The emotional and devotional seekers of Truth think that if they join a spiritual group, organization or hermitage, this will expedite their spiritual growth, or help them to make quick progression in their spiritual endeavors.These feelings in them are natural and normal.
But when they actually join an organization, they find out that a lot of work is involved, and, contrary to their expectations, they do not have enough time to meditate.
This is not the mere logical deduction, inference or intellectual speculation of the author, who himself had direct experience in his young days studying and living with others in a hermitage (without joining formally and officially), and who witnessed and experienced firsthand what organizations could offer.
During the devotional seekers’ sojourn in the hermitage, they find themselves in an uncomfortable situation, having no time for actual meditation, and they become disillusioned. At this point, the honest seekers will leave the organization and seek out the right lifestyle to pursue the spiritual path.
Some seekers develop interest in name and fame and hang around the organization for a while. They engage in a play of power and, if they lose, then they split from the main organization and start their own new organization and become the head.
Others stay on in the organization as they have established an easygoing lifestyle and are afraid to venture out. They are haunted by feelings of insecurity and are so weak that they cannot consider leaving their secure way of life together with the other hermits.
The organized way of religious groups provides an opportunity for the general public to promote their religious life in society, apparently. Society has developed this notion that living in the spiritual communities or organizations will enhance their spiritual progress.
In fact, the spiritual organizations are nothing but Kindergarten schools for novices on the spiritual path.
The organized way of religion the very idea itself originates from confusion, and the seeker is tricked by the mind in a subtle way. Mind is the Satan, and mind plays subtle tricks on the seeker of Truth who feels to join the hermitage for a better lifestyle imagining this will help him make progress.
“Nobody is a sinner, or Satan. Only the mind is Satan ... ” Lahiri Mahasay’s Personal Letters to Kriya Disciples, The Sanskrit Classics, 1985, Letter number 68.
The idea of living together in a better lifestyle is very palatable from the human point of view. This idea tricks the seeker in a subtle way to lean, or depend, on quantitative and collective improvement of spirituality in society, but this improves neither the quality of the peoples’ individual lives nor their collective life. The organized way of religions neither helps individuals to improve the quality of life, nor does it improve society in general.
On the other hand, Guru-param-para, or the personal relationship between Master and disciple and learning from the Master (as opposed to learning from an organization), enables the seeker to find the righteous way to make himself inward and dissolve the mind in the very Source, where he thus attains purification of his heart. The disciple then sees perfection in the manifested world, or society, and he sees the Lord in every manifestation. As the seeker sees the Lord everywhere, the quality of his life is thus improved, and he does not bother others whose time is not ripe.
Organized religious groups send their agents to society to preach to people whose time is not ripe, unsettling their minds and creating more confusion in them. To speak truthfully, the people’s providence triumphs. They simply are not able to understand such theoretical preaching, and the words of the so called spiritual leaders are not effective because when their preaching strikes the providence of others, it becomes fragmented.
The realized Masters restrain themselves and do not bother to unsettle the minds of the people, but rather effectively help the seekers whose time is ripe. They keep themselves inward and enjoy the Tranquility in Oneness. Here, the Guru-Param-Para way, being the righteous way, helps the seeker to dissolve the sophisticated tricks of the mind and dissolves the negative aspect of individuality, thereby pointing to the qualitative aspect of life.
Joining organized religious groups and allowing oneself to be involved in an apparent renunciate life points to the quantitative aspect. Through the quantitative way, people never achieve the qualitative way. Only by dissolving the mind in its Source and being in Oneness with the pure Consciousness does the seeker attain the infinite Consciousness qualitatively and quantitatively as well.
So, in regards to the matter of spiritual progression, we must approach the subject of organized religious groups and organizations very carefully. It is very important to find the righteous way, and yet this way is rarely found.
“Imang Vivasate yogang praktobanham vyayam.
Vivaswan manabe praha Manu Ikkhakabe abravit.”
“Ebang Param-para-praptimimang Rajarsayo bidu.
Sa kaleneha mahata yogo nasta parang Tapa.” Gita 4:1-2
The verses say, “I [Lord Krisna] had instructed this message of yoga to the Sun [Sun-God], who related it to his son Manu [the father of Mankind]. Manu told this to Ikkhaku, and thus according to the personal relations of Guru-param-para [considered to be the righteous way], the message was received, or taught.
In the course of time, the personal relationship was broken, and the eternal message lost its proper perspective. Thus, I have revived it and tell you [Arjuna].”
Hence, according to the holy Scripture, Guru-param-para is the righteous way, and organized institutionalization is the negative force which attempts to break this proper chain of successions of personal relationships between Master and disciples and to bypass the righteous way.
