Noose

Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:26:01
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: "Priyanath C Deva"
Subject: Noose

Baba

                         == NOOSE ==

Namaskar,
Inside-- and even outside the Marga-- people want to know the secret for
gaining success on the spiritual path. How is it that one can escape
from the serpentine noose of maya and reach to that Supreme Desideratum.
Verily, there are so many tantalizing allurements in this world, then
how is it that one can free oneself from these attractions and reach to
life divine.

By Baba's grace He has given us the answer. And perhaps it is best
expressed by this following story.


                    THE KING ASKED ONE SAINT

Once one king asked a great yogi saint, 'How can I gain success on the
path of divinity?'.

In reply the saint told the king to do sadhana.

The king said, 'Yes, I of course do sadhana, but invariably I fall
asleep while meditating. So then what should I do?'.

The saint answered, 'In your kingdom you have a prison, and inside that
prison there are so many inmates, and some of them are going to be hung
for their crimes. On the night before they are to be executed, do you
think that they are going to sleep that night?'

'Of course not, most likely they will not sleep at all-- not even one
wink', said the king.

The saint responded, 'Exactly. They think their time on this earth is
short and soon they will die-- hence they cannot rest. Likewise, to
succeed on the spiritual path, you must adopt this very same notion: You
are not going to remain on this earth permanently. And in fact, you
might die anytime-- even very soon. If you think like this and remember
this, then you will certainly do what is most important right away, and
focus fully on your goal. Then you will be extremely alert and sincere
in sadhana and it is sure that you will proceed along the path of
divinity and get success.'

That was the very fruitful answer which the saint told to that king.


     JUST LIKE BABA'S TEACHING ABOUT THE GOD OF DEATH

The above account is one famous story and sure enough it is wholly
consistent with Baba's teaching: One must think that anytime the god of
death can knock on your door and snatch away your life. That is the
mindset one must have when doing sadhana.

Grhiitvaeva keshes'u mrtyurn'a' dharma'caret

Baba says, "That is, during dharma'caran, i.e. dharmic pursuits [following yama and niyama, service, svadhyaya etc] one should think that the god of death has already started pulling one’s hair – that one’s death is imminent. And accordingly one should work sincerely and vigorously; one will have to do a great many noble deeds within a short period." (Subhasita Samgraha, part 11)
Thus only when one realises the extreme temporal nature of this world,
can one truly progress on the path of sadhana.


                      WHY THIS IS NEEDED

The reason why it is so important to develop this strict mindset in
sadhana is because this world is full of allurements and attractions.
And so long is one is enamoured with these pleasures-- like money, fancy
jewelry, the opposite sex, big houses, prestige, etc-- then it is not
possible to march quickly on the path of spirituality. Because one's
mind will be full of those worldly desires & allurements.

As Baba says, every human being has come from animal life and those
baser propensities are still-- to some or more degree-- active in each
and every person. So people are easily attracted to the mundane
allurements of this quinquelemental world. That is 'Part A'.

And the 'Part B' is that people think that they have come to live in
this world forever. Even when faced with death, they think that death
will never befall me.

Along these lines, one time a devayoni yaksa asked Yudhisthira, 'What is
the most surprising thing about human beings?'.

And the wise Yudhisthira correctly replied, 'People think that they have
come to live in this world forever. Even when carrying the corpse of
their dead friend to the cremation ground, they cannot believe then
death will one day come to them as well.' (Ref: AV-29 (H))

Thus everyone is attracted to the allurements of this world, and
everyone thinks that they are going to live on this earth for ages and
ages and ages. No one can believe that one day they too will perish. So
they pass their days pursuing so many worldly pleasures and comforts--
like wealth, name, fame, beauty, etc-- and they think they will enjoy
those things up to eternity. That is the way their life unfolds.

And this is how the noose of maya keeps people stuck in the endless
cycle of birth and death.

According to Baba, it is only possible to extricate oneself from this
never-ending affair, by taking a strong resolve. If one thinks that,
'Death can come anytime to my door and I must reach my goal before this
happens', then and only then will one not be swayed by the short-lived
attractions of this world. Rather one will be vigilant in sadhana and
get success.


            A SEED WITHOUT WATER WILL NOT SPROUT

Just as a seed without water will not sprout, similarly a sadhaka who
thinks that this world is their permanent abode cannot progress on the
path of spirituality. One must think that this life is fleeting and that
at any moment one can die. One must adopt the basic feeling that, 'I
have a short time to reach my goal'. This is the food or fuel that will
enable one to gain success.

Without that, one will drift from one worldly allurement to another.
That is the common problem that binds most every human being on this
earth. They may or may not have some passive or theoretical
understanding that one day they are going to die, but, practically
speaking, they live their life on this earth as if they are going to
remain here forever. All their plans and programs are geared along this
idea. I will buy a house, I will get lots of money, I will have a fancy
car, everyone will honor me, I will become a person of respect, and this
will continue forever and ever. People's plans are like that. In this
way maya bounds them and they cannot get success in spirituality.


           ONE MUST ASK PARAMA PURUSA FOR HIS GRACE

Thus one must remember the ephemeral nature of their life on this earth
and always remember their goal. And then one more thing is needed to
succeed in order to escape the noose of maya.

