== ONGOING FANTASY: 'I AM DHARMIC' ==
Namaskar,
We live in such a diverse and colourful universe-- in their own mind most
everyone thinks that they are following dharma, or the way of truth etc.
All think that their plan is the way things should be, that their plan is
the most righteous one.
Mr. Bush and his capitalist agents think that their approach of "getting
oil no matter what" is virtuous, while Islamic militants believe their
"so-called holy doctrine of Allah" is virtuous.
So to get power, to stand on top of the mountain, due to their
self-interest, both parties think they are right. This is their real
belief.
And this type of drama is unfolding within every religion and within every
nation-- all over the globe. Goaded by their self-interest, all think that
their group or party has "the way".
IN AM ALSO THIS IS GOING ON
Similar is the case in AM. Due to their self-interest, one factional party
thinks that their way is the dharmic approach and another group believes
that they hold the key to "truth and enlightenment".
So all pronounce theirs as the pathway of AM ideology.
One group thinks writing "Translated from the original Bengali" at the
beginning of every book is the dharmic approach, and another group believes
that "PP's word" is the key to truth & welfare in AMPS. And still others
take it upon themselves to fabricate their own self-styled Ananda Vaniis.
But that is not all...
Some think that the killing of Abhipremananda is something virtuous.
Whereas others think that in the dark of the night, they can attack anyone
who is going against their group. And even the old chief of VSS
Madhavananda thought that his killing of some avadhutas was virtuous.
All these types of things have been going on-- in the name of dharma.
So each & every side has their own strategy in mind, knowingly or
unknowingly. And all are internally convinced their way is that of AM
ideology.
This is how things are unfolding these days in our Marga.
Now then is the time to see who is just living in their own silly dreamland
and merely repeating 'I follow dharma', and who is really involved in AM
ideology and truly following dharma.
BABA'S METHOD OF FOLLOWING DHARMA
By Baba's grace, He has given us the perfect method to see who is who and
what is what.
Baba says, "To my ideology I am as simple and straight as a rod." (SS-18)
So Baba's teaching is quite neat and clean: One must adhere to AM teachings
completely and not twist them in any direction. That is Baba's guideline.
And the practical application of this is that His teachings are to be kept
"as is"-- and those teachings are to be applied in one's practical life.
That is the determining factor of who is following AM ideology.
HOW SOME ARE "FOLLOW DHARMA" IN AM
Unfortunately some have their own way of "following dharma...".
1. For example, for years and year some factional heads were adamantly
convinced that all Baba's books should be prefaced with "Translated from
the original Bengali"-- even if the discourse was originally given in
English in Fiesch, Switzerland. So in the name of dharma those groupists
printed "Translated from the original Bengali" on the cover page of all the
AM books. This was their so-called dharma.
2. Then others have grabbed partial quotes from various sources and
proclaimed them to be Ananda Vaniis-- when in fact Baba never included such
things in His original Ananda Vanii collection. Hence what those groupists
are making is nothing but Fake Ananda Vaniis-- all done in the name of
dharma.
3. Still others place PP's name on the bottom of various orders and
proclaim that so and so is hereby expelled forever or some other outlandish
claim when in fact Baba has firmly declared that expulsion is not allowed
in AM. Even then various groupist proceed ahead in the bullish plan of
expulsion. This then is yet another episode of what that some factional
heads are doing in the name of dharma.
4. So in all sorts of ways, shapes and forms, various leaders in various
camps do things in the name of dharma. Those who are cunning knowingly
understand that they are going against dharma yet proclaim it as being
dharmic. And in the other corner some simple and naive people truly believe
in their heart that what they are doing is dharmic. Yet, in reality--
though one is worse than the other-- both are far, far from AM ideology.
WHY DO THEY DO LIKE THIS
The question then becomes why do they do like this-- why do certain
factional leaders go against AM ideology yet proclaim with full zeal that
they are acting in accordance with AM ideology. How is that they do not
have courage to admit and repent that what they are doing is opposite to
Baba's teaching-- opposite to dharma.
As is commonly seen, the answer is that they are blinded or goaded by their
own selfish desire. Stuck in that low mindset they are unable to admit
their fault-- and just get drowned in their own silly agenda.
