Avinash

[Avinash]

Hello, Namaskar!,

I practise the tantra-yoga meditation of Ananda Marga, mostly in private but sometimes I meet others who do the same.
It's not a religion but more of a lifestyle and anyone else is also seen as being on this same "ananda marga" (path of bliss) in their own personal way.

The life-style involves regular meditations but also a diet, following moral guidelines, regular fasting, doing selfless service, dancing/singing kiirtana, singing mystic songs (and more).
The main scriptures are the Ananda Sutram (spiritual and social philosophy) and Subhasita Samgraha (explanations of the philosophy).

The monks and nuns wear orange clothes and usually live at a distance from their families (all people are their family).
Some elements of Ananda Marga are derived from Buddhism such as regular meditation retreats and so-called "dharma cakras" (circles of dharma = group meditations with special chanting). Other major elements were drawn from Christianity, Islam and other traditions.

The tantra of Ananda Marga is a modern blending of five different tantra-traditions. The philosophy is called "non-dualistic dualistic non-dualism" because it follows the idea that we come from God (non-dualism), go through a phase of (relative) dualism and return to God. In other philosophies e.g. the (relative) dualistic state is denied (pure non-dualism).

I started practising meditation when I was twenty and have always had a special interest in the roots of Christianity and the teachings of Jesus. I'm the father of a daughter and a son and live in one of the smaller European countries.

Avinash/Andrew

[I, Brian]

Hi Avinash, and welcome to CR.

You've already made a good place for yourself - good to have you around.

[juantoo3]

Kindest Regards, Avinash, and welcome!

[lunamoth]

Welcome Avinash, I'm enjoying your posts.