Prana Dharma

The words práńa dharma mean the cardinal characteristic of a person which differentiates one person from another. Just as each human being has his or her own traits, similarly an entire race living within a particular geographical, historical and cultural environment will also inhere some traits which distinguish that particular race from other. These traits or specialities are inseparably embedded in the internal behaviour of the entire population, and they help to form a particular bent of mind, expression of external behaviour, attitude towards life and society, and on the whole a different out look.

Ananda Marga has rules, procedures and regulations but there is also a cultural diversity which is pre-dominating in all aspect of the organisation. Over the years there have been discussions with WT's and Margiis from different countries about behaviour - comparing the cultural norms from the varying countries that we come from - what is good manner and what is not. There have also been group discussions from time to time where this has been talked about. Cultural things are something what may interest everyone, especially as they impact on our understanding and interactions.

Cultural diversity

The diversity is here divided in to nine orientations. Click the orientation and read what said about different countries.

Orientations 1 to 3 do with what a culture believes to be the best ways by which people should relate to one another.

1. Independent or Dependent oriented.
2. Hierarchy or Egality oriented.
3. Rule or Relationship oriented.

Orientations below do with how a culture behaves in a particular situation.

4. Monochronic or Polychronic oriented.
5. Risk-Taking or Risk-Averse oriented.
6. Past or Future oriented.
7. Direct or Indirect Communicator oriented.
8. Process or Result oriented.
9. Formal or Informal oriented.

Orientations - descriptions of each orientation.

It's important to remember that very few cultures are either absolutely one way or the other in their orientation. Most fall somewhere in between, and are simply more or less inclined to one way than the other.

Note: With the permission of Singapore Reference Library, copied from: The Global Etiquette Guide to Europe, The Global Etiquette Guide to Asia, The Global Etiquette Guide to Latin America, and The Global Etiquette Guide to Africa.
http://www.impactpublications.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5535

Stories

• Guru Test - One Margii from each country performing a test.
• The bird is telling - What would have you said, had you been passing through the forest?

AM culture

What is the AM culture i.e. the social norms and values Baba has given. To help us to understand each other more and improve the way we communicate.

Civilization is a collection of usages, manners, etiquette, formalities, ideologies
and love. The culture of the entire humanity is the same, but civilization varies from
society to society.

While culture is colletive human expressions and civiliastion is refinement of the expression, values become the crucible of the degree of refinement. Ananda Marga is a new and complete Global Civilisaton. So now we all have to fit in this new global civilsation as one family.

• Rarh - Rarh was not only the starting point of civilization, Rarh represented the first ever steps towards cutural progress.

• Geology and Human Civilization - Baba's Discourse, 28 December 1987, Anandanagar.

• Prana Dharma - Tthe cardinal characteristic of a person which differentiates one person from another.

• Psychology and character - Each and every entity, animate and inanimate, has its own particular psychology or characteristic.

• Prenatal Memory and Learning - The documentation of learning and memory months before birth is surprising.

References

Culture Fundamentally Alters the Brain - It's no secret culture influences your food preferences and taste in music. But now scientists say it impacts the hard-wiring of your brain.
http://www.livescience.com/health/080118-culture-brain.html