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Gut Feeling on Baba's Teaching

From: "Alex Hufnagel" To: am-global@earthlink.net Subject: Gut Feeling on Baba's Teaching Date: Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:17:55 +0000 Baba "Bhul kare du're thekechi tumi bhul bheunge dio..." (1827) Purport: Baba, due to my own defects I am not able to get close to You. Because of not following Your dharmic guidelines, my progress is hindered and I am just keeping myself away from You. Baba, by Your grace, please remove all my shortcomings and weaknesses and bring me in Your closest proximity, take me in Your lap. In my life I have received an abundant amount of love from You; You have graced me so much. Baba, now I am offering my love to You-- please grace me by accepting it. Baba, in the sky there is a deep blueness and my tender heart is full of love for You. Baba, I do not want my love to remain hidden & secluded in my little heart. By Your grace please allow the reddish glow of my heart-- i.e. my love-- to merge in the vastness of the distant blue sky. Baba, please let my love reach up to the highest realm-- reach up to You. Baba, when I sing the song and ideate on You there is a deep feeling of longing in my heart. By Your grace You have given the tune and in that way I sing for You. Baba, may my heart's inner longing be goaded & pointed exclusively toward You. Baba by Your grace, I should always contemplate and think of You; my life should revolve and dance around You. My life should be successful, please grace me...
== GUT FEELING ON BABA'S TEACHING ==
Namaskar, This whole letter is related with maintaining the integrity and presentation of AM teachings, and in particular the meaning of our Baba Nam Kevalam mantra. Apparently there are some who feel that Baba's teachings need to be reinterpreted and/or modified in order to appease and attract the common public. Such people like to give their own gut feeling. We should seriously consider how far this approach is viable. Because when Baba Himself has given clear-cut, perfect guidelines, then where is there scope for us to interject our own interpretation. Rather we are to understand and project His idea.
HOW THE DOGMATIC RELIGIONS OPERATE
The question then is, where did some in AM get the idea that Baba's teachings should be softened or changed in order to enhance their appeal? Probably from the dogmatic religions. Actually, all the religions are in a real quagmire-- a really sticky and unenviable situation. All the so-called holy books of every religion are littered with dogmatic ideas and outrageous sounding statements. Those statements cannot stand up to the heightened rationality and scientific achievements of today's modern world. People will literally think those holy books are hogwash or useless. For example, both the Koran and the Bible condone slavery. There are many passages that literally state, 'One should take proper care of their slaves', etc. The Torah of Judaism also support slavery. Then, on the point of women, the Bible outrightly states that 'women brought sin into this world'. Indeed there is no end to the dogma and irrational ideas professed in these holy books. To escape from this, religious preachers make a living off of reinterpreting what the Bible or Koran or the Torah says in order to suit the mentality of today's people. Because no rational person will accept that 'one should keep slaves' or that 'women are the cause of sin'. So opportunistic religious preachers use 'the tricks of the trade' and say, 'Oh no, that is not what the Bible means to say, do not take it so literally, the real meaning is this...'. And then they go on to tell something that will appease the mind of today's people. And in this manner, month after month, year after year, the dogmatic phrases of those so-called holy books get presented to the public in a more digestible manner. For their very survival the religions must do like this-- they have no other recourse because the dogmatic words of their holy works are not at all palatable to any reasonable human being.