One must ask Parama Purusa-- one must ask Baba in dhyana-- to please
grace them in sadhana. One must think, 'O Parama Purusa, You are my only
respite from this mundane world, only You can pull me from the grip of
Maha Maya. So please shower me in Your infinite compassion so I can feel
You in my sadhana, please allow me to tread the path of spirituality and
reach unto You. O' Baba please be gracious.'

With this final ingredient, one is sure to get success.

Baba says, "O Parama Purus'a, grant me devotion – that devotion which
will enable me to love you every moment in newer and still newer ways.
For you are endless and your expressions are also endless. If I learn
how to love You, I will be able to love You in endless ways. My life
will become effervescent with the sweet rhythms of the infinite. My life
will attain its highest fulfilment." (NKS, Disc: 26)

Namaskar,
Priyanath


Note 1:        SADHANA MEANS PRACTICE, NOT SAMADHI

Some do sadhana and just wonder why they are not feeling bliss or why
they are not getting samadhi. However, this is not the right way to
think about the situation. Sadhana itself is act of taking the proper
effort or engaging in the practice of meditating. We are trying to
ensconce the mind in a certain ideal. The mind may or may not cooperate,
but we are to go on trying, growing and developing and with that sincere
effort, by His grace, one day-- step by step-- we are sure to get
success. So no one should give up or be frustrated that they are not
getting samadhi. Sadhana is the practice and that is what we are to do
twice daily, at minimum.


                                   OUR SANSKRIT NAMES

Baba says, "At the time of initiation or shortly afterwards, those who do not have a Sanskrit name should be given one by the ácárya/á. The word deva should be suffixed to the name...the more the usage of deva as a title, the better it is. The Sanskrit name should be used in all worldly dealings." (Caryacarya-1)


                                      PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"Prabhu toma'r liila' apa'r, buddhite ke bujhite pa're..." (PS 507)

Purport:

  O' Prabhu, Your divine liila is beyond all human comprehension. Merely
relying upon one's own minute intellect, who can understand Your vast
cosmic liila-- no one. Baba, You are present in form as well as in the
unexpressed universe. You reside within everything and You are also
surrounding each and every one. Baba, You are infinite. Baba, by Your
grace You are present in the depths of the deep blue ocean as well as in
the whiteish fog of the tall mountain peaks. Wherever I look or see and
even in the places that I cannot see, everything resides within Your mind.
  Baba, You are present in the poreless, solid stone and lac, and You are
also present in the revolving seasons. You are in the mobile as well as
immobile entities; You are everywhere. Baba, whatever I think and even
what I do not think, everything resides within Your mind. Baba, You are
so vast.
  Baba, Your liila is fathomless; I long for Your causeless grace; Baba,
I want Your shelter, please grace me...

Both are Ignorant

Date: 28 Feb 2011 16:37:21 -0000
From: "Divyacaksu Deva"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Both are Ignorant

Baba

                  == BOTH ARE IGNORANT ==

Namaskar,
In our Ananda Marga, our goal is Parama Purusa - no second or third
entity. Baba is the focus of our each and every thought, word, and deed.
That is our ideal.

Naturally then, when we do namaskar, we are paying salutations to Him,
to that Supreme Consciousness residing within another unit being. It is
not that we are saluting that person, per se. That is not at all our
endeavor. Only we are paying our respect and homage to Baba in the form
of that person when we use the namaskar greeting.

Unfortunately, some completely misunderstand this basic aspect of AM
life. They think people are saluting them or that they are saluting
another human being. This leads to ego, vanity, feelings of inferiority,
and all kinds of delusions in the mind - as well as doing the greeting
improperly. In that case the whole namaskar salutation is ruined and one
will be degraded.

Many may deny any wrongdoing in this regard, but there is a sure-fire
system to understand who is doing namaskar properly, and who not.

The aim of course is not to embarrass anyone but to save them from
degradation and keep all moving on the sentient path.


                 QUICK REVIEW OF NAMASKAR

Although we all use or namaskar greeting on a daily basis, here are some
of Baba's clear-cut guidelines about this practice. After reviewing
these guidelines we will apply our litmus test so you yourself can see
who is misguided and ignorant about the namaskar salutation.

First Baba clearly states that when doing namaskar, we are paying
salutations to Parama Purusa - The Divine Entity. In the dogmatic
religions and in the kingdoms of old, people would bow and salute other
human beings. Our namaskar mudra is not at all like this.

Baba says, "Tadekam' jagatsa'ks'iiru'pam' nama'mah. “If there is anyone
to whom spiritual aspirants should surrender, if there is anyone to whom
they should pay salutations, it is Parama Purus'a.” The system behind
salutations is to look for the Supreme Being that is the inner essence
of a person, and to pay salutations to that Parama Purus'a." (SS-11)

So the first point is that when doing namaskar we are recognising the
Supreme within another jiivatman, we are not bowing or greeting one
other human being.

Here is Baba's next guideline - that we should always be ready to do
namaskar first.

