Ananda Marga - Spiritual and Social Philosophy

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:

    There is spiritual laughter
    Too hushed to be gay, too high: the happiness
    Of angels.
    Gwendolyn Brooks (b. 1917)

    Lying increases the creative faculties, expands the ego, lessens the friction of social contacts.... It is only in lies, wholeheartedly and bravely told, that human nature attains through words and speech the forebearance, the nobility, the romance, the idealism, that—being what it is—it falls so short of in fact and in deed.
    Clare Boothe Luce (1903–1987)

    How does Nature deify us with a few and cheap elements! Give me health and a day, and I will make the pomp of emperors ridiculous. The dawn is my Assyria; the sun-set and moon-rise my Paphos, and unimaginable realms of faerie; broad noon shall be my England of the senses and the understanding; the night shall be my Germany of mystic philosophy and dreams.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)