Protecting your child + 2 more

Baba

Protecting your child

Namaskar,

As Ananda Margiis, it is the duty of every person to care for and protect every child / babe. Yet nowadays, crimes against children is a pervasive issue that is grossly underreported. Here, we are talking about sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. As parents, caregivers, and sadhakas, we should be keenly aware about these serious offenses and understand how to recognise them. Remember, the victims in these cases are children, and often they are unable to express their pain or understand how and when they are being abused. Verily, it is our duty to keep a vigilant eye and save those kids from any abuse or torture. We must watch for their well-being.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

To this end, appended below, is one professional, proactive article for how to communicate with children about this ever-important topic of abusive behaviour. This type of education is a key preemptive measure to safeguard our children.

First here are Baba’s teachings about our social responsibility to watch over all children, followed by the aforementioned article.

Helpless children convey their pain through tears
 
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Society must ensure that proper care is taken of human babies who are totally dependent on the care and protection of their parents for their existence. These helpless children can only convey their pain and discomfort through tears. To raise children from infancy to maturity is an immensely important task. I have said before that the members of society must advance in unison. The newborn babe is another traveller on the path. To adopt a child as our companion, as one included in the society, is called the “Játakarma” of the child." (1)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Those, who will be present on the occasion of the child’s Játakarma, must also indirectly have to bear the responsibility of bringing up the child. In other words it will not do to sit inactive saying that the direct responsibility in this connection is on its parents." (2)

Oath to protect all children

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Every person must realize the duty which he owes direct to the babe in his family, and on which depends the developments of the child in all spheres. This duty may be demanded from every person by every child of the world. Hence, thinking in favour of family babes only will not suffice. Even if it were not possible for particular persons to discharge properly the duties towards each and every child of the world owing to crude worldly reasons, they must always be conscious of their duties towards children within their acquaintance. The oath taken on the occasion of Játakarma will reawaken the sense of that duty again and again. Any grown-up person or any father shall not forget his duty when he has once looked at the helpless face of the child. It does not end here.” (3)

Part of Brahma sadhana to serve children

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “In pursuance of the mantra of Játakarma in Ánanda Márga, a child has not simply been regarded as a child only but also a manifestation of Brahma in the child. So, serving the child, shall be a part of Sádhaná (Brahma-Sádhaná) to him. The credit for his services to the child will not create pride in him. The same feeling will recur in mind when the child is bathed with water consecrated with the mantra. The persons taking part in the function will think anew that the child is once again being bathed with their blessings and that they must take fatherly responsibility of the child." (4)

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How Can I Protect My Child From Sexual Assault?

~ Courtesy of RAINN ~

Sexual abuse can happen to children of any race, socioeconomic group, religion or culture. There is no foolproof way to protect children from sexual abuse, but there are steps you can take to reduce this risk. If something happens to your child, remember that the perpetrator is to blame—not you and especially not the child. Below you’ll find some precautions you can take to help protect the children in your life.

If your child is in immediate danger, don’t hesitate to call the local police hotline or authorities. If you aren’t sure of the situation but you suspect the child is being harmed, you can take steps to gauge the situation and put an end to the abuse.


Be involved in the child’s life

Being actively involved in a child’s life can make warning signs of child sexual abuse more obvious and help the child feel more comfortable coming to you if something isn’t right. If you see or hear something that causes concern, you can take action to protect your child.

• Show interest in their day-to-day lives. Ask them what they did during the day and who they did it with. Who did they sit with at lunchtime? What games did they play after school?

• Get to know the people in your child’s life. Know who your child is spending time with, including other children and adults. Ask your child about the kids they go to school with, the parents of their friends, and other people they may encounter, such as teammates or coaches. Talk about these people openly and ask questions so that your child can feel comfortable doing the same.

• Choose caregivers carefully. Whether it’s a babysitter, a new school, or an afterschool activity, be diligent about screening caregivers for your child.

