Ananda Marga: Difference between revisions

=== Meditation, ''Lalita Marmika'' dance and ''Kirtan'' ===

In the ''tantric'' tradition of ''Ananda Marga'' the spiritual aspirant ([[sadhaka]]) practices [[sadhana]]. ''Sadhana'' (a [[Sanskrit]] word) signifies the effort through which a person becomes completely [[Self-realization|realized]]. In ''Tantra'' the spiritual master, the [[guru]],<ref group=note>Who is the guru? In [[Ananda Sutram]], on sutra 3-9, P. R. Sarkar as Shri Shri Anandamurti clearly stated ''Brahmaeva gururekah náparah'': Only Brahma is the guru, no one else. Who is Brahma is explained in the first sutra (1-1): ''Shivashaktyátmakam Brahma'': [[Brahma]] is the composite of [[Shiva]] and [[Shakti]]<br></ref> plays a special role. The ''guru'' guides and leads students on the spiritual path. The aspirant [[Learning|learns]] meditation by a qualified ''acarya''. An ''acarya'' is most commonly a [[monk]] or [[nun]], but in the ''Ananda Marga'' tradition there are also "family ''acaryas''". In the [[initiation]] the aspirant makes a commitment to practice meditation and to live in harmony with the universal balance, and is then taught the technique itself. The aspirant is then required to keep the individual [[lesson]]s personal. In addition, he also taught ''Kapalika'' meditation to many ''[[Sannyasa|sanyásins]]''. His system of ''yoga'' can be termed as ''Rájadhirája Yoga'', ''Tantra Yoga'', or simply ''Ánanda Márga Yoga''. The basic ''Ánanda Márga'' meditation system is called [[Sahaja Yoga]] ('simple yoga'). The ''sahaja'' system consists of 6 meditation techniques or lessons taught one by one, on a personal basis.<ref group=note>This is the short list of six lessons: 1)First Lesson: ''Iishvara Pranidhana'' (Personal mantra and ''Ishta [[Cakra]]''), 2)Second Lesson: ''Guru Mantra'' (Personal ''[[Guru]] [[Mantra]]''), 3)Third Lesson: ''Tattva Dharana'' (Concentration on ''[[Cakra]]s' [[Tattva]]s''), 4)Fourth Lesson: ''Sadharana Pranayama'' (Basic ''[[Pranayama]]''. A special respiration tecnique), 5)Fifth Lesson: ''Cakra Shodhana'' (Purification of ''Cakras''. A special type of ''[[Dharana]]''), 6)Sixth Lesson: ''Guru Dhyana'' (Special type of ideation for ''[[Dhyana in Hinduism|Dhyana]]'').</ref> There is also a set of higher meditation lessons taught to advanced practitioners committed to dedicate more time for [[spiritual practice]]s and universal [[Selfless service|service]].

=== Vegetarian Diet, ''Yoga asanas'', Physical Exercises and ''Yogic'' Treatments ===

The basic practices of ''Ananda Marga'' comprises ''yoga [[asana]]s'', ''[[mudra]]s'', ''[[Bandha (Yoga)|bandha]]s'', ''[[pranayama]]'', ''[[Massage#Self massage|self-massage]]'' and two specific dances, ''[[Kaosikii dance|kaos'ikii]]'' and ''[[tandava]]''. [[Lacto-vegetarianism|Lacto]]-vegetarian [[diet (nutrition)|diet]] and [[fasting]] are also included, as a fundamental part of ''yogic'' practices.

=== Spiritual philosophy ===

The [[Spirituality|spiritual]] philosophy of ''Ananda Marga'' covers a vast range of [[Topic–comment|topic]]s and can be [[Learning|learned]] from P.R. Sarkar's publications. ''Ananda Marga'' philosophy recognizes that the [[universe]] is the creation of the mental [[thought]]-[[waves]] of the 'Supreme counsciousness'. The following is a brief list of the essential elements of ''Ananda Marga'' Spiritual Philosophy: