In the Name of Bhakti, People...

Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:54:29
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Miguel
Subject: In the Name of Bhakti, People...

Baba

     == IN THE NAME OF BHAKTI, PEOPLE DO A'SAKTI ==

Namaskar,
In our Marga, the term 'bhakti' is well--known and commonly used in our
daily talk and interactions.

We say things like, 'He has a lot of bhakti', or 'Bhakti is the greatest
attribution', or 'I only follow the path of bhakti' etc.

Then of course some think, 'I am an acarya so I must have a lot of
bhakti', while others contemplate, 'I am the bhukti pradhan so I have a
lot of bhakti'.

We have all seen and heard how the term bhakti gets used in the above
ways, when in fact such things may have little or even nothing to do
with true bhakti.

So we should take a moment to reflect on what is real bhakti, especially
since it is only bhakti that can lead us to our cherished Goal.


                      PURITY OF BHAKTI

Baba is quite clear that bhakti means having one's mind directed only
towards God, and not towards any other object or desire.

Baba says, "Bhakti means to withdraw one’s attractions from all objects
and channelize them towards Parama Purus'a. When the unit self is
associated with the cosmic it is called “bhakti” or “devotion”, but when
it is associated with the mundane it is called “attachment”. You must
withdraw your mental propensities from all external objects – no matter
what they might be – and channelize them only towards Parama Purus'a.
Only when you direct them towards Him, can it be called bhakti. If you
allow your mind to become fascinated by any other object, it is called
“a'sakti” or “attachment”." (AV-7)

Thus no external qualification or mundane desire has even one iota to do
with bhakti.

If anyone thinks, 'I am an acarya so therefore I am a devotee', or if
one thinks, 'I organise many service projects so I must be a great
devotee', this is all nothing but self-befoolery. Because using external
things to build a case for one's internal amount of bhakti is meaningless.

The operative phrase in the above quote is, "only towards Parama
Purus'a". If the mind is goaded only towards Parama Purusa, then it is
bhakti.

That is the real meaning of bhakti. If one's mind is only involved in
serving and pleasing Parama Purusa.

That is not to say we should forgo or abandon all worldly activities,
that is not our way. Rather we should ensure we are doing those worldly
activities for pleasing him, and not out of our own unit desire for
worldly prestige etc.

As Baba points out, if the mind is separately or simultaneously involved
in any other longing then it is known as a'sakti or attachment, i.e. the
path of degradation.

Baba says, "When the attraction is for the non-integral entity, for
money, for family, for land, it is called ka'ma; when it is for integral
entity it is called prema and the mental tendency during ka'ma i.e., the
mental tendency during attraction for a non-integral entity is called
a'sakti in Sam'skrta and the mental tendency during attraction for that
Integral Entity is called bhakti. (SS-18)

Hence the degree to which we are attracted by or infatuated with money,
name, fame, respect, position, is the degree to which we are off the
path of bhakti.

Bhakti, then is a very pure and internal desire to attain Parama Purusa.
And for this tremendous honesty and love are needed.

We may be able to masquerade ourselves in front of others so they think
we are great bhaktas; but we cannot fool Parama Purusa in this way. He
sees our inner-most desire and knows how far we have pure bhakti or not.


                BHAKTI & A'SAKTI CANNOT CO-EXIST

The main thing we should keep in mind is that bhakti (love for God) and
a'sakti (mundane longing) cannot co-exist. The degree to which we harbor
one is the degree to which we are remiss in the other.

Baba says, "The attachment for a finite thing is an expression of
extroverted energy, whereas the attraction for the Infinite is an
expression of the introverted energy. That is why these two can never
co-exist." (SS-1)

And Baba points out that even our most worldly intimate dealings can
take us away from the path of bhakti.

Baba says, "Do you love your son? No, no you don’t love your son. You
love Brahma in the form of your son. By loving your son as a son, you
cannot love the Lord. Where there is the feeling of son, there is no
Lord and where there is the Lord, there is no son." (SS-1)

So even harboring seemingly tender feelings for our loved ones drags us
on the path of temporality, and away from God-hood.


                CANNOT OVERLOOK WORLDLY DUTIES

Neither should one get caught up in the misconception or dogma that to
become a true bhakta I should give up my sons, or renounce my parents,
or become some type of hermit etc. Rather, we have been given various
responsibilities, and they are to be managed. As we know, performing
worldly duties is not antithetical to the path of devotion. It is only
when we get infatuated by those worldly expressions that it infringes on
our devotional experience. So that is what we must be careful about.


                    MUST SEE ALL AS BRAHMA

The answer given by Baba is that we must view all as the manifestation
of Parama Purusa. That is the way to live in this world without
sacrificing our devotional longing for Him.

Baba says, "The ascription of divinity to objects means the pursuit of
the Infinite, leaving the finite behind. Are you feeding your son? No,
no, you are feeding the son-like manifestation of Brahma. Are you
tilling the field? No, no you are serving the finite manifestation of
Brahma with your plough. Really speaking, the ascription of divinity to
objects precludes their material enjoyment, as the objects then merge in
the non-material Supreme Brahma." (AMIWL-2)

To do this we must be very honest and clear. Material Indulgence and
bhakti have no place together.

Seeing all as Him means seeing all as an opportunity to do service, not
satisfy worldly passions such as post, power, lust etc. Thus thinking of
making more money, garnering huge respect, or even becoming PP have
nothing to do with getting devotion.

Only by truly following brahmacaraya, are we perfectly consonant with
the path of devotion.


                 ONLY BHAKTAS CAN SERVE ALL

This all leads to the point that only true bhaktas can serve the humanity.

Invariably, non-bhaktas, or degraded bhaktas get attached to one worldly
expression or another-- either their wife, or their country, or their
job, or their community etc, in which case they will view the rest of
the world in a biased manner. There are countless examples of this
happening nowadays.

