The Universal Guide: Shrii Shrii Anandamurti’s Vision for a Harmonious World

-By Ananda Marga

Throughout history, during times of crisis and confusion, a universal human emerges whose profound personality and revolutionary philosophy steer the world away from chaos and destruction. These individuals embody the eternal soul of humanity and play pivotal roles in averting the decline of ethical values and societal collapse. For instance, Gautam Buddha arose during an era of blind bigotry, halting the erosion of moral principles. Similarly, Jesus Christ appeared when the West was beset by religious persecution, offering salvation and a new spiritual path. Each historical epoch presents a monumental problem to solve, and it is the universal person, with their deep understanding of the era’s dilemmas and complexities, who heralds the dawn of a new age.

For centuries, spiritual and religious leaders have been teaching mankind how to realize the Truth within themselves. Some have instructed their followers to shun the world and its temptations; others have preached simply that individuals must lead moral lives in society to attain eternal spiritual happiness. However, very few have ever discussed in detail the mundane spheres of government, politics, and economics. Development in these realms, it seemed, was not important for the spiritual journey of the individual soul.

Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, however, is a most unusual spiritual guide. His view is that this physical, material world is neither an illusion nor a great temptation, but the starting point of our spiritual journey. Thus, we must develop it even as we develop ourselves to make it a perfect base for spiritual effort. This effort is not the struggle of a few isolated individuals but the task of humanity as a whole. Human society and its institutions should not impede our progress; rather, they should be carefully planned and designed to accelerate our march toward perfection.

Shrii Shrii Anandamurti discusses all the problems that beset modern mankind—governmental corruption, economic injustice, overpopulation, crime—and offers practical solutions for them. Our first step is to realize that the true goal of humanity, the ultimate goal of evolution, is not the amassing of more and more material wealth but the expansion of consciousness. Through proper education and practical techniques of mental expansion, humanity will come to realize that the hoarding of wealth and all the ills of corruption and scarcity it creates are nothing but the misdirected longing of the human soul for infinite happiness—a longing that cannot be satisfied by money but only by internal bliss.

As human attention and activity are directed more and more toward subtler pursuits such as artistic endeavor and spiritual practice, the negative tendencies of hoarding and self-interest will be replaced by a new feeling of love and brotherhood. As we expand our minds toward the Infinite and learn to share our mundane treasures, we will realize more and more that we are indeed one humanity, that we are all the sons and daughters of one Infinite Intelligence Who is guiding us all to perfection. Instead of being based on competition and mutual hostility, society will operate through mutual cooperation and love.

We are living in a most unusual time. Governmental corruption is becoming more and more painfully evident all over the world. The over-indulgence of a small segment of humanity and the resultant poverty of the majority are creating an imbalance that is pushing the world toward its breaking point. This imbalance can lead to a collapse of the world economy. Today, even newly wealthy nations are feeling the strain of this imbalance, and it is clear that the current economic system is beginning to fail. At such a moment in world history, people are looking for new kinds of leadership.

Shrii Shrii Anandamurti speaks of a new kind of leadership in the form of “spiritual leaders.” Instead of spiritually evolved members of society renouncing the world and seeking their own enlightenment in caves and monasteries, and thus leaving the guidance of society to corrupt politicians, spiritually developed individuals should take on the leadership of society. Since their goal, developed by regular meditation and uncompromising morality, is only the realization of the Supreme and not any mundane wealth, power, or fame, there will be no chance of their corruption. Inspired and guided by them, mankind will accelerate its march toward Absolute Truth and reach new heights of spiritual and material perfection.

“You are never alone or helpless. The force that guides the stars guides you too.” —Shrii Shrii Anandamurti

A Full-Fledged Ideology: A Profusion of New Paradigms

Shrii Shrii Anandamurti introduced several original theories that, if explored and accepted, could profoundly influence the scientific and ideological paradigms of a post-materialist worldview. These theories have the potential to reshape the conceptual landscape across various academic disciplines.

For example:

In Sociology: He expounded a concept of class that is socio-psychological in nature, rather than purely economic or social as offered by Marx.

In History: He proposed that historical dynamics are largely the product of a cyclic rotation of class dominance, and he provided a practical means for this social cycle to be progressively advanced to minimize the perennial problem of class oppression.

