Sunday, June 22, 2008


Panchadasa Shiilas [1]
The Fifteen Rules of Behavior


1 Forgiveness

2 Magnanimity of mind

3 Perpetual restraint on behavior and temper.

4 Readiness to sacrifice everything of individual life for Ideology.

5 All-round self-restraint.

6 Sweet and smiling behavior,

7 Moral courage.

8 Setting an example by individual conduct before asking anybody to do the same.

9 Keeping aloof from criticizing others, condemning others, mudslinging and all sorts of groupism.

10 Strict adherence to the principles of Yama and Niyama.

11 Due to carelessness, if any mistake had been committed unknowingly or unconsciously, one must admit it immediately and ask for punishment.

12 Even while dealing with a person of inimical nature, one must keep one-self free from hatred, anger and vanity.

13 Keeping oneself aloof from talkativeness.

14 Obedience to the structural code of discipline.

15 Sense of responsibility.


Reference:


1 Ánanda Márga Caryácarya Part 2 by Shrii Shrii Anandamurti Caryácarya is the samája shástra (social treatise) of Ananda Marga. These three volumes set out both the organization and the cultural basis of the Ananda Marga movement.


Part 2 gives many guidelines for conduct in a progressive society i.e., a society of individuals moving towards the Supreme.


Sixteen Points

Sixteen Points [1]

Point 1 - After urination, wash the urinary organ with water

Water should be poured over the genital area after passing urine. Pouring cool water over this area counteracts this heat build-up and causes the muscles to contract, thereby entirely emptying the urinary bladder. The reason for this practice is because any residual urine in the bladder can cause a glandular imbalance and result in disease, excessive sexual stimulation, and general wastage of physical and mental energy

Point 2 - Males should either be circumcised or keep the foreskin pulled back at all times

If possible, males should be circumcised. This prevents many diseases and maintains all-round cleanliness. If not circumcised, males should clean and pull back the foreskin regularly, so as to prevent the accumulation of urine sediments

Point 3 - Never cut the hair of the joints of the body

Hair under the arms, on the legs and in the pubic area should not be shaved. It grows naturally to provide a balance in body heat and is important for good health. Joint hair (armpits and genitals) should be cleaned with soap daily and oiled with coconut oil

Point 4 -Males should always use kaopiina (laungota)

Males should wear a laungota (Yogic Underwear) to protect the genital area, prevent excessive sexual stimulation and divert the seminal flow.

Women should wear bra and underwear to protect the genital area, prevent excessive sexual stimulation and prevent infections

Point 5 -Do Vya’paka shaoca as directed

Vya'Paka Shaoca (Half Bath) This practice is done before meditation, meals, and sleep. To take a half-bath one systematically cleans certain areas of the body with cool water, the genital area, knees, calves, feet, elbows, lower arms, mouth, eyes, nose, back of the mouth, throat, tongue, ears, and back of neck. This is done to prevent build-up of body heat; it also helps relax the body creating an ideal calm state for meditation

Point 6 - Bathe according to the prescribed system

Bath A full bath should be taken at least once a day. Cool water (all water used should be no higher than body temperature) should be used unless one has a cold. If one does have a cold, lukewarm water should be used in a closed area.

Point 7 - Take only sattvika (sentient) food

Food “Eat sentient food instead of mutative food. Never eat static food." The reason for this is that mutative foods contain stimulants and static foods requires one to kill an animal and is unhealthy for the body. Meals should be eaten at regular times throughout the day.

Point 8 - Observe fast as prescribed

Upavasa

Members of Ananda Marga should fast the eleventh day after the full or new moon (Ekadshii), and should not eat food or drink water during this time. "Fasting generates willpower" and "generates empathy with the sufferings of the poor and also of animals and plants. A sick person might not fast.

Rules for keeping Ekadashi Upvaas

1) One should not eat any cereals ("Ann" in hindi) like rice, pulses, wheat etc. & salt.
2) If possible, one should stay on water. Drinking luke warm water or lemon-mishri (crystalized sugar) water is very good as it cleanses the hidden undigested food in the body.
3) If one feels hungry, then one can take milk & fruits. Only banana can be taken with milk. Other fruits should not be eaten with milk (therefore no strawberry shake, mango shake, chickoo shake etc.). One should not eat food like "sabudana", potato chips, fried food, etc.
4) One should think that he/she is keeping this vrat to please God & to progress further in "sadhana".
5) One should observe self-control.
6) One should do more of maun-japa (repeating the name of God in mind) in the day time.
7) One should do more of Dhyan & Bhajan by keeping awake for a longer time in the night.

Point 9 – Do sadhana regularly

Sa'Dhana' This word defines the conscious effort that a person takes to achieve the goal of enlightenment. "An aspirant enters the realm of Sadhana by receiving initiation into the process of meditation." This initiation is important to the life of a spiritual seeker as he/she learns about meditation, which is made up of a system of six lessons. Meditation is taught by an Acarya, or teacher and it should be done twice a day. As well as meditation, Sadhana is also made up of other spiritual practices. 33

a) Madhuvidya (also called Guru mantra) - It is the second lesson in Ananda Marga's system of meditation. It should be performed before sleeping, eating, meditating, and bathing. 34
b) Sarva'tmaka Shaoca - Meaning "all round cleanliness." A person's body, clothes, and environment should be kept clean. A person should keep their mind clear. 35

c) Tapah - Meaning service. Sarkar outlines four services and one should try and perform all four types of service everyday. 36

1) Bhuta Yajina - "Service to the created world." One should be kind to animals, plants, and inanimate objects. 37
2) Pitr Yajina - "Service to ancestors." 38
3) Nr Yajina - "Service to humanity." There are four different ways to perform this: physical labor, giving financial support, physical strength and courage, and using one's intellectual strength. Paincaseva (five services) should be done daily and can be accomplished by either distributing free food, selling cheap vegetarian food, distributing clothing, medical supplies, or books and educational supplies. 39
4) Adhya'tma Yajina - "Spiritual Service." An internal form of service throughout the day and during meditation. 40

d) Sva'dhya'ya - To understand spiritual materials fully. By reading Sarkar's books, one is able to clearly understand what the goal to reach for is. By reading, one is also able to understand one's own spiritual experiences. 41
e) Asanas (Innercises) - These yoga postures should be done twice a day (morning and evening). 42
f) Pashas and Ripus - Individuals acquire eight pa'shas (bondages) as they interact with the world around them. These bondages are shame, fear, doubt, hatred, pride of decent, pride of culture, egoistic feeling, and hypocrisy. There are also six internal bondages, which are physical desire, anger, greed, attachment, pride, and envy. To control the internal bondages, Sadhana is used and Yama and Niyama are used to control the societal bondages. 43
g) Kiirtan - A spiritual dance that should be done before Sadhana. This dance loosens the body to help the ease of movement and also helps create a calm state of mind. 44
h) Pa'incajanya - Every morning at 5 a.m. one should follow the yoga routine of kiirtan and sadhana. This is the time when spiritual elevation can be optimized. 45
i) Guru Saka'sha - This means to be near the Guru. At dawn, when one rises, one should think of Guru and do internal service to him. 46

Point 10 - Observe uncompromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of the Ista (goal)

Ista means “goal." It is the goal of the Absolute, which is personalized for us. "No negative remarks against the Guru should be tolerated and duties given by the Guru should be followed. "

Point 11 - Observe uncompromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of the Adarsha (Ideology)

A'darsha means ideology - the path on which a person moves towards the goal. A person should not compromise with the ideology nor allow others to ridicule it without making an effort to explain [their] position properly and logically. One should read Baba's books and become competent in the spiritual and social philosophy of Ananda Marga

Point 12 - Observe uncompromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of the Supreme Command

Supreme Command

This is the "fundamental guidepost for all Margiis to follow." One should follow the Supreme Command strictly.

