Subject: Example of Waiting Room
Date: Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:29:48
Baba
Namaskar,
"This world is just like [a] waiting room. You are to remain here for a very short span." (1)
Tragically, in this modern world, the mass of people live and plan their lives in such a way as if this world is their permanent abode. Due to the ill effects of gross materialism, common citizens think that their bank account, their house, their job, their physical appearance, their spouse, and their worldly possessions are the prized aspects of their existence. For this reason, they use cent-per-cent of their energy running after these ephemeral things, mistaking them to be the glory of human life.
This is the way materialism has led everyone astray, into some dark illusion.
Baba says, "This type of crude material knowledge concerned with the crude materialism has done much harm to human society during the last one century." (2)
There is an inner aspect to our human existence that is hungry, yet the humanity is neglecting that which is inside because of being fully intoxicated with life's material pleasures.
As Ananda Margiis, we all know what the Goal of life is, as well as what it takes to get there. The Goal is Parama Purusa, Baba, and the way to get there is by sadhana. This fact everybody knows.
Yet, we have also witnessed the ill effects of materialism, and seen the common people suffer. Materialism has infested each and every pore of society. It is very difficult to completely separate oneself from that environment. Huge billboards, internet ads, crude social values, financial pressures etc meet people at each and every turn.
One of the clear-cut downturns of all this is that many do not get proper opportunity to learn sadhana as they are so submerged in materialism.
People commonly think, 'I will learn about spirituality'; yet when it is time to start meditation they just find any number of other things to do. And when they do learn then if they sit down for sadhana, often it gets curtailed due to lack of time, lack of concentration, or feelings of hunger. So many get swept in this manner.
Perhaps some of you have also seen this or similar things.
And the gross materialism which surrounds us does not help; it leads to more spiritual lethargy. Whatever inherent lethargy some may have towards sadhana is negated by today's crude environment. Because the world and all its inhabitants are running one direction, and they are trying to move in another. They are going against the tide.
Baba says, "The present-day materialism has brought humanity to this predicament. Its consequences are dreadful." (3)
Before analysing more of the in's & out's of this issue, here is Baba special teaching about spiritual lethargy, or procrastination in sadhana.
"Spiritual lethargy is the worst. Spiritual lethargy means not to sit for meditation regularly. Those with spiritual lethargy have time for all other actions, but for spiritual practice there seems to be no time. They say, “It’s already late today – I’ll do a short meditation right now, and devote more time to sa'dhana' tomorrow.” They sit attentively inside the cinema hall, but in dharma sa'dhana' they feel sleepy." (4)
We should all read the above quote multiple times and honestly evaluate how far Baba's teaching applies to the situation nowadays.
In addition to today's gross materialism, here are other reasons why it is often a struggle to move on the path of sadhana.
As Baba tells us, every human being has come from animal life - at one point in time or another. So people are highly familiar with animalistic desires and propensities. We need not be reminded about these things. That is a known path to us, and in general people gravitate towards the familiar and are hesitant to take up new enterprises.
For that reason, it take little or no energy for people to succumb to the four basic propensities: Food, fear, procreation, and sleep. No one needs any special training in these spheres; the mind automatically runs after these things.
In contrast, when sadhana is the most subtle practice for human beings, then invariably it is something that is very new and unfamiliar to us. Often it is not something that we have lifetimes of experience with. Whereas, for incarnations and incarnations in animal and human form, we have been deeply engrossed in material pursuits.
So being attached to this old way of living certainly contributes to spiritual procrastination.
Then there are other things that lead to procrastination in sadhana:
1) Avidya Maya: The force of avidya maya casts allurements each and every moment, and when the whole society has fallen prey to the spell of avidya maya, then the force of that maya multiplies and it is very difficult to escape. If a person knows they should do sadhana, but all their worldly pressures tell them to work late, or buy a big house, or go to the movies, or watch TV, or whatever, then it is difficult to move on the path of sadhana. And every time a person gives in to the ignorance of avidya, then the more sadhana slips out of their fingers, and becomes something totally foreign.
2) Objective Adjustment: In the name of objective adjustment, some leave their spiritual practice behind and run after worldly endeavours. They then justify that going to dharmacakra and doing sadhana there is enough for the entire week, or thereabouts.
3) Microvita: Various microvita also pull us down and hinders our sadhana routine.
Plus when the entire society is moving towards money, matter, prestige, then that multiplies the problem.
Each of us individually should take an honest look at who we are and what is happening with our sadhana routine, and make special efforts to overcome whatever is hindering our practice.
Here is Baba's special teaching about the waiting room phenomenon.
Nowadays, everyone thinks that this world is their permanent abode. They may say otherwise but practically they live as if this is the case.
So we should pay heed to Baba's strict warning.
Baba says, "You should remember always that you have come here for a short span. You won’t remain in this world for a long period. You may remain here say for ninety or hundred years or say for one hundred and fifty years. Some saints like Traelaunga Sva'mii lived here for three hundred and fifty years. He lived in Varanasi in India and died in this twentieth century. But you are to live under certain limitations – limitations of time, space and person."
"So you should always remember that you have come here for a very short span. It is just like a waiting room of a railway station. You remain there for a short period and when the train comes, you leave the waiting room. This world is just like that waiting room. You are to remain here for a very short span."
"You should always remember this fact – “I have come here for a short span and I won’t remain here for a very long period. My home is elsewhere. I am just like a tourist.” You should always remember this fact. And as a universal tourist, you, while leaving for your permanent home, won’t require a passport." (5)
One should take a moment to reflect upon how quickly time has passed since they have come on this earth - often decades and decades have passed. See how quickly people reach up to their present age. So this world is mobile and one day one will die. That could occur in the next moment or even sooner.
These are the practical realities yet so many remain oblivious of this fact. In day to day life, they do not include this equation of death into their plan. When they go to the market they plan that they will be returning back home. And when a student attends university then they have plan to one day return back home. But amazingly, when has come on this earth but they have no plan to leave. They think and act as if they will remain here forever. This type of mentality is not the intelligent way.
Without this point, the whole equation is incomplete. Baba Himself warns us to never forget that this world is anitya (ephemeral) and one day one is going to die. That time could come at any moment.
So we must not treat this world as our permanent abode. We should always keep our mind fixed on Him. And internally, we must remind ourselves again and again that we have only come here for a short time. Then and only then can we truly understand that sadhana - and not money or possessions - is the cream of life.
Here again is Baba' reminder about the nature of this human life.
"This short period of time from birth to death is human life. Human beings have come from the world of invisibility and at the end of this short span of time will return to the world of invisibility. Those people can be called intelligent who utilize every moment of their short life engaged in spiritual practice." (6)
Failing to adopt the path of sadhana, will lead us on an endless spiral of suffering and pain in the myriad of deaths and rebirths in this material world.
"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 Sádhaná. 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." (7)
By Baba's grace we must realise that this world is not our permanent abode, overcome all tendencies of spiritual lethargy, do sadhana, and reach up to Him.
Baba says, "The only way to advance is to follow the path of vigorous spiritual practice." (8)
Namaskar,
Giriish
REFERENCES:
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 2
3. Namah Shivaya Shantaya
4. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 10
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12
6. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4
7. Subhasita Samgraha - 3
8. AMIWL-8
"Tumi je path diye giyechile priyo, se pathe a'jo surabhi rayeche..." - 2781
Purport:
O ' Parama Purusa, even today Your sweet aroma remains lingering on that path - on the path which You have traveled. Baba, the songs which You sang so beautifully in tune and rhythm, those very songs are ever-present in the deep core of my heart. Their lingering resonance still vibrates my entire being.