Baba says, "As ideal human beings you should not wait to give namaskar
after another has greeted you: you should rather take the first
opportunity to greet others. When someone greets you, it is merely
common courtesy for you to salute back; you do not become an ideal human
being thereby. Rather one who seizes the first opportunity to salute
others is the ideal. So you should always make an effort to do namaskar
to others first: you should not care whether the person whom you greet
will greet you in return or not. (When people come to me during personal
contact, I greet them first whether they salute me or not.) By giving
honour to others you will not be belittled, you will rather enhance your
prestige." (AMIWL-11)

Thus Baba's teaching is that we should always strive to be the first to
do namaskar. None should fall into the complex that, "I am better than
that person or I am more senior than that person so they should salute
me first."

To think like this is to both degrade and cheat oneself. One is degraded
because they have forgotten that namaskar is a salutation to Parama
Purusa - not to any individual or oneself - and they are cheating
themselves because they are missing out on the opportunity to greet the
Supreme.

So these are two classic aspects of Baba's guidelines about doing
namaskar: First that we are saluting Him in the form of a unit being and
second that we should be vigilant to do namaskar first.


                   ONE OTHER SPECIAL POINT

Baba has also detailed another important quality of the namaskar
salutation by clearly telling the import of the mudra. Sometimes people
fail to bring their thumbs to the trikuti point or their palms to their
heart. But Baba has given a pointed explanation about this. In brief,
bringing the palms to the triktui point helps focus the mind and honor
Parama Purusa and when bringing the palms to the heart we offer all our
feelings unto Him. See note 1 below for Baba's extended explanation
about the special significance of our namaskar mudra.


                      SPECIAL LITMUS TEST

Now that we have the most essential points about our namaskar mudra
clearly in mind, it is time to apply the litmus test to see if we and
those around us are doing namaskar properly or not.

If you, me or anyone walks into a room and waits for others to do
namaskar to them, it means they clearly do not know that meaning.
Because if in our heart and mind we understand that namaskar is in fact
a salutation to the Supreme, then one will be vigilant and ready to
quickly to namaskar to anyone they see. Forgetting this point, then one
will think, "I am a man of respect, let others salute me first." In that
case, one will not do namaskar first. That means they have totally
misunderstand the entire essence of namaskar. In such situations, they
are merely demonstrating their own idiocy or ignorance.

You may have seen such situations. If you walk down the hallways these
days in Ranchi or Tiljala, so many big Dadas will never say namaskar to
their junior workers. Rather such Dadas will expect that all should
respectfully do namaskar to them and in response they may casually wave
or nod their head.

When any high posted Dada does like this, then they have totally
degraded themselves by totally forgetting the divine truth that namaskar
is being done to the Supreme, not to them. But instead such Dadas are
puffing up their own ego and vanity thinking that the namaskar
salutation is a reflection of one's own greatness or social standing.
Such is the height of their blindness and ignorance.

Then if one tours any overseas sectors, often we find that those who
have become family acaryas fall into this same awful predication. With
their new found title, such family acaryas think all should honor them
by doing namaskar first. Again, this is nothing but the proof of their
own ignorance.

Then of course, whether acarya or not, any arrogant person is prone to
degrading themselves in this way by thinking that namaskar is being done
to them.

So we should all think - review the situation in our own minds - and
make sure that we are not falling into this trap, nor allowing others to
do so. We should know that when doing namaskar we are offering our
salutations to the Supreme.


                    SPECIAL LITMUS TEST (Part 2)

Of course, no problem exists in isolation - it is never or hardly ever a
one-sided affair. Two people are most often involved in any wrongdoing.
Same then is the case with the misunderstanding about namaskar.

Up till now, we have been primarily discussing the ignorance of the
person who is receiving the namaskar salutation. They wrongly think that
namaskar is being done to them.

The other side of the scenario is the person who is actually doing
namaskar. The proper spirit should be that we are paying our salutations
to Baba, the Supreme One.

But it sometimes happens - either to us or others - that we are thinking
that an important person has entered the room so we should quickly go
and do namaskar. Or we may think that the person before me is so great
that I must be extra careful to show him my respect by doing namaskar
very slowly. Or anytime the thought infests our mind that the salutation
within namaskar is being done to the person in front of us, and not
Parama Purusa, then the person doing namaskar has also fallen into
dogma. That is sign of one's own ignorance.

Thus whenever a so-called great person walks into any room waiting for
others to do namaskar to them and whenever a person sees a so-called
great person and think I must honor them by doing namaskar, then in that
moment, both parties involved are 100% ignorance. Both are misusing and
abusing the namaskar salutation and degrading themselves.


                  SPECIAL LITMUS TEST (Part 3)

One other scenario is if an aged or senior or respected person sees a
5-year old boy then they may think, "Why should I do namaskar or pay
respect to this small child." This is also a diseased outlook.

We must always remember that Parama Purusa is timeless and ageless and
whatever form is standing before us, He resides within all. Thus none
should fall into ignorance by failing to do namaskar in such circumstances.


                       BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace, He has blessed us with one very special type of
salutation to recognise His presence in all circumstances and
interactions. This is a spiritual boon. So we must always watch
ourselves to ensure we are following the word and spirit of His namaskar
guidelines. Failing that - should we become at all ignorant in this
regard - then that will only lead to our degradation.

Remembering Him is the path of vidya and elevation and forgetting Him is
the path of avidya and degradation. When doing or receiving namaskar, we
must always bear in mind salutations are being done to Him, and not any
unit being.

