Baba
Dhyana: subject object
Namaskar,
Baba has graciously given many guidelines on sadhana, spirituality, and doing proper dhyana. Guru's words are mantra for His disciples; yet at the same time, Guru’s teachings can be indirect or very concentrated. Baba explains in His discourses that in meditation one should think that, “Parama Purusa is the subject and I (the bhakta) am the object.” This outlook has a significant role in one’s dhyana. So we should all thoroughly understand Guru’s guideline about subject - object.
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Meaning of subject & object
All the quotes in this section are from Sadguru Baba’s discourse, “Permanent Shelter.”
Ananda Marga ideology states, “You should not think that Parama Puruśa is your object and you are the subject.”
Explanation: You should not think that you are watching Parama Puruśa.
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Because He is the Supreme centre of all objectivities.”
Explanation: Because He is the Supreme Nucleus and He is watching the whole universe.
Ananda Marga ideology states, “He cannot be your object.”
Explanation: You can’t see Parama Puruśa or you should not think that you are watching Parama Puruśa.
Ananda Marga ideology states, “You are His object. Each and every entity in this Universe is His object.”
Explanation: He is watching you. The entire universe is under His watch.
Ananda Marga ideology states, “He cannot be your object.”
Explanation: You can’t see Parama Puruśa or you should not think that you are watching Parama Puruśa.
Ananda Marga ideology states, “While doing sadhana, while doing your meditation, you should always think, remember, that whatever you are doing, He is seeing.”
Ananda Marga ideology states, “That is, you are the object, He is the subject.”
Explanation: You are being watched by Parama Purusa.
Ananda Marga ideology states, He sees whatever you do. He sees whatever you think.” (1)
First and foremost, according to Ananda Marga philosophy, Parama Purusa is the subject and the whole creation is the object of Parama Purusa. That means that in sadhana, Parama Purusa is the subject and the sadhaka is the object. This is a foundational pillar of our dhyana practice. So if any sadhaka thinks that in their meditation their Dhyeya (i.e. Entity upon whom they are meditating) is the object of their meditation, their outlook is the exact opposite of Guru’s teaching. The aspirant should not make Parama Purusa their object.
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Way to ideate upon Him in meditation
Baba has told in several discourses that in dhyana, the bhakta should treat Parama Purusa as the subject. That means Parama Purusa is seeing the bhakta; or the bhakta is constantly being seen and watched by Him. For example: if you have created one mango in your mind then your mental eye is seeing that mango. In that case you are the subject and the mango is your object because you are seeing the mango. So it is in the case of Parama Purusa and bhakta. In His Cosmic mind, Parama Purusa is seeing the bhakta. And bhaktas are always feeling, “Parama Purusa is seeing me.” In meditation when a sadhaka is looking toward his Dhyeya, he should think that, "O’ Parama Purusa, You are seeing me always." Then it will be better dhyana.
Next comes serving Him
Here the point is that when a sadhaka is serving his Dhyeya, they should not think that, “I am serving Him with my own desire.” Here "own desire" means the sadhaka is the subject. Because in truth the sadhaka is not the subject; so the sadhaka cannot serve Him with their own desire. Rather the bhakta should fulfill the desire of their Dhyeya because He is the subject and the aspirant is the object.
If work is done according to His wish, then He is the subject. And if work is done according to one's own planning and own satisfaction, then the small self is the subject. And in spirituality, the proper system is that Parama Purusa is the Supreme Subject. So always one should keep in mind that, “My Dhyeya is seeing me and He wants to be served. And my duty is to fulfill His desire.” Because here the sadhaka is engaged in satisfying Him. That's why Parama Purusa is the subject, and the sadhaka is the object.
So the bhakta should think in their meditation, "I am fulfilling His desire.” That is how to please Him. In their sadhana, one should think, “I am serving Him - and I serving Him not for my own self-satisfaction of getting bliss etc, but in order to please Him and fulfill His will." By this entire approach one’s highest sadhana lesson will be proper.
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Rule of subject-object while serving Him
Suppose a friend came to your house and he was thirsty and he asked for a glass of water and you fulfilled his desire. That means you are the object and your friend is the subject. Because your friend’s desire was fulfilled. But if you had a strong desire to serve him and you gave him some fruit and milk and he accepted your offer in order to please you, that means your desire was fulfilled. Because your friend had no desire to have fruit and milk, just he accepted those items at your insistence - to please you. In this case you are the subject and your friend is the object.
So if an aspirant has his own desire to serve Him for their own happiness, then that is not good. Because in that case the aspirant is the subject and Parama Purusa is the object. The best way is that whatever service a sadhaka is doing for their Dhyeya, that aspirant should think that they are fulfilling His desire. So that aspirant is satisfying His desire - fulfilling His desire in dhyana. Then one’s highest sadhana lesson will be proper.