O' my dearmost Baba, I cannot ever forget Your blissful tales; it is impossible for me to forget. Your divine advent in my mind is far more significant than hundreds of lives of sadhana, & its penance. Baba, You are the most meaningful One in my life. You have graciously presented Yourself after my hundreds of lives of searching and longing.
Baba, even if You do not remain close to me, my mind does not go far from You. By Your grace, I always remain ensconced in Your blissful ideation. Keeping all my longings for You in my heart, I go on singing Your divine songs day and night. You have made me understand this truth: That to do any extraordinary task is impossible for those who have a dry heart. Only those with innate love for You will be able to climb over the insurmountable mountains. Others cannot because in each and every sphere of life Your grace is everything. Without that nothing is possible. By Your own qualities You have bound me with Your divine love and You always keep me under Your shelter.
O Divnine Entity, O' Baba, Your sweet and charming aroma keeps me thinking about You constantly...
********************************************************
Tamasika Thinking IS Detrimental to Health
"Mental purity helps particularly in keeping a person healthy. Impure thoughts increase the acidity of the blood and invite disorders of the stomach, heart and brain. That is why every human being should make as strong a habit as possible of selfless service and iishvara pranidhana (meditation). The best way to attain mental purity is to follow the principles of yama and niyama." (Yogic Treatments, p.96)
We can say that Baba's above guideline is wholly ignored and neglected by the general populace in materialistic societies where people are grossly involved in negative entertainment like reading filthy articles, watching negative movies, playing violent video games, and viewing sensual pictures on the web etc. Such depraving habits are critical causes of disease: They heighten the acidity of the blood and harm the major organs of the body. By purifying one's thoughts through a spiritual way of life, a person's physical constitution is enhanced and the mind is refined and readied for deeper meditation.
Date: Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:29:48
Baba
== EXAMPLE OF WAITING ROOM IN TRAIN STATION ==
Namaskar,
"This world is just like [a] waiting room. You are to remain here for a very short span." (1)
Tragically, in this modern world, the mass of people live and plan their lives in such a way as if this world is their permanent abode. Due to the ill effects of gross materialism, common citizens think that their bank account, their house, their job, their physical appearance, their spouse, and their worldly possessions are the prized aspects of their existence. For this reason, they use cent-per-cent of their energy running after these ephemeral things, mistaking them to be the glory of human life.
This is the way materialism has led everyone astray, into some dark illusion.
Baba says, "This type of crude material knowledge concerned with the crude materialism has done much harm to human society during the last one century." (2)
There is an inner aspect to our human existence that is hungry, yet the humanity is neglecting that which is inside because of being fully intoxicated with life's material pleasures.
MANY SUFFER FROM THIS
As Ananda Margiis, we all know what the Goal of life is, as well as what it takes to get there. The Goal is Parama Purusa, Baba, and the way to get there is by sadhana. This fact everybody knows.
Yet, we have also witnessed the ill effects of materialism, and seen the common people suffer. Materialism has infested each and every pore of society. It is very difficult to completely separate oneself from that environment. Huge billboards, internet ads, crude social values, financial pressures etc meet people at each and every turn.
One of the clear-cut downturns of all this is that many do not get proper opportunity to learn sadhana as they are so submerged in materialism.
People commonly think, 'I will learn about spirituality'; yet when it is time to start meditation they just find any number of other things to do. And when they do learn then if they sit down for sadhana, often it gets curtailed due to lack of time, lack of concentration, or feelings of hunger. So many get swept in this manner.
Perhaps some of you have also seen this or similar things.
And the gross materialism which surrounds us does not help; it leads to more spiritual lethargy. Whatever inherent lethargy some may have towards sadhana is negated by today's crude environment. Because the world and all its inhabitants are running one direction, and they are trying to move in another. They are going against the tide.
Baba says, "The present-day materialism has brought humanity to this predicament. Its consequences are dreadful." (3)
BABA'S GRAPHIC EXPLANATION
Before analysing more of the in's & out's of this issue, here is Baba special teaching about spiritual lethargy, or procrastination in sadhana.