Namaskar,
Divyacaksu


Note 1:      BABA'S UNIQUE EXPLANATION OF NAMASKAR

Baba says, "What is our style of extending goodwill? We say, Namaska'r.
That is, “I pay respect to the Supreme Entity residing within you.” You
should remember this. “I concentrate all the good feelings of my mind
here in the trikut'i [between the eyebrows].”

In your mind there are so many propensities. Propensities are called
vrtti in Sanskrit. So there are so many vrttis, so many propensities, in
your mind. One portion of your mind is saying, “Today I’ll take hot
rice.” Another portion is saying, “In the near future I’ll try to go to
Calcutta.” Another portion of your mind is saying, “Now I’ll have to do
some relief service to the people.” Another portion is saying, “I should
do something concrete for the refugees.” There are so many thoughts
within your mind."

"Another portion of your mind is saying, “I’ll become a wholetime
worker. I’ll leave my house.” Another portion is saying, “But my mother
will be weeping.” Another portion is saying, “No, no, I’ll have to do
something for the greater world.”"

"So many thoughts are in your mind. But you should concentrate all your
thoughts at a particular point, here – that is, with all the strength
and goodwill of your mind you are doing this – you are touching these
two palms here [trikut'i]. That is, you are concentrating all your
goodwill here, because you are paying respect to Parama Purus'a residing
within this body; this body; this body; this body [pointing to different
people]. First do this."

"And not only mental concentration, you are human beings, you have got
so many sentiments also. Human sentiment, you know? When you feel much
joy you burst into tears, when much sorrow you burst into tears. These
are sentiments. And human beings are guided by sentiment, more by
sentiment than by logic, you must not forget it – more by sentiment than
by logic. So your sentiment is also there, so with all the concentration
of your mind and with all the sweetness of your sentiment, from the very
core of your heart, you are paying respect to Parama Purus'a residing
within human structure. So you do this [palms together at mid-point of
chest], and say, Namaska'r."

"I think you have understood it? A very sweet idea. So it is my opinion,
my desire, that human society [be] one, indivisible; it is an expressed
form, a sweet expression, of Parama Purus'a, to whom you should always
pay respect by doing namaska'r." (AV-30)


Note 2: NAMASKAR TO HUMAN BEINGS - NAMASTE TO PARAMA PURUSA

One other dogma floating around the fake and new-age yoga community in
the west and in India also is that use of namaste. This is a bit of a
separate topic, but in general one should understand that namaskar is
used with human beings and namaste is only used when honoring Parama
Purusa directly, not seeing Parama Purusa in the form of some unit
being. Our Marga should not fall prey to this dogma. There is an
important distinction with can be discussed in greater length. Suffice
to say here that we should pay heed to Baba's below guideline.

Baba says, "The generally-accepted rule is that one should say
namaska'ra to a human being or a god or goddess, but one should say
namaste or namastubhyam only to Parama Purus'a, not to any other
entity." (SS-11)


                           PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"Tumi ka'che theke karo du'r..." (P.S. 2377)

Purport:

Baba, You are so close but even then You are very far, very distant.
This thing I know that You remain with me side by side-- You are hiding in
my mind also. But even then You are beyond my reach. I always cry to get
You. My heart remains full of longing.
In search of You, I have visited many countries and countless distant
places. I have searched in the mountains, in the jungles. In so many places
I have wandered around in search of You. I have taken baths in so many holy
ponds, rivers, and places-- different pilgrimages. But I never tried or
cared to look within, never did I look in the deep core of my heart in
order to get You. That is why I did not get You. Just I was completely
misguided and by that I was searching You externally.
Baba, with me You are playing a divine liila since eternity. Between
You and me this loving divine play is going on and on. Sometimes You come
very close and sometimes You go far, far distant. But always You call me
from there and pull my heart towards You by playing Your flute. Baba, You
are very close even then You are distant...



          *************************************************
                  Groupist Leaders Do Like This

Baba says, "Ism (groupism etc) is responsible for disrupting human harmony.
...[When any particular] group will lose its prestige, the people in the
group feel ashamed, and in that condition they do not hesitate to take
recourse to ignoble means in order to save the prestige of their nation,
caste, group." (PNS-16, p.3)

Here above Baba is explaining this very point that for those engaged in
groupism, power and prestige is everything. Groupists have no interest in
the welfare of the collective society. Their interest is only in
propagating their own group. And if they feel this is not getting done,
then they will take any negative means they can to again bring prestige
to their group. Unfortunately in our organisation various groups are
doing like this. But margiis and good Wts are not supporting any form of
groupism.
         *************************************************

Another New Dogma Took Birth

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

Baba

                     == ANOTHER NEW DOGMA TOOK BIRTH ==

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

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

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


                                           MUST NEVER DO LIKE THIS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


                                        JUST ACCUSING PARAMA PURUSA

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

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

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

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

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

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


                                    MUST OBEY ANANDA SUTRAM

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

                         3-12. Bhaktirbhagavadbhávaná na stutirnárcaná.

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

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

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

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

Indeed this is the way things degenerate.

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


                                       STORY OF MISGUIDED SADHAKA

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

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

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

                                     
                              SIMILAR TO HINDU SHRADDA DOGMA

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


                                      DO NOT CHASE AFTER SIDE-EFFECTS

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

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

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

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


                                    BABA'S STORY ABOUT KALAPHAR :

                                  NEGATIVE REPERCUSSIONS

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

Baba's below story leads in that direction.

