Feeding From Distance

From: "Manindra  Deva"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Date: 18 Jan 2012 22:53:06 -0000
Subject: Feeding From Distance

Baba

"Sukhe ele na'ko, shoke sa'ntvana' dite ele..." (PS 3091)

Purport:

Baba, when I was feeling happy and content that time You did not come. Those days I was so enamoured with myself and I was so involved in my own glory that I did not even think to call You. So You did not come. But when I lost all that happiness and when I become drowned in my sorrows of self pity and when I was suffering and overwhelmed by various problems, then by Your grace You immediately came and consoled me. Baba in that desperate moment You graciously relieved me of my grief. Baba, I did not ever feel that You are mine. In this life I was always suffering from the vanity and ego of my own I-feeling. Those days I was thinking that 'I am everything'. Due to my ego I did not accept You as the Supreme One-- as my Goal. I did not take You as that most loving One who can solve all my problems; I did not surrender at Your feet. Baba, even then by Your grace You advented deep inside my heart and became mine. And now I understand that You are ever helpful and that You remain with me always.

Baba, those days when I was overwhelmed by that severe suffering, I did not outrightly tell You about my problems. I did not openly say anything. I did not express my pain to You. But because You are ever-present in my heart and because You are my eternal shelter, with Your infinite compassion You fully understood the desperate state of my mind-- You understood my sorrow. And by Your grace You instantly poured Your eternal sweetness and love. By Your grace You filled my whole existence with Your divine bliss.

Baba, due to my ego and vanity I could not recognise you. You were showering huge grace on me but I could not recognize that. I thought that due to my own qualities everything was happening. In those happy times I could not recognise You. Only did I begin to recognise You in my sorrow.

Baba, in my state of terrible suffering, when the mountain of misery started falling on my head, then all my friends left me. I was all alone. When I was happy then they were along with me but when I became sunk in misery all those friends disappeared. Baba, You are the exact opposite. When I was sunk in woe then by Your grace You immediately came and removed all my pains and troubles. Baba You bathed me in Your infinite love. Filling my I-feeling with Your bliss, You surrounded me each and every second. Baba, You showered Your grace and saturated my heart.

Baba, You are so gracious. You are love Personified. You have done everything for me. Baba, I surrender at Your alter...

== FEEDING FROM DISTANCE ==

Namaskar,
In light of the ongoing muddle of groupism, many are turning towards their service projects as their main interaction with the organisation. This is true for both margiis and wts. Of course we all know that we must not ignore the rage of groupism and just resort to some goody-goody life. So the troubles of groupism must be tackled by one and all. At the same time as we engage in our service projects, here are a few things for us to think about.

We all know that service projects are an integral part of AM life. Yet how they are to be built up and how they are to be maintained is not always easy to know. Should the money come from afar or locally? Plus to what degree are financial donors responsible for ensuring their money reaches the mark. These are but a few of the many important questions and considerations. Here following then are Baba's important guidelines regarding how to build and maintain service projects.

INITIAL QUERY

How far is external monetary support helpful in any project where local people are not involved? Or what happens when a project is totally dependent upon donations from outsiders? We can gain insight into this by looking at the history of Ananda Marga and the general society also.

HUMAN BODY AND MEDICINE ANALOGY

In one discourse Baba says that no structure can survive only depending on external help. Baba gives the example that if anybody is sick and you go on medicating him by external medicine injection, and if the body does not have its own vitality to pick itself up, then that external medicine is not going to work. External medicine is only helpful when the body is responding.

Or in other words, to give strength to the internal system of the body, some external medicine is needed sometimes. And that medicine does not do anything on its own; it just helps the internal system to pick itself up. In the case of a dead body where the internal system is completely defunct, then external medicine cannot help. If you go on giving medicines to one dead body, it will be useless.

100% EXTERNAL SUPPORT WILL NOT WORK

           
It is well known in the Indian history that there was a very big university in Nalanda'. The name was - Nalanda' Vishvavidya'lay. It was situated in Bihar. As long as the area was ruled by Buddhists, then that university worked fine. Means, that university was completely dependent upon donation from outsiders and from the King. The local public was not involved. So when the kingdom changed rulers, then antisocial elements set the university on fire. And in the library, hundreds of thousands of books were there. Nobody cared about those things and the whole campus and buildings were burned one after another. It took several months to go on burning. Local people were apathetic. So this is one factual history.

So in India we can see hundreds of abandoned mosques and churches which are lying uncared for, since ages. They were running well when they were getting donations from the Mogul King, or Britishers. But when the kingdom changed and donations stopped, then the places became abandoned.

LOCAL SUPPORT NEEDED

And other side, those mosques and churches which were supported by the public, they are still running fine. Or even better is that the Ashram system did not get rooted out during the Moghul or British rule because all the while the public supported the ashram system. So the conclusive idea is that if any project is run by or dependent on external support, then their fate is dark.

Thus on this very point, Baba's policy is not to take support from outside. Local people should be inspired to contribute and help the local projects. Otherwise they will not feel oneness with the project. And in most of the cases they will feel irritation. Or they will try to take away or root out the projects.'

WHEN THE PUBLIC IDENTIFIES WITH A PROJECT OR NOT

Another important example is that within Bihar there are thousands of schools  situated in the small villages. And initially the government was granting money for the construction of their buildings. Thus with total help from the government, school buildings were made.

But villagers did not feel closeness with the project. They were thinking that "This is an outsider project", or that "this is a government building. This is not my building."

Keeping this view in their mind, they did not like to protect that building. Not only that, after some time it was found that those windows from the buildings disappeared. Some villagers had stolen them and were using in their house. After some time, the roof was also taken away, and used somewhere. This is not the tale of one or two places-- Hundreds of places are like that.

The overall theme being that when the local public thinks of something as a government building, then at first they don't feel closeness. They think it is others', not mine. And they misuse it or destroy it.

So this problem was going on for a long time. Then under pressure of circumstances the local government changed the plan. That, the building will be constructed by the villagers. And teachers will be supplied by the government. 50% share villagers should give. So when villagers with their own contribution made their house, then they protected that. And the program was successful.