"Spiritual lethargy is the worst. Spiritual lethargy means not to sit for meditation regularly. Those with spiritual lethargy have time for all other actions, but for spiritual practice there seems to be no time. They say, “It’s already late today – I’ll do a short meditation right now, and devote more time to sa'dhana' tomorrow.” They sit attentively inside the cinema hall, but in dharma sa'dhana' they feel sleepy." (4)
We should all read the above quote multiple times and honestly evaluate how far Baba's teaching applies to the situation nowadays.
OLD WAYS OF LIVING
In addition to today's gross materialism, here are other reasons why it is often a struggle to move on the path of sadhana.
As Baba tells us, every human being has come from animal life - at one point in time or another. So people are highly familiar with animalistic desires and propensities. We need not be reminded about these things. That is a known path to us, and in general people gravitate towards the familiar and are hesitant to take up new enterprises.
For that reason, it take little or no energy for people to succumb to the four basic propensities: Food, fear, procreation, and sleep. No one needs any special training in these spheres; the mind automatically runs after these things.
In contrast, when sadhana is the most subtle practice for human beings, then invariably it is something that is very new and unfamiliar to us. Often it is not something that we have lifetimes of experience with. Whereas, for incarnations and incarnations in animal and human form, we have been deeply engrossed in material pursuits.
So being attached to this old way of living certainly contributes to spiritual procrastination.
OTHER REASONS WHY PEOPLE PROCRASTINATE
AVIDYA MAYA & SO-CALLED OBJECTIVE ADJUSTMENT
AVIDYA MAYA & SO-CALLED OBJECTIVE ADJUSTMENT
Then there are other things that lead to procrastination in sadhana:
1) Avidya Maya: The force of avidya maya casts allurements each and every moment, and when the whole society has fallen prey to the spell of avidya maya, then the force of that maya multiplies and it is very difficult to escape. If a person knows they should do sadhana, but all their worldly pressures tell them to work late, or buy a big house, or go to the movies, or watch TV, or whatever, then it is difficult to move on the path of sadhana. And every time a person gives in to the ignorance of avidya, then the more sadhana slips out of their fingers, and becomes something totally foreign.
2) Objective Adjustment: In the name of objective adjustment, some leave their spiritual practice behind and run after worldly endeavours. They then justify that going to dharmacakra and doing sadhana there is enough for the entire week, or thereabouts.
3) Microvita: Various microvita also pull us down and hinders our sadhana routine.
Plus when the entire society is moving towards money, matter, prestige, then that multiplies the problem.
Each of us individually should take an honest look at who we are and what is happening with our sadhana routine, and make special efforts to overcome whatever is hindering our practice.
WE HAVE NOT COME HERE FOREVER
Here is Baba's special teaching about the waiting room phenomenon.
Nowadays, everyone thinks that this world is their permanent abode. They may say otherwise but practically they live as if this is the case.
So we should pay heed to Baba's strict warning.
Smarana nitya anityatam
Baba says, "You should remember always that you have come here for a short span. You won’t remain in this world for a long period. You may remain here say for ninety or hundred years or say for one hundred and fifty years. Some saints like Traelaunga Sva'mii lived here for three hundred and fifty years. He lived in Varanasi in India and died in this twentieth century. But you are to live under certain limitations – limitations of time, space and person."
"So you should always remember that you have come here for a very short span. It is just like a waiting room of a railway station. You remain there for a short period and when the train comes, you leave the waiting room. This world is just like that waiting room. You are to remain here for a very short span."
"You should always remember this fact – “I have come here for a short span and I won’t remain here for a very long period. My home is elsewhere. I am just like a tourist.” You should always remember this fact. And as a universal tourist, you, while leaving for your permanent home, won’t require a passport." (5)
One should take a moment to reflect upon how quickly time has passed since they have come on this earth - often decades and decades have passed. See how quickly people reach up to their present age. So this world is mobile and one day one will die. That could occur in the next moment or even sooner.