That is why only the bhaktas of Parama Purusa can promote the cause of
universal welfare on this earth and throughout the universe. See Him in
everyone, the sadhaka can them maintain equanimity and serve others
without favouring one person or another.


                    VERY CRUDE APPROACH

We can say that there are three basic approaches. The top most is to
love only Parama Purusa all the time. Then one is truly established in
bhakti.

Second is when one loves Parama Purusa sometimes, and then on other
occasions love towards mundane things is dominant. This is quite common.
Many of us may find ourselves in this position. In that case, more
kiirtan and sadhana are needed.

The next lowest phase occurs when in their ritualistic worship of Parama
Purusa, one prays for something mundane. That is very crude and must be
avoided entirely.

Baba says, "If a man wants to become a devotee of the lord but in the
mind of his mind, if he thinks that God will make him pass his
examination – here the esana (longing) is not one but two...When
something is demanded from God the esana becomes two. Hence the time is
completely wasted...When the esana (longing) is not [only] for
Paramatman but [also] for something else, it is known as asakti
(attachment) and not bhakti." (SS-20)

There is no scope for this type of approach in AM; we should all keep
the mind a thousand miles from such a crude and dogmatic way.


              WHY IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW BHAKTI

Lastly, what is the logic or rational for following bhakti. How should
we convince ourselves when the mind is down or how can we convince others.

Well, we can say that the path of bhakti is the blissful way to live and
that only should be followed. even then that might not always do the
trick of convincing ourselves. In that case another route is needed.

And that route is: Other than the path of bhakti there is no other path.
Every other entity in this universe will leave you one day. Every other
longing will create a samskara. Every other longing is ephemeral.

Baba says, "Under the influence of avidya' people believe that the
finite objects created by static Prakrti are their own. They think, “my
horse, my son, my daughter, my wealth,” and believe that with these
objects they will live eternally. But the fact is, all these limited
objects will desert them after sometime. Nothing that can be called
one’s own will remain." (AMIWL-8)

We have come onto this earth for a very short period; our window of
opportunity is small. So we must utilise our time in the right pursuit--
that pursuit which will free us from the suffering and bondage of maya.
That is the only way. In that case, only the path of bhakti is the answer.

Whether we like it or not, that is the only avenue for advancement.


                     BABA'S BLESSING

Everyone in AM likes to think they are bhaktas because we know this is
something great, but only those who really have internal longing for
Him-- and no other desire-- truly qualify as real bhaktas. Thus it is
for each and every sadhaka to estimate for themselves how far they are
on the path of bhakti.

By Baba's grace, by remembering Him we are all sure to attain this most
blessed stance. When we think, 'I want only You, then Baba cannot keep
us away'.

Baba says, "Therefore, O devotees remember the Lord’s name, else all
your efforts will be reduced to cipher [zero]. Under all circumstances
and during all activities, cling firmly to His name." (SS-1)

Namaskar,
Mantreshvar


Note 1:            BHAKTI VERSUS A'SAKTI

Baba says, "The meaning of the word bhakti is “attraction to the
Supreme”. When the attraction is to something limited, it is called
a'sakti, and when the attraction is to the Supreme, it is devotion,
bhakti. There is no compromise, no meeting point, between a'sakti and
bhakti, between attraction to the Supreme and attraction to the objects
of the world. In a'sakti, the feeling is that I get the object. In
bhakti, the feeling is that I merge myself in Him. Where there is no
desire, there the Lord lives. The Lord and the desire for the world,
like the sun and the night, cannot coexist." (AV-23)

Baba says, "In philosophical terms the attraction for finite objects is
called a'sakti and the attraction for the infinite is Bhakti. Ra'ga or
rakti means both the attraction for the infinite and attraction for the
finite objects." (SS-1)

Baba says, "One may have attachment towards physical objects as well as
towards Parama Purus'a. The attachment to physicality is called a'sakti
or vis'aya'nurakti, while the deep attachment to Parama Purusa is called
para'nurakti or bhakti." (AV-33)

Baba says, "The meaning of the word “para'nurakti” should be considered.
Rakti denotes raga or attachment. Anurakti means maintaining attachment
with or being attracted by a particular entity after having understood
its meaning. Anurakti is of two kinds. The anurakti for the Supreme
Brahma or Infinite Cosmic Consciousness is para'nurakti. The Anurakti
for Brahma under the sway of prakrti or the anurakti for the crude
manifestations is termed apara'nurakti. God is an object for
para'nurakti. When the aspirant considers the Supreme Brahma to be his
own, it is termed bhajana' or bhakti." (SS-1)


Note 2:         SEEING ALL AS PARAMA PURUSA

Baba says, "Do you love your son? It is perfectly right that you should,
however, when the son dies, you will experience great pain. Is it not
so? The son is preya, a finite entity. He cannot live till eternity. He
will depart and make you weep. But if you treat your son as the
expression of Brahma in the form of your son, then you will never fear
losing him because Brahma cannot be lost in any span of time. He is
present around you in all the ten directions." (AMIWL-2)


Note 3:   RELYING ON WORLDLY THINGS INVITES MISERY

Baba says, "Take, for instance, an unstable or transient thing, such as
your son. He is constantly progressing through changes, and so you are.
Neither of your two entities will remain forever. If you regard him as
the only support in your life, it will certainly not be wise, for your
son may leave the world any day, and you will moan his loss with bitter
tears; or you yourself may leave the world, making him an orphan. This
applies in the same way to wealth, power, etc." (Matter & Spirit)


Note 4:          WHAT IS DEVOTION

Bhaktirbhagavad bha'vana' na stutirna'rcana'

Baba says, "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. A devotee may perform these, but they are
not an indispensable part of devotional sa'dhana'. (AS, 3-12)

                                 
                                      PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"Nabiina Pra'te ei arun' a'lote..." (P.S. #19)

Purport:

Baba, by You grace the new dawn has come. In this new crimson dawn, with
the rhythm of form, You have entered my mind. Baba You are so gracious:
You know how to make us laugh and weep, You know how to play
hide-and-seek. Baba by Your grace You have filled my life with Your
radiant light. You know how to play the lyre, to weave endless melodies,
to make the world dance in Your melodies and rhythms. And You know how
to love the world with all its pains and pleasures. Baba You are so
gracious, You are that most loving One...



     **********************************************
                This Must Be Averted

Baba says, "'Andham tamah pravishanti mudha ye ke catmahano janah.' What
happens to the person who runs after the external mundane things instead of
the Self within? One day he finds himself surrounded by the blinding
darkness (Andhatamasa). All around he finds nothing. When a person whose
self has miserably degenerated, whose spiritual progress is altogether
stopped, rushes towards matter, his whole existence starts getting
crudified, his mind and Self get crudified, he forfeits the right even to
be called a human being. This is indeed a miserable condition, an
unimaginable circumstance." (Calcutta, 1980)
     **********************************************

Indeed Margiis Can Teach

Date: Fri 8 Apr 2010 18:45:27
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Indeed Margiis Can Teach
From: "Ishvara Deva"

Baba

                              == INDEED MARGIIS CAN TEACH ==

Namaskar,
Recently in our unit, some of us were involved in teaching others about AM, and one Dada intervened and stated that we should not do this as we were "not qualified".

This made us feel very sad. By Baba's grace we then consulted with one very senior acarya Didi and here following are the points she gave.

Really this was a very sentimental time for us and I remain so grateful for the guidance I received from Didiji.

For those more prone towards philosophical dialog, here are the essential questions we are raising.

1. Should we start teaching others about AM only when we get moksa, i.e. perfection?

2. Should we wait until we have been on the path 10 years before teaching others; or should we wait until we become a wholetimer before guiding others?

3. When can a general margii start teaching others about AM? When should a margii begin preaching the gospel of AM ideology?                  

Again, here it is not that I want to be a "great" Ananda Margii and give high-sounding talks to big audiences. That is not the spirit of this inquiry. Merely with our own inner heart feeling, a few of us were quietly sitting and talking to others about AM when that Dada came over and told us not to do like that.


                                    MUST START TEACHING RIGHT AWAY

Only after consulting with a senior acarya Didi, did everything become clear. Here are the key points raised by that senior acarya Didi:

The bottom line is that it is the duty of each and every Ananda Margii to start teaching others about Ananda Marga immediately. Even the day a person is initiated they can, nay must, start doing pracara with others.

Here is the support from Baba's teachings:

(A) SIXTEEN POINTS: It is the duty of every Ananda Margii to follow 16 Points and embedded within 16 Points is service or seva. As we all know there are 4 types of seva in AM: shudrocita seva, ksatriyocita seva, vaeshyocita seva, and viprocita seva. And Baba guides us that we, i.e. all margiis, are to perform all four types of seva, including viprocita seva, which includes preaching the ideals of Ananda Marga.

Baba says, "We can give joy to Parama Puruśa by serving His creations – human beings, animals and plants – and this service will be the best application of neohumanism. This service can be done in four ways – viprocita sevá (intellectual service), kśatriyocita sevá (service of courage), vaeshyocita sevá (economic service) and shudrocita sevá (manual service). None of these is inferior: we cannot ignore any one of them. People should render service according to their capacity. Those who like intellectual service, can do that; those who like manual service, can do so. But it will be best if all the four types are performed." (17 May 1982, Calcutta)

In His above directive, Baba clearly tells that everyone - new and senior margiis alike - are to engage in all kinds of seva including teaching others about AM philosophy and lifestyle. Everyone must do this according to their capacity.

That means even a newly initiated margii can and should teach the general public about kiirtan, or yama and niyama etc. To the degree one is properly aware about Baba's teachings is the degree to which they should teach others. Then they will be performing seva and following 16 Points. That is Baba's mandate.

(B) AM MISSION: The Ananda Marga mission - self-realisation & selfless service - concerns each and every Ananda Margii.

Baba says, "What should a person do? Life is a mission. I have said that human life is an ideological flow. That is, human life is a mission; life itself is a mission; one’s very existence is a mission. Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca – “Whatever one is to do one is to do for átmamokśa – for his own liberation – and for the elevation of the entire world, elevation of the entire human society.” One is to do both these things: that is, these two things are one’s mission." (AV-30)

Thus here again Baba is directing each and every person in the Marga to perform service - i.e. helping to care for and elevate all beings. Upon entering into AM, everyone must do this from day 1. Baba does not say that one should do sadhana for ten years - or after getting perfection, i.e. moksa - then one should start doing service. It is not like that.

Rather from the very beginning every margii is to do sadhana and perform service by preaching the ideals of dharma to others. So here again Baba is mandating that every Ananda Margii must do AM pracara and explain the tenets of AM to others.

(C) SUPREME COMMAND: In our Supreme Command too Baba tells each and every Ananda Margii to teach others about dharma and inspire them onto the path of spirituality.

"...It is the bounden duty of every Ananda Margii to endeavor to bring all to the path of bliss. Verily is this a part and parcel of sadhana, to lead others along the path of righteousness." (Supreme Command)

Thus by Baba's teaching in the Supreme Command, it is clear that all margiis - young or old, male or female etc - must embark on teaching others about AM ideals.


                                ALL MUST PREACH THE GOSPEL OF AM

Through His mandates of Sixteen Points, by His mission statement (Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca), and by the Supreme Command, it is quite clear that every Ananda Margii should teach others about AM ideals from the very beginning. To delay this is to go against Guru's teachings. No one should have any complex about this nor should this point be shrouded in confusion. All - I repeat all - are to teach others about the principles of AM.


                                            IGNORANT ACARYAS:

                            NO DADA CAN BAR YOU FROM TEACHING

Thus if you or anyone in your unit is sincerely teaching others about AM philosophy and a Dada tells you that you are "too new", or "not senior enough", or "not smart enough" etc, then just inform that Wt that Baba's guideline is that, "I must perform all 4 sevas each and every day and that includes teaching others about AM ideology, according to the level of my own knowledge base."

Thus no Dada can give any lame excuse and prohibit any margii - new or old - from guiding others on spiritual life and AM ideals.

Actually, it is the dogmatic religions that preach how lay / family people cannot teach the tenets. In Christianity only the priest can do; in Islam, only the mullah can do; and in Hinduism only the pundits can do. They are the only ones to preach the gospel of their religion - not the common people. So AM is totally unique. Baba says that all can and should do.

Unfortunately some ignorant and crafty Wts want to introduce religious dogmas into our AM society by stating that only the priest class can guide others. They just want to "copy & paste" such dogmas into our Marga.

But we must remember such dogmas are hellish.

Baba says, "These [common] people were deprived of the right to study the Vedas. The Antyaja Shúdras, if they even heard the Vedic chants, or the controlling Vedic mantra aum, or the “Savitr Rk” mantra, would be committing a great sin and molten lead would be poured into their ears so that their hearing would be destroyed forever. Nor were women, however educated, allowed to hear such sacred chants." (Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Disc: 5)

Indeed in those days of old, what to speak of not allowing the common people to preach the philosophy, they would not even allow the common people to learn it. If general citizens came in contact with those teachings they would be tortured and shunned - i.e. scarred for life. That was the way those dogmatic religions operated - and still today that is their modus operendi. They feel that mantras or prayers can only be solemnized when they are recited by priests etc. According to bhagavad dharma, there is no 3rd person between the devotee and God, but in such religions, the priest / mullah etc is the so-called intermediary. Here the point is that in the dogmatic religions, only the priest is able pass on religious knowledge, not anyone else.

Tragically now some Dadas are leaning in this direction and not allowing margiis to teach the philosophy to others. We have to oppose such Dadas.  When any Dada is forbidding a margii to propagate the gospel of Ananda Marga or neo-humanism, we should alarm everyone about that Dada and unmask their name and address.

AM is totally different from the dogmatic religions. Baba has blessed us with a revolutionary approach where all have the moral duty to preach and teach the tenets of AM. 

Unfortunately, some Dadas puffed up with vanity feel that only they should talk about dharma. They want everyone to listen to them. That is what their ego tells them. So they feel threatened if a margii sincerely engages in talks about AM philosophy with others.

But again, Baba's mandate is clear and pointed: Every initiated person in Ananda Marga must preach and teach others about our AM way of life.


                                   IMPORTANT STIPULATIONS

Now that it is clear that it is the duty of every Ananda Margii to perform service and teach others about the philosophy and ideals of AM, there are a few easy points to keep in mind.

1) One must not teach others about the lessons of sadhana unless one is an tattvika, or acarya etc.

2) One should not teach aspects of Baba's teachings that they themselves are not adequately familiar with. If one does this then two negative results will arise. Firstly, one will spread faulty explanations and confuse others; and secondly, the person you are trying to teach will lose faith in you.

So ti is important to educate oneself about AM ideals and consult Baba's discourses by reading Ananda Marga books.

Indeed, every Ananda Margii should be eager and ready to preach Baba's gospel to any and all who are interested. And even if they are not interested, we should try and inspire them.

Margiis can teach our kiirtan mantra to anyone. We can teach them to sing internally or externally.


                MUST NOT BE CONCERNED WITH PRAISE OR CENSURE

                            SERVE OTHERS TO PLEASE HIM

Here is another dynamic to be aware of when preaching AM ideals.

Some sincere margiis start doing pracara and mistakenly think that because they are doing dharmic work then people should appreciate them. Although this is not a totally degrading mindset, but for bhaktas this is not a very lofty outlook. This has a distinct drawback as well because if people are not appreciating you, then you feel there is no point in doing the work and you may drop it entirely. Furthermore if anyone criticises you then you will be totally dejected. Side by side, some opportunists might praise you to the sky in order to exploit you and get you to attend to their agenda. These are the pitfalls of getting caught up in praise and censure.

The best is for every sadhaka to serve other and propagate AM ideal thinking that they are doing everything for Parama Purusa - to please Him.

Then if someone opposes or praises you it does not matter. Your mind will remain balanced and you will not veer from your course. Why? Because you are doing to serve Parama Purusa, not to garner praise etc. Here the whole idea is that one should not be a slave of praise or censure. Then one cannot fulfill their duty on this earth.

Those who do pracara dharma with idea that they are serving Parama Purusa never get frustrated by others' negative comments. That is the expression of real devotion. And such persons do not anticipate that others should praise them because they are doing a great job.

Whenever a person believes in their heart that it is their duty to do a particular task then they do not expect that people should praise them. For example, when a mother is caring for her very small infant, then that mother does not care if the neighbor praises her or not.

Similarly, a good sadhaka will preach the gospel of AM without any expectation of praise and without any concern for censure. One will fulfill this blessed duty to please Parama Purusa.