• Talk about the media. Incidents of sexual violence are frequently covered by the news and portrayed in television shows. Ask your child questions about this coverage to start a conversation. Questions like, “Have you ever heard of this happening before?” or “What would you do if you were in this situation?” can signal to your child that these are important issues that they can talk about with you. Learn more about talking to your kids about sexual assault.

• Know the warning signs. Become familiar with the warning signs of child sexual abuse, and notice any changes with your child, no matter how small. Whether it’s happening to your child or a child you know, you have the potential to make a big difference in that person’s life by stepping in. (Courtesy of RAINN)

Encourage children to speak up

When someone knows that their voice will be heard and taken seriously, it gives them the courage to speak up when something isn’t right. You can start having these conversations with your children as soon as they begin using words to talk about feelings or emotions. Don’t worry if you haven't started conversations around these topics with your child—it is never too late.

• Teach your child about boundaries. Let your child know that no one has the right to touch them or make them feel uncomfortable — this includes hugs from grandparents or even tickling from mom or dad. It is important to let your child know that their body is their own. Just as importantly, remind your child that they do not have the right to touch someone else if that person does not want to be touched.

• Teach your child how to talk about their bodies. From an early age, teach your child the names of their body parts. [One can use discreet terminology for certain body parts and organs like “private parts”, “backside”, “front”, “top”, “bottom” etc. Of course for arm, foot, hand and mouth one may use the exact term. For teens one may use terms like “reproductive organs” and “mammary glands”]. Teaching a child these words gives them the ability to come to you when something is wrong. Learn more about talking to children about sexual assault.

• Be available. Set time aside to spend with your child where they have your undivided attention. Let your child know that they can come to you if they have questions or if someone is talking to them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. If they do come to you with questions or concerns, follow through on your word and make the time to talk.

• Let them know they won’t get in trouble. Many perpetrators use secret-keeping or threats as a way of keeping children quiet about abuse. Remind your child frequently that they will not get in trouble for talking to you, no matter what they need to say. When they do come to you, follow through on this promise and avoid punishing them for speaking up.

• Give them the chance to raise new topics. Sometimes asking direct questions like, “Did you have fun?” and “Was it a good time?” won’t give you the answers you need. Give your child a chance to bring up their own concerns or ideas by asking open-ended questions like “Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?” (Courtesy of RAINN)

in Him,
Liila
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


References
1. A Few Problems Solved - 6, The Spirit of Society
2. Táttvika Diipiká (Caturtha Parva)
3. Táttvika Diipiká (Caturtha Parva)
4. Táttvika Diipiká (Caturtha Parva)

*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section: Important Teaching ==

How the west misunderstood psychology

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "According to general belief, psychology is a part of general science, and should therefore not be included as a part of philosophy. Thus psychology has been accepted as a branch of science in the West. But in A'nanda Ma'rga, psychology has been included as a part of philosophy. Moreover, according to A'nanda Ma'rga the scope of psychology is wider than what is usually accepted by psychologists." (1)

Note: Often we find in the west that psychology is taken as an intellectually dry subject, or some utopian idea, or something that does not have a link with our higher Self. Universities commonly categorise psychology as one of the social sciences. This started primarily because the western approach to psychology is dry - i.e. aspiritual. It does not have any link with the Supreme Entity. In true sense, the western approach towards psychology lacks sweetness and spiritual feeling. Perhaps that explains why we find that many western psychologists lead imbalanced lives.

In contrast, Baba's teachings in His book "Yoga Psychology" are completely different. This subject is not a purely intellectual study, but a practical approach that is deeply connected with spiritual life. So it is our duty to remove the confusion in the minds of non-margiis about the subject of "psychology" and give it its rightful place.