Organized religious institutions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam and all other groups of organized religion - bypass this righteous way.
In the name of religious institutions to promote the cause of religions among the people in society, a group of persons start spiritual organizations as non-profit, and they invite donations. At the appropriate time, or season, the authorities of these organizations send out their agents to collect tax-deductible donations to enhance their security in the name of serving society. Moreover, the religious organization, being “non-profit,” does not have to pay a tax on the amount collected. Neither does the donor have to pay a tax. Yet it is not uncommon for the religious organization to turn around and use the donations for income-producing investments.
The hermits pollute not only themselves through these donations but also pollute the householders who donate. Regardless of the character of the donation, both the donor and donee are involved in collusion, in a strict spiritual sense.
“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the table of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves.” Matt. 21:12
“And said to them, It is written, my house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matt. 21:13
To speak the truth, in the language of the great ancient Yogi Patanjali, Asteya means not to steal under any circumstances. Allowing oneself to be involved in the collection of donations on behalf of non-profit organizations, in the strict and subtle spiritual sense, amounts to stealing from the donors. And, as such, in the spiritual light, it is an act of connivance which pollutes both the hermits and the donors.
Similarly, Aparigraha, that is, help or donations from others without unconditional love and affection, but rather conditional with attachment, desires and expectations of getting something in return (for example, tax deductions, being healed from physical, mental and spiritual ailments, obtaining a lucrative position, or any favor whatsoever, including winnings from lawsuits), pollutes the receivers of such donations. As a result, they cannot improve their lot on the spiritual path. So the effect of the donor’s cause goes to the receivers of the donations, the hermits or renunciates, and contaminates them, regardless of what they practice.
Ahingsa-Satya-Asteya-Brahmacharya-Aparigrah Yama. Yoga Sutras 2:30
In this verse, “non-violence (Ahingsa), truthfulness (Satya), non-stealing (Asteya), inwardness, or celibacy (Brahmacharya) and self-sufficiency, i.e., independence of others’ help (Aparigraha) are the five commandments forming the foundation of the first step (Yama) toward yoga, or the Kriya path.”
The true seeker has to understand the spirit of these five commandments, including Asteya, and find an honest way of living, and not allow himself to be polluted by depending on the conditional polluted donations.
Similarly, he must understand the true spirit of Aparigraha and, to do this, he must depend wholeheartedly on the grace of the Lord, which is the true umbrella of security, rather than the security of organizations enriched by conditional donations that add to pollution.
Socha-Santosh-Tapa-Swadhyaya-Iswarpranidhanani Niyama. Yoga Sutras 2:32
The verse says, Socha (Purity in body and mind), Santosh (Contentment of heart), Tapa (Austerities), Swadhyaya (Self-study, or self-analysis) and Iswar-pranidhanani (Surrendering to the inner Lord) are the spiritual rules, the other five Commandments, which formulate the second step according to Yogi Patanjali, the founding father of Raja Yoga.
The seeker might remember that the Holy Bible spoke, in the same spirit, of ten Commandments to practice and observe, for attaining inner Realization of the ultimate Self.
The subtle point is that the hermits are already tempted by the subtle tricks of the mind to find better security in organized religious groups. The lifestyle maintained through such polluted donations prevents the hermits from improving their situation. They simply fail to perceive it, as they are in a confused and/or complacent state of mind and are terrified of losing their security in their old age.
Accepting donations does not affect the realized yogi, who never sees anyone except the ultimate Self. Advanced yogis sometimes do accept donations under certain circumstances in order to keep harmony, but they do not accept these for personal use, and thus they remain free from pollution. They simply give away such donations to some needy people.
Let us see what the Bible has to say about this point again:
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one [Inwardness or Detachment], and love the other [Outwardness or Attachment]; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.” Matt.6:24
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matt. 6:21
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.” Matt. 6:34
The above particular verse reminds us of the wandering mendicant of Vedic culture, who does not save his alms for tomorrow. At noontime, by rule, he can beg for alms from three to seven doors from outside uttering, Bhabati bhikhang dehi, that is, “Please give alms.”
If he does not find his prepared food at the stipulated doors, then he is supposed to return to his niche and drink water from nature and consider that the lot of providence has not offered him food today and pray for himself as well as for the world.
