Glossary

The spelling of some of the Sanskrit words has been adjusted in the text to make them easier to pronounce. In such cases, their proper Roman Sanskrit spelling is clarified here. (The word Sanskrit itself falls in such a category; its proper spelling is Sam skrta.) Ananda Marga is abbreviated as “AM.”

ACHARYA (proper spelling A’ca’rya, feminine form A’ca’rya’): Literally “one who teaches others by his or her example.” The teachers of personal meditation lessons in AM are acharyas.

AN AN DA MARGA (proper spelling A’nanda Ma’rga): Literally “the path of bliss or infinite happiness.”

ANAN DA NAGAR (proper spelling A’nanda Nagar): Literally “place of bliss”. An area well over 1000 hectares, which is the site of AM’s permanent headquarters. In the past many great yogis performed meditation here.

A SA N A (proper spelling A’sana): Literally “easy position.” Physical postures designed to purify the body, and to some extent the mind, by harmonizing the glandular secretions, blood circulation, and nerves.

AVAD H UTA (proper spelling Avadhu’ta, feminine form is

Avadhu’tika’): Literally, “one who is thoroughly cleansed mentally and spiritually.” Traditionally one who renounces all worldly attach¬ ments, whose naked body is covered only by ashes, and passes much time in cremation grounds. In AM, after the renunciate acharya learns kapalika meditation, he or she becomes an avadhuta.

A V I DY A : The extroversial or centrifugal force causing ignorance and attraction for external objects.

AVIDYATANTRA: Practices for the attainment of occult powers.

BABA NAM KEVALAM (properspellingBa’ba’NamKevalam): Baba means “God, most Beloved, or divine Father,” Nam means ‘“name,” Kevalam means “only.” The universal mantra of AM used for kiirtan and introductory meditation.

CHAKRA (proper spelling Cakra): Literally “circle.” Psycho-physical plexi located along the spinal column. The awakening of these cen-

Travels with the Mystic Master

ters relates to the attainment of spiritual awareness or occult pow¬ ers.

COSMIC MIND: Cosmic Consciousness has a guiding nucleus called Cosmic Mind. It has no physical location.

DA DA: Literally “elder brother.” A male acharya is commonly called Dada.

DARSH AN : Literally “to see” or “to see with intuition.” Disciples refer to being with their guru as darshan.

D H A R M A : Spirituality; psycho-spiritual longing; one’s original nature or innate tendency; the path of righteousness in social affairs. The special characteristic of a thing by virtue of which that thing is what it is, and in the absence of which that thing loses its identity. The dharma of fire is to burn. Striving for self-realization and service to others is the dharma of humans.

DHARMA MAHACHAKRA (proper spelling Dharma Mahacakra): Maha means “great”, chakra means “circle”, i.e. total literal meaning is “the great circle of spirituality” or “the great group meditation.” A series of formal darshans by Baba over a few days, climaxing with His Varabhaya mudra.

DHARMA SAMIKSHA (proper spelling Dharma Samiks’a): Literally “analysis of one’s adherence to the path of righteousness.” It was a program that Baba conducted for a few months in 1981, during which He called all Margis to individually analyze their personal conduct and health.

DI DI: Literally “elder sister.” A female acharya is commonly called Didi.

D M C: Abbreviation for Dharma Mahachakra.

D M S: Abbreviation for Dharma Mahasamelan. Samelan means “gath¬ ering”. DMS literally means “the great spiritual gathering.” A series of formal sittings by a special representative of Baba.

F U L L -TI M E R : Short for Local Full-Time volunteer.

GENERAL SECRETARY: After the President, the highest global AM authority.

GS, GS-DADA, or GS-DA: Abbreviations for General Secretary.

Glossary

GURU (proper spelling Gu’ru’): Literally one who dispels the darkness; one who leads others out of darkness. Spiritual master or preceptor. Ultimately the guru is a purely psycho-spiritual entity, guiding the spiritual aspirant toward one’s life’s goal.

GURU PUJA:A mantra sung together with mudras by which the devotee offers one’s ego attachments to the guru.

I NI Tl ATI ON: In Sanskrit called “diksha,” literally “giving spiritual light.” Personal individualized instruction in meditation by the guru. In AM it is given through the medium of an acharya.

J AGRITI (proper spelling Jagrti): Literally “place of spiritual devel¬ opment.” AM yoga centers, including group meditation hall and living space.

-J I (or -J II): Suffix added on to names. Gives feeling of respect with love.

K AOSH I KI (proper spelling Kaos’ikii): Literally a dance to develop the layers (kosas) of the mind. Yogic dance invented by Baba. Especially suitable for females, though also good for males.

KAPALI KA M EDITATION (proper spelling Ka’pa’lika): Higher

meditation done late night in graveyard, usually taught only when an acharya becomes an avadhuta.

K 11 RTAN (proper spelling Kiirtana): Singing of God’s name, with dance, done before meditation. In AM, chant is Baba Nam Kevalam.