Point 13 - Observe uncompromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of the Conduct Rules

Conduct Rules - One should strictly follow the Conduct Rules. These rules help during Sadhana by helping keep one's ideation. Understanding and following of Yama, Niyama, the 15 Shiilas (Social Conduct rules), the Supreme Command, the One Point Local (one should not compromise the sanctity of Is'ta, A'darsha, the Conduct Rules, and Supreme Command) and the 40 Social Norms as per carya’ carya part 1, 2 & 3


Point 14 - Always remember the contents of your oaths

Oaths

Every morning one should remember about the oaths that they have taken and make the conscious effort to put them into practice

Point 15 - Regular participation in the weekly dharmacakra at the local jagriti should be considered mandatory

This is the weekly dharmacakra (collective meditation). If one misses Dharmacakra, one should go to the jagriti (house of spiritual awakening) and perform sadhana that day. If jagriti is also missed, a meal should be missed and given to a needy person

Point 16 - Observe C.S.D.K. (Conduct Rules, Seminar, Duty, Kiirtana)

C.S.D.K - Each letter stands for a practice that will help increase one's knowledge of Ananda Marga as well as reinforce their spirituality.

C. Conduct Rules: One should know and follow these rules.

S. Seminar: One must attend seminars and retreats available in the vicinity.

D. Duty: Any duty that is given by one's acarya or another superior should be done happily.

K. Kiirtan with Kaoshikii & Tandava : Kiirtan should be danced everyday. Tandava should also be danced by men twice a day and Kaoshikii by women. Tandava should not be done by woman

Reference:

1 Ánanda Márga Caryácarya Part 2 by Shrii Shrii Anandamurti

Caryácarya is the samája shástra (social treatise) of Ananda Marga. These three volumes set out both the organization and the cultural basis of the Ananda Marga movement.

Part 2 gives many guidelines for conduct in a progressive society i.e., a society of individuals moving towards the Supreme.

http://shop.anandamarga.org/books/sarkar/cc2.htm

Conduct Rules For Sadhakas


Conduct Rules For Sadhakas

In the practice of meditation the practice of self-restraint is essential to succeed in attaining spiritual progress; therefore, here is introduce Sixteen Points.

They are not just to bind one, to limit or control. Do not fret against the rules and regulations that Ananda Marga imposes; they are laid down for our own good and to help in our sadhana in developing divine love and self-realization.

Conduct Rules For Sadhakas [1]

1 Observing Painchadasha Shiilas (15 Shiilas) in daily life.

2 Following directions in connection with physical, mental, spiritual and social aspects of life given in Caryacarya) Parts 1, 2 and 3)

3 Observing uncompromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of Ishta, Adarsha, the Supreme Command and the Conduct Rules.

(In addition there are separate conduct rules or householder Acharyas, whole timers, local full-timers, local part-timer, tatttvikas, acharyas and avadhutas.)

Reference:

1 Ánanda Márga Caryácarya Part 2 by Shrii Shrii Anandamurti

Caryácarya is the samája shástra (social treatise) of Ananda Marga. These three volumes set out both the organization and the cultural basis of the Ananda Marga movement.

Part 2 gives many guidelines for conduct in a progressive society i.e., a society of individuals moving towards the Supreme.

http://shop.anandamarga.org/books/sarkar/cc2.htm

Saturday, March 15, 2008

The Lessons of Ananda Marga

1. First Lesson - Iishvara Pranidhana

The First Lesson is the practical application of Iishvara Pranidhana mentioned under Yama and Niyama. “Here the flow of mind is directed towards the Goal by the application of a personal mantra repeated at a specific chakra. These are known as the Ishta Mantra and Ishta Chakra respectively, and are given according to one’s individual psychic vibration. The mind is usually attached to the different objects of the world. For optimum concentration it must be withdrawn from these objects before it can be directed internally. For this purpose the shuddhis (phases of withdrawal) are also taught. There are three shuddhis:” [1]

1 Bhuta Shuddhi: Once seated in a meditated posture one begins the process of withdrawing the mind from the body and the external influences of the physical world.

