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Showing posts with label ASANAS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ASANAS. Show all posts

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Science of essential AM practice + 3 more

Baba
Science of essential AM practice

Namaskar,

Astaunga yoga - the eight-limbs of yoga - includes yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi. When my own asana practice became disturbed, I sought out one Dada as I did not want to be deficient in any way. At the earliest opportunity, I asked a different Wt, i.e. rector Dada, to review my asanas. He was very busy arranging things related with the master unit. When he inquired about my problem, I told him that earlier I did not have any serious problem. But when I started doing the asanas assigned to me by one Dada, then I began to experience various issues.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Some wts do not study Baba's books 


I related what happened when I had visited Ananda Nagar. I requested Dada to prescribe some asanas for me, then in a distracted manner he told some asanas while I was walking along with him. Since practicing those asanas, my situation worsened.

After listening to this, my rector Dada told that, "You have to understand the basic condition of our workers, WTs. Because of organizational work pressure, everyone in the Ananda Marga Wt cadre is busy. Consequently, some do not sufficiently study Baba's books nor the Ananda Marga acarya diary; while others do not have proper knowledge about asanas and their positive and negative effects. In that case, some do not know which asana is related with which disease, while some other workers certainly know. If you find a Wt who is knowledgeable, then that is very good - learn from them. Otherwise, refer to Baba's books [as explained below] because getting improper guidelines from an unqualified worker could be harmful." 

Here are more of the topics and key points that Rector Dada conveyed to me that day.

Asanas are a tested and proven science. They should be prescribed very carefully, only after proper analysis and inquiry regarding the practitioner's physical and psychic diseases or problems. Asanas are not just free-hand exercises. Asanas are deeply healing postures of comfort that are related with various glands and subglands.

Sadguru Baba has revealed a completely new science. In the past, various yogiis were doing asanas, but they were not aware about the serious consequences. And they did not know the way asanas link with various propensities. In His discourse "Glands and Sub-glands", Baba has revealed the secret.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "This is a new science which is unknown today." (1)

Baba has given the science in His Ananda Marga teachings how asanas affect various cakras and their related glands and subglands.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Proper system should be followed


Asanas should not be learned or practiced in a haphazard way. If anybody does asanas without proper awareness, those asanas can cause serious harm or create more diseases: Physical, as well as psychic. To avoid this situation, better is to follow Baba's direct teaching.

In the asana book, it says that margiis should consult with acaryas. Then how can margiis decide their own asanas with the help of the books only? The answer is simple: Yogic Treatments book.

In that text, various diseases and their respective asanas have been detailed. One should carefully read about their health problem. The recommended asanas for that problem should be practiced carefully and diligently, otherwise there is the possibility of causing harm.

One should consult Yogic Treatments


Here is more of what Dadaji and I discussed that day.

Dada confided in me, "You see my situation. I am extremely busy in my master unit work. If any asthma patient or heart disease patient asks me about asanas, what can I tell them? And if I give them the wrong asana, that will be very bad. So for the sake of safety and welfare for others, I suggest that everybody should read the Yogic Treatments (Yoga Cikitsa), and follow the guideline. In that way they should decide upon and practice their asana. That is a very safe method."

Then I replied, "Dadaji earlier nobody ever told me this in such a clearcut way."

Dada replied, "On this very point, what can I say? I know my own shortcomings. I do not have any hesitation to accept them. Due to extreme pressure of work, some WTs do not have time to study all those huge teachings of various diseases and their remedies and asanas. So those concerned persons should decide. That is why Baba has written this book. Otherwise, what for?"
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Better than wrong guidelines from uninformed acarya


   Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments states, "The object of the art of healing is to cure a patient, both physically and mentally. So the main question is not to uphold any particular school of medical science; rather, the key task is the welfare of the patient."
   "Just as diseased body organs can be restored to normal by administering medicines internally or externally, they can also be healed, more safely and more perfectly, with the help of yogic ásanas and mudrás. The aim of this book, therefore, is to make the general public aware of the yogic methods of treating the various illnesses.
   "My purpose is to let people cure themselves by practising the ásanas and mudrás described in this book. People are requested not to take the risk of practising ásanas and mudrás by themselves, but rather to do so under the guidance of an experienced ácárya [spiritual teacher]. Ananda Marga ácáryas will always be ready to help without any remuneration. Detailed instructions for practising the ásanas and mudrás, for bathing, etc. have been given in Part Three of Ananda Marga Caryácarya. If necessary, the reader may consult that book." (2)

