Saturday, August 18, 2007

First meeting....

This evening, as I was walking towards the Bhajan Hall, I noticed a large group of westerners gathered in front of the main temple. Figuring they had just arrived and might need some help, I offered. Indeed, they had just arrived an hour ago and would be leaving around 7:30pm. They were all from Germany and were sad at having missed darshan – none of them had met Amma before. I gave them a brief introduction to the Ashram and managed to gather a few Embracing the World brochures even though the Information Center was closed at the time. I explained that Amma would be coming down for bhajans in a few moments and perhaps they would like to see Her come out of Her room.

So I brought them around to the front of Amma’s house where they patiently waited. I told them that Amma may not even come out for Bhajans, but they should wait and hopefully Amma would walk by on her way to the hall. As I looked at the group lined up on either side of the pathway, I wondered at how they would react to their first glimpse of Amma, and of course, how Amma would react to this large group of new comers.

After about 5 minutes, Amma came down the stairs and made her way through the gathered crowd. I was standing next to one of the women from the group. As Amma walked by, She briefly looked up at this woman, and with a beautiful big look of welcoming surprise, said ‘Ah!’, and with a huge smile, her hand gently stroked the woman’s face. Amma then walked off to the stage. Afterwards, I saw this woman beaming while recounting the event to her friend.

I’m sure this first meeting will be forever etched in this woman’s heart...

Sri Pati
17 August 2007

Friday, August 17, 2007

Thy Holy Feet

Nin Tirupadattil – Thy Holy Feet

Today there was no public darshan so Amma came to bhajans directly from her room looking fresh and vibrant with many children around her.
The bhajans were sweet as always. The songs were:

  • Nandakumara Vanditarupa
  • Mauna Ghanamritam
  • Adi Parashakti
  • Makaranda Madhurya
  • Mithi Madhuri
  • Nin Tirupadattil Vinita Papi
  • Om Namah Shivaya
  • Amma Amma Taye

I haven’t heard Amma sing the song Nin Tirupadattil Vinita Papi very much in recent years. Very profound song with so nice lyrics:

This sinner has fallen at Thy holy feet and is crying with an aching heart. Kindly remove my fears and bring joy to my heart, O God.

Thou art not just hymns and songs, but the lawgiver who looks after human hearts.

I have no strength. The all-powerful One surely has mercy on the helpless.
Give me Thy blessing in the darkness of this earthly life.

Protect the boat of my life from being sunk in the waves. Give me strength to remember Thy Divine Form, O Lord!

Vishwanath
17 August 2007

3 great problems

Jara, Mrityu, and Vyadhi (old age, death, and disease) are three great problems inherent to human existence. The scriptures speak of spirituality as the remedy for these. They prescribe living in a Guru's presence as the sole way out of the misery of life, which is full of limitations. These limitations are due to one's identification with the body-mind complex, rather than with the Atman.

Living with Satguru Amma is such a great fortune for all who have the Grace to do so. It is also auspicious to meet with death (Mrityu) in Her presence. The great poet Sri Ottur Unni Namboodirapad's memorable passing in Amritapuri (recorded in one of the Awaken Children volumes) is a highly inspiring account of such divine grace.

There are about 3000 residents here in Amritapuri of all age groups and nationalities. Living in the Ashram impacts all areas of our lives. We are taught to imbibe a point of view towards Jara, Mrityu and Vyadhi in a totally fresh, meaningful and benevolent way – thanks to Amma and Amma only. When one of us dies, we have the whole Ashram with us to bid 'bon voyage' to our loved ones. Amma constantly reminds us that death is not an end in itself, but a pause before the continued journey.

Amma sings bhajans like Manobuddhya, (which declares that all is Siva and nothing else) and tells us often in satsangs about the transience of our worldly existence and the permanence of the Atman. So when one of us departs, we do not beat our chests or cry to the skies on the day of the funeral as if it's impossible to return to our normal routines or live without them.

This evening Amma came out for the funeral of one of the ashram residents.
Amma attended to the funeral ritual Herself, which was held late in the evening. Surrounding the body, we chanted Amma's Ashottara (108 names) followed by the 8th Chapter of the Gita, which talks about the after-life. She blessed the body by kissing it softly. We then went to the seaside where the body was placed on a pyre, which burned in the midst of solemn and genuine prayers that the departed attains peace and freedom.

Death is a reality, and we learn to take it as such. All of us here, old and young have learned there is no needless mystery or terror surrounding it. Thanks to Amma.

sandhya
13 Aug 07

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Independence Day

Everyone knows it was India’s independence day on 15th August.