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4, Our Philosophical Treatise

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Those who don’t chew their food

Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments states, "In order to digest starches and carbohydrates, the saliva of the mouth must help at the preliminary stage. Chewing food brings an adequate quantity of saliva into the mouth. No sooner does the food mixed with saliva enter the stomach than the liver and the pancreas are enabled to start secreting their bile and digestive fluids. So unless food is chewed well, the liver can never function properly." (1)

Note: In the fast-paced life of this 21st century, people no longer give themselves proper time to attend to their basic life duties, such as eating food. Instead people just rush off from one appointment to another and "grab a bite to eat" along the way. In their hectic pace, instead of chewing their food properly they just take a bite or two and swallow it. Or they nearly inhale their meal, without chewing it at all. As Baba warns us, this way of "eating" is terribly hazardous to the health and invites many diseases.

Reference
1. Yogic Treatments, p.1

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

My PC with Baba: I had no shoes

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/09/baba-story-going-to-see-my-guru.html

Untold history of Sri Lanka

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/08/test.html

Dulce historia de rendición

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2025/02/dulce-historia-de-rendicion-ps-3811.html

Baba story: how I became sick

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/09/baba-story-promotion-assignment-sickness.html

Selecting a song: express your bhakti

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2018/05/choosing-ps-3-more.html

Blissful days of 1970

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2023/08/those-early-days-4-more.html

Blissful days of 1970 + 4 more

Baba

Blissful days of 1970

Namaskar,

Those days, in 1970 at the Piskamor Central Office of Ananda Marga, bhaktas used to do special kiirtan. Kiirtan itself had just recently been introduced, and this is the story of those blessed occasions.

Baba's cot was placed in the lawn of the Central office, especially in the evening hours. This cot was in the middle of a small, grass circle that had a radius of only 3 feet. The outer band of that grass circle was a section of flowers, 1 ft in width....
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Swing of kiirtan bliss

...And then Wts and margiis were dancing around Him singing kiirtan. The cot itself was placed directly on the ground; there wasn't any dais. And we were also dancing directly on the ground. So we were all on the same level, and Baba was sitting in the nucleus - on that cot - just three feet away from the periphery. He was so very close. He was looking so divine and we were moving closely around Him chanting kiirtana.

All the bhaktas were ecstatically dancing around Baba while He was graciously sitting in lalita mudra. Baba's cot was in the nucleus and we were all making a circle around the Him, singing Baba Nam Kevalam.

The whole scene was blissful and charged with an intimate feeling. It was completely His grace. There was an unparalleled spiritual vibration that Baba created where all were floating in bliss. Those present had very rare and unique spiritual experiences. With that vibration, everything in the surrounding atmosphere was blissful. That was because of His divine grace.

So those were really special days. Even now when I think about that exquisite scene then I feel goosebumps all over my body and a strong pull of bhakti in my heart. The memories bring on one spiritual surge.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Inside kiirtana circle sitting in lalita mudra

The whole flow of that kiirtan was so charming. Baba was in lalita mudra - sitting with one leg crossed over the other with His one knee just a little bit raised above the other leg. So that one knee was about 2 feet above the cot and Baba had both His hands on His knee. All the time looking so very lovely.

Many may also remember how in DMC Baba used to also sit in that mudra. And when sitting in that pose during those kiirtan sessions, then always Baba had a very calm and divine look on His face. Just He was sitting there quietly, closing His eyes. Indeed He looked so divine in that pose and during those kiirtan sessions the whole environment was saturated with His divine love.

Now when I think about that charm, then I can feel as if some heaven descended on the Earth. Thinking about this gives a surge of vibration even now.


Reporting with Baba

Side by side, many charming Ananda Marga reporting sessions were also going on at His Piskamor office those days. And while on the outside in a superficial way it was looking like Baba was engaged in feigned anger, but all along everyone present felt His divine sweetness. We felt that everything was going on was just His grace.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Because those days Baba was giving huge pressure for work. And the air was electrified with His divine grace. Because even though His loving scolding was going on, internally everyone was feeling blissful and that their burdens of samskaras had been removed. Full feeling of freshness was there. So it was just His grace.

