Editing Ananda Marga (section)

== Disciplines, teachings and practice ==
[[File:Acarya Shraddhananda Avadhuta 01b.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Ácárya Shraddhánanda Avadhúta]] (1919–2008), the second Purodha Pramukha after the demise of [[Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar]]]]
[[File:Ananda Marga.jpg|thumb|upright|This is not an official logo of Ánanda Márga Pracáraka Saḿgha, but it has been used for that purpose, starting in Australia. The graphic depicts a lotus greeting the full moon. It is inspired by a reference in P. R. Sarkar's short story, "The Golden Lotus of the Blue Sea".]]

Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar developed a discipline of [[Tantra]] [[yoga]] and [[meditation]].{{sfn|Jones|Ryan|2007b|pp=34–35}} Tantra yoga, as interpreted by him, is the practical philosophy which serves as foundation of Ananda Marga.{{sfn|Jones|Ryan|2007a|pp=30–31}} According to Sarkar's teachings Tantra means [[Moksha|liberation]] from darkness.
Meditation is the main spiritual practice of this tradition, and through it the practitioner struggles to overcome weaknesses and imperfections. The basis of Ananda Marga practice is covered by a set of rules called the 'Sixteen Points' that guide the practitioner on both spiritual and social aspects.{{sfn|Jones|Ryan|2007a|pp=30–31}} Sarkar expounded these principles in his 1961 ''{{IAST|Ānanda Sūtram}}'', in Sanskrit.

=== Meditation, ''Lalita Marmika'' dance and ''kirtan'' ===

In the Tantric tradition of Ánanda Márga, the spiritual aspirant or [[sadhaka]] practices [[sadhana]]. This signifies the effort through which a person becomes completely [[Self-realization|realized]]. In Tantra the spiritual master, the [[guru]], plays a special role, guiding students on the spiritual path. The aspirant learns meditation from a qualified ''acarya''. An ''acarya'' is most commonly a monk or nun, but in the Ánanda Márga tradition there are also "family ''acaryas''". In the [[initiation]] the aspirant makes a commitment to practice meditation and to live in harmony with the universal balance, and is then taught the technique itself. The aspirant is then required to keep the individual [[lesson]]s personal. In addition, he also taught ''Kapalika'' meditation to many ''[[Sannyasa|sanyásins]]''. His system of ''yoga'' can be termed as ''Rájadhirája Yoga'', ''Tantra Yoga'', or simply ''Ánanda Márga Yoga''. The basic Ánanda Márga meditation system is called Sahaja Yoga. The system consists of six meditation techniques or lessons taught one by one, on a personal basis. The six lessons are: 1)''Iishvara Pranidhana'' (Personal mantra and ''Ishta [[Cakra]]''), 2) ''Guru Mantra'' (Personal ''Guru Mantra''), 3) ''Tattva Dharana'' (Concentration on ''[[Cakra]]s' [[Tattva]]s''), 4) ''Sadharana Pranayama'' (Basic ''[[Pranayama]]''. A special breathing technique), 5) ''Cakra Shodhana'' (Purification of ''Cakras''. A special type of ''[[Dharana]]''), 6) ''Guru Dhyana'' (Special type of ideation for ''[[Dhyana in Hinduism|Dhyana]]''). A set of higher meditation lessons is taught to advanced practitioners committed to dedicate more time for spiritual practices and universal service.

According to the Ánanda Márga system, the ''Lalita Marmika'' dance is performed particularly during the collective meditation. It was supposedly invented by [[Parvati]], the wife of the god [[Shiva]]. This yogic dance with swaying movements, combined with a ''[[kirtan]]'' (the chanting of the universal mantra), is regarded as useful in freeing the mind and preparing it for meditation. Ánanda Márga members are recommended to practice collective meditation at least once a week. These meetings, ''Dharma Chakras'' (held weekly in the ''Dhyan Mandir''), are preceded by the singing of ''[[Prabhat Samgiita]]'' ("Songs of the New Dawn" composed by Sarkar) followed by the spiritual dance of ''Lalita Marmika''. Before meditation the ''{{audio|Samgacchadvam.OGG|Samgacchadvam}}'' mantra is chanted. At the end of meditation the ''{{audio|Nityam Shuddham.OGG|Nityam Shuddham}}'' and the ''{{audio|Guru Puja.OGG|Guru Puja}}'' mantras are recited. Baba Nam Kevalam is a universal kirtan mantra given by Sarkar.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/6888/baba-nam-kevalam |title=What is Baba Nam Kevalam? – Definition from Yogapedia |website=Yogapedia.com |access-date=2020-04-18 |archive-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812204659/https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/6888/baba-nam-kevalam |url-status=live }}{{better source needed|date=September 2021}}</ref>

=== Vegetarian diet, yogic asanas, physical exercises and yogic treatments ===
[[File:Sarvangasana.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Sarvangasana]]]]