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

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

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

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

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


                                     WAYS WE CAN HELP A PATIENT

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

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


                                  MORE POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION

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

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

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


                                                   BABA'S BLESSING

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

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

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

Namaskar,


Note 1:                         MUST NOT DO TAINTED KIIRTAN

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

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

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

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

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


Note 2:            KIIRTAN ANNOUNCEMENT TO CURE NIGAMANANDA JI

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

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


Note 3:                       RELATED LETTER ON DADAJI'S ILLNESS

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

== Section 2 ==

~ I Remember Everything But My Ista Mantra ~

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

Purport:

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

Beauty of Old Age & Benefits of Disease

Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2011 08:09:27 -0500
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Beauty of Old Age & Benefits of Disease
From: CJ Phillips

Baba

        == BEAUTY OF OLD AGE AND BENEFITS OF DISEASE ==

Namaskar,
Sometimes humans may moan and groan and exclaim in frustration, 'Why did
such & such problem have to happen'.

Or in exasperation, one may cry out, 'Why must this world be riddled with
so many infections & diseases'.

These types of queries often plague the human mind.


                            THE QUESTION AT HAND

Through it all, the question stands: How to explain such events? Why is it
that old age must befall us? What is the need for disease? What should be
our outlook with regards to these inevitabilities.


                   ONE REPLY: SAMSKARA THEORY

Of course, there is our samskara theory which dictates that one must
undergo the reactions of their actions. This is part and parcel of our
yogic outlook. So that is one way-- a logician's way-- to explain the onset
of disease & difficulties in life etc.


                                     ANOTHER REPLY:

         DISEASE AWAKENS A LONGING TO SEEK THE DIVINE

Side by side there is another way to explain the hardships which make our
human existence seem so fragile.

We can say that such problems are Parama Purusa's way of reminding us that
our human life is for something great-- something divine. The onset of
old-age & disease forces us to seek a pathway out of this material world
which is otherwise riddled with trouble and torment. Failing that-- without
any longing or desire to find something better-- then one would be
satisfied to live forever and ever in this crude mundane world. But this is
not our way; this is not our human dharma.

So diseases and problems help, nay, force humans to seek something greater.
Because by seeing how this earth is wrought with innumerable difficulties
and tragedies, it awakens within human beings a thirst-- a longing-- to
find something better, something divine: Permanent peace at His lotus feet.

                                             
                      ALL WANT A BETTER LIFE

Actually all want a better life. Animals are not satisfied with their
animal existence. Some may think that animals are happy and perfectly
content, but this is not at all the case. Animal life is full of fear and
torment and they want something more.

In His 1969 DMC discourse, Baba describes how the bull attached to the
bullock cart longs to become a human being. Because all day & night that
bull is pulling human beings from place to place; so that bull internally
thinks that one fine afternoon it should escape its fate and become a human
being. Because that bull is not satisfied with its lowly existence as an
animal; it is not satisfied with its lot in life. It wants something better.
Because as was already stated, animal life is not 'a basket of roses'.
Proof being that in our very own Supreme Command, Baba warns us that animal
life is torturous and that humans must not plunge themselves into such
horrific suffering.

So animal life is not something blissful & wonderful; those animals do not
enjoy their condition. They desire something more.

In a similar manner, we humans also long for something higher. We are not
content with our human existence. All are looking for something better. But
even then, the human mind is somewhat fickle. It can be tricked into
thinking that what it has is the best.

For example, if one has a fancy car, a big house, a swimming pool, and a
lot of social prestige, then one may think that 'I need nothing more in
life-- I have all there is to get'. Some materialists may think like this,
especially here in the west. Some blind persons may think they are the king
of this mundane world and their desire is to remain here forever.

So when disease comes along-- or when old age invariably sneaks up on
them-- then such materially minded persons are forced to re-evaluate what
is important in life. Because those diseases and that old age factor
undermines their entire existential value. They think their material
existence is no longer something great. In which case, they again embark on
a search to improve their plight.

Thus disease and old age pressurises even complacent human beings into
looking beyond this material world for some type of higher existence. The
ups and downs of life invariably forces one to think that this world is not
their final destination.


              AWAKENING THE SEARCH FOR LIFE DIVINE
                       
By this entire picture we can realise that disease, difficulties, and old
age help human beings reach up to that sacred stance.

Members of the general public pray up to the heavens or to their favoured
god, 'Please relieve me of my earthly sufferings and allow me to drink from
the pot of divine nectar-- let me experience peace'. This is the way some
members of the general society may think when their life is overwrought
with the hard realities of this ephemeral world.

And with Ananda Margiis, our standard approach is to request Baba for His
divine blessing, 'Baba, do with me what You will in this life-- I do not
care for it, just please be gracious on me and bring me under Your divine
shelter at lotus feet'.

This type of plea is our way of requesting Baba to spare us from the
sufferings of this relative world. Because we understand that although we
have come here to establish His mission, this is not our final resting
grounds. This relative world is not the destination. Rather this mundane
world is just a train station for going to our final abode-- unto His
divine Lap.

