Spiritual and Social Philosophy
The philosophy of Ananda Marga is a synthetic outlook, recognizing the one limitless 'Supreme Consciousness', both transcendental and manifested in all. It covers both the spiritual and the social combining the two in a unique synthesis of universal vision. To this end Ananda Marga suggests a practical, rational, and systematic way of life for the balanced development of all human potentialities: physical, psychic and spiritual. This system incorporate practices that range from hygiene and diet, yoga postures, to a scientific technique of meditation based on moral rules and directed to the inner fulfillment. It recognizes that a balance is needed between the spiritual and mundane aspects of existence, and that neither one should be neglected at the expense of the other. Hence, the goal of Ananda Marga is "self-realization and the welfare of all".
As described by Thomas Lombardo:
...Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar developed a Spiritual or Neo-Humanism, bringing in spiritual, economic, social scientific, ecological, and moral themes to create a long term view of human progress; progress is the evolution of consciousness and movement directed toward the well-being of everyone. Basing his philosophy on love and respect for all things and the central human ideals of freedom, equality, and justice, Sarkar proposed that the physical, mental, and spiritial realms of humanity all need to be addressed in a vision of the future...The scholar and Jesuit priest Giovanni Capelletto Devadatta highlighted similarities between some of the teachings expressed in Christian writings and those expressed in the philosophy of Ananda Marga:
...We should remember that his message (of P. R. Sarkar) is never contrary and even different from the teachings of Christ. "Whoever is not against me is with me," said Jesus and St. Paul commented: "Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; (1 Thes 5:19-21) ...The perfection of God's law is love towards all his creatures. "Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning" (John 1:6). "..it is the bounden duty of every Ananda Margii to endeavour to bring all to the path of bliss... (Shrii Shrii Anandamurti's Supreme Command)...Read more about this topic: Ananda Marga
Famous quotes containing the words spiritual, social and/or philosophy:
“... the spiritual world is here and now and indisputably and preeminently real. It is the material world that is the realm of shadows.”
—Amelia E. Barr, U.S. novelist. All the Days of My Life, ch. 1 (1913)
“After experience taught me that all the ordinary
Surroundings of social life are futile and vain;”
—William Dewitt Snodgrass (b. 1926)
“The late Président de Montesquieu told me that he knew how to be blind—he had been so for such a long time—but I swear that I do not know how to be deaf: I cannot get used to it, and I am as humiliated and distressed by it today as I was during the first week. No philosophy in the world can palliate deafness.”
—Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773)