Baba says, "Nindantu niitinipuńáh yadi vá stuvantu: “If I am too concerned with those who praise or censure me, I will not find time to do my real work. As I have come to this world only for a short period, my only concern should be to keep on doing the duty the Lord has assigned to me. And while doing this allotted duty, I should remember that I belong to Parama Puruśa. I have come form Him, and I will have to return to Him – and to do that, I must complete my allotted duty.” (Subhasita Samgraha, part 12)

Baba says, "Regarding those who are likely to create obstacles in your path – let them do so. You should remember that those who are the actual pioneers, the real vanguard of the society, are always a microscopic minority, but it is they who are destined to be victorious. Those who once opposed, or are now opposing or will oppose in the future, will in the future admit: “Yes, we are now driving our vehicle safely and comfortably along the very path which that vanguard once opened by clearing the jungle.” This means that those who cleared the obstacles in the beginning will later be recognized as pioneers. The funny thing is this, that people do not give recognition at the time it is due. This is the natural law. And at the same time you should also remember this simple truth: that in a jungle the number of tigers and lions is always few; the jackals far outnumber them. Yet in the jungle the tigers and lions reign supreme, not the jackals. The jackals are sure to howl, that is their nature; but the tigers and lions will not be frightened." (AV-6)

Namaskar,
Ishvara


Note 1:                            IMPORTANT PROVERB

One should never forget that human life evolves gradually from animal life in the cosmic cycle of brahmacakra. Human beings were animals in the past and those propensities are still dominant in many of our fellow human beings. For this reason some people feel the need to oppose good work. If we all keep this in mind then one will not get affected when others are opposing your righteous deeds.

Always remember this proverb: No good deed goes unpunished. The sens is that certain notorious people want to abuse you because their own prestige is at stake. But pay no mind to them, go on propagating the ideals of dharma, always singing Baba's name.

Spreading the Dharma of AM...

From: "Karma Deva"
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Spreading the Dharma of AM...
Date: Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:52:44 +0000

Baba

      == SPREADING THE DHARMA OF AM IN ALL THE WAYS ==

Namaskar,
Now in the general society there is an extreme dearth of sentient ideas.
Rather the rancid mud of materialism has infiltrated into every arena of
life. Even then good people all around are looking for some daylight by
which to move ahead. In their heart they have a yearning to discover
something better.


               SACRED DUTY OF ANANDA MARGIIS

As Ananda Margiis, it is our duty to share Baba's ideas in all the ways and
in all the directions. This is what the society needs and this is a
sensitive time because right now around the globe people are in search of
something. So we should satisfy their thirst with the benevolent teachings
of AM. And if we refrain from doing so then someone will fill the gap with
more faulty ideas, thereby leading the society astray.

So it is a must for all Ananda Margiis to express Baba's divine guidelines
in multifarious ways. By this way we can help the society to advance.


                     NO HESITATION IN THIS REGARD

Some in AM may be thinking that they do not know enough; or some may be
thinking that we need not do because Baba Himself will do; or some may be
thinking that in the future they will do.

But to all these thoughts, the reply is that what we know about AM we
should teach in this present moment. We should not wait for the future nor
should we remain passive thinking that Guru will do. Rather He has already
given us the duty and now the moment is ripe.

Indeed we are merely His medium, He is projecting through us. The more we
try the more He will grace us to do His work.

So what we know in any sphere of AM philosophy or AM way of life we should
teach: In our workplaces, in our communities, in our travels, and in all
sorts of new avenues. In all the places, in all the ways.


                        AM TEACHINGS MUST SPREAD

Because Baba's ideas must be spread to all people and as we apply ourselves
in this great endeavour we will become more capable media for disseminating
His divine teachings.

Of course all of these above things everyone in AM is already aware about--
we know we are to propagate AM ideals. So please excuse me for repeating
this now.


                      WE MUST NOT LAG BEHIND

But at the same time in the practical sphere we are lagging behind, a
little bit. Now so many so-called yoga groups are blowing their trumpets in
full force. Yet what they have to share is not the panacea for the society.
Here the idea is not to condemn all those saying anything in the name of
yoga. Because they are also our brothers and sisters and they may be
sincere in their approach.

But nonetheless the fact stands: Only Baba is the Parama Purusa Incarnate
and only His divine teachings of Ananda Marga are perfectly true across
time, space, and person. Only His directives can lead the society forward.

And only His teachings are logical and rational in all respects. There is
no dogma only dharma in our AM - so it can all be explained rationally.

So casting away all shyness and hesitation we should undertake our march
and spread His ideals in all the ways: With our vocal chords, paintbrushes,
keyboards, films, meetings, classes, etc. In all the ways. This is our
allotted duty.

We should be at the forefront and not be second to anyone in any regard.
Reason being, Baba's ideas are best and they should reach the people's ears
first, lest they led astray by something else.


                                      BABA'S BLESSING

Here Baba is encouraging all Ananda Margiis to come forward and express the
benevolent ideas of AM-- in whatever way they feel they are most suited. By
this way we can clean the muck from the society and build it into a
brilliant, shining humanity.

Baba says, "When litterateurs dedicate themselves to the service or
sa'dhana' of literature, they have to let their creative genius flow in
this very current: they have to cleanse all that is turbid, all that is
inauspicious in individual life in the holy waters of their universal
mentality, and then convey it sweetly and gracefully into the heart of
humanity. Herein lies the fulfilment of their service, the consummation of
their sa'dhana'." (PNS-10)

Namaskar,
Karma Deva


Note 1:            HOW OUR PRACAR SHOULD BE DONE

As we know our AM teachings are grounded in benevolent truthfulness--
satya. So our minds should be coloured in this eternal ideal and not in
pseudo-culture when involving in our pracar programs.

Baba says, "The main duty of the Ta'ttvikas is to make a propagation which
aims at collective welfare...At the time of propagation, your views, nay,
all your tendencies should be pointed towards satya, because it is only
through the propagation of satya that collective welfare is possible."
(Tattvika Diipika- II)


                                PRABHAT SAMGIITA

PS Intro: This below Prabhat Samgiita highlights the divine glory and
greatness of Parama Purusa.