And it is things like difficulties, disease, and old age which stand as a
constant reminder to us that this world is not our permanent domicile. This
is not our eternal home. This human life is limited and our dharma is to
find unlimited bliss in His divine shelter.


                 COMMONLY KNOWN IN SOME AREAS

And this entire point is well known in those spiritual societies of the
east. They know that old age brings wisdom and those elderly people have
their eyes fixed on the other world. That is why in places like Japan,
India, and various other lands, the elderly people of those societies
command huge respect.

In contrast in the US-- where materialism runs rampant-- then elderly and
diseased persons are pushed aside to the outskirts & fringe of society.
Tragically, wherever materialism spreads it has this same effect. Thus
today, even in parts of India and Japan where materalism is taking root,
in those pockets - little by little - the elderly are marginalised.

Because in the materialistic model, old age and disease have no value.

Whereas those societies that honor spiritual values, such communities place
tremendous import on age and greatly value the advice and teachings of
their seniors. Because those societies recognise the beauty of old age and
benefits of disease and what wisdom spiritual thirst they bring.

                                                     
                    BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace, He has given us the teachings and pathway to reach unto
Him. We have gotten Him as the Sadguru and the sadhana of AM to lift us up
to that final abode-- by His grace. This is His great blessing upon all
Ananda Margiis. So none should think that this material world is their
final resting place.

Baba says, "The worship of Brahma should be done scrupulously, or else you
will later regret and bemoan the futility of your life with the last drop
of your tears at your last hour. You should make your life worthwhile
through your Sa´dhana´. How much can your worldly friends and relations do
for you? After your death your relatives may perhaps ask, "How much money
has he left behind?" Your friends may go to the crematorium and indulge in
flattering reminiscences about you. Your husband or wife may cry for you
for about ten or twelve days and then regain their normal composure. Your
lot will be only a profound sigh - a record of the futility and frustration
of your life. So do not waste your time lest you later have to repent."
(Subhasita Samgraha, part 3)

Namaskar,
Cinmay


Note 1:             PART LIFE

In numerous discourses Baba guides us how our human life is just a part
life. All the various births we take as we progress through the cycle of
Brahmacakra-- through saincara and pratisaincara-- are mere part lives.
Each and every birth is but a piece. And the culmination of our journey
arises when we reach unto Him. So none can think that this world is our
permanent residence. No Ananda Margii can think like that. And for those
who do think that this world is our permanent abode, then disease,
struggle, and strife will awaken their yearning to fine something more--
something divine. In that way-- one way or another-- all will come onto the
path of sadhana to seek that eternal connection with Him.


   ********************************************
             Special Formula of Tandava

Baba says, "Tandava: As long as a dancer remains above the ground, he
derives much benefit; when he touches the ground, then those benefits are
assimilated by the body. That is why in the tandava dance there is much
jumping, because jumping requires the practitioner to remain off the ground
for a fairly long period of time." (NSS, p. 23)
   ********************************************


"A'mi pather hadish pa'i ni, ta'i toma'r pa'ne cali ni..." (PS 1338)

Purport:

   Baba, in the past I could not get the direction of the proper path.
Because ofthat I could not come close to You. Your and my relation was hidden in
dark. I was not aware about You. In that past I could not get Your
introduction. And I could not link up in our close intimate relation which,
in reality, has been going on since a very long time. 
  In my misunderstanding, I was thinking that nobody is mine, and that
to feel love and affection is not my fate. I was thinking that my life does
not have any value. That I will not get respect in my life, just it will be
filled with disrespect and neglect.

   Baba, today You have blessed me and changed everything. Now I feel
that my life has become meaningful, because You are mine. My heart is
filled with Your love.

  Baba, by Your grace I surrender at Your lotus feet, O' Baba...

Baba's Forewarning On NY Court Case

To: AM-GLOBAL
From: Carson Tyler
Subject: Baba's Forewarning On NY Court Case
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2010 17:08:01 -0400

BABA

"Shun'echi tumi dayalu, ka'je keno anya dekhi..."  (P.S. 2125)

Purport:

  O' Parama Purusa, I have heard that You are the merciful One-- why then
by Your work and by Your action do I see something different. For You my
eyes are showering tears; my days are passing in calling and longing for
You. Then why are You not coming close.
  Baba, You know that I love You. Although I am meagre but even then I am
Your atom. The pain of the unit is the pain of the Universal; the pain of
the atom is the pain of the Cosmic. Don't You understand this simple truth.
  O' Dearmost, please go on doing according to Your desire. Only my
request is that You keep me along with You. The pain and grief of my heart
cannot be covered. The suffering of my heart will not listen to Your
various justifications and excuses; it cannot be appeased by the mere
jugglery of words. Baba, I want Your proximity and closeness.
  Baba, in the scriptures and by seeing Your glory, I heard from other
devotees that You are love personified and merciful. And that You are
caring for others. So many supreme attributions You have. But when dealing
with me I see something totally different. Here I am crying in longing, and
You do not care. Why like this? Baba, please grace me and come close...  


                       == BABA'S FOREWARNING ON NY COURT CASE ==

Namaskar,
As most everyone knows, unfortunately there is a court case in NY sector between Tiirthananda and his EC group versus Vimalananda backed by the Ranchi faction of India. It is going to trial in May of 2011.

