-called
oneness where economic disparities run rampant.

                                 
                     COMING TO A SOLUTION

While it takes a certain spiritual vision to really see all as brothers and
sisters, side by side Baba has given a rock-solid, practical way to wash
away the mess of capitalism, that preaches oneness yet privately promotes
that the dollar is king.

And that Proutistic response is to give strong economic support to all the
underprivileged groupings of society so they get the opportunity to live
and educate themselves where they like.

Capitalists proclaim that, 'Let the blacks live in their shanty-towns; they
like it like that'. Yet Proutists understand that those blacks are humans
like everybody else, given the economic power, they will surely like to
live in more comfortable surroundings.

That is why Prout preaches economic justice and backs up that slogan with
practical programs that give economic might to all the downtrodden
communities. In that case, invariably the separatism that exists in society
will wither away-- and racism will also be gone.

Because where people are not forced into segregation due to economic
disparity then they will move in thousands of directions and live in a
place according to their own choice. And in that process, the soup will be
invariably be stirred and the communities will become totally integrated
and ultimately one, in the real sense of the term.


              GROWING UP TOGETHER FOSTER UNITY AND GOOD WILL
                          
Because when children of all backgrounds and races grow up together then
that brings a feeling of closeness with each other. And for the rest of
their life they will not see 'white' or 'black' or any other shade thereof.
Rather they will naturally think that we are all part of the same human
family. This feeling will come spontaneously. That is why our Proutistic
approach is to knock down the walls between people and bring everyone
together in all sorts of ways, shapes, & forms. And in our Marga, verily
this has happened as Baba has put all the tools in place like RM's and
neo-humanism etc. The outcome is the systematic elimination of racism and
the creation of a singular human society.


                       OUR APPROACH IN AM

Here below Baba mocks and points out the duplicity of such capitalists and
exploiters who declare that 'we are all one', yet secretly create class or
caste distinctions.

Baba says, "You may have observed many people in the world who delivered
long lectures against caste discrimination and untouchability, saying, "No,
all are equal. I will take food touched by any caste. If you give me
filtered water in a clean glass I will not hesitate to swallow it - just
watch me drink!" And the audience applauded, "Very good! Very good!" These
people are called reformists; but their inner intention was to maintain the
caste system. Had they really wanted to remove caste discrimination, they
would have declared, "The cause of this untouchability is the caste system.
Because of the caste system, discriminations have emerged between high and
low, touchable and untouchable, one caste and another. So let us first of
all break the bondage of caste!"(2) If they had had the courage to proclaim
this directly, they would have become revolutionaries. But they lacked such
boldness." (NH-LOI, Disc:7)

So in our Marga, we courageously declare that all are indeed one and we
back that up with our RM's, schools, children's homes, and in various
avenues. And on the top Prout calls for economic justice for all. By that
way everyone will get the opportunity to advance-- together.

That is why there is a heaven and hell differnce between universal humanism
in AM versus the 'integrated-cum-separatist' approach secretly advocated by
various capitalists.


                      BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace, the days is not far when our Marga will make its mark in
this world and shatter the man-made boundaries that block human progress.

Baba says, "Thus only neohumanism can save the universe, only neohumanism
can save human existence. So now, we are to sing the songs of
neohumanism....Let all the hearts of the entire created universe, dance in
ecstasy. This is the goal of the day. We are for all." (PNS-9)

Namaskar,
Ishvara

*********************************************
Chemical Fertilisers Dangerous

Baba says, "The best manure for green vegetables is rotten vegetables. Cow
dung manure may also serve the same purpose. In the case of gourd, oil
cakes and mustard cakes mixed equally with soil will increase
production...it is noticeable that whenever chemical fertilisers are used
intensively, the land becomes infertile and useless after some time. This
is because chemical fertilisers destroy the vital energy of the land so
that it becomes lifeless, just like cement." (PNS-16, p.39)

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