THIS IS NOT NEEDED IN AM
This type of fancy footwork is not at all needed in AM. Why? Because all of the teachings in AM are rational and based on dharma, not dogma. Hence there is no need for us to make interpretive suppositions, or modified statements about the meaning of Baba's words. No Wt or margii needs to give their own opinion; no one need say what their gut feeling is about AM ideas. AM teachings are not open to interpretation. As human beings, as disciples, we are to understand Baba's viewpoint. Baba says, "In the realm of dharma, the only true guide and controller, motivating force and protector of the people, is an excellent and comprehensive ideology which provides definite, clear-cut and bold directions for all aspects of human life – from one’s personal daily routine, to one’s social activities and collective motivation, to the spiritual inspiration which brings one closer and closer to God." (NSS) Baba says, "We should also remember that in the realm of dharma there must be clear-cut injunctions in the form of dharma sha'stra [scriptural treatises], and simultaneously there must be strict guardians who during their lifetimes guide themselves as well as others according to those scriptural injunctions." (NSS) Hence AM teachings are complete. They should remain "as is" both in word and meaning. Baba's idea is singular in nature and is not open to thirty different interpretations. Thus when Baba Himself has given our Baba Nam Kevalam mantra and when He has also given the meaning of that mantra, then it is not open to interpretation. Our duty is to perfectly represent His ideal in our thought, word, and speech. As disciples, that is our sole approach. However in this era of the internet, everyone and their brother has become their own publishing house and their writings are filled with tales of how they think the world should be, including their own watered-down version of the meaning of Baba Nam Kevalam. But we should not fall prey to such things. Our duty is to ensure that the letter and intention of Baba's teachings remain as is. When Himself has given the meaning of Baba Nam Kevalam then that should be accepted and propagated, not any other.
MEANING OF OUR KIIRTAN MANTRA
Here Baba is giving His clear-cut explanation about the meaning of our kiirtan mantra. Baba says, "And what is Kiirtana? You are teaching your mind, you are teaching your ear, what you are saying with your vocal cord. What is that? To take only His name, and not so many names – London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Santiago... What is the meaning of Kiirtana? “Ba'ba' Na'ma Kevalam”. “Ba'ba'” means “the Dearest One”. Only the name of the Dearest One, only the name of Parama Purus'a, and not so many names – Helsinki or London or Santiago or Georgetown. (AV-12) Hence our kiirtan mantra refers to the 'Dearest One' or 'God', and the mantra means "Only the name of Parama Purusa". That is Baba's exact teaching. And as He is omniscient, He knows better than us that this is the meaning that will appeal to the people and draw them to the path of dharma. Unfortunately, some cowardly type of people in our Marga repeat again and again that our kiirtan mantra means, 'Love is all there is'. This is what they tell new people etc. But this is one nonsense type of approach. Because then non-sadhakas and new people have their own idea of what love is and will relate our kiirtan with all sorts of crude ideas and images. That is the problem with such interpretive explanations. Our kiirtan is pointed in nature and refers to that singular Entity, the Parama Purusa Baba, and not some vague notion like love etc. Here again Baba pointedly explains our kiirtan mantra. Baba says, "And that’s why it is said in your Kiirtana, “Ba'ba' Na'ma Kevalam,” that is, only that target, that goal, is yours. In your life there cannot be two goals, and when you are doing Kiirtana, ascribing God-hood to all your internal and external objectives, slowly your very structure, your very being, your very sense of existence will be converted. That’s why it is said, “Kevalam”; “Kevalam” means it is the way, it is the route, there is no alternative." (AV-12) Thus, Baba's teaching is conclusive. In our kiirtan we are singing and dancing for Baba the Parama Purusa. He is our Goal. The mind must not be diverted in any other direction. There is no scope for any second or third style of interpretation of our kiitan mantra. Baba has given the meaning and Baba's teachings are clear and conclusive. Baba says, "To understand my nature you must do meditation. I keep no ambiguity, I am clear, concrete, conclusive. My philosophy is a complete philosophy, a complete way of life. I am complete in myself, and I want every person to be complete in themselves. I am like an arrow – clear, pointed." (SE) By His grace those who do sadhana have the requisite devotion and courage to follow Baba's teachings both in letter and spirit. Only certain people of a cowardly nature feel the internal need to change Baba's teachings and interpret and explain our kiirtan mantra as, 'Love is all there is'. Proper Ananda Margiis know and preach the real meaning, 'Only the name of the Lord Baba'.
