Gandhian Dogma + 3 More

Baba

This Email Contains 5 Distinct Sections:
1) Posting: Upcoming Patna Fasting is Gandhian Dogma
2) Comment by Anandam: Preparing Booklet on Niilkantha Divas
3) Comment by Vasudeva: On Unity
4) Comment by Mala: $100 for Lesson Review
5) Links: Related with posting.


Subject: Upcoming Patna Fasting is Gandhian Dogma
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 10:47:29
From: Umesh
To: Ananda Marga News Bulletin

Baba

UPCOMING PATNA FASTING IS GANDHIAN DOGMA

Namaskar,
A few people are gathering and staging a political protest on 12 February - the day of Niilkantha Divas. Their stated plan is to fast on that day - as well as a few more days, perhaps up to the 15th of February.

As Proutists, and as disciples of Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji, we have to consider how far this approach is viable and consonant with his teachings.

Here following are Baba's clear cut guidelines and teachings on this important subject.

BABA DIRECTS US NOT TO FAST ON FEB 12

In His special discourse about Niilkanta Divas, Baba has strictly forbidden Ananda Margiis from fasting on 12 Feb. Rather His stated ideal is that we should prepare and cook delicious, sumptuous food for the impoverished and suffering people.

Here is Baba guiding Ramananda during His famous general darshan about Niilkantha Divas. In particular, Baba has motioned for Ramananda Dada to recount the scene:

[Baba is telling] "You people will decide how to commemorate it [Niilkantha Divas]." Then, when we didn't give proper reply to Baba, then He Himself told that, "Why you will be fasting? It will be, You will have to show your sentient anger, not just go on fasting or something like that...[Ramananda concludes] So, we are to take food that day, and the best food we should give to the needy on this very day."

Thus it is well-known and well-documented that Baba warns not to fast on Feb 12. So many were present and heard Baba give this order and it was recorded and perfectly transcribed as well.

PROTEST FASTS ARE GANDHIAN WAY

WE SHOULD SPEND ENERGY IN AWAKENING THE MASSES

As Proutists, we do our regularly scheduled fasting days as given by Guru for reasons of physical health, mental purity, and spiritual practice. We do not fast for political purposes or in protest.

Those who fast in protest are apt to destroy their physical body. Theirs is passive, Gandhian mentality. Whereas, Baba as the dharma Guru has specifically allotted that we should keep our bodies fit and utilise our energy in organising and educating the masses about exploitation. This type of consciousness raising on the grass-roots level demands tremendous energy and engagement, yet ultimately that is the way to bring about comprehensive change, i.e. Proutistic revolution. Remember, Baba has strictly forbidden Ananda Margiis from fasting on 12 Feb.

BABA REJECTS GANDHIAN MANNER OF PASSIVE PROTESTS

Baba vehemently opposes our taking a passive, Gandhi approach based on fasting and civil disobedience etc. Baba has declared such methods lost their efficacy long ago.

"The philosophy of Gandhi died before India got independence – it died long before Gandhi died." (Prout in a Nutshell - 15)

FASTING PROTEST IS NOT PROUTISTIC WAY

In His Prout teachings, Baba has given a dynamic range of plans and programs for us to bring to the people. This cannot be done if we are sitting around, fasting, and getting weaker by the moment. That will not due. Rather to enact those programs we will need our full energy in all realms.

Since the very inception of Prout in 1959, never has there been a sanctioned fasting protest by Proutist Universal nor Ananda Marga. Baba never guided us in this manner.

ONLY SPEED = DANGEROUS; ONLY SYSTEM = USELESS

Baba has given the formula that to get success in bringing about social change there must be both speed and system. If there is only speed it is dangerous; and, if there is only system it is useless. Both are needed.

Those planning to do this fasting protest have only speed - not system. That is to say, they are eager to do something, but that something is not in accordance with Baba's teachings. Hence they only have speed. In which case they are leading themselves and others down a dangerous path. Baba warns us against this.

No doubt those planning the protest are sincere and their heart is in the right place, but to bring about Proutistic changes and revolution, we must abide by Baba's divine guidelines, and not resort to old, outdated Gandhian methods.

