Bábá
Participating in AM parade
Namaskar,
One of the great traditions and pracar activities in our Ananda Marga is the procession. That means organising a big parade or march to highlight and celebrate a particular cause or festival etc. By this way, everyday citizens in that locale gain awareness of what we are doing and it creates public interest and energy. There are many benefits.
In the early days of our Ananda Marga, Sadguru Baba always participated in our Ananda Marga processions. Often times He rode on top of an elephant, and other times He moved along in an open or closed vehicle; and sometimes He simply walked. Those were unique events in our Ananda Marga.
The processions were regularly organised under Baba's directions in Kolkata and also many other cities: big towns, all the way down to the smallest of villages. There we would march through the streets en masse. And even we held our processions in more rural locations—in all the places where we held DMC.
Indeed, those processions always made Ananda Marga more visible in the society—people took note of what we were doing and many new people came forth, either as supporting sympathizers or initiated sadhakas. Plus the procession was our way of getting our message to the people. For all these reasons and more, Baba always encouraged and participated in our Ananda Marga processions.
Cavalcades are a big part of our festivals
In Caryacarya itself, Baba has set down guidelines that enlist that a procession should be part and parcel of our festival celebrations.
"Ánanda Púrńimá: Collective bath with snána mantra, twice collective Iishvara Prańidhána and Varńárghyadána, collective noon and night meals, merry celebrations, spiritual conferences, annual meetings of workers, children’s sports, and procession with táńd́ava dance." (Caryacarya part 1, Social Functions & Festivals)
"Shrávańii Púrńimá: Twice collective Iishvara Prańidhána and Varńárghyadána, collective noon and night meals, merry celebrations, spiritual conferences, literary meetings, procession with táńd́ava dance in the afternoon." (Caryacarya part 1, Social Functions & Festivals)
"Dashamii (Vijayotsava): Procession with music and táńd́ava dance, wearing colourful dress; then collective Iishvara Prańidhána and Varńárghyadána, salutations and affectionate embraces, etc., and entertaining guests and visitors at one’s residence." (Caryacarya part 1, Social Functions & Festivals)
"Diipávalii: Once collective Iishvara Prańidhána and Varńárghyadána, illumination, collective merry celebrations, entertaining visitors at one’s residence, and procession with táńd́ava dance." (Caryacarya part 1, Social Functions & Festivals)
"New Year’s Day: Collective Iishvara Prańidhána and Varńárghyadána both morning and evening, collective merry celebrations, sports and games for all, collective noon and night meals, and procession with táńd́ava dance in the afternoon." (Caryacarya part 1, Social Functions & Festivals)
And not only for these above festivals, processions must be organised on the occasion of any DMS.
"On the occasion of dharma mahácakra / dharma mahásammelana, a public procession with táńd́ava dance is mandatory." (Caryacarya, part 1, Dharma Mahácakra)
Processions may also be organised on the occasion of a seminar, or other Marga function.
Steps for organising a cavalcade
Here is how they can be organised:
1. Set a date and complete a permit with the local police dept and authorities. That way those officials know it is going to happen, can monitor the event, and close any roads as necessary.
2. Recruit the participation of maximum margiis, and wts. All should be strongly encouraged to participate—rather everyone should take a leading role. This should not be looked upon as something extra or optional. The fact that Guru always participated is enough of a reason that every Ananda Margii should consider this as mandatory and a part of Sixteen Points.
(Note: Within Sixteen Points, processions might come under sadhana / pracara (point #9), or strictness in ideology (point #11), or strictness in Supreme Command / pracara (point #12), or under seminar in CSDK (point #16) etc. So no one can say that processions are not part of Sixteen Points—plus they are also mandated in Caryacarya as cited below.)
3. Create lots of large, colourful signs and banners. For instance, if it is a Prout procession then all our main Prout slogans should be highlighted on those signs and banners. And if the procession is to highlight a specific function or program like Ananda Purnima or DMS etc, then that info can be highlighted on signs and placards etc.