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Conclusion
So to do proper dhyana, one should think, “Parama Purusa is the subject and I am the object. I should satisfy His desire. And by pleasing and serving Param Purusa, I am satisfying His will.” Then one’s sadhana will be proper, by His grace.
Namaskar
In Him,
Ananda
Parama Purusa is not greedy for service
Is Parama Purusa hungry for people to come and serve Him? No, rather, Parama Purusa is gracious on sadhakas. He is providing the opportunity to serve Him so that they can cross the ocean of samskaras and make their life successful by His grace. By this way the door of salvation is opened. So He is the subject and the bhakta is the object.
* In this letter, the terms meditation and sadhana refer to dhyana. And Dhyeya refers to the Entity upon whom one is meditating.
~ In-depth study ~
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “They ideate on Him and think internally, “ I am His object and He is my subject. He is seeing whatever I am doing.” So He remains the subject throughout. When He is made an object it is for the purpose of ideation on Him. Moreover, there is an additional benefit: when I think I am His object and He is my subject, I cannot commit any wrong under any circumstances. His ever wakeful conscience will constantly warn me, “What are you doing? He is watching you.” (2)
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, “The best way to meditate on Parama Puruśa, or remember Him, is to bear in mind that, in actions big or small, significant or insignificant, in wakeful state or in sleep, in dream or in reality, the Supreme Subjectivity is maintaining a constant and close watch on me.” (3)
Ananda Marga ideology states, “And one thing I told you in a mahácakra – you should not think that Parama Puruśa is your object and you are the subject, because He is the Supreme centre of all objectivities. He cannot be your object; you are His object. Each and every entity in this Universe is His object. He cannot be your object. While doing sadhana, while doing your meditation, you should always think, remember, that whatever you are doing, He is seeing. That is, you are the object, He is the subject. He sees whatever you do. He sees whatever you think.” (4)
Your thoughts are witnessed by Him
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “The Supreme Entity, Parama Puruśa, is omniscient. He not only sees what you do, He also sees what you think, what you are contemplating, what the thought-waves of your mind are. Then He is omniscient, and you are His object. He sees what you do. He is the subject, you are the object. Then how can the mind know Him? That is, how can the mind be the subject and He be the object? He sees your mind; how can your mind see Him? How can your mind accept Him as the object and your mind be the subject? Yes, there lies the secret. What is the secret? It is that whatever you are doing, whatever you are thinking, you should always remember that that action of yours, those thoughts of yours, are being witnessed by Him. If you remember this, He remains the subject and you remain the object.” (5)
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Human beings work according to the divine plan and while working they take the name of the Lord. They ideate on Him and think internally, “ I am His object and He is my subject. He is seeing whatever I am doing.” So He remains the subject throughout…”” (6)
During japa & dhya'na He cannot be your object
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Brahma is thinking of you. His thought process causes the creation, preservation, and annihilation of all objects and entities. Hence you are His object and He is your subject; He is not your object.” (7)
Ananda Marga ideology says, "One day, I told you that while meditating on the Supreme you can not accept Him as your object. Because He is your subject. Everything is His object. He is the Supreme Subject. Then how, during japa and dhya'na can He be your object? He cannot be your object. So what is necessary – and herein lies the charm – is that while doing japa and dhya'na, you should think that He is seeing you, you are His object. This thing you should always remember during japa and dhya'na. That is the idea. That is the spirit." (8)
And that is the central aim of this entire posting: To understand the subject - object relation in sadhana.
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Contradiction
The Publications Dept has made an error. The below yellow and green highlighted lines are contradictory.
Ananda Marga ideology states, “During your spiritual practices you should ensure that Parama Puruśa is your mental object and you are His subject. It sounds funny that human beings become the subject and Parama Puruśa the object. In the absolute sense, Parama Puruśa is the supreme controller of everything, the Supreme Subjectivity, with human beings as His object. Usually, human beings cannot make Parama Puruśa their mental object. Therefore, when you repeat your iśt́a mantra, or when you ideate, you should remember that, in fact, you are the object and Parama Puruśa is the subject.That is, in meditation you do not see Parama Puruśa, but Parama Puruśa sees you. The actual idea in your mind should be that Parama Puruśa has kept a close watch over you in the past, is keeping a close watch over you now, and will keep a close watch over you in the future. Under no circumstances are you alone or neglected. As long as you remember that Parama Puruśa is watching, no power in this universe can oppose or harm you. Moreover, each and every entity, from the Supreme Creator of the universe to a single blade of grass, will cooperate fully with you. It is a divine decree that human beings should live in this world amicably. No one should exploit anyone, no one should perpetrate torture or exploitation. Everyone should utilize their inherent strength to the best of their capacity.” (9)
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, Permanent Shelter
2. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 10, Cognitive Faculty and the Supreme Desideratum
3. A Few Problems Solved - 7, The Faculty of Knowledge – 5
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, Permanent Shelter
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14, Subjective Approach through Objective Adjustment
6. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 10, Cognitive Faculty and the Supreme Desideratum
7. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 8, The Supreme Question – 1
8. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 2, Salvation and Corporeal Beings
9. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 7, You Are Not Helpless
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Important Teaching ==
Glorious crimson dawn is rising up
"Nútan diner nútan súrya,púrva ákáshe ut́heche áj..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1308)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, by Your grace, today the resplendent new sun of the glorious crimson dawn is rising up in the eastern horizon. The whole world is getting bathed in Your refulgence. Due to fear and shyness, the cimmerian darkness of the nil moon has disappeared and is hiding somewhere.