BABA'S TEACHING:

SUCH EXPLOITERS NEED A "RUDE SHOCK"

Here below Baba is warning us that those using fasting to appeal to capitalist exploiters are ignorant. This will never work because such heartless exploiters will not care about your fasting. Instead, Baba warns us that such exploiters need a "rude shock." For that, consciousness raising and making preparations for revolution are needed. Satyagraha fasting will do nothing. Rather it will create harm.

"Some people are of the opinion that only humanistic appeals and no other approach can effect a change of heart. Although the principles of such people may be high, in reality the soil of the earth is extremely hard. Their appeals to do good cannot easily gain support..."

"This sort of appeal does not hold much value for those with crude minds. To vibrate the minds of such people it is, and will forever remain, necessary to influence their minds by giving them a rude shock. Otherwise one will have to wait indefinitely for the sensitive violin strings of some secret recess in their hard minds to be similarly vibrated by high-minded appeals to do good. And meanwhile the existence of the helpless, exploited people, on whose behalf these appeals are being made, will have been reduced to dust."

"That is why no matter how much importance was given to the benevolence of the human mind by the Gandhian and Bhudan movements, or how saintly their propounders may have been, selfish and mean-minded people will never accept their principles. The bleeding sores on the feet of marching protesters will never be able to soften the minds of ruthless exploiters. Gandhism may be an excellent utopian model, but in the harsh reality of the world it is absurd and self-righteous." (Human Society - 1, Social Justice)

If the matter is not clear to you then please go to Note 2, and click on the link to read a larger section of the above teaching.

HOW SOME ARE PLANNING TO FAST ON 12 FEB

Here is a quoted summary of their leaflet detailing their upcoming plans to fast on 12 Feb. These margiis are sincere and want to do something, but they are moving off the track, unfortunately.

"A co-ordination committee of All India Proutist Samaj was formed. In the beginning, it was decided to stage procession, Rallies, hunger strike, protests, etc in Delhi and in Patna.

"In view of above, a “protest and hunger strike” have been decided to arrange in Patna on 12th Feb. Since Baba was lodged in prison due to PROUT philosophy and later Baba was poisoned in Patna jail on 12th Feb. considering this history, a “Dharana, protest and hunger strike” has been arranged on 12th Feb. Therefore, all margi brothers and sisters are requested to reach Patna on 12 Feb 2014 @ 10am positively to make it a grand success. Please find attached the “Pamphlet” for details."

"As everybody knows that "Dharana and Hunger strike" will be staged in Patna at least for two days starting 12 th Feb. If we receive good public response, we may continue "Dharana and Hunger strike" unto 3rd day."

SUMMARY STATEMENT

In sum, we should observe Niilkantha on 12 Feb per Baba's guidelines. That means no one should fast that day. We should eat, and, most importantly, serve delicious food to the need and poor, and side by side organise Prout programs to create awareness amongst the people about the presence of exploitation.

If still anyone has any questions etc, they should re-read Baba's discourse on this key and important topic.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Umesh

== NEXT LETTER ==

Subject: Re: Niilkantha Divas
Date:  Tue, 28 Jan 2014 13:11:58 +0530
From: Anandam
To: Ananda Marga Universal

PREPARING BOOKLET ON NIIILKANTHA DIVAS

Namaskar
This is so much alive! Thanks from the core of my heart - that is all I can say.

Likewise I request the forum to supply such materials, so that we can educate as well as propogate the right ideology in the right way.

(Working: I will prepare a booklet on Niilkantha Divas and distribute it to all margii families of my area in the local language and arrange to follow Niilkantha Divas observances as per given guideline.)

Anandam

== NEXT LETTER ==

Subject: SV: ~ AMPS News ~ Proof: H Group is Altering Baba's Books
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 14:30:05 +0100 (MET)
From: Tandero <harm....o>
To: Ananda Marga News Bulletin

ON UNITY

Namaskar dear dada

Hope everything is fine.
i hope that soon the amps can get out of the geo and socio sentimentality and get into a global face value. To much Indian focus on fight between boys with to high lessons and to less ideological strength on both sides of the wall of shame, make unity more difficult. Big responsibility are on the back of they who make walls in the time of the BRIDGE MAKER.