Dadaji added, "In normal times - when all acaryas are up to the mark in all respects, then getting acarya consultation on asanas from a Wt is best. That is Baba's guideline. But in this era, if a proper acarya is not nearby, then one can adjust and learn directly from Baba's above books, i.e. Caryacarya - 3 and Yogic Treatments. That will suffice - that is better than getting improper guidelines from an acarya without the requisite knowledge. However, if one is very new to Ananda Marga tantra yoga, they should refrain from learning on their own. Then they should wait to in contact with a wt or practicing margii."

Some warnings about asanas


In the last Dada warned, "Be careful. If asanas are done correctly then that is very good and highly beneficial. But if they are done incorrectly, they are very harmful. If you need help with a particular asana ask your bhukti pradhan, unit secretary, or any Wt or senior margii who has a keen understanding of that particular asana. One of the tragedies nowadays, when yoga has become so popular around the world, is that many are practicing without following the do's and don'ts such as proper diet, correct form, or wrong asana entirely, and in result they hurt and harm themselves."
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

After that he showed me Baba's discourse, "Glands and Sub-glands", where Baba has revealed the operative aspect behind the science of yoga asanas. Some asanas give pressure on the glands and then the secretion of hormones increases. And that affects the body and mind. Whereas other asanas have a depressurizing effect on other respective glands. That functions in the opposite manner. Some asanas work in one direction, and then other asanas work in the opposite direction.

And Baba also especially warned, that in various diseases certain asanas are prohibited. Like, in high blood pressure, sarvangasana (shoulderstand) is very harmful. Similarly, in the case of heart patients, salabasana is very bad. There is a long list of such conditions. So the best is to consult Yogic Treatments book. That is the safest way.

At His feet,
Acintya

Note: The "I" in the above account refers to our dear margii brother Ram Prasadji. He is the one who spoke to rector master dada about asanas. I have merely noted down the points and recounted the scene so others could read what happened. Thus the "I" does not refer to me (Acintya), the "I" reflects brother Ram Prasadji.

Baba’s warning on asanas


First Baba gives this general warning about the proper practice of asanas: 

Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments states, "People are requested not to take the risk of practising ásanas and mudrás by themselves, but rather to do so under the guidance of an experienced ácárya [spiritual teacher]. Ananda Marga ácáryas will always be ready to help without any remuneration." (Yogic Treatments, Preface)

Here the point is that if asanas are not practiced properly then they can harm the patient / practitioner. And verily if you go carefully through the entire Yogic Treatments book, one will see that Baba gives the dos and don'ts of so many diseases and only the asanas which Baba prescribes will be beneficial. Other asanas will exacerbate the situation. 

Yogic Treatments states, "Remember that patients should practise no ásanas and mudrás other than Utkśepa Mudrá when the disease [heart disease] is critical. Only after some improvement in the disease should these ásanas and mudrás be practised. When patients are more or less cured, they should practice Karmásana instead of Padahastásana. The practice of vyápaka snána is also especially helpful in this disease." (3)
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Caryacarya states, "During menstruation, pregnancy and within one month of delivery, women must not practise ásanas or any other exercise." (4)

Acarya Diaries & asanas


#1: Then in the Acarya Diaries, Baba warns that the seated spine twist (matysendrasana) is harmful to sisters and warns that headstand is dangerous to all as it increases anger and puts too much pressure on the eyes. And verily there are numerous articles by non-margii medical experts about the harmful effects of headstands. 

#2: Here below are a few instances where Baba discusses the relationship between the practice of asanas and the onset of disease and / or health conditions. 

Caryacarya states, "Ásana” means “a position in which one feels comfortable” – “Sthirasukhamásanam.” Ásanas are a kind of exercise by regular practice of which the body stays healthy and hardy and many diseases are cured. But ásanas are not prescribed for the general cure of diseases; only those diseases which create trouble in the path of meditation may be cured by the help of specific ásanas, so that sádhaná may more easily be done." (5)

#3: As you know, many aspects of Guru's teachings have been given in seed form. In the future, there will be further exploration into how the misapplication of asanas leads to physical debility and disease. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