2 Asana Shuddhi: Withdrawal of the mind from the body and concentrating the mind on a point known as the Ishta Chakra, the controlling point of the mind. This point varies from person to person.

3 Citta Shuddhi: Once the mind has been withdrawn from the body, move the mind towards the Ishta Chakra. When reaching the Ishta Chakra, then ideate that you are surrounded by Cosmic Consciousness.

4 `Dhyana Ideation: Identifying with the spiritual concept of the Ishta Mantra, that is, to merge the atman with Brahma. This leads one to a transcendental state of infinite Ananda.
A word on the Ishta Mantra; the Ishta Mantra is only given by the Guru. The Ishta mantra is very important and special because it is empowered by the Guru.

The technique of repeating the Ishta Mantra is not only concerned with its sound vibration, but its meaning is of utmost importance. When repeat the mantra, one must ideate on its meaning.

All lessons must be taught by an acharya of Ananda Marga.

2. Second Lesson

This is the practical application of Brahmacharya which is the fourth point of Yama. It involves the use of a personal mantra called Guru Mantra to inculcate the feeling of cosmic ideation whenever any mental or physical action is performed. This extends the meditation process to cover all the events of one’s daily life.

Advice on Second Lesson:

1 Repeat the Guru Mantra before taking your meal.

2 Repeat the Guru Mantra before doing a task. For example you can repeat your Guru Mantra before starting to do your work at the computer or your might want to mentally repeat your Guru Mantra right before sitting down to read this Blog.

3 Repeat the Guru Mantra every time you think of someone you do not like and this helps you understand everything with clarity.

4 “Everything is made of Brahma.” [3] Brahma has assumed the shape of everything. When viewing an object you can mentally take Guru Mantra and think that the object is Brahma remembering that the object and Brahma are not separate.

3. Third Lesson - Tattva Dharana

Tattva Dharana is technique in which it strengthens the mind and brings about control of the chakras. This control of the chakras assists in regulating the energy flows in the body.

Since the chakras from muladhara to vishuddha control the pancha bhutas of the body and the first 48 vrittis this practice of Tattva Dharana gives the ability to control the mental propensities and balance the pancha bhutas.

4. Fourth Lesson - Prán’áyáma

The mind controls the Jnanendriyas (5 Cognitive Senses: smelling, tasting, seeing, touching and hearing) and Karmendriyas (5 Active Expressions: eliminating, reproduction, moving, grasping, speaking), and the prán’áh (vital force, air flow) controls the mind, hence by controlling the prán’áh, one is able to control the mental activities.

“If you wish to increase your apperceptive power you must control the prán’áh.” [4] Apperception is the ability to perceive or understand; keen in discernment. It is like having a "a perceptive eye" or a "a perceptive observation."

Fourth Lesson is a prán’áyáma called Sádhárana Prán’áyáma, used in order to control the prán’áh. “Through regular practice the mind will become concentrated.” Fourth lesson is meant for sádhakas that have obtained Tantric Diksha.

5. Fifth Lesson - Chakra Shodhana

Fifth Lesson is called Chakra Shodhana, literally meaning "purification of the chakras." It is also a type of Dharana because it too involves concentration of mind at the bindu of the chakras. Chakras are the controlling points of the mind and body. By applying one’s mental strength, using one’s Ishta Mantra in a special way, the chakras are purified.

Advice on Fifth Lesson:

In Chakra Shodhana focus on the bindu of each chakra; this is very important when the focus is completely one-pointed on the bindu!

Reference:

1 Initiation and the Lessons of Meditation by Acarya Gunamuktananda Avadhuta
http://www.anandamarga.org/articles/initiation-lessons.htm
2 The 6 Lessons of Sahaja Yoga http://www.babastories.com/tantrasadhanafour.htm
3 Ánanda Márga Elementary Philosophy by Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, http://shop.anandamarga.org/books/sarkar/element.htm
4 Ananda Márga Caryácarya Part III http://shop.anandamarga.org/books/sarkar/cc3.htm

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Guru



In Tantra diksha has been defined:

"The Process which produces the capacity to realize the inner import of mantra and which expedites the requital of the samskaras is called diksha." [1]

From this we can conclude that diksha is an extremely important for it is through diksha that one learns the techniques of meditation and more importantly the guru has finally accepted one in the spiritual path of Tantra.