Vasudeva
BNK

== NEXT LETTER ==

Subject: On Dada Nabhaniilananda & Lesson Review
Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 07:01:55 -0000
From: Mala
To: Ananda Marga News Bulletin

$100 FOR LESSON REVIEW

Namaskar,
It is unfortunate that the lesson system is now based on money and control of said margiis. Dada Nabhaniilananda now charges in advance for lesson review. it is at least $100. he controls large percent of the margiis of certain oversas sectors - even with this point that lessons and initiation should be free of charge. Sadly, those paying for sadhana review with him do not understand or take it seriously that they should not give money for lesson review etc.

In Him,
Mala

== LINKS OF MAIN LETTER ==

Note 1: LINK TO BABA'S HISTORIC DARSHAN ABOUT NIILKANTHA DIVAS

For those who wish to read Baba's entire general darshan where He outlines that we must not fast on Niilkantha Divas (Feb 12) then please click on the below link.

http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/01/upcoming-observance-more.html

Note 2: MUST TAKE FIRM STAND AGAINST SUCH EXPLOITERS

http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/01/must-take-firm-stand-against-such.html

Must Take Firm Stand Against Such Exploiters

Baba

MUST TAKE FIRM STAND AGAINST SUCH EXPLOITERS

Here below Baba is warning us that those using fasting to appeal to capitalist exploiters are ignorant. This will never work because such heartless exploiters will not care about your fasting. Instead, Baba warns us that such exploiters need a "rude shock." For that, consciousness raising and making preparations for revolution are needed. Satyagraha fasting will do nothing. Rather it will create harm.

Some people are of the opinion that only humanistic appeals and no other approach can effect a change of heart. Although the principles of such people may be high, in reality the soil of the earth is extremely hard. Their appeals to do good cannot easily gain support.

What are humanistic appeals, or satyágraha? They are simply a special means of using violence to create circumstantial pressure. We can, in fact, call them the intellectual’s method of using violence. They are a way to make people eager to move along the path of human welfare without resorting to actual violence, relying on legal enforcement, or becoming angry and adopting the path of bloodshed. Or, in simpler language, they are a way to compel people to move.

What is circumstantial pressure? Does it not aim to vibrate the individual or collective mind with the wave of collective welfare through the application of force? In fact, this approach is an attempt to touch the aspect of the human mind which is very tender and capable of responding to humanistic appeals. Thus, those who have finer sensibilities and rational judgement readily respond to humanistic appeals, or satyágraha.

This sort of appeal does not hold much value for those with crude minds. To vibrate the minds of such people it is, and will forever remain, necessary to influence their minds by giving them a rude shock. Otherwise one will have to wait indefinitely for the sensitive violin strings of some secret recess in their hard minds to be similarly vibrated by high-minded appeals to do good. And meanwhile the existence of the helpless, exploited people, on whose behalf these appeals are being made, will have been reduced to dust.

That is why no matter how much importance was given to the benevolence of the human mind by the Gandhian and Bhudan movements, or how saintly their propounders may have been, selfish and mean-minded people will never accept their principles. The bleeding sores on the feet of marching protesters will never be able to soften the minds of ruthless exploiters. Gandhism may be an excellent utopian model, but in the harsh reality of the world it is absurd and self-righteous.

Yes, the human mind must be vibrated, and for this one cannot wait for the application of the sentient force or humanistic appeals. Rather, all necessary steps must be taken to create circumstantial pressure. I do not consider it at all improper if exploiters are forced to follow the right path by circumstantial pressure in a totalitarian state or by legal compulsion in a democratic one. However, the primary objective is not simply to use any means available to create a vibration in the minds of exploiters. Proper moral training must also be imparted to keep the waves of that vibration alive, and there must be a ceaseless endeavour in individual and collective life to perpetuate the waves of that vibration. One must maintain one’s zeal so that, with the passage of time, the momentum of the vibration does not slow down. Its vigour and vitality should not turn into stagnation. Staticity should not creep into the hidden corners of the human mind.

Those who depend solely on magnanimity of mind or on humanistic appeals are bound to fail. And those who aspire to establish communistic systems either through legal methods or at bayonet point without changing the hearts of the people, without implementing development programmes and without introducing moral and ideological education to reform people’s bad habits, are also bound to fail.

(Human Society - 1, Social Justice)