Either they think 'I must get the power' or they think 'I must remain
forever on this MU' or they think 'I must become the most respected one'
etc. And in that blindness of self-interest, in that drunken egoistic
state, they do so many nasty things in the name of AM ideology to satiate
their hunger. But in that way they stray far from the path & go 100%
against dharma.
In that blindness, they distort AM scripture, take away margii rights, tear
down the BP system-- countless heinous acts they do, all in the name of
"dharma".
Such is what happens when this or that groupist is wearing the eye-glasses
of selfish-interest. They twist AM ideology to their own end.
When in fact a true dharmika will do each and everything for AM ideology--
for dharma, without harbouring any other desire in mind.
Unfortunately time and time again, groupists stray from this ideal-- all
because of their selfish approach.
SAME THING IN INDIAN FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE
It is just like during the Indian independence movement. At that time
various so-called leaders were making countless promises about how they
will restore glory to India. This was their regular chant of dharma. But
their so-called holy promise was all dependent on one factor-- that of
satisfying their selfish desire of getting the chair etc. And then once
they got it, the rest is history. We all know what happened.
Rather than solving India's ills and bringing forth the glory of India &
restoring dharma, instead they cracked the nation into multiple pieces. All
because their selfish lust for power was greater than their desire to bring
welfare to the country, greater than their desire to follow dharma.
MIRROR IMAGE GOING ON IN AM
Tragically, we are now witnessing this same type of event in AMPS. Blinded
by their self-interest they wrote "Translated from the original Bengali" on
the cover of every AM book in an attempt to show that their land or
language is the top etc. Or due to their self-interest they fabricated so
many Fake Ananda Vaniis that goaded margiis to 'sit still and remain
passive' or 'follow "dharma" by siding with my group' etc.
And by all this selfish power plays, the real teachings of AM ideology just
fall by the wayside-- this is their so-called dharmic approach.
IDEOLOGISTS KEEP TEACHING AS IS
Hence even though there are so many opposing camps that all claim to be
following dharma, it is quite easy to understand how these various groups
are just living in their own dreamland. Because, each, in their own way,
twists AM teachings to suit their own ends.
Whereas those who are ideologists-- those who are dharmikas-- will always
keep Baba's teachings "as is" and mold themselves according to His divine
standard.
By this measuring rod, we can be sure who is a veritable dharmika and
abiding by the ideals of AM versus who is living in their own hypocritical
dreamland and merely mouthing 'I follow dharma'.
FINAL WARNING
In the end let us remember that Baba has given one authoritative warning to
those selfish people who are bragging that 'everything I am doing is
dharmic'. Such persons should remember that nature will not spare them:
They will have to undergo the consequences of their misdeeds-- either in
this life or the next.
Hence we should utilise whatever strength Baba has given us to serve others
and never fall prey to any type of personal or group interest-- just like
those who think that 'let AM Revolution discourse get distorted since the
change is in favour my wt group etc'. This type of defective outlook is
very negative.
And this is only the tip of the iceberg. There are so many things that
happen in one's personal and collective life where some wrong is committed.
And if one is simple and open-minded then they may understand and admit
their wrongdoing whereas if one is just drowned in their own ego they will
never understand-- and they will just incur more and more sin and
ultimately undergo that hellish reaction.
OUR DUTY
This is the time to look in 360 degrees and review the situation. It is our
duty to keep Baba's teaching "as is". If His divine teachings remain in
their original condition, then today or tomorrow AM ideology will be
established-- based on His very teachings. But if His divine words are
tainted then the situation will be so disastrous.
That is why it is the personal and collective responsibility of each and
every Ananda Margii to keep Baba's things "as is". That is the greatest
work of this present day.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's divine grace, we will all bring back the holy pillars of AM
ideology into our AMPS and create one truly dharmic society.
Baba says, "You follow me, that is, you follow my word, follow Bha'gavata
Dharma, because you are a human being." (SS-21)
Namaskar,
Gurucharan
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Importance of Padma'sana
Baba says, "Padma'sana [lotus posture] is just like a lotus in full bloom.
Just as the roots and stem of the lotus remain under the water and only the
leaves and flowers float about it-- and although it is born in the mind 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. That is why on the path of sa'dhana' this posture has
tremendous importance." (NSS, '85, p.241)
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