These are the practical realities yet so many remain oblivious of this fact. In day to day life, they do not include this equation of death into their plan. When they go to the market they plan that they will be returning back home. And when a student attends university then they have plan to one day return back home. But amazingly, when has come on this earth but they have no plan to leave. They think and act as if they will remain here forever. This type of mentality is not the intelligent way.
Without this point, the whole equation is incomplete. Baba Himself warns us to never forget that this world is anitya (ephemeral) and one day one is going to die. That time could come at any moment.
So we must not treat this world as our permanent abode. We should always keep our mind fixed on Him. And internally, we must remind ourselves again and again that we have only come here for a short time. Then and only then can we truly understand that sadhana - and not money or possessions - is the cream of life.
"BEMOAN THE FUTILITY OF YOUR LIFE"
Here again is Baba' reminder about the nature of this human life.
"This short period of time from birth to death is human life. Human beings have come from the world of invisibility and at the end of this short span of time will return to the world of invisibility. Those people can be called intelligent who utilize every moment of their short life engaged in spiritual practice." (6)
Failing to adopt the path of sadhana, will lead us on an endless spiral of suffering and pain in the myriad of deaths and rebirths in this material world.
"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 Sádhaná. 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." (7)
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace we must realise that this world is not our permanent abode, overcome all tendencies of spiritual lethargy, do sadhana, and reach up to Him.
Baba says, "The only way to advance is to follow the path of vigorous spiritual practice." (8)
Namaskar,
Giriish
REFERENCES:
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 2
3. Namah Shivaya Shantaya
4. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 10
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12
6. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4
7. Subhasita Samgraha - 3
8. AMIWL-8
PRABHAT SAMGIITA
"Tumi je path diye giyechile priyo, se pathe a'jo surabhi rayeche..." - 2781
Purport:
O ' Parama Purusa, even today Your sweet aroma remains lingering on that path - on the path which You have traveled. Baba, the songs which You sang so beautifully in tune and rhythm, those very songs are ever-present in the deep core of my heart. Their lingering resonance still vibrates my entire being.
O' my dearmost Baba, I cannot ever forget Your blissful tales; it is impossible for me to forget. Your divine advent in my mind is far more significant than hundreds of lives of sadhana, & its penance. Baba, You are the most meaningful One in my life. You have graciously presented Yourself after my hundreds of lives of searching and longing.
Baba, even if You do not remain close to me, my mind does not go far from You. By Your grace, I always remain ensconced in Your blissful ideation. Keeping all my longings for You in my heart, I go on singing Your divine songs day and night. You have made me understand this truth: That to do any extraordinary task is impossible for those who have a dry heart. Only those with innate love for You will be able to climb over the insurmountable mountains. Others cannot because in each and every sphere of life Your grace is everything. Without that nothing is possible. By Your own qualities You have bound me with Your divine love and You always keep me under Your shelter.
O Divnine Entity, O' Baba, Your sweet and charming aroma keeps me thinking about You constantly...
********************************************************
Tamasika Thinking IS Detrimental to Health
"Mental purity helps particularly in keeping a person healthy. Impure thoughts increase the acidity of the blood and invite disorders of the stomach, heart and brain. That is why every human being should make as strong a habit as possible of selfless service and iishvara pranidhana (meditation). The best way to attain mental purity is to follow the principles of yama and niyama." (Yogic Treatments, p.96)
We can say that Baba's above guideline is wholly ignored and neglected by the general populace in materialistic societies where people are grossly involved in negative entertainment like reading filthy articles, watching negative movies, playing violent video games, and viewing sensual pictures on the web etc. Such depraving habits are critical causes of disease: They heighten the acidity of the blood and harm the major organs of the body. By purifying one's thoughts through a spiritual way of life, a person's physical constitution is enhanced and the mind is refined and readied for deeper meditation.
********************************************************
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