These persons - our Dadas - have dedicated their life for spreading the gospel of neo-humanism so it is very unfortunate what they are doing. They have forgotten their ideal and are now totally busy in their group fight. Their entire energy, time, money, resources and margii interactions are getting consumed in this way. It is very bad.

At the same time, the whole society at-large is suffering terribly. The common people need Baba's ideology and teachings to fortify themselves in the struggle against capitalist exploitation, religious dogma, and the many other negative forces in society.

As Baba says this is the transitional period. Human society needs His divine guidelines. Baba made these people - these Dadas - the harbingers for spreading the ideals of AM, but due to their intoxication of power and post, these people started infighting. And along the way they dragged other wts &  margiis into their group clash.

This entire situation is most unfortunate - even tragic. Society needs our help and Baba has trained these people (i.e. our avadhutas) in our philosophy, but instead of propagating Baba's teachings they are doing the exact opposite.

In this situation, only our duty is to remind these people about Baba's following guideline. At least now they should ponder Guru's teaching and warning.

Here in this below teaching - which was delivered as an RU discourse - Baba is describing how long, long ago the leaders of Buddhism got consumed in infighting. For this reason, they did not have time to do good to the society. They could not serve humanity. That is Baba's distinct warning.


                                          BABA'S FOREWARNING:

           SEE WHAT HAPPENED TO THOSE BUDDHIST MONKS OF OLD

                            DO NOT REPEAT SUCH INFIGHTING

Now please read the following quote. It is very clear. Baba has forewarned us not to fall in this very trap of infighting as occurred with those Buddhist monks 2500 years ago, but now some Dadas are committing this same blunder.

Baba says, "Great differences in opinion developed among the bhikkus (monks) some time after his death. Two groups of bhikkus emerged – Sthaviravádii, the southern school of Buddhist doctrine, and Mahásáḿghika (the northern school), which later on became known as “Hiinayána” and “Maháyána” respectively. But that was not the end of it. Innumerable branches and sub-branches emerged, countless philosophies of Sthaviraváda, Vijiṋánaváda, Shúnyaváda, Mahásukhaváda, and Atisukaváda. Each one of these groups became so engrossed in their own so-called ideologies, doctrines and subdoctrines that they did not have any time to do any constructive work." (AFPS-4)

In His above teaching Baba is describing how the Buddhist monks divided into factions and spent all their days in infighting. For this reason they could not do any real service to the society. That is very real history and therein lies Baba's distinct warning.

Tragically, nowadays in AM, all our top Dada have separated into various groups - B, H, EC etc - and they are consumed in battling one another for supremacy. That is the unfortunate scene that has developed in the Marga. A classic example of this is the legal battle going on in NY. The two groups involved are committing all their energy, time, and resourceds etc into this group conflict, and hence they are unable to serve the general society. Is it not a mirror image of what transpired long ago?

Here below is Baba's furthermore teaching on this matter.

Baba says, "They were always engaged in vindicating their own doctrines and maligning others’. In other words, they strayed far from their original ethics and objectives. This state of affairs which began to develop in the Buddhist age is still occurring – and not only in the Buddhist sects. It is also continuing in all respects, in all spheres of life." (AFPS-4)

In His above guideline, Baba is forewarning that in that old Buddhist era, those monks pushed their own narrow agendas and totally forgot Buddha's original teachings. Likewise in AM, since 1990, top Dadas have splintered into factions and created their own separate factional agendas, totally forgetting Baba's divine neo-humanistic teachings. That is why in in AM, infighting has become the theme of the day and that is why in NY the court case has come to the fore.

Baba continues His guideline on this important topic.

Baba says, "Wherever there are two individuals there emerge two parties. Conflicts between so-called ideologies have become unavoidable, and have become the order of the day. The reason for this is that human beings have progressed in the mental sphere but not in the spiritual sphere. The spiritual goal is one. But in the absence of this unitary goal, factionalism emerged. Factionalism does not mean only groupism; it is also a conflict of doctrines. And it will prevail until human beings accept a singular goal in the process of synthesis." (AFPS-4)

In His above teaching Baba points out the cause behind all these group conflicts. In the past those Buddhist monks quarreled and fought because they totally lost sight of their spiritual goal. And instead they just rallied around their own factional agendas.

Similarly, all the battles, court cases and power plays going on these days in our Marga  are happening for the same reason: These groupist have forgotten their spiritual goal.

Up above, Baba has clearly warned us what results when people forget their spiritual goal and chase after narrow-minded interests. Even then, sadly, many of our top Dadas have lost the course. Tragically they forgot Ista and started in-house battles for power. All this bickering and all these court cases - like the one unfolding in NY - will continue so long as people stick to their group agenda. When they remember the Divine Goal, then both peace and unity is easily attained.

Baba says, “Stop, stop – do not quarrel – there is no use of fighting – peace, peace” – uttering all these good words will not do; it will stop no one. Peace may come for the time being, but it will not be permanent; like an ash-covered spark, unrest will again flair up. If human beings want to save themselves from this catastrophe, the only way is to march forward towards a single goal. Humanity must be guided to follow the path of synthesis [spirituality] and not the path of analysis [groupism]." (AFPS-4)

In His above guideline, Baba warns us that words alone are not enough. The only way to create a true environment of peace is to strictly adhere to the spiritual path and follow His tenets.