The key to this for the sadhaka to develop within an intense desire for spiritual awareness and liberation and by the strength of this desire one is sure to meet the guru.

“When the disciple is ready the guru appears.”

Based on the philosophy of Ananda Marga; the real guru is the Cosmic Entity – Brahma – the highest Self within everyone. In the guru, Brahma is fully manifest.

A guru helps pierce the veil of avidya, so we can perceive the divine guidance from our inner selves.

References:

1 Shri Shri Anandamurti Discourses on Tantra Volume Two. Ananda Marga Publications, 1994. pp. 145, 261. ISBN 81-7252-022-0, http://shop.anandamarga.org/books/sarkar/tantra2.htm
2 Guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti http://www.anandamarga.org/sarkar.htm

Monday, February 25, 2008

Sadhana

In order to become realized and achieve the goal of life one must per from Sadhana. The goal of life is to merge with Brahma, but to achieve this lofty goal one must get rid of all earthly desires and attachments. All these earthly attachments and desires must be converted into one desire - the desire of total merger with Brahma.

According to Baba, “”Sadhana means Tantra and Tantra means Sadhana.” [1] And “Tantra is a spiritual tradition which originated in India in prehistoric times and was first systematized by Shiva. It emphasizes the development of human vigor, both through meditation and through confrontation of difficult external situation to overcome all fears and weaknesses.” [1]

Reference

1 Shri Shri Anandamurti Discourses on Tantra Volume Two. Ananda Marga Publications, 1994. pp. 117, 261. ISBN 81-7252-022-0

Pratik


The above yantra is the symbol of Ananda Marga called the pratik. Pratik practically means emblem. The pratik is composed of two interconnected triangles where one points upwards and the other points downwards. This geometrical shape is also found the Anahata Chakra and it is called the Satkona. In the center of the triangle is a rising sun, and in the core of the rising sun is a swastika.

The triangle pointing downwards symbolizes internal development or meditation for self-realization. The triangle pointing upwards symbolizes action in the external world. The two triangles are in perfect balance. A person must balance their internal life with service in the world.

The rising sun indicates progress that is the result of a balanced way of life. Thus the spiritual aspirant is progresses towards their goal of self-realization.

This spiritual victory is indicated by the swastika. Sawastika is is a Sanskrit word that means “to have a good existence of a permamnet nature.” It is composed of su which meaning "good" and asti which means "to become.”

The Pratik is a symbol that expresses a universal ideology of Self-Realization and service to humanity.
Upwards pointing triangle: signifies work in the world, i.e. social work.

Downwards pointing triangle: signifies inner work, i.e. meditation.
The sun - the sum of work in the world and inner development leads to personal and spiritual development.
The svastika - Signifies personal victory, in the sense of spiritual fullfilment and salvation.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Namah Shiváya Shántáya


Ananda Marga is an international organization dedicated to the welfare of humankind. It literally means “path of bliss.” It promotes meditation based on the teachings of Tantra.

Tantra is a practical science introduced in India by Shiva more than 7,000 years ago. Shiva who is the Adi-Guru who helps one to conquer one’s lower nature and rise above it into one’s true divine nature and be able make possible the union of the jivatma with Paramatma.

So then, Tantra endeavored to improve the quality of life by transforming one’s life from crudeness to the attainment of Brahma. It is a way of lie that includes meditation, service to mankind, social ethics, and dietary consideration.

Any questions contact:

Ananda Marga Dallas
2355 Trellis Place
Richardson, Texas 75081
Phone: (972) 699-3838
Email: Dada Shubhacetanananda <shubhany@yahoo.com>
Reference:
Namah Shiváya Shántáya