~ In-depth study ~

How asanas affect body & mind

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Cakra is a Sanskrit term while "plexus" is the Latin term. Besides the main nerve centres at the point of each cakra, there are also sub-centres where sub-glands are located. These sub-glands influence the propensities attached to each cakra. This science is largely unknown today." (6)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "By performing a'sanas regularly, human beings can control the propensities attached to each cakra, and hence the thoughts which arise in their minds and their behaviour. This is because a'sanas have a profound effect on the glands and sub-glands." (7)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "All a'sanas have either a pressurizing or depressurizing effect on the glands and sub-glands. For example, mayu'ra'sana [peacock posture] has a pressurizing effect on the man'ipura cakra. The secretions of the glands and sub-glands of the man'ipura cakra and the propensities associated with them will become more balanced if this a'sana is practised regularly." (8)

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "If someone has a great fear of public speaking, it means his or her man'ipura cakra is weak. Through the regular practice of mayu'ra'sana, this propensity will be controlled and fear will be eliminated." (9)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Other a'sanas may have a depressurizing effect on the man'ipura cakra, and if these a'sanas are performed regularly the glands and sub-glands associated with the cakra will become less active. Increased glandular secretions generally make the propensities more active and vice versa." (10)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "By practising a'sanas regularly, one can control the propensities and either increase or decrease their activity. So aspirants should select the a'sanas they perform very carefully. This effect of a'sanas on glands and sub-glands has never been revealed before." (11)

Asanas prescribed to make meditation easier


Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "“Ásana” means “a position in which one feels comfortable” – “Sthirasukhamásanam.” Ásanas are a kind of exercise by regular practice of which the body stays healthy and hardy and many diseases are cured. But ásanas are not prescribed for the general cure of diseases; only those diseases which create trouble in the path of meditation may be cured by the help of specific ásanas, so that sádhaná may more easily be done. The relation between the physical body and the mind is very close. Mental expression is brought about through the vrttis, and the predominance of the vrttis depends on different glands of the body. There are many glands in the body and from each there is a secretion of a particular hormone. If there is any defect in the secretion of hormones or any defect in a gland, certain vrttis become excited. For this reason, we find that in spite of having a sincere desire to follow the moral code, many persons cannot do so; they understand that they should do meditation, but they cannot concentrate their minds because their minds become extroverted due to the external excitement of this or that propensity. If a person wants to control the excitement of these propensities, he or she must rectify the defects of the glands. Ásanas help the sádhaka to a large extent in this task, so ásanas are an important part of sádhaná." (12)

Aśt́áuṋga Yoga into the curriculum in all grades


Ananda Marga ideology states, "Proper attention should be paid to the physical, psychic and spiritual development of small boys and girls. Just as they sit and study to develop their intellectual capabilities, they should also sit to do their spiritual practices with their parents. That is the way they will develop their spiritual practices. They should take diikśá [spiritual initiation] from an ácárya(á) [spiritual teacher] when they grow up. They should practice the lessons of sádhaná – japa, dhyána, ásana, práńáyáma, etc. – along with their regular academic lessons. All that is necessary for their trifarious development, and it must be perfectly balanced. One should remember that the absence of a proper balance will harm not only the individuals, but also the society as a whole." (13)

Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, "We must develop the physico-psychic aspect of students through proper physical culture, which will include yoga ásanas, proper diet, games, sports, etc. And to develop the psycho-spiritual aspect, we must reorient the entire curriculum of all schools from kindergarten to postgraduate level according to the Neohumanist philosophy, and must incorporate the practices of Aśt́áuṋga Yoga into the curriculum in all grades. This will be the practical approach. And the guiding philosophy, the controlling philosophy should be: “This universe is ours” – and “we” means humans, animals and plants." (14)

Can control the propensities


Ananda Marga philosophy states, "By performing ásanas [postures for physico-psychic well-being] regularly, human beings can control the propensities attached to each cakra, and hence the thoughts which arise in their minds and their behaviour. This is because ásanas have a profound effect on the glands and sub-glands. How? All ásanas have either a pressurizing or depressurizing effect on the glands and sub-glands. For example, mayúrásana [peacock posture] has a pressurizing effect on the mańipura cakra. The secretions of the glands and sub-glands of the mańipura cakra and the propensities associated with them will become more balanced if this ásana is practised regularly. If someone has a great fear of public speaking, it means his or her mańipura cakra is weak. Through the regular practice of mayúrásana, this propensity will be controlled and fear will be eliminated. Other ásanas may have a depressurizing effect on the mańipura cakra, and if these ásanas are performed regularly the glands and sub-glands associated with the cakra will become less active. Increased glandular secretions generally make the propensities more active and vice versa. By practising ásanas regularly, one can control the propensities and either increase or decrease their activity. So spiritual aspirants should select the ásanas they perform very carefully. This effect of ásanas on glands and sub-glands has never been revealed before." (15)