Note: Here we should all be totally clear on the difference between synthesis and analysis.

Synthesis means that there is one Goal in life. My goal is Parama Purusa and I have come onto this earth to serve Parama Purusa in the form of all jiivas. Everyone has come from Parama Purusa and they are my kith and kin and ultimately I have to become one with Him.

Analysis means, "I belong to this group and the followers of this group are my brothers and sisters, others are alien and they are my enemies. My goal is to defeat and conquer others by hook or by crook and spread my glory all around. That is my goal of life. My approach may be soft or very polite, diplomatic or harsh or even deadly but ultimately I have to achieve my goal: To spread my glory and my group's glory everywhere."


                              MORE ABOUT BABA'S ABOVE TEACHINGS

Baba's aforesaid teachings are quite clear: When one forgets the goal and chases after selfish ends then infighting is inevitable. What Baba diagrammed about the Buddhists of old is now going on in our Marga. Certain Dadas could not learn the lesson - they could not pay heed to Baba's warning.

Here are further parallels that can be drawn between the Buddhist infighting of old and the ongoing groupist battles in our Marga today:

1. Buddha did did not forewarn his disciples about infighting nor did he give them a scientific meditation practice, hence they had no tool to clean the mind. In that sense those monks were almost destined towards infighting.

Whereas in AM the situation is totally different. Being the Sadguru, Baba has warned us about groupism; Baba has given a perfect system of meditation; and Baba has graced us with all the tools to keep the mind pure and above divisive tendencies - even then our Dadas have fallen into groupism. Does it not seem then that they are worse than those Buddhist monks of old?

2. During the time of Buddha, 2500 years ago, the society was quite primitive and the general populace fought all kinds of clannish battles. The society was very divided those days.

Since that time, the general society has developed a lot and has become far more inclusive. Racism and other crude isms are on the wane. Even then, some of our top Dadas remain plunged in battles over power and prestige. In that sense there has not been any growth. The general society has grown a lot, while certain Dadas have not. Does it not seem then that such Dadas are worse than those Buddhist monks of old?

3. Because of their infighting , neither the Buddhist monks of old had zero time to do any concrete work. Likewise our groupist Dadas today have no time for concrete work. In both cases, those monks are sunk in personal battles and factional feuds - hence there is no time or resources to help others.

4. By His grace Baba issued countless warnings to keep away from groupism, but some of our Dadas could not mange this. Instead they become one with their groupist agenda.

It is just like how a mother warns her children of going close to the fire, but at the soonest opportunity the children disregarded their mother's warnings and ended up burning themselves.

Tragically the same thing has happened in the Marga. The whole situation is shocking and very sad to see.

5.  Although it is sad to think this, in my mind what is going on today in AM is worse than what happened in the past between those Buddhist monks. Why? Because warnings, in the present circumstance warnings were issued by Guru, a system of meditation was given, and the general society has improved a lot in the past 2500 years. Yet, despite all of these dharmic teachings and social enhancements, some of our very own monks remain indulged in groupist feuds. For this reason it seems that what is going on now in AM is worse (more tragic) then what happened with those Buddhist monks 2500 years ago. But ultimately, it is up to you to decide the answer to this query. Only then will it be final.


                                                      OUR DUTY

Given the current situation going on now in our Marga, the duty of sincere margiis is three-fold:
1. Try to stop this infighting;
2. If we cannot stop this infighting then at the very least do not participate in these groupist battles and do not contribute to their token causes, like the NY lawsuit etc;
3. Instead, we should ulitise our individual and collective strength and resources in doing selfless service to the needy and suffering humanity - as Baba explains in the above guideline.

Baba says, "march ahead vigorously with firm steps, keeping a synthetic goal ever before them. “Caraeveti, caraeveti” – “March forward, march forward”. This should be the slogan of today’s humanity." (AFPS-4)

Namaskar,
Cinmay


Note 1:                                      REFLECTION

It is very simple and obvious how is it that those who are infighting could not understand. Those who do not understand, they must be intoxicated by the post otherwise it is very simple.

Analogy: it is well known that nicotine is very but even then millions and millions are still indulging. Similarly, Baba has forewarned but these people are intoxicated that is why they cannot understand this simple simple point which anyone can grasp and understand.

Baba is also telling why people cannot understand. those who goal is other than PP they cannot get it. Suppose someone has some ulterior motive of power post political gain and motive to exploit others and mundane achievement, then for them this above teaching is they cannot understand.


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                     Fake Devotion

Baba says, "Oh Lord, I am your devotee, help me to pass my examination; Oh
Lord, my daughter has attained marriageable age--- help me to find a worthy
suitor; Let the bridegroom be ideal, let me not spend much on the wedding.
This type of showy devotion that simply asks for mundane objects, is no
devotion at all. Because such persons always say, "I want this, I want that."

"What news can you report to a person who already knows all the intimate
details of your life? Is it not ludicrous to retell the stories of your
grandfather's house to your mother, for certainly she knows them better
than you!"

"Parama Purus'a knows more than you whether you are a sinner or not, so
what is the necessity of telling Him?" (AMIWL p. 820 & 824)
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