Baba
This email contains three sections:
1. Posting: Superstition: girl marries dog
2. PS #688: O' Parama Purusa, I visited so many tiirthas...
3. Links
Superstition: girl marries with dog
Namaskar,
This letter examines superstitions both inside and outside of Ananda Marga - and what adverse effects they have.
“Fighting
against superstition: The svabháva [natural tendency] of mind is to
become like its object. Superstition of any kind – social, psychic or
spiritual – influences the mind to such an extent that the mind, due to
its worries, leads a person into trouble. The mental equilibrium of one
believing in superstition is disturbed, and the result is that one not
only loses peace, but one is also led to do some action which is detrimental to oneself. This only further strengthens belief in superstition.”
….
“Such
superstitions have not left any field uncontaminated. In the social
sphere there is no dearth of superstitions. Witchcraft, discrimination
against widows, etc., are curses in society only due to such
superstitions. In the psychic sphere there are deep-rooted superstitions
such as the belief in ghosts (bhút), etc. Not only this, but
superstitions related to shráddha [funeral ceremonies], etc., have also
bound down even the progeny of a person. In the spiritual field, also,
ignorant people have been forced to do many things only because of the
deep-rooted superstition of heaven and hell. All these only disturb
psychic equilibrium and bring about discord and worry in society. For
the preservation of peace, the fight against superstition is of prime
importance.” (1)
In the yellow highlighted line
above, Baba warns that through such superstitions, people bring harm
upon themselves. In the case of the below girl who is marrying the dog,
she may become attached with the dog and contract various diseases like
rabies, gonorrhea, syphilis, etc.
Our
Ananda Marga is - unfortunately - not immune to superstitions. Sadly,
since 1990, a number of superstitions have crept into our AM way of
life:
[1] Superstition - No family people for cemetery sadhana: Wts
often tell family margiis that if they ever try to do sadhana in the
cemetery then they will be attacked and beaten by ghosts, or have some
terrible tragedy enacted upon them by ghosts. But all should know this
is just one dogma.
[2] Superstition - PP marriage blessing: The
idea has been imposed that for a long and healthy marriage then one
must get PP Dada’s blessing. Those who did not get his blessing may
suffer or their spouse may die at a young age etc. However, everyone
should bear in mind this is just one dogma.
[3] Superstition - Visit Ananda Nagar for moksa: Many
have been indoctrinated into the belief that by making regular visits
to Ananda Nagar then Baba will be pleased and moksa is assured. All
should know that this is just one dogma.
[4] Superstition - Double ceremony dogma: This
is the phenomenon of doing both Ananda Marga ceremonies and the rituals
of the dogmatic religion from one’s previous religion. For instance,
one may have and AM wedding ceremony and then have a Hindu or Christian
ceremony. Or one may have an AM baby naming ceremony as well as a
baptism or Hindu ceremony etc. Some feel that by this way they will get
double virtue. But bear in mind that this is just one dogma.
Baba Himself attended a few AM marriages,
He never allowed any WT to conduct the ceremony
[5] Superstition - Only Wts Conduct Marriage Superstition:
Some feel that if a family acarya performs their wedding then that will
not be auspicious. They feel that for the best chance at a long-term
happy marriage a Wt must perform the ceremony. Otherwise, one’s spouse
will leave them or die. So this is just one dogma; according
to Guru our family acaryas should conduct marriage ceremonies, not Wts.
Remember, Baba Himself attended a few Ananda Marga marriages, and He
never allowed a monk to conduct the ceremony. That is the example we
should follow. Remember, only one family acarya - not two - is needed to
solemnise the marriage.
Those Wts whose lower two cakras are weak firmly advocate and support this dogma of Wts performing all marriage ceremonies.
[6] Superstition - Only Wts Conduct Shraddha Superstition:
Some feel that if a family acarya performs a shraddha ceremony then
that will not be auspicious and the deceased will never get any shanti /
peace. They feel that for best chance for a proper death ceremony a Wt
must perform the ceremony. But this is just one dogma.
[7] Superstition - Only Wts Conduct House Entrance Superstition:
Some feel that if a family acarya performs their house entrance
ceremony then that will not be auspicious and one will never find any
peace while living there. They feel that for best chance for a good
house entrance ceremony, a Wt must perform the ceremony. However, all
should remember this is a dogma.
[8] Superstition - Only Wts Conduct Funeral Superstition:
Some feel that if a family acarya performs that funeral then that will
not be auspicious and the deceased will never get any shanti / peace.
They feel that for best chance for a good funeral a Wt must perform the
ceremony. Here again, this is just one dogma.
All
of the above superstitions have been spreading from person to person
across India and overseas sectors. Maybe this superstition has reached
your area, and maybe not. Regardless, the antidote is knowledge. So be
aware because more sadhakas are being taken in by such superstitions.
And whenever one gives way to superstition they bring harm to themselves - in one way or another.
“one is also led to do some action which is detrimental to oneself.”
For
instance, if a margii falls prey to the superstition about PP’s
marriage blessing, then they will pay huge $$ to get that so-called
blessing. By this way they bring much economic hardship upon themselves.
And by harbouring the superstition that only WTs can perform the
various AM social ceremonies like shraddha etc, then that opens the door
for certain Wts to charge huge money. Demand goes up and availability
of people is less, so prices skyrocket. And with other superstition one
invites harm by inculcating fear sentiments and irrational thinking
etc.
In Him,
Sadananda
Reference
1. AFPS-7, Social Psychology
== Section 2 ==
~ O' Parama Purusa, I visited so many tiirthas even then why do You not look towards me? ~
Prabhat Samgiita Intro: This below song demonstrates how Parama Purusa can only be attained with the loving feeling of the heart-- through one's inner, pointed, devotional longing. Because Parama Purusa only understands the feeling of the heart. That is why searching Him externally in various dogmatic tiirthas or putting on a false display of sadhana are utterly useless; such empty attempts will just end in vain. One cannot get Parama Purusa in those defective ways because He can only be held with the love of one's heart.
"Tumi bolo kii va' ca'o..." (PS 688)
Purport:
O' Parama Purusa, please tell me what You want so I can satisfy you. Please tell me why You are playing this liila, and how I can get You. Why do You go on making this grand liila of Yours while You Yourself only watch - quietly. You never disclose what You want; You never divulge Your secrets.
O' Supreme One, all these years I was searching You in the tiirthas of Jamalpur and Tiljala etc. I thought I could hold You by journeying to those holy lands. I tried to reach You through rigorous debates of the shastras. I thought that by debating those scriptures I could get You. I thought there was no need of sadhana. Many times I was doing showy sadhana - nyása práńáyám. O' Lord, all these attempts I made, even then why do You not look towards me?
Baba, O' Divine Entity, by Your causeless grace, today I am offering the effulgence and love of my heart. I am surrendering fully at Your lotus feet, and, I am decorating my mind with the flowers of love and devotion. Baba, I feel deep love for You in my heart - the aroma of sweet sandalwood. By Your grace, I am developing a strong yearning and pointed devotion. I am offering myself with no other desire than to get You. Please be gracious and take me on Your divine lap and make my life meaningful.
Baba, Your grand liila is unfathomable. Please make my mind pure and keep me in Your loving arms forever. O' Love Personified Entity...
== Section 3 ==
Links
