September 23, 2006: Ananda Marga
In Porto Allegre, Brasil, Susan and I spent a few days living with the Ananda Marga Community. We’ve been visiting groups throughout Latin America who create economically self-sustaining communities that are outside of the mainstream system. We are shooting a half-fiction/half-documentary film with the working title “Outlaw Culture.”
Founded in 1955, Ananda Marga is a rooted in Hinduism, with over 200 branches worldwide. Its guru, Shrii Shrii Anandamurti (1921-1990), is said to have reached enlightment, and is the next incarnation of a reincarnation chain that includes Lord Maheshvar (Shiva) and Lord Krsna (Krishna). They view themselves not so much as a religion, but as a path. This path has two main wings: meditation and social service. Their meditiation aspect is mystical and hinged on the mantra “Baba Nam Kevalam,” which means, crudely, all there is is love.
All initiates into Ananda Marga are given Hindu names by their initiating guru, called Dadas. Initiates use their Hindu names within the community, but use their birth names when doing things outside Ananda Marga. We were brought into the community by Ravindra and Krsna. Very nice people, who have plenty to say about world events and art. They live on a kind of farm with Ranjan, Madhumita, and their guru, Dada Cittabodhananda.
Dada Cittabodhananda is a generous and kind man, and is the social cooridinator for all of Latin America. He, along with all Dadas, dress in totally orange outfits.
Dada Cittabodhananda offered to teach me meditation, and I accepted. I went to his private meditation room at 8:00 AM, and there he taught me all the key points for the community, including a personal mantra. To my surprise, he offered to give me a Hindu name, which normally takes a long time to receive. The name he chose is Maheshvar (Shiva), the Hindu deity of creation, destruction, and fire.
I have left Brasil now, and am in Montevideo, Uruguay. Susan and I are looking forward to the many communities ahead of us.