BABA'S SPECIAL TEACHING:

LOCAL DONATION IS A PLEDGE OF THE HEART

On the point of external vs local help for AM projects, once Baba was giving guideline to all WTs. He told that "You must collect donation from the local public for the jagriti. Whatever money they are giving, that does not have only monetary value. But something more they are giving. If some person gives you donation of one paisa/penny, then with that one paisa that very poor person gives the sympathy of his heart to you/to your project or jagriti, childrens home etc. And if antisocial elements will try to destroy that project or jagriti or school, those who have given their donation, they will protest. And if donation has come exclusively from outside, and if the jagriti is set on fire by antisocial elements, then the villagers will not be so much affected."

Baba further told, "But if the villagers' money is also involved as a donation in constructing that jagriti, then they will think in their heart that THEIR property is getting destroyed. And they will immediately come forward and protect the property of the jagriti and protest against the negative people."'

Thus the basic fact is that to erect some building or project, local support is highly essential. Otherwise the fate of that project is in dark in the future. Suppose if money has come from outside, and local people are not feeling oneness with the project, then in most of the cases, they will feel detached. They will not save the building. And in many special cases, they will destroy that building-- Or hut, or whatever it may be.

That's why we have seen, in the case of our jagriti or any such construction, where local people did not contribute and money came from outside, then that project could not flourish.'

WHEN TO TAKE HELP FROM OUTSIDE AREAS

The question can also be raised that is there any occasion when we should get or accept help from outside-- from other countries?

And Baba's guideline is that in the case of a big disaster like an earthquake, cyclone, flood etc, when a huge population is highly affected, that is a special case. That time external help is highly needed. But for making a local project or some jagriti building or a school, external help is not needed.

DO PRACARA AND SERVICE SIMULTANEOUSLY

Next scenario: If local people are not there, or if they are all non-margiis, then what should we do?

Baba says that first we should create margiis. And then immediately start the project. Side by side both the works will go. Without taking help from local people, if anyone does anything that will prove to be hopeless. One will not have any sentimental support from local people. Rather they will think that he is an outsider, or that he doesn't belong to them.

Because of all these reasons, Baba always emphasizes to do pracar among the local people. And one more related point is there. Doing pracar only among the outsider communities or migrant people, is not going to serve the purpose of Ananda Marga.

SERVE THE LOCAL PEOPLE

A critical case is that of Africa, where mostly Indian businessmen are occupying the money and political sources. And some WTs because of their ignorance or selfish interest, they focus on propagating AM among Indian businessmen who are living in Africa. But Baba was not happy in this situation. Baba used to emphasize and always take report about how many local people have been created.

One Dada was once telling in Africa at an Orange Farm, initially the project was made with external help, and it was a serious problem. Local people used to always come and take away/steal all the materials. And such example is not one or two. Hundreds of cases happened. We should take lesson.
           
                  

THE SPECIAL CASE OF ANANDA NAGAR

External help was needed only, to build up Ananda Nagar. Because Ananda Nagar is our global headquarters. To make Baba's Quarter or road or rotunda, the local public is not going to help. Because they do not have direct interest in that. That's why Baba inspires one and all, all around the globe, to contribute for Ananda Nagar. That was the special case.

MUST GET LOCAL HELP

But in all the reportings which various workers attended since 1978 to '90, it became clear that Baba used to emphasize getting anything and everything done using the local help.-- Margiis and non-margiis are needed: Both. And then only, AM will flourish and school or any medical unit, projects, will be established. Permanently. Otherwise, feeding from the long distance is not going to help. We should take lesson from the past history.

WHAT SOME REVIEW

There are two points here. First thing, each and every sector has their own problems and according to Baba's system, it is the duty of the margiis that they should take care about the local unit and their own sector. And that is their foremost duty. Neglecting one's own unit and helping others for the sake of name and fame, this is not a good tradition. And the second point is that taking external help is not going to solve the problem permanently. For making a school building, local people must come forward.

A POINT FOR COMMON CONSIDERATION

Ananda Marga itself is a proof, at present we have several hundred Ananda Marga schools in India, and 99.9% of them have been made by local contribution. And there are also many examples of Bengal where a school building has been made by external donation. And common people destroyed it and set it on fire. But many places in Bengal are also there, where local people were inspired to help and they are donating and protecting those things. Surely it is the duty of we margiis that we should think carefully, how far their money can be utilized in a better way.

Baba says, "O human beings, frame the social structure considering the needs of humanity. Do not try to do anything for your petty personal and group interests..." (SS-1, Ch.1)

Namaskar,
Manindra

Note 1:  WHAT WE SHOULD DO -- OUR RESPONSIBILITY

And another point is that if we are the ones donating to a far distant service project and if due to mishandling of funds our money does not reach there, then according to Baba's teaching about tapah we are also to blame-- not just the crooked thief who captured our money. We also will incur negative samskara. Of course this is just a hypothetical situation, yet the point remains that the responsibility also lies with the donor. That is why intelligent margiis give to local projects where they can ensure that everything is proper and the money is going in the right direction. Then of course by this way the common public will also get inspired to donate because everyone likes to be part of a winning project. At the same time we should demand that there be transparency of the financial books-- ie proper accounting. And like this there are numerous points regarding service projects and financial contributions etc. Please also share your ideas on this important topic.

***************************************
Solution

Baba says, "This has been our failing: that we neglected the spiritual faculties of human life, we neglected the cardinal spiritual points of life. If we are interested today in the welfare of this beautiful universe, we should try more and more to accelerate the speed of spiritual progress. If the acceleration of spiritual progress becomes tremendous, then not only in the human world, but also in the physical, psychic and spiritual spheres of the entire world -- and not only of the entire animate world, but of both the animate and inanimate worlds -- there will be tremendous progress. And this is what we want. Now we are anxiously waiting for that crimson dawn on the eastern horizon." (AFPS-5)

Note: Generally people do not realise this very thing which Baba has explained above. To understand this fully it needs agraya' buddhi (pointed intellect). Only those who are blessed sadhaka can understand that sadhana is the panacea.
***************************************

Baba Story: When He was in Jail

From: "Gagan"
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Baba Story: When He was in Jail
Date: Fri, 04 Mar 2011 18:54:34 -0000

Baba

            == BABA STORY: WHEN HE WAS IN JAIL ==

Namaskar,
We all know that we need to "jumpstart" our AMPS in order to make it
dynamic and vibrant once again.