The basic practices of Ánanda Márga are yoga [[asana]]s, [[mudra]]s, [[Bandha (Yoga)|bandha]]s, [[pranayama]], [[Massage#Self massage|self-massage]] and two specific dances, ''[[Kaosikii dance|kaos'ikii]]'' and ''[[tandava]]''. These are accompanied by [[Lacto-vegetarianism|Lacto]]-vegetarian [[diet (nutrition)|diet]] and [[fasting]].
* Diet and fasting: Lacto-vegetarian diet avoids meat, fish, eggs and some substances which are said to have a negative effect on the mind, particularly if "mucus-producing". On specific monthly dates called ''[[Ekadashi]]'' (Sanskrit: একাদশী, ekādaśī, the eleventh day after the full moon),<ref group=note>Ánanda Márga ''[[acharya]]s'' practice fasting in two additional days per month called ''Purnima'' and ''Amavasya''.</ref> the regular practice of ''Upavasa'' (yoga [[fasting]]) is recommended to improve health and strengthen the mind.
* ''[[Yoga]] [[asana]]s'', ''[[mudra]]s'' and ''[[Bandha (Yoga)|bandha]]s'': comprises 42 [[asana]]s<ref group="note">The following are the Ánanda Márga asanasas listed from P. R. Sarkar in "''Ánanda Márga Caryacarya'' part 3": ''Sarvanungasana, Matsyamudra, [[Matsyasana]], [[Matsyendrasana]], [[Virasana]], [[Cakrasana]], Naokasana (or [[Dhanurasana]]), Utkata Pascimottanasana, Parvatasana (or [[Halasana]]), Shivasana, [[Vajrasana (yoga)|Vajrasana]], [[Siddhasana]], Baddha Padmasana, [[Kukkutasana]], [[Gomukhasana]], [[Mayurasana]], [[Kurmakasana]], Sahaja Utkatasana, [[Shalabhasana]], [[Bhujaungasana]], [[Shashaungasana]], Bhastrikasana, [[Janusirsasana]], Ardhashivasana, Ardhakurmakasana (or Dirgha Pranama), Yogasana (or Yogamudra), Tuladandasana, [[Ustrasana]], Utkata Kurmakasana, Jatila Utkatasana, Utkata Vajrasana, [[Padahastasana]], Shivasana, [[Lotus position|Padmasana]], Karmasana, Jinanasana, Bhavasana, Granthimuktasana, [[Garudasana]], Dvisamakonasana, Tejasana, Mandukasana''.</ref> chosen by Sarkar.  The asanas are to be performed at least once a day.  15 ''Yoga [[mudra]]s'' and ''[[Bandha (Yoga)|bandha]]s'' are included.<ref group=note>Mudras and bandhas are listed in "''Ánanda Márga Caryacarya'' part 3": ''Uddayana Mudra, Bandhatraya Yoga (Mahamudra, Mahabandha, Mahaveda), Parthivii Mudra, Ambhasii Mudra, Agneyii Mudra, Vayavii Mudra, Akashii Mudra, Manasii Mudra, Agnisara Mudra, Kakacaincu Mudra, Trimunda Mudra, Ashvinii Mudra, Vajrolii Mudra''.</ref>
* Yogic treatments: in 1957 Sarkar published in Bengali ''Yaogika Cikitsa o Dravyaguna'', translated into English and published in 1983, with revisions under the title ''Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies''. In this handbook, he described yogic treatments using asanas and mudras with claims about natural and traditional remedies for about forty diseases.<ref group=note>In the preface the author warns the reader not to risk practising asanas and mudras without the guidance of an experienced yoga teacher.</ref>
* ''[[Kaosikii dance|Kaoshikii]]'': the 'dance for mental expansion', was defined by Sarkar a 'physico-psycho-spiritual dance,' performed by all, and consists of 18 mudras aligning with 6 physical postures, each associated with a specific idea<ref group=note>The spiritual ideation is carried along with the dance in order to establish a subtle link with the divine.</ref> while strengthening body and mind and making them flexible.
* ''[[Tandava]]'' or ''Tāṇḍava'': is a vigorous dance.<ref group=note>Associated with [[Shiva]] in his cosmic dancer image of [[Nataraja]].</ref> This dance is only performed by male followers. The dance is performed to imbue the practitioner's mind with courage and honour, dispelling all sorts of complexes and fear, even fear of death itself.<ref group=note>Thus the dance also has an associated ideation. The dancer starts off with the two arms outstretched, the left arm with an open palm, and the right arm with a clenched fist. The dancer imagines holding a human skull in the left hand, symbolizing death, and  a knife in the right, symbolizing the fight for life; or the actual objects may be used. The dance starts with a jump, landing with bent knees.  Another jump follows, and the dance continues in a jumping manner, lifting one leg then the other continuously. [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050526/aplus.htm Tribuneindia.com story] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329044929/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050526/aplus.htm |date=29 March 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.religlaw.org/template.php?id=2314 |title=Religion and Law Consortium: A Research Forum for Legal Developments on International Law and Religion or Belief Topics |publisher=Religlaw.org |access-date=2011-03-18 |archive-date=15 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315032830/http://www.religlaw.org/template.php?id=2314 |url-status=live }}</ref>