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Concentration is a major sádhaná, is a major intuitional sádhaná. But there are certain helping sádhanás. Ásana and práńáyáma, for example, are helping items. They are not sádhaná, they are called sádhanáunga." (16)

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "The indriyas are the controller of the body, the mind the controller of the indriyas, and the vital energy the controller of the mind. That's why on the path of spiritual practice, and particularly in the practice of astáunga yoga (the eight fold path consisting of yama, niyama, ásana, práńáyáma, pratyáhára, dhárańá, dhyána, and samádhi) práńáyáma plays a very significant role." (17)

Overall benefits of asanas


Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Question: What is the definition of ásanas?
Answer: Sthirasukham ásanam (Patanjali). Ásanas are calm, quiet and easy postures which are held with proper inhalation and exhalation. They exercise the nerves, tissues, glands and organs of the human body. While practising ásanas one enjoys physical comfort and mental composure.
The regular practice of ásanas keeps the body healthy and cures many diseases. Ásanas control the glands, the glands control the secretion of hormones, and the secretion of hormones controls the propensities. So ásanas help a sádhaka [spiritual aspirant] to balance the body and concentrate the mind." (18)

Ananda Marga philosophy says,  "Question: Why do we practise ásanas?
Answer: We perform ásanas for the following reasons:
  • To increase the flexibility of the body.
  • To rectify glandular defects and balance hormonal secretions in order to control the vrttis [propensities].
  • To balance the body and mind.
  • To withdraw the mind from undesirable thinking.
  • To prepare the mind for subtler and higher sádhaná [spiritual practices]." (19)

How asanas are named


Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Question: How do we name ásanas?
Answer: We name ásanas as follows:
(1) Some ásanas are similar to animal movements so they are named after those animals; for example, matsyamudrá [fish posture], garud́ásana [bird posture], etc.
(2) Some ásanas have the characteristics of animal structures, so they are also named after those animals; for example, kúrmakásana [tortoise posture], etc.
(3) Some ásanas are named by the qualities of the ásana; for example, sarváungásana [shoulder stand; literally “all-limbs posture”]. The entire body is benefited by this ásana." (20)

Ananda Marga philosophy states,  "Question: How many types of ásanas are there?
Answer: There are mainly two types of ásanas: svásthyásanas and dhyánásanas. Svásthyásanas are practised primarily for physical health and secondarily for spiritual elevation. Dhyánásanas are practised primarily for concentration of mind and meditation. Dhyánásanas include padmásana [lotus posture], baddha padmásana [bound-lotus posture], siddhásana [siddha posture, the posture of a perfected one] and viirásana [hero posture]." (21)

Ananda Marga philosophy states,  "Question: What is the difference between sarváungásana and vipariitakaranii mudrá?
Answer: While practising sarváuṋgásana the mind is fixed at the point between the tip of the two big toes, whereas in vipariitakaranii mudrá the mind is fixed at the tip of the nose or at the navel." (22)

About mudras & more


Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Question: What are mudrás, bandhas and vedhas?
Answer: Mudrás are postures which exercise the nerves and muscles. Mudrá literally means “externalization of internal bháva [ideation]”. There are only a few spiritual mudrás where the internal ideation is not externalized. The practitioner of mudrá may or may not enjoy physical comfort and mental composure. During the practice of mudrás one has to continue one's conscious endeavour to remain in that posture, but in the case of ásanas one need not." (23)

Ananda Marga ideology states, "The Paincakośas shall have to be perfected, but how is it possible? They can be consummated only through the practice of Yama and Niyama. The Annamaya Kośa is perfected through Ásanas (physical postures). Yama and Niyama Sádhana perfect the Kámamaya Kośa. The Manomaya Kośa is perfected through Pránáyáma. Through Pratyáhára the Atimánasa Kośa is perfected." (24)

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "After this, at the age of twelve, the child should take initiation from an ácárya/á in Sádhárańa Yoga, and at sixteen or afterwards, they should take initiation in Sahaja Yoga from the ácárya/á. If considered essential, ásanas may be taught before the age of sixteen." (25)