K U N DA LI NI (proper spelling Kun’d’alinii): Spiritual energy force which rises up the spine through the Chakras. One of Tantra’s pur¬ poses is to raise the kundalini.

L U N GI: Cloth worn like a sarong by a man. Part of the renunciate acharya’s uniform.

M ANTRA: Literally man means “mind,” and tra means “liberate,” i.e.- “a word or words which, when concentrated upon, leads to liberation of the mind from all bondages.”

M A RGI (proper spelling Ma’rgii): Literally “one who is on the spiritual path.” Member of AM.

MASTER UNIT: Model AM spiritual community. Including agriculture and service projects.

Microvita : Mysterious emanation of the Cosmos. The smallest en¬ tities of the Cosmos. Though alive, they are the building blocks of matter and energy. Singular is microvitum.

M U DRA (proper spelling Mudra’): Meaningful gesture of hands and/ or feet. Both in yoga and Indian classical dance. See Varabhaya Mudra.

N EO-H U M AN ISM : Universalism. Baba’s philosophy has three legs — AM, Prout, and Neo-Humanism. Neo-Humanism serves the needs of all — humans, plants and animals. It is a philosophy, a spiritual goal, and a way to overcome dogma.

NAMASKAR:A mudra of greeting and parting, touching the forehead and heart. It means “With my mind and my heart I respect the Di¬ vinity in you.”

PARAMA PURUSHA (properspellingParamaPurus’a): Supreme Consciousness; Infinite Entity; God.

PER SO N A L CONTACT: An individual psycho-spiritual experience given by Baba to Margis.

PRABH AT SANGI IT (proper spelling Prabha’t Sam’giita): Literally “songs of the new dawn.” The 5018 songs composed by Baba.

PRASAD: Food infused with spiritual vibrations through kiirtan or the guru’s touch.

PROUT: Acronym for the Progressive Utilization Theory. The socio¬ economic theory given by Baba. See Appendix for complete explanation.

SADH ANA (proper spelling Sa’dhana’): Literally “sustainedeffort”; spiritual practice; meditation.

SAM ADH I : Literally “state of complete absorption.” Various psycho¬ spiritual states achieved while passing through the chakras. Oneness with Cosmic Mind.

SAM SKARA (proper spelling Sam’ska’ra): l)Unexpressed reaction. Consequential action or thought necessitated by a previous thought. 2)That which determines one’s individuality. 3)Popularly (though wrongly) called “karma.”

SA N SK RIT (proper spelling Sam’skrta): Ancient language developed by Tantric yogis. Each letter relates to a different human instinct, and a different psychic sound. The mother language having the most links with other languages.

SECTOR: In AM the largest administrative division below global.

There are nine sectors, each a continent or sub-continent.

SHIVA: Literally “supreme consciousness.” The founder of methodical Tantra. Lived around 5000 BC. Introduced systems of yoga, mar¬ riage, medicine, dance, song and social cooperation. Proper name was “Sadashiva.”

SH LOKA: A Sanskrit verse or saying.

SIXTEEN POINTS:A summary of the most important AM practices.

TAN DAVA (proper spelling Ta’n’d’ava): A vigorous dance for males formulated by Shiva. Stimulates all the glands and develops courage. Symbolizes the fight between life and death.

TANTRA: i)A spiritual tradition originated in prehistoric India. First systematized by Shiva. Develops human vigor to overcome all weak¬ nesses through meditation and by confronting difficult situations. 2)A scripture of 64 books expounding that tradition.

UNIT: l)An AM group regularly meeting for group meditation. 2)“Unit mind” is the mind of an individual living entity. A reflection of Cosmic Mind.

VI D Y A: The introversive or centripetal force causing attraction for the Supreme Nucleus. Leads to knowledge and correct perception.

VIDYATANTRA: Practices for surrender to God, and for becoming one with God. It teaches morality is the base; intuition the means; and life divine the goal.

WHOLETIMER: Renunciate monk or nun whose life is committed to service through AM. Most wholetimers are acharyas.

WOMEN’S WELFARE DE PA RTM ENT: Abbreviated WWD. AM department run by and for women. AM recognizes that men and women are spiritually equal.

WORKER: Generally refers to wholetime workers. May also include full-timers.

VARABHAYA MUDRA (proper spelling Vara’bhaya): Vara means “boon,” and “abhaya” means fearlessness due to feeling completely protected. So " Varabhaya” means “blessing of fearlessness, or blessing with protection and without fear.” Mudra means “meaningful hand gesture.” In Dharma Mahachakras Baba’s Varabhaya mudra caused Margis to enter higher states of consciousness.

Y OG A : Literally “union.” The paramount teaching of Tantra. Consists of

physical, mental, spiritual and social practices to increase one’s subtlety. Ultimately unites the unit mind with the Cosmic Mind.

Y OG I: One who practices yoga.