However, one should not think that this has never happened before. In
the past also our organisation experienced a distinct lull, if not a
full-blown crisis, and by His grace we did bounce back with tremendous
momentum. So the situation we find ourselves in today is not new - there
is a precedent.

This below Baba story offers the perfect strategy for transforming our
AMPS into a sterling, bustling society once again.

Your thoughts and reflections are most welcomed.


                             BABA STORY:

            "NEWSLETTERS ARE MY FOOD"

During Emergency, when Baba was in jail, then the mood of our Marga was
a bit sullen. There were court cases, controversies, tales of scandal,
and quite a bit of intrigue. Devotionally margiis were managing alright,
by His grace, but in the social sphere things were a bit gloomy. People
were hesitant to do pracara or go out in public and talk about Ananda
Marga. Our AM train was moving slowly.

Baba, being the Parama Purusa incarnate, knew the perfect remedy.

While fasting in jail, Baba forcefully declared, "I need newsletters,
that will be my food."

Baba's dynamic proclamation set the wheels of our Marga in motion.
Immediately, word spread how Baba wanted to hear news about what was
happening in the Marga around the globe and that this would be His food.

Of course, in His mind's eye, Baba was intuitively aware about each and
every thought, word and deed so His declaration for newsletters was more
of strategy for rejuvenating the Marga. And indeed how well it worked.


                     VERY POSITIVE EFFECT

The effect of Baba's call was very dramatic. Ananda Margiis all over
jumped into action.

Each district and locale realised that they needed to create a
newsletter. And to write a newsletter they needed something to write
about. In order to have something to write about they needed to do
something. This was the way it worked.

So margiis began vigorously involving themselves in all kinds of social
service projects and good deeds. Once done, then they could and would
write and print that news and mail it to Baba and that would be His
food. Everyone became quite active; all were feeling blissful.

Plus, everyone was vigilant to write news that was accurate and true.
Nobody wanted to give Baba bad food and we all knew that He knew what
was true or not. So the social service endeavors were done with full
feeling and accurately reported.

Then the various units thought that since we are printing news for Baba,
why not print more copies and send it to other units and regions as
well. This created a whole network of newsletters. No longer were
various margiis or units sitting alone in isolation worried about the
fate of AM. Now the scene was abuzz with news coming in all kinds of
directions. Margiis were more active than ever: Schools, pracara, talks,
mass feeding, clothes distribution, university seminars, and so much
more. And when one unit would read about what another was doing, then
they would implement that program in their area as well. Such
newsletters had a wonderful domino effect.

By all this activity our Marga was growing by leaps and bounds and the
sullen skies in AM cleared and everyone had a bright, positive vision
for moving ahead, despite the difficulties.

Then, when Baba was finally cleared of all charges and released from
prison,  our Marga society was in full-swing. It was a driving force.
This was all His grace and His divine planning.

Baba understood perfectly that in order to turn things in the right
direction there needed to be dynamism in the social sphere. And
newsletters were the perfect way to get things going. Then people would
feel that they are part of some larger movement. This made everyone feel
connected, engaged, and hopeful.

What worked so beautifully those days will have an equally beneficial
effect today.


                   GREAT WAY TO OVERCOME GROUPISM

Now when the mood is a bit down in AMPS due to rampant groupism, there
are various calls for how to bring things back to life. Some are making
organisational handbooks, some are attempting peace meetings, some are
trying to merge the groups, and some are just working independently.

Whatever may be, we should certainly aim for Baba's approach: newsletters.


                  "BUT WE ALREADY HAVE NEWSLETTERS"

Some may naively declare, "But we already have newsletters - I get lots
of emails."

In truth however, we do not have lots of newsletters. There is not a
single organisationally sanctioned newsletter. Only the various groupist
forces are sending out their own biased views and news - most of which
is either tainted by group interest or totally false.

A newsletter - whether it be electronic or otherwise - should be true,
rational and totally unbiased. Yet today, everything coming out of this
or that organisational channel is just one concocted groupist portrayal.
If their group is involved then the event is reported like gold and if
their group is not involved then it is reported like feces. Everything
is drawn along party lines.

Actually this type of thing has been going on since 1990, in one form or
another. So much false news has been reported that people have lost
interest in these reports. And they have lost interest in reporting what
is going on in their area.

This has all had an extremely detrimental effect.

Now then is the time to turn all this around. We should actively support
and adhere to Baba's newsletter strategy.


            WHAT TYPES OF NEWS SHOULD BE CIRCULATED

The first question might be: What type of things are newsworthy. And the
answer is anything that tightens the bonds within our Marga.

That means things like births, baby-naming ceremonies, akhanda kiirtan,
social service, developments in schools, pracar, deaths, retreats - each
and everything can be reported. And there should be organisationally
sanctioned channels, totally free of group interest.

By sharing all these types of news in a fair and truthful manner - on
the regional, sectorial, and global level - then our whole Marga family
will be benefited.

And while this is Baba's distinct approach, it should not be overlooked
that many organisations and movements do like this as well.


                   MANY ORGANISATIONS DO LIKE THIS

Every organisation hoping to succeed on this earth keeps their internal
structure strong by keeping their members "in the know" and inspired.
Whether the organisation be Greenpeace, Amnesty International, or any
other, newsletters, grass-roots sharing, and open and truthful lines of
communication are a must. They all do it.


                      AM WILL ONCE AGAIN BECOME

                 A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

Now there may be some news clippings moving around our AM society here
and there. But that is not enough, especially when the crude hand of
groupist networks are on the rise.

By implementing Baba's system of oranisationally sanctioned newsletters
- employing a multi-tier approach - covering local and global events,
all will feel more connected and inspired. It will encourage others to
implement the ways of AM into their own lives and that of their community.

Living alone or in isolation is not at all good. We are social beings.
Having healthy, productive, open newsletters will improve the overall
climate and psychology of the Marga. We will no longer feel like we are
sitting in one seething groupist volcano.

Instead we will realise how many like-minded sadhakas are in our grand
AM family. By Baba's grace He has brought us together - and with good
reason: To learn and grow with one another as we embark on leading a
life dedicated to Him and serving humanity.

With these newsletters, all will feel closer and part of some greater
whole. No doubt on the spiritual level we all feel linked with Baba by
His grace. But that social connection is very important for building a
strong, cohesive movement. That will give us force.