"Tumi kotha'y chile, kotha'y tha'ko, keu ta' jane na'..." (PS 540)

Purport:

O' Parama Purus'a, where were You - where have You been? I have been
searching all over for You. Where do You reside - nobody knows. I have
been looking everywhere for You. You are the smallest of the small and
the most vast of the vast [1]. I have not been able to find you
anywhere. Baba, those who want You, ultimately You make them Yours, You
merge them into Your Divine Self [2]. O' Infinite Entity, You are
boundless, You cannot be held. O' Parama Purus'a, where do You reside -
nobody knows.
O' my Dearmost, in this entire universe, no single manifestation can
express Your full beauty. The moon's smile - the ocean breeze - the
smiling flower - the sweet charming sky - all these beautiful things
were created by You. You have filled this world with Your divine
expressions, yet they are not Your True Self. They are not Your full
expression nor can they express Your full sweetness. All these things
are mere small reflections of Your infinite charm. O' Ananta, You are
limitless. Your full glory cannot be expressed in words, shapes, or
forms. O' Parama Purus'a, where do You reside - nobody knows.
O' Parama Purusa, You are so gracious. In my ideation and in my
meditation, my every atom and molecule are dancing in Your flow - it is
Your grace. You do everything for me. Baba, You have been playing the
flute [3] since time immemorial and You will continue up to eternity. By
this way, You have been attracting me and drawing me closer to You. O'
my Lord, Your effulgence is infinite and unfathomable.
O' Parama Purus'a, where have You been, where do You reside - nobody knows.
O' Baba, please grace me by coming close...

Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #540:

[1] Here below Baba explains how Parama Purusa is more vast than the
vast and smaller than the small. Becuase of this one cannot find Him
with their crude senses.

Baba says, "On the one hand Parama Purus'a is very vast; on the other
hand He is very small. He is so vast that you cannot fully see Him. In
Sam'skrta, there are a few words to describe something very vast:
visha'la, vira't'a, brhat, etc. Out of these, the words vira't'a and
brhat are used to describe an entity which is immeasurably vast, and
visha'la is used for an entity which may be vast, but can be measured.
For instance, the Himalayan mountains are very vast in size, but still
they can be measured in terms of miles, from south to north and from
east to west. In the scriptures it has been said.

Brhacca taddivyam acintyaru'pam'...

"Parama Purus'a is extremely vast: then how can you see such a vast
Entity with your dim vision? It is impossible. And besides seeing such a
divine effulgence, your eyes will be blinded; your vision will be
completely lost."

Su'ks'macca tat su'ksmataram' vibhati

"Parama Purus'a is not only vast. He is small as well – so small, so
subtle that you cannot see Him with your physical eyes. Human ocular
power is extremely limited: if an object is very vast it cannot be seen,
and if it is very small and subtle it cannot be seen either." (SS-12)


[2] In these below quotes, Baba is telling that one cannot go close to
Him and still remain separate. When one gets closer and closer, then by
His grace, the bhakta will merge in Him - just like a piece of salt gets
merged in the ocean, it can not longer remain a separate grain of salt.

Baba says, "If a salt doll goes to fathom the sea, it will certainly
melt and become the sea itself. Similarly, if the knower of the Supreme
Consciousness goes to fathom the Supreme, he merges in the sea of
Consciousness and becomes Supreme himself. Be constantly absorbed in the
thought of the Supreme Consciousness and you too will become Supreme."
(SS-2)

Baba says, "If a salt doll goes to measure the sea, it will melt into
it. Neither can it measure the sea, nor will it ever return, its
existence will merge into the vastness of the sea, releasing it from all
cares and worries. If one wishes to take the form of the sea, one will
have to become the sea itself; there is no other way. None of His
qualities has any limit. His fragmentary manifestations are all passing
through unlimited forms, due to His ceaseless imaginative flow: none of
them is an end in itself." (SS-3)


[3] Here below Baba explains the inner meaning of the sound of the flute
and how the bhakta rushes towards Parama Purusa due to His divine
attraction.

Baba says, "The music emanating from Krs'n'a's flute shook the minds of
the sa'dhakas, causing them to echo and vibrate. This resonance is
nothing but prapattiva'da. Here there is scope neither for jina'na nor
for karma. Here mobility is the only task, the only dharma. “The way He
is calling me – I am to move accordingly.” This state of mind is one of
the sweetest states, the madhura gun'a [sweet quality] of prapattiva'da.
“I am rushing ahead due to the sweet call of His flute and entering into
His sweet and blissful environment.” Hence for Vraja Krs'n'a, there is
no need to interpret the faculties of knowledge and action. There is no
scope for fighting over philosophical ideas. Only complete prapatti is
there, and once it shakes the jiiva, he can no longer stay away. One
rushes out and starts running after Him." (NKS, Disc: 4)

Baba says, "The spiritual aspirant hears the various sounds of onm'ka'ra
or pran'ava [like the sound of the flute] at various stages, during deep
sa'dhana', during sweet sa'dhana'. The sound is called Krs'n'a’s
muraliidhvani. The sa'dhaka becomes mad because of this sound and goes
deeper and attains Ra'dha' bha'va more and more, and rushes headlong
forward." (DKG)



              ********************************************
                    Human Life on other Planets & Stars

Baba says, "Humans of this world-- not only of this world, but of the
entire universe there are so many planets and stars where there is human
life-- and all humans of the universe have got the same wont. And they
utilise and display these wonts according to climatic conditions,
conditions of time and space. But fundamentally, humanity is a singular
entity." (17 August 1979 DMC, Taipei)

The above is what Baba actually has spoken in English. The below is how the
Publications Department printed it in SS-12.

"Humans of the world - not only of this world, but of the entire Universe
there are so many planets and stars where there is human life - and all
humans of the entire Universe have got the same course. They tend to
display their wonts according to climatic conditions, conditions of time
and space. But fundamentally, humanity is a singular entity." (SS-12)


Note 1: In comparing the above two paragraphs, it is clear that so many
small and big mistakes have been committed by the Publications Department.
And there was no translation involved either. Baba spoke in English and the
book is printed in English. Even then, there are a variety of changes which
dilute the meaning of Baba's discourse.

For example, they changed the word "wont" to "course". Plus they omitted
the word "utilise"; then they wrongly inserted the word "display". Indeed,
each sentence has a minimum of 3-5 mistakes.