But on the outside it was looking very strict and serious. Because Baba was giving huge work targets - like doing pracar in several thousand villages in just one week's time. Yet side by side pressure was given to satisfy those demands. And when Baba was taking report and seeing that all the work was not completed then all sorts of liilas were done.

That time Baba was playing His liila with us. And Baba would order us to go on doing 10,000 times - tik-tik. This was all His loving drama. And all the bhaktas were enjoying and fulfilling their quota by doing one tik-tik & counting out 50 or 100. And by this way, their number would reach to 1000, 2000, and some 3000 etc. Baba being the Parama Purusa knew exactly what was going on in others mind.


Blissful spiritual flow

Because at the time while all this was going on, then each then every sadhaka could feel divine love radiating in their heart - even though on the outside He was feigning a tough demeanor, but inside it was ever-blissful.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

And later on, by His grace, we realised that by giving us huge pressure of work, Baba was actually goading our minds unto the path of beatitude. Because this world is full of allurements, and it is so easy for the mind to go astray. But when everyone had huge work demands on their head, then there was no scope to get caught up in the negative ways of maya. Rather by paying heed to Baba's pressure for work and concentrating in that way, then the mind remained in a completely positive stance. Always thinking and planning to do more and more selfless service for humanity. Those work demands were not easy to complete, yet that was Baba's special way of watching for our welfare. Because that pressure forced us to keep our minds focused in His direction. So it is His blessing.

So all along, those days in the Piskamor office all were ensconced in His blissful flow. Everyone felt cared for and loved. His grace was tangibly felt by one and all - such that their whole body was feeling light and energized. Or bhaktas were feeling His grace by singing kiirtan. So in all the ways being in Baba's presence meant being ensconced in the blissful showering of His causeless grace.


All come here for a short span

Here are some Sadgurus guidelines that are highly related with the special, unique ways of Baba, the Sadguru.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Only to love is not the work of the Guru. One who only loves you is your enemy, and one who only punishes you is also your enemy. But the one who both loves and punishes in a balanced way is the real Guru." (1)

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (2)

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Nigraha'nugrahe shakto guruityabhidhiiyate-- 'the guru must possess the capacity both to punish and to love, or bless, his disciples'. Punishment alone without love is not good. Love and punishment should go together, and the degree of punishment should never exceed the degree of love. Then only can one be called a real spiritual guru." (3)

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, ”So you should always remember that you have come here for a very short span. It is just like a waiting room of a railway station. You remain there for a short period and when the train comes, you leave the waiting room. This world is just like that waiting room. You are to remain here for a very short span. You should always remember this fact – “I have come here for a short span and I won’t remain here for a very long period. My home is elsewhere. I am just like a tourist.” You should always remember this fact. And as a universal tourist, you, while leaving for your permanent home, will not require a passport.” (4)

Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Prabhakar

~ In-depth study ~

Parama Purusa is eternally linked with one and all.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Now, the entity by whose grace one comes into contact with sat (sat, the non-changeable entity, the non-changeable stance, the non-changeable nuclear entity around which so many electrons move) - that entity, or rather, that framework through which Parama Purus'a is working or Ta'raka Brahma is functioning, is the Sadguru, `Sadgurum' tvam' nama'mi' - `I do my namah before You, at Your altar'." (5)

Baba's office in Piskamor Ranchi was in one rented house approximately half a kilometer from the old jagrti.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

And as most know, tik tik is a code word & the full meaning is to catch both your ear lobes (lower part) with your opposite hand and sit down and stand up and sit down and stand up.


References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 18, The Cult of Spirituality
2. Caryacarya - 2, Society, Point #39c
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 21, The Criteria of a Guru
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam, Puńya All Twenty-Four Hours
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam part 3, Sadguruḿ Taḿ Namámi

Plagiary?