So at the earliest this program should go on - in all units and in all
areas. One newsletter will lead to the next and inspire everyone to move
ahead. It will create boundless energy and much zeal.


                          BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace He has given us a great example to live by. Whatever the
situation, Baba has already provided us with the pathway to move ahead.
Now when we are drowned in the dogma of groupism, one excellent way to
move forward and bring a new charge in the Marga is by creating
newsletters.  Baba graciously declared this to be His food and today
such newsletters will be the staple for creating a new AMPS family,
unshackled by groupism and factional interest.

Baba says, "When people hesitate and doubt whether they can accomplish
something, and if they start to work in that hesitant frame of mind,
they can never accomplish that task. But if they plunge into action
thinking of their goal with courage, imbued with spiritual inspiration,
they are sure to be crowned with success. No action is greater than the
human capacity to perform it. Of all the manifold entities in this
expressed world, human beings are the most powerful." (AMIWL-11)

Namaskar,
Gagan


                             PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"A'ma'y cha'r'iya' kotha' ja'o e nirajane..." (PS 665)

Purport:

 Baba, You are my closest One. O' my Beloved, where are You going in
this isolated, lonely dark night-- leaving me all alone. O' my dearmost
Baba, please do not go away from me. Baba, why are You making me cry so
profusely & letting me float in the tears of my devotional longing for
You. Baba, please smile always in my mind, constantly radiating Your
sweet, divine love.   Baba, by Your grace I have loved You so intimately
in dhyan; You know it well.  Baba, You are my dearest One. But if You
were really a good person You would not play this heart-breaking liila
with me each and every moment; You would not leave me in this dark hour.
Baba please be merciful; please remain here along with me.   Baba, there
are countless devotees with great qualities & talents who love You very
much. Indeed there are numerous persons with top-notch merits & virtues
who have deep longing for You. Because of this, it seems there is no
place for me in Your mind-- neither during daytime nor nighttime,
neither in dream nor in awake state: Never.   O' Baba, please do not
leave me alone. Please shower Your causeless grace on me by keeping me
eternally in Your divine shelter...


          ***************************************
                         Historical Fact

Baba says, "In the Pharsi language the sweet fruit known as mango is
called ta'mar. But in the early days the people in Iran did not know
what a mango looked like, nor did they know how it tasted. Because they
had only heard about it from travellers passing through. So the first
time a sour type of fruit from India reached Iran the local Pharsi
speaking people mistakenly thought it was a mango. Consequently they
started calling it 'ta'mar-e-hind', meaning 'Mango from India. In
Pharsi, "Ta'mar" means 'mango'; "e" means 'of'; "Hind" means 'India'.
Thus, Ta'mar-e-hind. And later when the Britishers saw those Iranians
calling those sour fruits 'ta'mar-e-hind', then the Britishers adopted
their own English pronunciation and started calling it "tamarind". So
this is how the sour fruit tamarind came to be called in the English
Language." (MGD & Field Walk, Raipur 18 Oct '79)

Note: For those who may not be aware, the name for tamarind in Hindi is
"imalii".
          ***************************************

The Missing Link...

Date: 01 Feb 2011 07:26:38 -0000
From: "Chandramohan  Jha"
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: The Missing Link...

Baba


          THE MISSING LINK IN MANAGING A.M. SERVICE PROJECTS:

                   THE ROLE OF MARGIIS IS VITAL

Namaskar,
While there are many trends happening in AM, here below is one important
scenario that deserves the attention of one and all.

These days, most Dadas posted overseas are busy in doing business. They
earn money for their survival and for their different projects; plus they
have to pay "dues" to their supervisors etc to save their own situation. In
this way they have various financial demands. And these demands, including
those for maintaining AM projects, are met increasingly through our Dadas'
various businesses.

As an organisation and Marga family, we have to carefully evaluate how
sustainable this approach is, and how far it supports the well-being of
our Wts.


                         A LOOK AT HISTORY

When we analyse the history of human society, there are numerous examples
of organizations which were only supported by particular individuals, or
only by a particular rich person, or only by the king. That organization
could not survive for a long time.

In India, in the Muslim period, many mosques had been sustained by the help
of the then Muslim rulers. And when the throne changed to a different
dynasty, thousands of mosques got abandoned.

In the era of domination of Buddhism in India, Buddhist monasteries were
financially supported by various kings. And when the rulers lost their
power, those Buddhist monasteries died a premature death.

The bottom line is, that if any organization is not depending upon support
from its local members and if those local members are not encouraged or
welcomed to be deeply involved in managing those projects, then that type
of organization will not survive long.

Thus, in our Marga in all our service projects, local margii involvement is
necessary. Indeed margiis should be encouraged and empowered with positions
of authority in all local service projects. So in each and every area, in
every district our local margiis should get the opportunity to manage the
projects and more new local people should get initiated and be brought in
to help along. Otherwise if only a migrant / transitory population alone is
managing the project-- as is the case of Wts or margiis from other areas--
then it never gets success. And of course non-margiis can leave any time so
they cannot be depended upon to sponsor or oversee our projects.


                      BABA'S DIRECTION

That is why in each and every country, province, city, and town, Baba has
given the plan that local people-- local margiis-- should be actively
involved and they should be the managers of our organisational works in
that place. Only by this way can our projects grow. And in this way local
population will feel more and more connected with Ananda Marga. Because
they will see their own hometown citizens mangaing the projects. So they
will have trust etc.

Overall then two points are needed:

(A) Local Margiis must get opportunity to actively engage in and run the
local organisation projects.

(B) Specifically, the indigenous local population must be supportive. Our
AMPS organization must not depend on the migrant or temporary population
only.


                   OPPOSITE IS GOING ON

But in practice what we see is that most of the projects in AM are run with
the business money of Dadas. This is the case in various sectors. And when
the particular Dada who is funding a project gets transferred, then the
project falls apart. The reason is, that the Dada was overly busy in
business and feeding the project. And neither he had the support from his
supervisors, nor the time, nor the presence of mind to create and nourish
local margiis and inspire and give them duty to run the local service
projects.

But to build up our Marga, Baba guides us to do pracar among the local
people. That is the only way. In every nook and corner around the globe
Baba wants for AM to grow in this way.