WHO IS CAPABLE OF INTERPRETING AM SCRIPTURE
To spread the ideals of AM, as Ananda Margiis we will have to talk about and explain Baba's teachings. But that explanation should reflect Baba's intention and idea, not our own petty thoughts or interpretation. To achieve this one must be familiar with whole of AM scripture because all of Baba's discourses are part of a greater body of knowledge. Thus to properly talk about AM, one must know the entire philosophy and not just bits and pieces here and there. That is Baba's warning. Baba says, "The scriptures should always be interpreted by qualified scholars, competent philosophers, and penetrating thinkers. If one tries to interpret a profound scripture with superficial knowledge, the interpreter appears ridiculous and the audience is confused." (NSS) Hence when people with loose understanding of AM ideology try to explain His teachings, then most often they just end up embarrassing themselves. That is what we say happening again and again. People like Didi Ananda Mitra, Dada Bhaksarananda, Dada Shraddhananda, and Dada Samanvayananda all wrote books on AM philosophy and their books are filled with countless mistakes. All because such so-called writers had only partial understanding of Baba's teachings. That is why those who are familiar with Baba's teachings think that those Dadas' and Didis' books are a joke. Same is true with those who interpret Baba Nam Kevalam as, 'Love is all there is'. They are merely embarrassing themselves and exposing their shallow understanding. Baba says, "They alone are entitled to speak about prapattiva'da who have developed complete surrender. Man should be clear, clean and conclusive. There should be no ambiguity in any sphere of life." (AV-12) Thus only those who have fully immersed themselves in the light of Ananda Marga are in a position to properly explain Baba's teachings. That is His divine guideline and warning.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace He has given all the proper teachings for this era and beyond. Baba knows the public psyche and what should be taught. If we follow the letter and spirit of His ideas, then the whole world will come running. All want something great and that is exactly what AM offers. None then should get caught up in their own watered-down, gut-feeling on the meaning of our sacred kiirtan mantra and interpret it as, 'Love is all there is'. Baba says, "What is the meaning of Kiirtana? “Ba'ba' Na'ma Kevalam”. “Ba'ba'” means “the Dearest One”. Only the name of the Dearest One, only the name of Parama Purus'a." (AV-12) Namaskar, Arisudan
Note 1: MORE OF BABA'S TEACHINGS
Here are more of Baba's teachings on this important topic. Baba says, "Now, what is sha'stra? That which teaches discipline to human beings is called sha'stra. It usually deals with the dos and don’ts, that is, with what should be followed and what should not be followed, what should be practised and what should not be practised. The book which makes people well aware of the dos and don’ts is called sha'stra. Sha'sana't ta'rayet yastu sah sha'strah parikiirttitah – “That which provides clear-cut guidelines and thereby paves the way for the liberation of spiritual aspirants is called sha'stra.”" (NSS) Baba says, "Then “sam'vadadhvam”. In Sam'skrta the verb “va” means “to speak”. Everybody speaks, so what is the import of “sam'vadadhvam”? “Sam'vadadhvam” means that you are to be guided by that supreme Spirit that makes you speak in the same line, that is your language must not have any ambiguity. It should be free from all ambiguities. It should be clear, conclusive and decisive." (AV-3)
Note 2: STRUCTURAL DEFECTS MAY BE THE CAUSE
There are all kinds of reasons why people may succumb to dogma. It may happen due to self-interest, cowardly nature, political gain etc. And here Baba points out how it may be due to defects in their physical structure. That may be why they cannot follow Baba. Baba says, "If there is under-secretion of the hormones of the testes glands, a youth will develop less kindness, and less hair will grow in the armpits and pubic region. If you see a man with these physical characteristics, then and there you can come to a conclusion about the extent of his kindness. Moreover, such a person will most likely support dogma. He will not have the moral strength to protest against dogma (including scriptural dogma), and he will not support a new idea." (YP)
********************************** Brave Persons
Baba says, "Do not remain worried about your individual problems at all. Be prepared to carry your own burden and be prepared also to carry the burdens of others. Then alone are you brave. Be dagdhabiija. Everyone has their own individual problems. Do not try to pass them on to others. On the contrary, bear the burdens of others. No one is your enemy. Be ready to bear the burdens of others." (AV-30, p.4)
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