“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matt. 6:26
“Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” “And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.” Matt. 6:27-28
“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” Matt. 6:30
“Love not the world [outward attention, loyalty to any organization], neither the things [attachments] of the world [outward attention]. If any man love the world [organized religious groups], the love of the Father [Pure consciousness of the ultimate Self] is not in him.” John 2:15
The verses clearly say that no one can serve two bosses at one time: namely, on the one hand, the righteous way of Guru-param-para, or being inward to reach the Source of mind, and, on the other hand, being involved in an organization and making oneself outward depending on supporting oneself through the polluted conditional donations rendered to an organization (which is a monster, or a beast, who demands loyalty, or otherwise threatens to put the dissenter’s name on a black list or crush him).
“... that the image of the beast [organization, or institution] should both speak [effectively], and cause [enforce] that as many as would not worship [be loyal to] the image of the beast [organization] should be killed [put in trouble].” Rev. 13:15
“And he [the monster organization] causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark [loyalty to the organization, or attachment to religious groups] in their right hand, or in their foreheads." Rev. 13:16
Someone may pose the question to the author, "Well, Mr. Author, from your limited personal experience, how can you make generalizations about the entire world?"
The author would humbly request the honorable reader to look to the pages of history from past to present where they will find that all the religious groups, due to their sectarian views and fanaticism, were, and are, fighting among themselves in the name of religion.
They simply do not even understand what the word religion means. They fight, and they disturb the harmony, rhythm and equilibrium state of blissful Consciousness, which is absolutely One.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female. For ye are all one ... ” Gal. 3:28
The Sanskrit word for religion is Dharma, derived from the root verb Dhri, which means “that which holds.” The Breath, or the Prana, holds life, so to achieve eternal Tranquility through the still state of Breath, or Prana, is Dharma, or religion.
“Veda smriti Sadachara Swasya cha Priya Atmana,
Etat chaturbidhang Prahu Sakhyat Dharmasya lakhanam.” Manusanghita 2:12
“The Veda, Smriti, Sadachara, that is, Kriya, and the dear action of the self, that is, being tranquil [being one with the tranquil state of Consciousness] is the true religion.” Commentary on Manusanghita by Lahiri Mahasay, 2:12, p. 45
Spiritual organizations are a kind of “entertainment industry” for the so-called spiritual leaders of these organizations, where the emotional and devotional seekers of Truth, especially those who are spiritual novices, are exploited.
If the matter is adjudged with open mind and without any prejudice, then we will find the rarely-found righteous way - at least the righteous perspective.
Let us be honest and frank, and let us be righteous. The important and fundamental question here is which perspective one has. For example, if one says “guerrilla warfare” or “terrorist,” from the perspective of one on the other side, the same thing will be adjudged or viewed as “freedom fighting” or “patriotism.” It all matters which side of the fence one is on.
Babaji (the divine Himalayan Yogi, who is formally a Swami as well as being established in Antar Sanyas, that is, “internally detached”) himself has not started organizations, neither does he support this.
Babaji’s disciple, Lahiri Mahasay (the polestar of Kriya Yoga and great householder who is established in Antar Sanyas), repeatedly refused to allow his disciples to start organizations around the teachings of Kriya.
This is the true spirit of righteousness upheld by all the great Masters, realized Sages and Scriptures.
From the true spirit, or righteous perspective, receiving donations in the name of non-profit organizations and sustaining a better lifestyle in the name of spiritual progression is definitely not generating the quality of Asteya (non-stealing). The non-profit organization is not an “interest free” organization in the spiritual perspective, as donor and donee mutually profit.
From the other side’s perspective, “non-profit” is balanced. It is noble. Receiving donations and serving others may be argued intellectually to be a noble activity, but from the strictly spiritual point of view, as well as from the point of view of righteousness, both the donor and donee are tricked by negative subtle forces to profit out of transactions individually.
Hence the whole consideration, from the perspective of inner realization, is a subtle trick, but this is not perceived by hermits living in the hermitages due to their attachments and confusion. To make progression in spiritual life, an honest way of living is very necessary.
Thus, following the Vedic tradition of having a natural household lifestyle, maintained by honest earnings, facilitates the seeker’s good health, pure Breath, good sentiment and righteous energy, which help in contemplative life, or in Kriya practice, to achieve the tranquil state of Breath and, ultimately, the After-effect-poise of Kriya, that is, eternal Tranquility.
The subsistence from the organizations supported by accrued conditional donations pollutes the food, breath, sentiments and energy and puts the hermits into a confused state.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, this is the divine scheme, and there is no sense in arguing intellectually.
Some rules have exceptions. For example, the first (Adi) Sankaracharya, disciple of Babaji, (in the eighth century) founded four hermitages on all four sides of India and appointed his disciples to head these four hermitages (in a post called “Sankaracharya”), while he himself remained outside of post and position.