Yet when we see the history of the last 20 years, then we see that gradually
our acaryas working overseas are getting more and more dependent on
business to earn money and run the projects. And more business involvement
is needed to fulfill their different financial needs -- from local
arrangements to what their supervisors are pressing them to give. In this
condition sincere Wts hardly have time to manage their own psycho-spiritual
development-- let alone be able to guide margiis in that arena. Thus Wts
engage more heavily in their business affairs when spiritual life gets
neglected.


                   OTHER REPERCUSSIONS

Not only that some of most harmful consequences of this are as follows.

A) When such Dadas get transferred, then those very projects - which they are
feeding by their own legal or illegal business - collapse.

B) The standard of acaryas is getting lower day by day. Here low means,
relative to what the conduct of one acarya should be. Most of the acaryas
who are deeply involved in business lose that type of inspiration and
spiritual conduct. For business, these acaryas spend a lot of time traveling
around. During these periods especially, they have much difficulty in following
16 points and dietary rules. Instead they are constantly thinking about business
and money; the mind gets degenerated step by step.

There are so many examples which can be cited with different names and their
history and business. But I think that those who are senior margiis, they
know all those things. Time to time other margiis have also discussed about
this, on this net.

And the overall effect is that our respected acaryas fall prey to negative
microvita.


              HOW NEGATIVE MICROVITA DOMINATES

A particular microvita takes influence on the human mind when the mind
begins to degenerate. This causes the mind to satisfy itself compromising
with ideology, to adjust in selfish way with the crude world.

Baba says, "Microvita exerts greater influence on the mind than on the
body.  ...They (yaksa microvita) advise human beings, "Practice dharma
sa'dhana' as and where you are.  Continue it in perfect adjustment with
everything."  That is, they advise a kind of selfish adjustment." (MV, p.106)

In result we have seen so many WTs who were involved in serious
businesses affairs left their acaryaship. And they are nowadays leading
degenerated life. The number of such degenerated avadhutas are not one or
two. Rather the tragedy is that this list will counts up to several hundred.

Unfortunately, when these acaryas were earning money by different
businesses and feeding their own projects, then they never thought that
their fate will be like this. Because, according to the cosmic principle,
progress or degeneration does not come in a flash, usually.

In a continuous way, the mind gets crudified or elevated according to the
actions which one does, or in which one is involved. For example, initially
those well-intentioned Dadas thought for money I have to gain the money.
But then in that course when they are involved in jewelry business, or
selling various goods and clothes, ladies garments, soda water and other
foods and company products, then in an attempt to build their business
they attend different lowly environments at the beach, or pseudo-culture or nude
gatherings. Then they are forced to see the ugly scene. So in the face of
all this their mind gets degenerated. And such WTs end up justifying this
negative scene by convincing themselves that "this way we have to adjust
and do Baba's work. To earn money."

So this is the sad state of affairs because surely when the human mind is
exposed to such types of negativity then the outcome is not good.


         WRONG UNDERSTANDING OF "OBJECTIVE ADJUSTMENT"

In this way those WT's get trapped and their flow gets totally affected &
by this way the mind gets more and more degenerated. Means these acaryas
forget the goal-- engrossed in avidya maya. Yet as they get more immersed in this
they convince themselves and do self-cheating by justifying internally and
also to their friends, "Objective adjustment...Objective adjustment...We
should compromise with our rules and regulations, for earning money".

Meanwhile the real definition of objective adjustment, such people they do
not know. And in confused state, they think that staying in five-star
hotels, taking bath in swimming pools with other nude or semi-nude people
of opposite sex. Or during sadhana, even listening to pop music. To such
things these acaryas misguidingly give the label, "objective adjustment".
In the name of adjustment, various Didis are also involved in business. And
they do not follow Baba's guidelines. Instead they keep long hair, go to
different beauty parlors to make their hair proper, and they use all sorts
of cosmetic make-up on their faces and dress as if they are business
representatives.

So you see the situation. In the name of objective adjustment, such acaryas
are cheating themselves. And they get involved in crude business
activities, 24 hours. Unfortunately, the whole day they pass their time,
thinking about and selling their merchandise or smuggled items-those things
that they are selling. Maybe in the beach side, or street selling. Or
working as salesman wandering around the market.

So when in this way their daytime passes, then one can imagine what happens
to their sadhana and asana. That is zero.

So in such a condition, earning money becomes the primary goal. And Parama
Purusa, becomes secondary. And in that degenerate state, such people lose
the path. And they become microvita yaksa, in due course. This is one
horrible stage.

Here we are not saying that this happens with all Dadas etc. Rather the point
is that any Wt who begins to compromise in this way suffers and faces
degeneration. And this entire formula applies to margiis and LFTs as well.


                   ALARMING SITUATION

Indeed, this very negative situation is alarming for everyone. Maybe as a
WT and involved in business, or maybe, a family margii who is doing a lot
of adjustment and compromising with the various Baba's teachings. So
everyone should be careful. And mend their way. Bring back unto the path of
dharma. For future progress, and to achieve the goal - Parama Purusa.

If one unknowingly even, does something wrong or sinful. Then the wrongdoer
has to face the consequence. Ignorance of the rule will not help. Or it
will not be one excuse, that "I was not aware that giving more importance
to money will open the door to convert myself to microvita - yaksa".

Human life is very rare. Our goal, or aim of life is Parama Purusa. And
eternal peace will be achieved at His feet. There is no other way. Only
Parama Purusa is the shelter. Not money.


                   BABA'S SPECIAL TEACHINGS

Some important notes and quotes are here below which relate to this entire
them of those who meet their fate due to over-involvement in business
affairs.

Baba says, "Those who were decent human beings and deeply spiritual, and
used to collect money for a noble cause, but in the process of fund raising
forgot Parama Purus'a and attached greater importance to their fund raising
at the cost of Parama Purus'a -- that is, they remembered Parama Purus'a as
part of dharma sa'dhana' and collected money for a great cause, and
although Parama Purus'a was the goal collecting money became the dominant
desire -- they attain the state of yaks'a devayonii after their demise."
(MV, p.105)

Baba says, "Those who constantly think about rupees or dollars attain a
kind of sama'dhi, too, for they become completely identified with their
crude object of attraction. If such people incur heavy losses due to the
collapse of their business or bank, they will die an instant death, for the
pillars on which their life was built crumbled beneath them. So, once they
lost their wealth, they lost their lives too." (APH-6, p.404)

Baba says, "Microvita do not divert the mind from the path of dharma, but
they do not allow the human mind to accept dharma as the dominant
propensity." (MV, p.106)

Even then I have deep faith that in the near future we will advance ahead
rapidly and build up a brilliant AM society and spread the ideals of dharma
and welfare to all the four corners.