4. There needs to be a long chain of independent links to form the procession. For instance, there should be one kiirtan section—perhaps on an open truck, or they could be marching. Then another section should be Prabhat Samgiita complete with musicians and dancers. Yet another section might be highlighting the dignity of women. There also might be a truck or section highlighting a social or environmental cause like PCAP (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Plants) etc. And verily there can be as many sections as possible—each with its own distinct theme.
5. These days social media channels should be used to highlight the procession ahead of time so that the general public, activists, and community groups are aware about it. They might like to participate in it as well.
6. Generally, people get caught up in their day-to-day lives and they lose sight of other things. Our Ananda Marga processions are our way of creating stir so that people are aware about who we are and what we do: Such as the many dynamic social service projects we run. So this is all about generating community interest and involvement and projecting our ideals to the public.
7. Kindly share what steps you take in your area to prepare for, organise, and carry out a successful procession.
Baba participated in processions
Every bhakta feels in their heart to do what Baba has done and emulates Him in every way. Thus when Baba Himself—the Guru of Ananda Marga—took time to participate in local processions both big and small, then we should be keen to do the same.
at His lotus feet,
Kiirti Devi
PROCESSIONS RIDING ON AN ELEPHANT
At the 2014 Ananda Purnima function in Ranchi, once again, those top H group dadas did not participate in the annual procession through town to mark the beginning of the celebrations of Ananda Purnima. Sadly, this has been their ongoing trend - i.e. not to participate.
Yet it is well known that Baba always encouraged this maximum participation. In those early days Baba Himself always participated in such processions - either riding on an elephant, or riding in a car, or even walking.
Yet, top Ranchi group personnel seem to have an allergy to this type of program.
(a) INFERIORITY COMPLEX: Maybe these dadas do not like to participate because they suffer from an inferiority complex and do not like to stand up and march openly in public due to extreme shyness. That could be one reason why they are not participating.
(b) SUPERIORITY COMPLEX: Such Dadas may feel that participating in a procession is beneath them - as if they are too holy or too important to engage in such a program.
(c) LAZINESS: Another reason could be overall lethargy or lassitude.
(d) CLASH WITH RANCHI MARGIIS: Top Ranchi Adm Dadas may not be participating because at present they are displeased with Ranchi margiis who have exposed their misdeeds and taken silent action against them, i.e. top H group Dadas.
Any or all of the above could be the cause.
Whatever may be, processions are vital for pracar and creating a stir society. So it is a shame that these dadas are unwilling or incapable of participating.
== Section 2 ==
The section below demarcated by asterisks is an entirely different topic,
completely unrelated to the above material. It stands on its own as a point of interest.
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How one can become extraordinary
Ananda Marga ideology says, “When the pleasure-seeking unit mind blindly runs after unit-objects, Puruśa also gets smitten by the same mental attributes. He appears to be as if in bondage. But when the unit mind shuns its attraction for mundane objects and accepts that Supreme Puruśa as its only pabulum, it gets an opportunity to become one with the Cosmic Mind, giving up its finitude. With the attainment of the witness-ship of the Integral Mind it becomes one with the Puruśottama. In the absence of bondage of enjoyership (Bhoktábhava) the unit mind attains emancipation from all kinds of fetters.” (1)
Note: This is the essence of human life. When one is no longer allured by worldly attractions and sincerely directs the mind towards Parama Purusa, then one can become one with Him. This is the aim of sadhana and the path of yoga - realising Him. He is within but people are not aware. When, through sadhana, this ignorance is removed, then one truly feels they are Parama Purusa. And that is realisation, i.e. the feeling in the heart and mind that, "I am Brahma." At first one must impose this idea in their sadhana, but as one involves more deeply in their meditation then by His grace that feeling develops from within. Then sadhana is very blissful and one has advanced along the path of spirituality, by His grace.
Reference:
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 6, The Primordial Cause of Creation
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