It is the accepted international standard and Baba's system not to copy another's work and publish it in your own way. Baba has given a very strict rule on plagiarism. Why is Baba against plagiarism or stealing someone's work? There are many reasons:

1) It is against the code of asteya (non-stealing).

2) Countless stories of bhaktas need to be published. But some do not want to do the hard work of compiling and writing these stories, so they just steal them from others. But new stories need to be told, otherwise so many unpublished stories of sadhakas will be lost and forgotten forever. So watch out for story thieves, and kindly help them not to steal by posting on social media in their own way. If you want to forward this story then attach the following yellow section with the story: 

“Courtesy of unknown bhakta via Ananda Marga Universal (https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/)”

This will be treated as the standard protocol.

*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.They stands on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Marching & singing

"Bandhu a'ma'r eso go pra'n'e..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0275)

Purport:

O' my dearmost Baba, please come into my heart. The whole universe is ensconced in Your divine flow. Now the sky is full of beautiful poems; and, the moon cannot control its smile. Indeed, the moon's smile brings blissful dreams. Baba, this entire universe is radiating with Your divine love.

Baba, how unique and exquisite Your love is. It awakens ever-new rhythms in my heart. O’ my dearmost Baba, when You have already been caught then why do You continue to hide. Why are You playing this liila with me. Baba, please look towards me in Your sweet and loving way.

Baba, by Your grace I will always move ahead on Your path. I will entertain Your mind in all kinds of ways. Baba, due to Your blissful presence, my mind is divinely intoxicated, and it has lost all its fear-- those fears are entirely gone, vanished. Only Your sweet love remains. Baba, with full surrender I will go on marching ahead singing Your love songs.
   
Baba, I love You; please come into my heart in a still more intimate and charming way...      

== Section: Important Teaching ==

New name given to cajole others to follow old dogma

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Should one dogma be replaced by another dogma of the same order or of another order? Should a dogma of a positive order be replaced by a dogma of a positive order or by a dogma of a negative order? A dogma is an illogical, irrational sentiment. All dogma must be replaced by non-dogma.” (1)

Some dogmatic people don’t want to be treated as dogmatic so they resort to hypocrisy. Here is what they do: They follow their same old dogma but give it a new name. Such persons are cowards. They know what they are doing is dogma, so they change the name of that particular dogma.

One classic example of this is how they changed the name of mahaprayan (MPD). When MPD lost its charm and was placed on its deathbed, they came up with a new name for their dogma: Kiirtana programme. That is the new name they gave to MPD dogma.

So this is they are doing: Changing mahaprayan divas to “Kiirtana programme”. Ultimately, they are treating it as MPD but they are cajoling others to come for kiirtana.

Reference
1.  Prout in a Nutshell - 16, Religious Dogma – Excerpt B

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Pollution, not something mystical

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "If peoples blind attachment to sacrificial rituals and love for outmoded customs are intense, they will not disappear when confronted with logical arguments or shaken by the first jolt caused by psychic clash. But if one can create a suitable environment of constant psychic clash their blind attachments are bound to disappear. Some people believe that the fragrance of the sacrificial smoke purifies the air and kills germs. This is not true. On the contrary, the increase in the amount of carbon particles makes the air more impure. A highly pungent smell is much more effective in destroying germs. Thus, due to the impact of constant psychic clash, people eventually understand the defects of old systems and ideas." (1)

Some have taken to the practice of lighting incense when doing meditation or in other gatherings etc. They do so under the dogmatic belief that it will make the air cleaner and the room more sentient. But nothing could be further from the truth. In His above teaching Baba clearly guides us that the burning of incense increases the level of carbon dioxide and pollutes the air. So there is not an iota of truth to the notion that incense cleans the air. That is just a dogma of religious ritualism. Everyone should be aware about this.