                       OVERALL MESSAGE

The overall message then is two-fold. To run successful AM service projects
in any area, both local margiis and the general society must support and be
actively engaged in that project. Our Wts are to advise but not indulge
in the daily operation of those projects, otherwise our service programs
will not last. And side by side, regardless of whether one is WT or margii,
we should be extremely vigilant not to allow the mind to become so crudified
that we lose our sadhana and become totally immersed in worldly works. For
this honesty is needed both with ourselves and those around us. The aim must
be Him and not any mundane engagement.


                      BABA'S BLESSING

Here we should take help from Baba's following guideline.

Baba says, "There are many good people in this world who want to do good
work. You should convince them, work with them, and organise them to do
maximum service for the suffering humanity." (PNS-17, p.51)

Namaskar,
Chandramohan


                   PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"Aja'na' Pathik eseche..."  - P.S. 4490

Purport:

  The Parama Purusa Ajana Pathik has come. He has filled this mortal world
with the love of flowers and fruits. For Him no one is distant, no one is
alien, everyone is His own-- close and intimate.
  He has wiped away all the tears and removed the suffering of everyone.
Baba has come riding on the chariot of effulgence. He is associated with
one and all through His ota and prota yoga. He is pulling everyone with His
divine attraction and with the blessing of His varabhaya mudra. Today Baba
has come. The whole world is inundated with His love-- His grace....



    ***************************************************                 
              Fate of Egotistical People

Baba says, "It is only when the human beings, become puffed up with vanity
and misuse the power granted to them by Parama Purus'a, that He steals
everything from them. Hence, He is called Darpaha'rii - the stealer of
vanity...Vain people suffer a similar fate when their vanity is destroyed
as the balloon faces when its air is let out. But, does Parama Purus'a
snatch away everything from everyone? No, He takes away only when the unit
beings try to create obstructions in the flow of His creation." (APH-4,
p.247)

Note: In the above teaching Baba warns us about the fate of arrogant
people. As we know the ultimate antidote is developing a devotional link in
life and surrendering to the sweet will of Parama Purusa. Then in that case
arrogance will not get the scope to crop up. Unfortunately some in our
Marga overlook their devotional practices and instead get wrapped up in
their own plans and programs. Such persons can be easily recognised as all
day long they tell, 'I did this or I did that... I delivered one lecture
and all were amazed... I created one project... or I should be the
ruler...' and on and on they go about their own unit deeds & desires--
intoxicated by their little accomplishments and imposing their will on
others. To lovingly rectify such persons, Parama Purusa describes above
what dramatic intervention He takes. Looking around today, we can see how
some in our Marga have already undergone this thing and others are going to
experience the same similar fate.
    ***************************************************

Many Wts Confused Baba's Working Style

Baba

Prabhat Samgiita #324

PS intro: This below Prabhat Samgiita, song #324, is a neo-humanistic song given by Baba on 10 March 1983. Thereafter Baba expressed this same theme in His RU address and DMC discourse of 28 and 29 May, respectively. In both those discourses He has given the same type of idea but in greater detail. However, as the DMC speech has still not been translated into English, a portion of Baba's RU speech is cited below, after the purport of the song. In that RU address, Baba is specifically telling that everything is the expression of Parama Purusa: He is expressing Himself throughout this manifested universe. That is the central idea of His RU discourse and Prabhat Samgiita #324 is based on this same concept.

"Moder dhara' ru'pe peyeche toma'r ru'per sa'je..." (PS 324)

Purport:

O' Lord, this world has become beautiful because of Your infinite charm. That is why I behold You everywhere in all Your creations. When I look at any expression then I see that You are there. You are expressing Yourself in that form. O' Parama Purusa, You are expressing Your grandeur in the form of all these created entities - animate and inanimate. You Yourself are One but Your expressions are many. You express Yourself in innumerable shapes and forms. You are hiding within Your creation.

O' Divine Entity, You are present everywhere - in all the flows. Nothing is outside Your mental arena; everything is within the purview of Your mind. That is why nothing is ever lost. I am in Your mind and I do according to Your desires. This entire creation is in Your mind and I am one part of that. I am working according to Your exact wish. Because this entire creation is Your thought projection.

O' Supreme One, O' Baba, You are present in each and every thought. Whatever human beings think is known to You since You are the Witnessing Entity of that very thought process. Baba, You are very vast: Everything is in Your mind. Baba, You are very small: You are present in everyone's thoughts. Baba, You are smaller than the smallest and bigger than the biggest. Baba, even by mistake I do not think that besides You anything else exists. You are everything.

Baba, by Your grace I always think that You are the quintessence...


Note 1: Here is a portion of Baba's RU address of 28 May 1983 wherein He is expressing this same type of idea as has been expressed in the above song.

"Neohumanism includes within its scope not only human beings and animate creatures, such as plants and animals, but all inanimate entities as well, for the scope of Neohumanism extends down to the smallest particles of sub-atomic matter... Why should the love and affection of developed human minds be restricted to human beings only? Why should it not include all living beings, including plant life? This is the new explanation of humanism - neohumanism - for within neohumanism the entire animate world is included...And that golden day is sure to come when that perfect stage of structure, that is, unit existence in the intra-atomic world, will be reached, when human intuition will realize that the essence in the sub-atomic world is pure Consciousness." (Neo-Humanism in a Nutshell - 1)

Note 2: Materialists think that everything comes from matter while Baba's Ananda Marga philosophy states that everything comes from Brahma. This then is the fundamental difference between the static world view of materialism and our spiritual outlook. Needless to say, our spiritual perspective changes the whole view of this universe as well as our relation with it. Materialists think that the world is for their self-satisfaction only whereas in Ananda Marga we think that we have come to this world to serve others since all are the expression of Parama Purusa.