Here are pertinent links: 

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/magazine/how-yoga-can-wreck-your-body.html


https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/endocrinology/news/association-of-yoga-exercises-and-vertebral-compression-fractures/mac-20439187

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6664709/


References
1. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
2. Yogic Treatments, Preface
3. Yogic Treatments, Heart Disease
4. Caryácarya Part 3, Asanas, Rules for ásanas, point #21
5. Ananda Marga Caryácarya Part 3, Asanas
6. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
7. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
8. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
9. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
10. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
11. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
12. Caryacarya - 3, Ásanas
13. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 22, Táńd́ava and Kaośikii
14. Prout in A Nutshell - 9, Pramá – 4
15. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
16. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, How to Concentrate
17. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 6, Ekendriya – 6
18. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #4
19. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #5
20. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #6
21. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #7
22. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #8
23. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #9
24. Subhasita Samgraha - 1, The Call of the Supreme
25. Caryacarya - 1, The Process of Initiation


== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

You will protect me always

Note: Only those who sincerely practice the higher lessons of sahaja yoga meditation can understand this song in the depths of their heart.

“Áloker ei yátrá pathe, prabhu tumi saunge theko…” (Prabhat Samgiita #3396)

Purport:

O’ Prabhu, my Lord, on the path of this journey of grand effulgence, my path of sadhana, please remain with me all along. Kindly stay by my side each and every moment - and guide me every step. While moving forward on the spiritual journey, if I stop doing my sadhana and leave Ananda Marga and bhagavad dharma, don't let me drift away. Please bring me back onto the path of supreme fulfilment. Keep me along with You, in Your close proximity. Kindly stay with me always; do not leave me. Let me feel Your presence at all times.

O’ Parama Purusa Baba, since eternity You have remained with me and coloured me in Your colour of vaeragya, divine love. Now, even in this transitional period and difficult hour, please do not forget that You are my eternal Bandhu: You were helping in the past, and in the future also You will protect me always.

Baba, on this path of forward movement towards the Supreme Goal, indeed You are not only remaining with me along the way but You are also the ultimate destination - the Goal. According to Your playful liila and Your desire, You keep drawing me close. Due to Your pull, my mundane attachments are fading away and my 'I-feeling' gets lost in Brahmabhava. Please inundate me in bliss by taking me beyond the periphery and domain of my I-feeling.

O’ Parama Purusa Baba, in all my duties and practices - please keep me at Your lotus feet. On the path of this journey of spirituality, I request You to remain with me always. Keep me in Your eternal shelter every moment...

Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #3396:

[1] Journey: On any journey three things are needed: (a) the traveler, (b) the path, and (c) the destination. In Ananda Marga teachings, the sadhaka is the traveler. Our spiritual practice is the path. This refers to our spiritual way of living such as asana, pranayama, dhyana, sadhana and all our bhakti practices related with Sixteen Points. And Parama Purusa is the destination. Ananda Margiis, all the 24 hours and every breath through all kinds of lessons and practices, are moving along the continuous journey towards Parama Purusa. One fine morning they will reach their destination by His grace. This aforesaid song describes how Parama Purusa is with the sadhaka on their journey and He is the Goal as well.

[2] Where one's unit I-feeling ends, only Parama Purusa remains. Then one will dissolve or merge into Him. So when a person becomes completely ensconced in the deepest spiritual samadhi, then in the sahasrara cakra one will taste that divine nectar, and their whole existence will be inundated with His infinite cosmic grace.


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Which bondages to increase and decrease

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "It is the sense of duty that causes one person to renounce everything; and it is the sense of duty that inspires another person to readily accept the burden of caring for his or her family. It is the sense of duty that makes a person great. Of all bonds, the bond of duty is the strongest, and the bond of moha [blind attachment or infatuation] is the worst. Humanity will have to break the bonds of moha and increase the bonds of duty willingly and consciously. This is the law." (1)

Reference
1. Namámi Krśńasundaram, Disc: 13





Friday, June 10, 2022

This magazine misguides + 2 more

Baba

This magazine misguides
 
Namaskar,
 
Ásanas are an integral part of Ánanda Márga spiritual practices. Asanas are glandular exercises - not merely physical exercises like running, swimming or bicycling. The beauty of a glandular exercise is that it acts directly on the glands of the body that secrete hormones. Hormonal secretions control the 'vrittis' or propensities of the human mind. 
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com

