Author: Acarya Tapeshvarananda Avadhuta
Pranayama literally means controlling the prana, which is the vital energy within the cosmos. The actual purpose of this spiritual practice is to control the mind by controlling the vital airs in the body. A controlled, one-pointed mind is then eligible for higher practices to attain God-realization. Once, Baba went for His daily field walk. A Margii from Tatanagar was also in the group that accompanied Baba to the field walk. Baba was in a jovial mood. As they were walking, Baba stopped suddenly, looked at the Margii and asked, "Do you practice dhyana lesson?" The Margii, with much hesitation, told Baba, "I am trying, Baba." Baba said, "Without pranayama siddhi, dhyana cannot be perfectly done." The Margii wanted to ask Baba what "pranayama siddhi" was and how to attain it. Before he could speak, Baba Himself spoke and explained that pranayama is normally done with the help of one's fingers. He said that it was possible to perform...
Devotion cannot be obtained through lectures, discourses or philosophy. Devotion is truly a gift of Parama Purusa. It is, however, possible to understand and experience devotion through Baba's works - His books, words and songs. I encourage sadhakas to read Baba's original discourses. They should eat the original mango. One should not be satisfied with a pale shadow of a mango. People should read as a "svadhyaya" His original books. For me, His words, songs and books are like a "mantra". My writings and devotional expressions are only a drop in the ocean, the shadow of a shadow, totally inadequate to express His unfathomable personality. I advise sadhakas to read His books and understand the depth, vastness and universality of His ideas. Baba said very clearly in His discourse entitled, Shubhasita Samgraha, "Nayamatma pravcanena lavya na medhaya na bahuna shrutena". It means, Atma or Paramatma cannot be realized by lectures, by intellect or by...
There was a devotee from Colombia, South America, who traveled for the first time to India to visit Baba. She was a Spanish-speaking sister. The native language of Columbia is Spanish. She traveled alone and carried with her the address of the Ananda Marga jagrti in New Delhi. She reached Delhi airport very early in the morning. After the immigration and customs clearance, she went outside the airport to catch a taxi. It was almost 1.00 a.m. She requested the driver to go to the Delhi South Extension office of Ananda Marga. On reaching the area, the taxi driver tried to locate the address but could not find the place. He searched for the address for a long time, going around in circles, but failed to find it. By then his patience was wearing thin. He became very annoyed with this sister. He spoke in Hindi, the local Indian language, probably scolding her, but she could not understand a word. She replied in Spanish, which he did not understand. A classic example of a communication...
Nothing in the world is free from interference and vested-interest - not even noble work and service. One may try to do good work through educational, relief or other developmental projects. But there are other people, guided by self-interest, who would either try to gain from your efforts or obstruct your noble work. Such people are aplenty, like bugs, stains the underside of every noble endeavor. However, one must not be deterred in the face of such obstacles. Rather, one should carry on regardless of the deliberate hinderances. The Supreme Entity recognizes all selfless work and quietly helps people complete their noble tasks by removing or neutralizing the obstacles. This story illustrates this point. We have an Ananda Marga school in Kandi, Murshidabad district in West Bengal. Sometime in 1983, a young missionary of Ananda Marga was posted there to hold the position of the school principal. The school was rented from a local businessman. One day, the dada went to the Central...
When Baba was in prison during the period 1971 to 1978, we continued to hold Ananda Marga's main function called Dharma Maha Sammelan (DMS), which usually took place twice a year in January and June. Only Baba could endorse the names of MG (Marga Guru) Representatives who were selected to give the discourse in His absence. Sometimes, we held the DMS more than twice a year. Once in 1974, I was selected as MG Representative for the Agartala DMS. Agartala is a town in Tripura, India. When my name was approved, I went to meet Baba in His cell. I said to Him, "Baba, I am going to Agartala as MG Representative for DMS." He smiled and replied, "Work with sincerity." I reached Agartala in time. I never thought that I would ever address a DMS in my life. In those days, Prabhat Samgiit had not yet been composed by Baba. The Margiis sang their own devotional songs in preparation for the spiritual discourse. Representing the Marga Guru is a very big responsibility. I...
In 1971 Baba was arrested on false charges and unjustly imprisoned in Patna, Bihar. Learning of this, we protested against the government's action. As a result, we were also arrested and imprisoned in the Patna jail. One Margii from Saharsa, North Bihar, was with us in the same cell. He told us the following story. When he was initiated, his acarya instructed him not to be involved in any casteism or groupism. India is a caste-ridden, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious society. Baba had always demanded that Margiis reject any divisive elements, so that a truly universal human society could be established on this earth. Once, a village meeting was called to discuss some issues related to caste. The meeting was held at night. Remembering his acarya's instruction, he decided not to attend the meeting. However, after some time, he changed his mind and decided to attend the meeting. The venue of the meeting was just a short distance from his house. To reach it, he had to cross a...