BABA'S WORKING STYLE:

SOME STILL CONFUSED

Part 1

Namaskar,
As we all now know, from the very outset, Baba had a grand plan for the humanity. And He presented it step by step in a very smooth and practical manner - over the course of time.

On day 1 in 1955, He did not call everyone together for a seminar and tell them to write down a list of His each and every plan for the entire humanity. Nor did He do so in 1970 or 1978.

For example, He did not give Prabhat Samgiita, or Gurukul or neo-humanism in those early days. If He had done so, people would not have been ready. However, that does not mean that Baba did not have the idea or plan to put forth those projects - everything was in His cosmic mind - but people were not ready for those teachings.

At that time, no one would have been able to learn that way - nor would they have remembered because of the great extent of His teachings. Already Parama Purusa Baba was presenting so many new programs. And to remember and learn anything new and revolutionary, human beings must engage in that enterprise and repeat it again and again - practically with their own hands. Then that experience gives a deep impression in the mind. That way the mind gets saturated with that idea.

Hence, Baba took a divine approach, which we now may call His working or teaching style in the pre-1990 period. As we all saw, those days - step by step - Baba would present a new plan and program.

EVERYTHING DONE IN PHASES TO TEACH US

That means in one work phase, Baba might emphasize the need for a school - i.e. that each village must have a primary school. To teach this point, all workers and margiis got involved in securing funds to start a school. There was huge momentum in that moment to focus on the establishment of Ananda Marga primary schools. That was the main program Baba would ask about in reporting.

In turn, some units created comparatively successful schools while many did not - but everyone learned that a primary school was needed in order to propagate the ideas of Ananda Marga. That teaching everyone got. In each and every reporting session, Baba would ask, praise, scold, & guide about this point of creating schools until He was satisfied that everyone understood that a school was needed in every small or big town and village throughout the entire globe. By that way, from their very childhood, children will learn Ananda Marga ideals.

In some places, expensive buildings were purchased for schools but only got used a few times, or maybe not at all. The main thing was that everyone got the psychic understanding about the need for a school. That was Baba's aim all along.

HOW TRANSFERS WERE DONE

When this program was built up and some of the schools were going strong, Baba might transfer the lead Dada from that project and post a fresh new Dada from Training Center to that school who had little skill or language knowledge of that area. The school would inevitably suffer and ultimately close, but that new Dada got the needed training and the prior Dada was freed up to learn a new aspect of Baba's vast program like Prout or dharma pracara or VSS work. That was the way things went.

Baba told Wts to create Lfts who can run the school and inform margiis that they should oversee the operations of the school. Then the school would be sustainable. But in many cases, margiis may not have been active or were already too busy and there were no LFTs, in which case a very reputable Ananda Marga school eventually closed.

In such a situation some naive margiis started thinking to request Baba not to transfer the Wt of that unit in hopes of saving the school. But Baba did not listen to such pleas. And other workers tried to convince margiis about this in their own way.

HOW DADAS JUSTIFIED BABA'S WORKING STYLE

After a Dada was transferred from a particular unit and the projects and programs in that area were disrupted and disturbed, then local margiis would ask their SS Dada, "Why is Baba doing like this?"

Some Wts had no clue how to respond. So they came up with the bogus answer that Baba is like the Tibetan Guru Marpa and we should think of ourselves as Milarepa. This especially happened in NY sector when in one era all were moving with the Milarepa story in one hand. But that was an outrageous response and it was a terrible blunder to talk like this. See note 1.

The proper answer would have been, "I don't know." That would have been better; but, unfortunately, that was not done. In turn, margiis got more confused. And sadly still that confusion remains in many cases.

BABA'S SPECIAL COSMIC PLAN

Actually, it would have been impractical to keep one committed Dada assigned to a single school for years and years. Baba was putting forth His new and newer plan for the humanity and training wts.

Plus when workers were transferred to new posts and jobs, they developed greater experience and learned new languages, psychologies, and problem solving skills etc. All along Baba was creating new and newer programs in further succession. If those Dadas had been kept in those old programs then who would have been available to learn the new programs.

In Him,
Kevalam

Note 1: MISUNDERSTANDING OF SOME DADAS:

JUST LIKE THE STORY OF MILAREPA

They were telling that Baba is like the Tibetan Buddhist guru Marpa who was giving the order to his disciple(s) to make and break buildings - make and break, and make and break.

In legend, it is well-documented that Marpa was a Buddhist guru in Tibet and before giving any spiritual training to his perspective disciples he would allot difficult tasks. They were forced to meaninglessly and uselessly construct buildings through years and years of bone breaking labor. These buildings were made by individual muscle power alone. And as soon as they were constructed then Marpa would order his followers to dismantle it stone by stone. This was not some social service project for the welfare of humanity. This was just the order of one lunatic.

So it is unfortunate that some confused Wts propagated and equated Baba in this way. It is so disgraceful. First thing is that in Ananda Marga, initiation is accessible to all - bar none. There are no stipulations. Those interested will get diiksa. In stark contrast, the pseudo-guru Marpa harassed his new recruits like Milarepa for decades and decades and never gave them any true training or guidance. How can one sane person link such dealings with Baba. It is unfortunate that sill some are believing this myth. The only redeeming aspect is that such misunderstanding is primarily contained to NY sector.

Note 2: START PRIMARY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

Here below Baba reveals His strategy to start primary schools throughout the world.

(Note: Baba is adamantly against the build-up of any high school until we have our Ananda Marga primary schools in each and every village of this earth. On this very point, Baba has given the logic and reasoning. By Ananda Marga primary schools, Ananda Marga bhagavad dharma will established little by little. I don't know anyone who does not understand this point - i.e. all understand.)