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 8, Struggle and Progress

== Section: Important Teaching ==

15,000 years: Oldest book

Baba says, "Although the Rgveda is mainly concerned with hymns, it also contains various tales and anecdotes. While not all of these stories and tales carry equal spiritual value, they are representative of the cultural heritage of those ancient humans. They paint a portrait of the gradual advancement of human thinking and the structure of society. When considered from this point of view, the language, literature and expression of the Rgveda is of special value to the world." (1)

Ananda Marga ideology states, “We can roughly say that civilization first started sprouting after the prehistoric age of the human race, that is, from the days of the first composition of the Rk Veda, about  15,000 years ago. A major change took place during the days of Lord Shiva towards the end of the Rk Vedian period (which lasted 10,000 years). (2)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika-2, Rk to Rkśa (Discourse 11)
2. AV-8, Sadvipra, Táraka Brahma, Sadáshiva and Shrii Krśńa

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

Spring festival & colour festival

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/03/guru-puja-is-colour-festival.html

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/06/colour-sadhana.html

Secret to elderly behaviour

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/05/old-age-exposes-true-colour-3-more.html

Clave de la excelencia espiritual

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2025/03/clave-de-la-excelencia-espiritual-ps.html
  

Way to boost dhyana

Baba

Way to boost dhyana

Namaskar,

We have all heard and read about how Ananda Marga ideology says that we are to “sit on the lap of Parama Purusa.”

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "One is sure to reach one’s destination. And what is the destination? To merge into Parama Purus'a, to sit on His Lap." (1)


What is the meaning of 'sitting on the lap'?

Here are a few important points to note:
1) A sadhaka attains salvation by sincere dhyana, i.e. exclusively by His causeless grace. In proper dhya'na, SadGuru is gracing the sadhaka.
2) From the human perspective, all we can do is dhyana and ask for His grace.
3) With first lesson one can only get mukti (liberation) through savikalapa samadhi; whereas, by dhyana one can attain moksa (salvation) through nirvikalpa samadhi.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Various stages & degrees of dhyana: part 1

Most understand that the practice of 6th lesson is not easy: It demands sincere and proper effort, and, most importantly, His grace. Without bhakti, all those steps in dhyana are mechanical, or may even seem to be fruitless. Depending on one's inner, spiritual feeling and quality of mind, there are various phases one may undergo in dhyana.

First, if one's mind is down and one is not feeling an inner link with Parama Purusa, then that sadhaka will not even like to practice dhyana. Rather, sixth lesson will seem boring or mechanical, and one may just do it for one minute at the end of sadhana, or even not at all. And,  in that condition, they will not even like to talk about Parama Purus'a in a more intimate manner.

Think of it this way: When one loves their own child then they will always be thinking about the welfare of that infant, and they will always discuss their darling baby with their friends and family members. So in the next phase of dhyana, when one feels more spiritual love towards Parama Purusa, then one gets the idea that, “I should talk to Him and do something for Him.” In that flow, when doing dhyana, one tries to serve and please Him. Yet even in this stage, He may come and go in the mind, and one might find it difficult to concentrate. In spite of that, if a sadhaka goes on practicing and struggling in dhyana, and asking for His grace, then that will invariably lead one towards the next tier in dhyana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Various stages & degrees of dhyana: part 2

When by His grace one feels immersed in Parama Purus'a and harbours a deep yearning to get Him, then one will like to practice dhyana more and more. The sadhaka will feel a strong inner urge and spiritual pull. When this feeling reaches its climax and culmination, then by constantly thinking about Him and Him alone, and using one's dhyana mantra and calling His name, a unique moment arrives when the sadhaka forgets oneself, by His grace. That is the stage of losing one's identity wherein one's mind remains fully ensconced in Him.