O' human being, throw away those old tattered ideas, staticity, and dogmas of the past like casteism, racism, nationalism, and materialism etc and embrace the illumination of the spectacular sunrise. The Supreme Entity with His exquisite brilliance has come to your doorstep - with grand form and colour, showering love on you.
O' human being, the creatures of blackness have vanished and gotten destroyed due to your well-organised movement and strong push. The Parama Purusa, who is the nucleus of this universe, is the greatest Entity of this vast cosmos. Ideate on Him, and go on doing His work, serving and pleasing Him…
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Do not think about those dark days
PS Intro: In this song Parama Purusa is addressing the bhakta and giving him all sorts of guidelines to gain success on the path of spiritual attainment.
“Cir nútane yatane mánas ratane, paráńa bhariyá sájáye dáo…” (Prabhat Samgiita #0577)
Purport:
Bhakta, exquisitely decorate the Ever-New Divine Entity, the inner jewel of your mind, up to your heart’s content. By your kiirtan, japa, sadhana, and dhyana, prepare a place for the Supreme One in Your Guru cakra and serve Him. Forget about the sludge of the past; do not think about those dark days of old. Welcome the new refulgence, and warmly embrace this bright new era of neo-humanism.
Sadhaka, those old worn-out dogmas are like torn rags. Shake off those dirty blankets like illogical ideas and cast them away from your mind. Leave all those isms and irrational beliefs. The call of the Ever-New’s message of radiant beauty is resonating. Dye your mind with the sweet call of the Supreme, and then colour the whole world. Spread that eternal message to all the four corners. Let everyone bask in the song and bliss of the Divine.
Spiritual aspirant, do not try to bring back the rotten ideas of those lost, bygone days. Give up the dream to be intoxicated by that old wine. Why waste your time thinking about those good and bad recollections of the past. The vibrant sun rays are like a new tonic. Arouse and awaken one and all with this brilliant new vision of neo-humanism.
Spiritual soldier, the journey, which began in the past, marches forward and will never stop. It goes on and on. In the blissful new joy of the rhythmic waves of t'al, fill your heart with the melody of the Ever-New by singing the glory of Parama Puruśa - that Eternal Entity...
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Religion is for animals
Namaskar,
In this below quote, the term ‘vipra’ refers to any kind of religious priest.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The vipras (religious priests) have invented and are still inventing new ways of exploiting different communities of people in different parts of the world. In some places they have lured people with the prospect of eternal heaven, injecting into them at the same time the fear of eternal hell. By claiming the doctrine of some particular vipra leader to be the word of God, they have blocked the natural expression of the human intellect and made people intellectually bankrupt.” (1)
Dogma: There is no room for reason in religion
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “With the intention of permanently securing for themselves an exalted position in the eyes of the ordinary people, some vipra leaders have declared themselves to be the incarnation or the appointed prophet of God. Through their own so-called scriptures, they have indirectly let the common people know that no one can achieve the same proximity to God as they – so that an inferiority complex will remain forever in the minds of the masses, and due to this inferiority complex the masses will always follow their teachings, either out of fear or out of devotion. That is why even intellectual people have fallen into their trap and have been compelled to say, Vishváse miláy vastu, tarke bahu dúr [“The goal is achieved not by reason but by faith”] or Majhab men akl ká dakhl nahii haen [“There is no room for reason in religion”].” (2)
Note: This above teaching presents the stark reality: To become an ardent believer of any of the religions, you have to shut down your brain. Yet it is the utilisation of this very brain that makes one human. So if anyone stops using their brain then they are no different from an animal. So followers of religion are animals on the psychic plane because their intellectual faculty has been stunted. It is said that religion is a question of faith, not logic.
One other disastrous outcome is that when they are not using their intellectual faculty in the field of religion then that becomes their habit in other spheres of life too. That is why they get exploited in other arenas like politics where they get duped into voting against their own interest, or in the economic sphere where they blindly follow some company. All in all it is very unfortunate. And the root cause is the staticity of mind brought on by being a religious follower.