So this is the grade of work that is going on in our Publications Deparment.
And then of course there are the big distortions like AM-Revolution where
they cut the entire paragraph about margii rights.

Note 2: In His above discourse Baba is giving us the conclusive idea that
there are humans living on various planets. This is not a hypothesis;
rather it is a fact given by Parama Purusa. And He knows everything because
this is His creation.

So we should propagate this idea that there are humans living on various
planets. Still modern science is unsure about this concept. They are using
rockets to reach distant planets but what they fail to realise is that the
speediest thing is the mind. With the mind one can easily realise this truth.
It is our hope that in the near future scientists will reach this
conclusion that human beings already on exist on many other planets.
But in our Marga, this is a well-known, established truth, not a mere
hypothesis.
                 ********************************************

Victory Over "Information Age"

Date: 10 Dec 2010 06:12:34 -0000
From: "Acintya  Deva"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Victory Over "Information Age"

Baba

"Toma'r khunjiya' gechi Prabhu sudure bahirloke..."   #4526

Purport:

     Baba, I wasted my time searching You in the external world-- At far
away external places. That was all my misunderstanding.  Due to my
ignorance I remained engaged in searching You in caves, temples, jagrtis,
different buildings, tiirthas...Jamalpur...Tiljala...and in the rivers. All
these external places I was searching for You. I wasted a lot of time in
this negative pursuit. In a confused state of my mind I was thinking that
with the capital of knowledge and understanding of scriptures I will get
hold of You. By external ostentations, using colorful dress like monks, I
will get samadhi. And people will praise me about my high devotion. This
way I wasted my time. And my heart remained ever-dry like a desert. No
peace inside. Because of my crude state of mind, I did not try to search
inside with the feeling of love and devotion. Now I feel repentance that I
wasted my time in all these useless pursuits.
     I also thought that I will perform penance by different rituals. And
I will tie You with the strength of my degree diploma or worldly knowledge,
power and prestige. On that very basis I will qualify to have Your grace.        
     In ignorance I was thinking that with the strength of money I will
purchase virtue. When I will give donations, then people will appreciate
and people will think that I am a great dharmika. And with this way, I will
get Your closeness and realize You. So the cream of my life is wasted in
this way. I did not search You inside my heart. So because of that I did
not get You. Now I feel repentance for that...


            == ATTAINING VICTORY OVER "INFORMATION-AGE" ==

Namaskar,
These days in this ultra modern age of communication & technology-- in this
"information age"-- there is a huge volume of material floating around
related with knowledge and learning.

Beyond any doubt, there is an overwhelming amount of things to read, learn,
and understand. The biggest question that one is confronted with then is
which materials to read and understand first, and which should be last.

In a nutshell: As Ananda Margiis what should be the priority of reading and
learning in our day-to-day life? Which materials should we emphasize most.

By Baba's grace He has given the exact answer in His Senior Acarya Guideline.


    ALL SORTS OF COMMUNICATION, INFORMATION, FACTS, & FIGURES

Every day we come across television and radio news, websites, as well as
magazines, newspapers and so many more things. This is mostly regarding
news from the general society. Much of this is pop-culture related or
so-called broadcasts from the powers-that-be. Then of course there is
a fast growing community of bloggers who project their own thoughts on
nearly everything under the sun.

Plus there are innumerable books and manuals related with our student and
professional lives. These things are piling up more and more as our lives
become increasingly technical-- with one certification or diploma needed
after another.

Then of course with Ananda Marga there are also many things to read and see.

But the hours and days are limited and the amount of things to read are
much more.


                           SO MANY AM BOOKS

Who does not know that there are hundreds of Baba's books. And still more
many more are in queue for printing. And when counting all the books
written by Dadas and Didis, then that number itself is also quite large.

So the same problem comes again and again: What to read first? Because the
days are short and life itself is even shorter because nobody knows when
death is going to come.

In this situation what should proper human beings do?


               BABA'S ANSWER FROM SENIOR ACARYA DIARY

After discussing all this, some valuable information was passed along that
in the Acarya Diary Baba has given the unique instruction that first we should
learn and study the various aspects of AM philosophy-- social and
spiritual-- and certain related aspects also. Indeed all these Marga
teachings should be learned and understood properly. That is the first
priority.

This is how to combat the onslaught of material in this "information age".

Then with a pointed mind and a clear-cut vision one should go through the
writings of other people. Not vice versa.

Because by first studying Baba's books, in that case only will one not
fall into the chasm of dogma. Otherwise if one starts reading any other
writings first they will get swayed in that direction. This is the common
malady. And that is problematic.

Because without knowing the perfect teachings of dharma from the beginning,
then the mind will naively accept the wrong things as being right. Actually
that is what is happening these days in the common mass. People are always
confused and misguided.


               WHAT ABOUT READING BOOKS BY OUR ACARYAS

The next question was raised about the possibility of reading Dada's books.

Because for a while, our various Dadas and Didis were writing about Baba's
AM teachings and their own spiritual thoughts. Nowadays they have mostly
stopped doing this for reasons best known to them. Even then their books
are still floating around, and some innocent people think that if we do not
have time to read Baba's books then why not at least we should read Dadas'
books instead. Because they are more easy to manage.

This is the naive mentality of some readers. In response various margiis
told significant things.

The conclusion was that surely in some Dada's books there are a few good
aspects-- especially on the point of history etc-- but when it comes to
analysis or interpretation of Baba's teachings, then those books are mostly
amalgamated with dogmatic and incorrect things.

And that misinformation will be enough to pollute one's understanding and
send any sadhaka far off the mark. About this, so many references can be
given; but here is one striking example.


                       AN IRREFUTABLE CASE IN POINT

One dada in his book has written that to make the Pratik Baba took 30
minutes and that was the longest time for any of His projects.