“We must start primary schools throughout the entire world to create a spiritual urge amongst the little pupils. I am not in favour of starting colleges; I am in favour of starting primary schools. In the entire world we have got one degree college at Ananda Nagar and thousands of kindergarten schools. That is why it is desirable in the first phase to start many primary schools instead of colleges. Merely opening high schools and colleges without a proper system of education will not serve the purpose. Rather, thousands of kindergarten and primary schools must be started with this new system of education, to create a spiritual urge amongst children throughout the entire world.” (Discourses on Neohumanist Education: Prama-4)



From: Kevalam235@quantum....
To: ananda-marga-universal-forum-1@yogasamsthanam.net
Date: Sat 05 Apr 2014 13:08:49 -0000
Subject: Baba's Working Style: Some Still Confused #2

BABA'S WORKING STYLE:

SOME STILL CONFUSED

PART 2

Namaskar,
This is the second part of the ongoing series about Baba's working style. The first letter examined how Sadguru Baba introduced His various plans and program in a phase-wise approach. By this method, He practically demonstrated the wide array of projects that must be properly implemented. Thus, He posted and reposted Wts to best teach them about the various types of works that needed to be done. More about this is discussed below as well as how Baba mapped out an entire blueprint for serving humanity.

"when workers were transferred to new posts and jobs, they developed greater experience and learned new languages, psychologies, and problem solving skills etc. All along Baba was creating new and newer programs in further succession. If those Dadas had been kept in those old programs then who would have been available to learn the new programs."

TWO IMPORTANT POINTS

Baba's phase-wise working style aimed to achieve two distinct goals. First, the already existing programs which He gave to serve society for thousands of years should continue running operated by Lfts and margiis. Second, those new programs, which were also for the humanity, had to be started by Wts.

WHY THE NEED FOR NEW PROGRAMS

Imagine if Baba did not give new programs. Then Ananda Marga would not have been complete, and after '90, margiis would never have thought that such programs should be done. For example, in various religions, social service programs are not as vast and comprehensive as those in Ananda Marga. Our programs serve each and every arena of individual and collective life of the entire society.

For instance, the Hindu religion does not have any social service programs (see note 1). And Christianity does not have a logical spiritual philosophy let alone a socio-economic plan. And Buddhists do not have any real approach for social service programs (see note 2. But Ananda Marga has all that and so much more.

Furthermore, if Baba kept one Wt as a teacher for decades and decades at one school then who would have learned the new programs He was putting forth. If the school could not be maintained by margiis and Lfts, then Baba would lovingly scold everyone for the closure o)f the school - but He would not stop His divine plan of presenting dynamic new programs. His aim was to give a blueprint for what to do and how to proceed.

When Baba got a report that a school did close, then He lovingly scolded everyone from top to bottom. He told Wts that it is the duty of Lfts to run the school and that Wts should ensure that the school was operating well. Whole-timers were to oversee those Lfts and get needed work done by margiis. That was the system. This was all part of Baba's blueprint for serving humanity.

MORE ABOUT THE NEED FOR TRANSFERS

One thing to understand is that those days Wts were getting transferred frequently because the number of Wts was not very high. We did not have a lot of workers and Baba wanted to unveils an increasing number of programs to wts and margiis. So when margiis and wts had learned that primary schools are an important service project, then Baba added that a school must have a children's home also. And if some unit had many children in their home then Baba might post a Wt for the home as well. That was the home superintendent post. And when the home started running properly and was respected, after some time the Wt got transferred and it was the duty of the Lfts and margiis to run that home. But when this did not happen, that children's home would also collapse. This happened year after year. Schools and childrens' homes closed and opened while new programs were always getting introduced. And certainly some of those schools and projects of old are still running to this very day. But the main thing is that Baba was presenting us with His blueprint for serving humanity.

Plus, more areas had to be covered around the globe and Wts were needed to go to other districts, regions and countries where pracara was newly started. And Baba also created so many new organisations - such as Prout, PBI (Proutist Block of India), VSS, SDM, and countless more - and He needed workers to staff those organisations.

By this way, people knew that Baba made all those organisations, whereas if He had not posted workers to those organisations, we would not know that such organisations existed or were needed. We would not know that we were to manage those organisations in the due course. So Baba did all this to make a crystal-clear blueprint for serving humanity.

BABA'S GRAND BLUEPRINT

So Baba was creating a blueprint of future organisational activities. It is just like if you want to build a big mansion, then you may or may not have money, but you must have building plans and / or a blueprint.

All along it was quite obvious that margiis and lfts were needed to help with all new programs. So they were assigned to many projects but it was not always possible for them to properly attend to them all.

On the top, Baba wanted to have personal communication with each and every margii and wt that is why He would call them in reporting sessions and give His divine blessing. By having His darshan everyone become stronger devotionally. So each month, time passed in this way, by His grace.

In other words, Baba had so many different programs to show us. That is why, ultimately in a short span, Baba would add a new project. Baba never stopped any project but told that it was the duty of Wts, Lfts and margiis to manage old as well new works. It was His grace - His liila.

ANALOGY OF TECHNICAL COLLEGE:

MAKING AND BREAKING

Think of it this way. Just as a technical institute has a workshop so their students learn can and practice what to do by making and breaking various projects, a similar method was going on in Ananda Marga before 1990.

In the case of trainees in the technical college, they are under the tutelage of their teachers. By making and breaking, they gain the requisite skills and understanding for how to work on their own. And finally when their training is complete and they have earned their degree, they are ready to work professionally in a factory etc. Before that, they were just trainees - just making and breaking for learning purposes. So there is a distinct difference between their training time in the workshop and the professional work that occurs in the factory.

Before 1990 in Ananda Marga, the situation was akin to a workshop where huge training was going on. People were making and breaking schools and various other works. This was the time of their apprenticeship. By this way, they were being taught so they could carry out Guru's plans and programs in the future. The main thing was that Baba was giving a blueprint and creating a workshop environment to prepare everyone for their future works and assignments.

The phase before 1990 phase was for learning - i.e. making and breaking - and it was not meant to go on forever. But unfortunately many could not understand. Now, this is becoming more clear to everyone.

In Him,
Kevalam

Note 1: WORLD IS ILLUSION - NO NEED TO SERVE

Everyone knows that in Shrii Shankaracarya's non-dualistic philosophy there is only Brahma - nothing else. There is no importance of the external world; world is seen as an illusion. So there is no need of social service when the world itself is an illusion. That was his teaching. But nowadays, the Hindus are copying Christianity and they have begun doing some social service. But that social service was not born out of any Hindu doctrine.

Note 2: BUDDHA DID NOT GIVE A SOCIAL CODE

Lord Buddha did not give any social scripture - rather, his nihilism philosophy neglected the world. Thus Buddhism is devoid of any social code. So those disciples of Buddhism just continued those same social trends that they were doing earlier in their Hindu heritage.