Why have religious leaders made it this way? Because they want to live off of your money. They are selfish. Remaining a blind follower of religion is the worst thing. Remember Ananda Marga is not a religion. In our Marga, everything is logical and rational, and free and open debate is welcomed.
In AMPS: Religious exploitation
Before reading this - everyone should take second lesson again. In India there is a common belief, that whatever the conduct of a Hindu monk may be, their followers do not look into that aspect. They just do pranam, and give donation also. If you ask, “Why are saluting the person who has drunk liquor, and from whom a bad smell is coming,” they will say, “He is a monk. I am not saluting him, I am prostrating before the saffron robe.” So this is a dogma imposed by the Hindu priests. Common non-Margiis when they see Ananda Margii wt-acaryas in sannyasi dress, then they salute. So this is how they spread dogma. From amongst these non-Margiis, many join in Ananda Marga also, so they carry their dogma into Ananda Marga with them. And due to that, however a wt’s or avadhuta’s conduct may be, these new Margiis overlook the whole thing. They give donation and pay reverence also. This is one among the various reasons why low-grade wts who are suffering from all kinds of vices, are revered as sages.
And these same wt’s are the in-charges. So this dogma of overlooking the conduct of those in sannyasi dress, has created many negative things:
(a) They are getting respect;
(b) They are getting money;
(c) They are not forced to mend their conduct;
(d) Finally, this dogma of overlooking wt conduct has led to the worst among them, and the most power-hungry, having captured the power. And they are always trying to humiliate and belittle those who are genuine wt’s. Because these bad people in leadership posts are afraid of the good wts’ good conduct. This also happens in the general society. If someone is honest, then the thieves will become their enemy. So in AMPS if any wt is very sincere in their spiritual practices, those bad wts will mock, abuse, and harass them.
Busy in establishing gurudom
In this very way, Rudrananda has imposed a facade around PP’s image. Whatever ridiculous order Rudrananda wants to impose, he imposes from the mouth of PP. And he has established the dogma that one cannot question PP. So, whatever preposterous things PP orders, due to fear of Rudrananda, that order becomes the law of the land. These are the examples of how AMPS is turning into a dogmatic religion, where logic and reasoning is not allowed. If we go on watching as silent onlookers, then the purpose of having created AMPS in the first place, will be defeated. Because AMPS was made to propagate Ananda Marga ideology. But now it is busy in establishing gurudom.
Animals do not use their brain they are guided by instinct. Similarly, the followers of religion do not use their brains.
Namaskar,
in Him,
Vis’n’u ma’ya’
Unfortunately, these days some opportunistic in-charges are trying hard to change AMPS into a religion. They want people to blindly follow their imposed dogmas - Purodha Pramukha is an unquestionable authority. Sadly, due to old habits some have fallen prey to this. So we should expose those religious cheats in or outside AMPS.
References
1. Humans Society - 2, The Vipra Age
2. Humans Society - 2, The Vipra Age
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Recipe for proper approach
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The common people, let alone the master artists, know that sound is not emitted if the strings are loosened too much and the soft and delicate strings snap if they are tightened too much. Human life is also like this. If one practises too much austerity (in some cases, if one makes a parade of austerity), tender human sensitivities snap and break into smithereens’ the soft, delicate parts of the mind get charred and petrified. On the other hand, if life is made akin to a loose string, the nobler yearnings of life will never be fulfilled. In other words, that kind of life degenerates into the life of an animal characterized only by bathing, eating and sleeping. Hence one must never allow the string of life to be loose. But also the string of life should not be left to snap due to excessive strain. The ideal course of life is neither left-oriented nor right-oriented. This kind of life will be conspicuous by the absence of strife, mayhem or horror of the leftists and of toleration of injustices by the rightists in their loose, careless and sloppy life. It is this ideal course that will usher in a life worth yearning for a super-human existence, divinely exquisite and shining brightly on the banner of gold.” (1)
Reference:
(1) Saḿgiita: Song, Dance and Instrumental Music, Invention of Various Musical Instruments
== Section: Hindi Quote ==
Self Aggrandizement is Despicable
Ananda Marga ideology states, "शराब पीना जितना गर्हित कर्म है, अभिमान उतना गर्हित कर्म है | "गौरवं रौरवं ध्रुवम्"---Aggrandizement, अपने को बड़ा बनाने की जो चेष्टा---"मैंने किया, मैंने किया, मैंने यह किया, मैंने वह किया", बहुत आदमी कहता है देखोगे | यह जो गौरवं, यह क्या है ? न, "रौरवं ध्रुवम्" | यह रौरव-नरक के समान नीच है |" (1)
Reference
1. S22-08 DMC 19 February 1965 Bhagalpur
== Section 4: Links ==
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