The correct way to do padmásana

Ananda Marga philosophy guides, "Padmásana is the posture of sitting with the right ankle over the left thigh and the left ankle over the right thigh, the tongue pushing the teeth out. In padmásana alone, the vision can be fixed on trikuti – the middle point between the eyebrows. Just as the lotus blossoms forth in water, so also in this posture the mind tends to evolve. That is why this posture is termed padmásana (padma – lotus, ásana – posture). This is the best ásana for meditation." (1)

Per Baba's guidelines, here are the steps to perform padmásana:
     1. Place the right ankle over the left thigh
     2. Place the left ankle over the right thigh

Having followed the above two steps in order, when one sits in padmásana, the legs are positioned as follows: left leg is crossed over right leg. This is the proper way to sit in padmásana or lotus posture, and this is a very significant ásana for sádhaná. Hence, no sádhaka should be misguided on this point.
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Blunder in Bhakta Samaj magazine

Here below is an image of a sister sitting in sadhana, printed in the Bhakta Samaj magazine. She has her legs crossed in the wrong order i.e. her right leg is crossed over her left leg. Please compare this picture below with the one above and analyze for yourselves as to what a big blunder has been committed by the publishers of a magazine headed by Santoshananda. The most important teaching of sitting in padmásana for sádhaná has been totally distorted and it is laughable that the publishers failed to show this basic aspect of sadhana in the right manner. It is a sin to show an ásana for sádhaná wrongly. This amounts to misrepresentation of Baba’s teachings. Also, observe carefully how the sister's hands have also been placed in the wrong manner. Everyone knows that one places one's left hand beneath the right hand while performing sadhana.




Ramifications of the blunder

  • Magazines printed under the name of Ananda Marga have a bounden duty to be a perfect representation of Baba's teachings to the society. They should aspire to adhere to the ideals of tantra and Ananda Marga. In failing to represent the posture for sádhaná correctly, Dada Santos’ananda and his ilk have failed in their duty to be perfect representatives of Baba, thus besmirching Ananda Marga. 
  • This type of representation, where a person is shown in sadhana, sitting in a pose that looks like padmásana with legs crossed in the opposite manner, is akin to giving a mantra backward or flip-flopping any spiritual tenet, or saying that our kiirtan as Kevalam Nam Baba or showing an Ánanda Márga meal that has tamasik food on the plate. 
  • Ánanda Márga and its teachings aim to clean the dogmas of the society by imparting true spiritual teachings. By showing the wrong way to sit in the lotus posture, this magazine has done just the opposite i.e. it has introduced a new dogma in the mind of readers. Far from cleaning the society of its dogmas, the magazine has introduced a new dogma into an already existing pool of dogmas. There should be no dogmas with respect to this important ásana.
  • In this day and age, when the whole world is learning asanas, those who know padmásana will laugh at margiis for doing this most famous pose in a backward manner. This brings shame and infamy to Ananda Marga!
  • Bhakta Samaj is for Hindi readers and in this magazine, they are using an image of an overseas sister. This imposes inferiority complex amongst Indians and Hindi readers that Indians are not good enough or that Indian sisters are not good enough. They should have a photo of an Indian person. Baba has always been in favor of upholding the sentiments of local people by encouraging locals.
  • If they need a photo, they can just go to a Dharma Chakra hall and shoot a picture of a local person doing the lotus pose properly. They need not rummage through the internet and get a defective picture of an overseas sister who is doing padmásana the wrong way. As mentioned earlier, this not only infuses inferiority complex in the minds of local readers but also engenders a new dogma.
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One of the most important ásanas in our spiritual practice is padmásana, the lotus posture. This is the posture in which one sits to perform sádhana and there should be no misguidance or misunderstanding regarding how one must sit in padmasana. This letter focuses on how a so-called Ananda Marga magazine is misguiding readers about this very important ásana by highlighting images of padmasana performed in the wrong fashion. The right way to sit in padmásana has also been explained for readers' awareness. 

Struggling publication: not up to the mark


The magazine printing this erroneous information is Bhakta Samaj, started by Santos’a’nanda. As such, Bhakta Samaj is not an authentic Ananda Marga magazine, but a struggling publication which does not meet the ideals of an Ananda Marga publication, nor does it meet the ideals of Tantra for it misguides and misinforms the readers on important matters pertaining to spiritual sádhaná.