This is the cherished state. It may continue such that one will not even realise that the time is going by, until at some stage one may again gain their unit awareness. However, at the end of one's life, after finishing their worldly duties, a deserving sadhaka gets the special grace of Parama Purusa and leaves their body and becomes one with Him. In that case, they do not come back or take rebirth. Whereas, when experiencing this high state in dhyana, one does come back into their unit existence after sadhana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Here it should be added, that these above realisations in dhyana are essential for understanding the meaning of the phrase, “sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa.”


Divine pull

This all leads to the real meaning of “sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa” and how intense dhyana is an essential requisite. The phrase, “sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa”, is characterised by one's strong urge of wanting to become one with Him. The notion of “sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa” parallels the idea of “merging into Parama Purusa.” These two phrases express the same concept: A sadhaka fully absorbed in dhyana, wherein the mind actually loses its own unit identity due to great prema and bhakti for Him.

Initially, a sadhaka feels bhakti for Parama Purusa and one feels separate from Him. And then, as that love mounts more and more, a certain moment may come when one completely loses their individual identity and becomes one with Parama Purusa. When, by His grace, the loving attraction and divine pull towards Parama Purus'a becomes so great that one forgets their own existence in the pursuit of getting Him, then one is “sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa” . Therefore, “sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa”  and 'merging in Him' mean the same thing; the only difference being, the first is a personal expression, whereas the latter is more philosophical.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "One is sure to reach one’s destination. And what is the destination? To merge into Parama Purus'a, to sit on His Lap." (2)

In more technical language, when one loses their own individual existence in Cosmic Self, then this is nirvakalpa samadhi. That is also the meaning behind the phrase, “sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa” , i.e. becoming one with Him. And this merging only happens in dhyana, when by His grace, one calls Him and yearns for Him with such spiritual longing that one loses their own unit identity.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Conclusion

Sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa occurs only at the zenith point of one's dhyana practice. And it refers to that high stage of dhyana wherein one has forgotten their own unit existence and become fully absorbed in Him.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "What a good man should do, what an intelligent man is to do, what a spiritual aspirant to do, is always to remember his loving Father. And this is what meditation is. Why should he always remember his loving Father? Because he will have to keep in the closest psychic and spiritual touch with the Supreme, because He is the Supreme abode of all. And finally one will have to sit on His lap. That is the final Desideratum." (3)

Without proper anudhyana, the mind will remain hungry, dry, and unfulfilled, devoid of any feeling of peace.

Namaskar,
At His lotus feet,
Ananda

~ In-depth study ~

Cultivating that stage in dhyana

In day to day worldly life, we generally achieve something by the following stepwise process. First an idea comes in the mind, then one develops the desire of having or achieving that, and finally one gets that object or outcome. Similar is the case in dhyana. First the idea comes to think about Parama Purus'a; then one feels a strong urge to get Parama Purus'a; and then by His grace after continued effort one receives Him in dhyana. Then one has truly fallen in love with Parama Purus'a and it is in that depth of bhakti that one may lose their own existence while doing dhyana. This happens by His grace and by the constant effort of wanting to merge in Him.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

It is everyone’s birthright to become one with Him: To shed ourselves of all unit qualities and merge with His divine Self.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Each and every entity has the right to move towards Him, and to be one with Him. And when the mind becomes one with Him, the mirror is lost. There cannot be any more reflection. There cannot be any more Jiiva'tma'. Jiiva becomes one with Shiva. “Pa'sha baddha bhavet jiiva, pa'shmukta bhavet Shiva” – Jiiva will become one with Shiva. This is the human goal. This is the Desideratum." (4)


Making dhyana successful

Here we have to understand that doing dhyana is a difficult process and we should furthermore understand why it is difficult.

Being human, we have all come from animal life and to some or more degree we all cultivate animalistic desires. The more prevalent these desires are, the more they prevent us from moving towards Him in dhyana. That is why doing sadhana can seem like an uphill task. Even then the goal of life is to realise Him in our sadhana, and for that reason we must continue and persevere in this endeavor. Otherwise one will just be stuck on the treadmill -- an endless cycle of life and death. Indeed the illusion of maya keeps us in the dark and makes us unaware of the divine truth. The only way to escape this cycle is to go close to Parama Purusa. This earth is not our permanent abode - our ultimate destiny is to realise Him.