But after confirming with Baba's direct teaching it was found that this
cannot be true. To do such things Baba does not take any time. Because for
Parama Purusa these worldly tasks are effortless. That means it does not
take Him any time to execute those works. Everything is in His mind. This
entire creation is His thought projection. Whatever way He thinks then it
comes to be reality. It is as simple as that.

For greater clarity and proof, here following is Baba's exact teaching on
this very point.

                  "Sama plus'in'a' s'ama mashakena
                   Same na'gena sama ebhistribhih lakaeh"

Baba says, "Does He need to look with greater care or attention at the
mammoth than to the white ant. No, He pays the same care and attention and
time to the white ant as with the mammoth. And to think about the entire
universe does He need to take more time or more strength? No, as He cares
about the mosquito and white ant, in that same time He cares about the
entire universe. It does not need any special effort for Him to manage
tribhuvan, the entire universe-- the three worlds." (Dharmamahacakra,
Pravacan, Sunday 29 May 1988)


                          WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN

The conclusion is that for Parama Purusa it does not take any special
efforts to design the Pratik-- or do any other work in this mundane world.
Because it is all His thought projection. No task is "more difficlt" or
more "time consuming" than any other task.

Hence the Dada who has written in his book about how long it took for Baba
to make the Pratik, he may be affected by someone else's dogmatic beliefs.
Because it may be possible that some Ram, Shyam, Tom, Dick, or Harry
conveyed to Dada this dogmatic idea, that it took Baba 30 minutes time to
design the Pratik. Otherwise how did this faulty idea come in his mind. And
the worst part is that he printed it in his book-- thereby further spreading
this false notion.


                       BABA'S GOLDEN RULE

Here the central idea is that Baba's golden teaching of Acarya Diary is
that first one should understand His direct teachings of aptka vakya / AM
ideology. And this education should go on for some time-- combined with
sincere sadhana. Because without proper sadhana one cannot understand His
books.

This dual process will give one and solid base of understanding and a mind
that can understand what is dharmic and what is not.

And then, only after that, should one spend time reading other materials.
Not vice versa.

Baba says, "A'pta vakya or absolute knowledge is true and beneficial for
all people is all ages and in all countries...The books in Ananda Marga
philosophy are all absolute knowledge." (PNS-18, chap 3)

Namaskar,
Acintya


Note 1:                    ABOUT DADA'S BOOK

In his book 'Travels with the Mystic Master' (aka 'Who's Afraid of the
Tantric Guru'), Dada attributed the following quotation to Baba.

'You may be interested to know that the work which occupied my effort for
the longest time was the invention of our Pratik. It took me thirty minutes.'

When in fact, being omniscient and omnipotent, everything Baba thinks and
does occurs in a flash. This much every sadhaka understands.

So the above so-called quotation of Baba got printed in Dada's book, and by
comparing that with Baba's teachings it shows how different wrong &
contradictory things can get included in Dadas' books.

That is the case with so many of the books written by our acaryas like
Didi Ananda Mitra, Dada Bhaskarananda, and the list goes on and on.

Write the network for more details or refer to:

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2008/04/which-dadas-book-to-read.html

Hence best is to read Baba's books directly.


Note 2:            THE BOOK SHOULD BE FIXED-- OR....

Already the above mentioned Dada's book is in it's 2nd printing, or maybe
even more than that. The point being that in any subsequent edition such
misnomers should be handled appropriately by either correcting them or
removing them from the book entirely. That is up to the discretion of the
author.


Note 3:              MANY AFFECTED BY THIS DISEASE

Unfortunately, in this "information age" and era of fake yoga, so many
indulge in reading and studying things other than AM ideology. And
tragically what they study sits in their brain and comes out either in
their sadhana or in their talk. For example, in our unit, there is one Dada
who is constantly on the internet reading millions of articles and or
visiting other ashrams-- he has both of these habits. His brain is filled
with these things. And the worst part is that after dharmacakra when he
stands up to give a talk, then in one stream all these false views get
expressed. Either he is propagating false yoga asanas as given by various
gurus and yoga groups or he is talking about pseudo-culture music etc. Or
who knows what will come out of his mouth. All because his mind is immersed
in those things-- not AM.

Please understand, in personal life the margiis in our unit do not
dislike this Dada, to the contrary he is well liked. That is why we pity
him so much because he is an AM acarya but he has nothing about AM or Baba
in his mind. That is the tragedy. We are trying to help him but it is not
easy because once one gets habituated to reading all that junk, it is not
easy to quit.

That is why when he gets up to speak, we all feel like he is just wasting
our time. Even then we are taking further efforts to help him. So hopefully
soon it will be alright.


Note 4:                    NOT A QUESTION OF YEARS

A few margiis think that since they were initiated 30 years ago then they
need not read or study Baba's books. This is another faulty notion. Because
they think they "know it all" already. But most of the time it is found
that such senior margiis know almost nothing. They do not grasp even the
most basic fundamentals of AM ideology. So this is another problem. Here
the only remedy is that with a humble heart one should forget their
so-called seniority and instead sincerely read Baba's words with the
feeling, "I know not". Then, and only then, will one be able to properly
learn Baba's teachings.


Note 5:                 ABOUT THE QUOTED PRAVACAN

Dharmamahacakra Pravacan of Sunday 29 May 1988: This was transcribed
directly from the tape from the Hindi and Bengali sections as during this
discourse Baba spoke in multiple languages.


        ********************************************
                   Importance of Padma'sana

Parama Purus'a BABA says, "Padma'sana [lotus posture] is just like a lotus
in full bloom. Just as the roots and stem of the lotus remain under the
water and only the leaves and flowers float about it-- and although it is
born in the mind it sustains its love for the stars-- in the same way
people sitting in this lotus posture and remaining in the world, can keep
their minds above their mundane environment. That is why on the path of
sa'dhana' this posture has tremendous importance." (NSS, '85, p. 241)                                     
          ********************************************