In Chemistry: He proposed that chemical formulas need to include, along with the current molecular information, notation of the free microvita content, and he claimed that chemical reactions are affected by the quality and nature of microvita present.

In Biology: Agreeing with contemporary biological research, he asserted that evolution is guided in part by the collective micro-psychic longing of species and is not wholly the result of random mutations of genes.

In Philosophy: He expanded the scope of philosophy by adding to its traditional branches of ontology, cosmology, metaphysics, and ethics, two new sciences of mind: manovijinana (biopsychology) and intuitional science.

In Linguistics: He explained that verbal expression arises from the synchronized unity of the five lower chakras, and he linked etymological transformations to changes in physiology and collective psychology.

In Economics: He proposed that the branches of psycho-economy and people’s economy be added to the current scope of economics. He developed a system of decentralized economic planning (PROUT) and provided a new explanation for the cause of economic depressions.

In Cognitive Science: He demonstrated the profound effects of microvita on the functioning of the mind, suggesting, among other things, that developed human minds can use positive microvita to propagate new ideas and that negative microvita can foster the spread and intensification of imperialism.

In the Humanities: He distinguished culture from pseudo-culture and revealed the function of pseudo-culture in maintaining advantageous conditions for economic exploitation and social oppression.

In Psychology: He stated that the endocrine glandular system is the psychological mechanism through which the mind affects mental and emotional expression.

In Ethics: He proposed an ethical concept that transcends the conflict between the moralistic ethics of the fundamentalists and the situational ethics of the secular humanists. He asserted that morality’s purpose is to provide mental stamina and balance for undertaking spiritual sadhana.

In Human Settlement Planning: He demonstrated through his model settlement, Ananda Nagar, practical means to decentralize the urban population, integrate nature into human habitats, and provide the full range of social, economic, cultural, and spiritual needs to all people.

In Religious Studies: He detailed the historical development of Tantra and indicated the seminal influence of Tantra on Buddhist, Taoist, Hindu, and Zen mysticism.

In Liberation Ideology: He propounded Neo-Humanism, a philosophical concept that gives ideological unity to diverse progressive movements, including anti-imperialism, animal rights, women’s rights, civil rights, environmentalism, and ethnic nationalism, unifying movements for social liberation with the pursuit of spiritual liberation.

In Music: He expressed mysticism and devotional sentiments through lyrics in vernacular languages and folk melodies. He composed 5,018 songs with melodies in the span of 8 years, starting from September 14, 1982, until the last day of his physical departure, which is a unique achievement in human history.

In Pharmacology: He collated existing knowledge and identified several new herbal and Ayurvedic remedies for common ailments. He asserted that the efficacy of pharmacological remedies is affected by their microvita content and provided a conceptual framework through his theory of microvita, capable of explaining the efficacy of many forms of esoteric healing systems.

In Education: He revised the objectives of education to emphasize the integrated development of the total human personality and the inculcation of universalistic sentiment creation.

In Ecology: He gave the powerful philosophical concept of prama to bring about the harmonious balance of cultures with their ecosystems.

In Yogic Science: He introduced important new meditation practices, re-codified the system of intuitional science, and included social practices. He undercut the notion that spiritual work can be done in isolation from society, asserting instead that sadhana without service is a form of escapism and exploitation. “Self-realization and service to all” is the guiding principle. There is no other way out.

The Embodiment of Bliss

Since his early childhood in Bihar, India, where he was born at the dawn of the full moon on May 21, 1921, Shrii Shrii Anandamurti attracted millions of followers and friends with his deep love for humanity, guiding them along the path of self-realization and service to humanity. Adjusting the ancient science of Tantra Yoga practices to meet the needs of current and future generations, he developed a scientific philosophy for the sake of human transcendence to divinity and taught his updated system of practical spiritual disciplines for causing physical, mental, and spiritual transformation of one and all. In obeisance, his followers called him Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, the embodiment of bliss, or simply Baba, the loving father.

Millions of people of all races from around the world who followed his teachings found their lives transformed as they overcame their weaknesses and negative stances of their minds to experience a deep peace and bliss within. Inspired by his selfless, exemplary presence in their midst, his followers focused the efforts on serving the society and elevating the oppressed.