And on the very practical level, if our dhyana is not good, then we have to sincerely ask ourselves if in our daily routine we are practicing shravan, manan, niddhidhyasana. For only with the support of these practices can dhyana be done.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

So as sadhakas, the main thing we should remember is to cultivate more and more bhakti. In its broadest sense, dhyana is the culmination of all one's activities. So we are to remember Him always from morning till night, singing His name, listening to His discourses, serving His creation, and doing His sadhana. Plus, we should always request Him to grace us with a higher degree of bhakti. Then, with His divine compassion, one’s quest in dhyana will become successful.

Otherwise, if we live our lives in a mundane way and just think by closing our eyes for a few minutes in the morning and evening that magically we will get Him in dhyana, our practice will not be fruitful.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Dhya'na is withdrawing the mental propensities from all extroversive entities, and then collecting those withdrawn mental forces, mental propensities, and urging them towards the Supreme Entity. If there is no love for the Supreme Entity, this movement cannot be done. Where there is no love, the mind will not run after Him. So dhya'na also becomes meaningless." (5)

So love is an essential requisite for true dhyana, and that bhakti gets cultivated by thinking more and more about Him, by including Him in all our thoughts and movements through the day. Then bhakti heightens, and by His grace dhyana becomes successful.


Our Sadguru's mandate

Some in the Marga may not yet have all their sadhana lessons, yet Baba says not to delay. According to SadGuru, every sadhaka should practice sincerely and get all their sadhana lessons as quickly as they can.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya guides us, "Human life is short. It is wise to get all the instructions regarding sa'dhana' as soon as possible." (6)

So every Ananda Marga sadhaka should get all their lessons, including dhyana, as quickly as possible. Every sadhaka then should be sure to consult an acarya about this and make proper arrangements to get their remaining lessons. Because it is only in dhyana that one can realise what it means to sit on the lap of Parama Purusa and become one with Him.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Baba has blessed us by bringing us on that path of tantra sadhana and filling our hearts with innate bhakti. By this way, we are sure to sit on His lap and become one with Him. That is our birthright and our destiny.


Immediately arranges to impart lessons

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Whenever anyone develops an intense desire to merge in Him, Parama Purus'a immediately arranges to impart lessons how to move towards Him, how to merge in Him." (7)

Ananda Marga ideology says, "One who loves Him will merge in Him, will become one with Him." (8)

To understand the inner meaning and true import, one must be a sadhaka of dhya'na and have a high intensity of bhakti for Parama Purusa. This Baba also says. Otherwise it is just an empty show or play of words to say, “sit on the lap of Parama Purusa.” So this letter is only geared towards those who are pointed practitioners of dhyana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

The idea being, without one's sincere practice of sixth lesson, the phrase 'sit on the lap of Parama Purusa', will remain misunderstood, if not a mystery. That is why some wrongly conclude that the phrase, 'sit on the lap of Parama Purusa', is only related with the mantra from our Ananda Marga shraddha ceremony or that it only could happen in PC with Baba. They do not realise how it is also related with dhyana. They do not understand that one can sit on Baba's lap in sadhana. On the whole though, there are countless sadhakas who are quite familiar with the inner idea and true import of sitting on Baba's lap in dhyana and in personal contact.

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 22, Kiirtana – the Panacea for All Afflictions
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 22, Kiirtana – the Panacea for All Afflictions
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, He Knows His Duty
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Jiivátmá and Pratyagátmá
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 1, Who Is Gopa?
6. Caryacarya - 2, 'Sadhana'
7. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, Supramundane Heritage and Supramundane Desideratum
8. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, Devotion and the Realm of Intellectuality

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