In Him,
Prakásha

~ In-depth study ~

Significance of padmásana

As we all know, according to Ananda Marga system, when one is initiated and receives the first lesson of sadhana, one is instructed to first sit in padmásana, the lotus posture, before one begins to meditate. Padmásana is the ásana for many of our sadhana lessons. Sitting comfortably in padmásana can greatly enhance one’s sadhana.
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Ananda Marga philosophy guides, "“Ásana” means “a position in which one feels comfortable” – “Sthirasukhamásanam.” " (2)

Baba, in His numerous discourses, has explained the significance of padmásana. He has explained how Lord Shiva, the epitome of composure and bliss, would usually sit in padmásana. Even though Shiva would take the responsibilities, trials, and tribulations of the entire world upon himself, when he sat in padmásana, his mind would transcend beyond the impurities of the world and Shiva would achieve a perfect harmony between physical, psychic and spiritual worlds. By this explanation, we know how significant this ásana is for a sádhaka in the path of sádhaná and how important it is to get the lotus posture or padmásana right.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "It is called padmásana because it is just like a lotus in full bloom. Just as the roots and stems of the lotus remain under the water and only the leaves and flowers float above it – and although it is born in the mud it sustains its love for the stars – in the same way, people sitting in this lotus posture and remaining in the world, can keep their minds above their mundane environment." (3)

Conclusion


Readers are encouraged to contact the editors of this magazine and urge them to correct their blunders. Furthermore, such magazines which circulate under the name of Ánanda Márga, but represent Baba's teachings in poor light, should really go out of publication. As Ánanda Márgiis we have a responsibility to do whatever it takes to make sure that Baba, His teachings and Ánanda Márga are never portrayed in a wrong manner to the society.
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Ásanas are an integral part of Ánanda Márga spiritual practices. Asanas are glandular exercises - not merely physical exercises like running, swimming or bicycling. The beauty of a glandular exercise is that it acts directly on the glands of the body that secrete hormones. Hormonal secretions control the 'vrittis' or propensities of the human mind. For a sádhaka, it is of utmost importance to have balanced vrittis in order to perform sádhana and merge the unit mind with the Cosmic Mind. Imbalance in the vrittis leads to an imbalanced state of mind and makes one-pointedness of mind in sadhana highly impossible; no matter how hard a person tries to perform sádhaná sincerely. Hence it is imperative to do asanas regularly and also do them in the right manner for maximum benefit. 

References
1. Táttvika Diipiká (Paiṋcama Parva), Teaching to Sit in padmásana
2. Ananda Marga Caryácarya Part 3, Ásanas
3. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Shiva in the Dhyána Mantra (Discourse 20)

Alternate: Santosananda, Santos’ananda, Dada Santoshananda, Santosanand


*        *        *

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

*        *        *


== Section: Important Topic ==

Ruins their ability to reach Parama Purusa

Those intellectuals and scholars who think about themselves become narrow-minded and degraded. Under such circumstances, it is impossible for them to reach Parama Purusa. Instead their mind becomes smaller. In their next birth they will not even get human life because their mind is lowly. That is the terrible danger of thinking about oneself: One becomes an animal or even a lower creature like a plant or an inanimate object. That is what is explained here below.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "You see, preya or káma remains busy with finite units only, and thus, the ego, who is the enjoyer of such fragmentary units, must be the small ego. It is impossible to develop such an ego which remains always absorbed in these units. Even people of wisdom, of high social status – even so-called intellectual and accomplished scientists and philosophers who are always concerned with earning high respect for themselves or saving their own prestige – even they pursue sensuous or fragmentary objects for the gratification of their egos. Perhaps they deliberately refuse to realize that these petty objectives of their egos will infuse their minds with meanness, as a result of which all their egoistic respect, prestige and status will ultimately be pulverized into dust." (1)

When a person does "service" for their own self-satisfaction that is not real service. Rather their ego is involved and instead of helping others they are ruining and destroying themselves by becoming more narrow-minded. Their future is very grim. The answer, as Ananda Marga ideology guides us, is to ideate on the Supreme and do thinking that you are serving Him. Then one's service will be true service and the one doing the service will develop a magnanimous and selfless outlook, by His grace.

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Supreme Benevolence and Mundane Pleasure


== Section 2: Links ==

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