Amma came normally for bhajans and sang the following songs:

  • Gopala Govinda Krishna
  • Prapachamengum
  • Ushakala Neram
  • Man Re Sikh Prabhu
  • Nin Ormakal Matram
  • Awaken Children
  • Om Namah Shivaya
  • Jai Ma Ambe

It was India’s 60th independence day.
In the evening after the bhajans there was a program including the traditional Bharata Puja arranged by the students. There was also an exhibition depicting the 60 years of independence. The students had really prepared everything nicely as always with an evident love for their motherland – The first step in becoming a universal human being.

At the end of the program Amma gave an inspiring speech mainly on the topic of environmental devastation, global warning and the extinction of species, and the importance of counteracting them. She urged everyone to make a pledge to plant one sapling as often as possible to counteract deforestation. At the end of her speech there was a riotously fun version of the bhajan “Mata Rani” with many unable to contain themselves and starting to dance in bliss. When everyone retired to their rooms there was a joyful feeling pervading the whole place which really showed on all the faces.

A befitting and joyful celebration for the enduring freedom of this beautiful nation! May India for ever be free and inspire the world to ever greater spiritual heights!

Vishwanath
15 August 2007

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Innocent Observation

After a weekend of long darshans Amma came today for bhajans again. It was a really nice set with a few very new ones interspersed with a couple of classic ones.

There was one little Indian boy sitting next to me during bhajans who was staring at me for some time and then commenced make a very innocent observation. Suddenly he turned to me and said: “You know, you are very red.”, which is true because today I was out in the sun for a fairly long time and having fair skin I cannot stand strong sunlight. I said to him: “Yes, too much sun.” Next the boy said something that really made me smile. He said: “It’s a good thing that I’m already brown.” Isn’t that great? He said it with such innocence and confidence that I really couldn’t but wonder at his lack of self consciousness. I know this incident doesn’t relate to Amma directly, but it does touch on subject the subject of innocence that she likes to touch upon often and I just wanted to share it because it made me smile.

The songs tonight were:

  • He Gananayaka Siddhivinayaka
  • Krishna Govinda Gopala Ram
  • Varalunna Hridayattil
  • Niilanjanamizhi
  • Meri Hridaya Sree Rama Base (Hindi)
  • Aldbhuta Charitre
  • Chintakalkantyam
  • Om Namah Shivaya
  • Ni Intri Verarumillai (Tamil)
  • Jai Janani Jai Ho Teri (Hindi)

Vishwanath
13 August 2007

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Thank You Amma

"Thank you, Amma!" said one of the officers who attended the IAM camp at CISF [Central Industrial Security Force] Regional Training Centre, Arakkonam, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu. He said it had been a refreshing and relaxing experience. He said the course was like a capsule of yoga and meditation that would heal the ailing body and mind.

IAM classes were conducted for CISF jawans [soldiers] at Neyveli Lignite Corporation, NLC, Neyveli, Tamil Nadu. The classes went on smoothly in spite of the ongoing strike by contract labourers. The jawans came for the class after their security duty which had been extended owing to the strike.


Classes were then conducted at the Madras Port Trust. At the end of the course, one of the officers said, "Today, I feel free from tension. I am very grateful to Mata Amritanandamayi." One person suggested that this IAM should be made compulsorily for all soldiers. Said one jawan, "I have never experienced such peace and relaxation before."


The next IAM course was conducted at SHAR Centre, Sriharikotta, Andhra Pradesh. The commandant, eager to learn more about Amma, plied with many questions about her and the ashram. He expressed a desire to have darshan of Amma as soon as possible. Owing to his questions alone, the class got extended by six hours!


Classes were then conducted again at the CISF Regional Training Centre, Arakkonam, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu. We conducted one extra class for the jawans as there is a large number of jawans in this unit.

We could feel Amma’s grace flowing to all. She is the mother of all. She can’t leave any one alone.

Ajamrita


Friday, August 10, 2007

Nature Language

Today Amma gave the first Q&A since returning from the Tour. After a meditation, read some of the devotees' questions. One question was about the disasters seen in nature. Amma said that the main cause to this was the over-population seen, and that that has caused people to look for cheap ways to increase crop turnout, etc., thus exploiting Nature in many ways. Amma also suggested many practical ways we can try to at least make a small change in this area.
At the end of the satsang, Amma announced that the satsang would be translated in all languages, and for nobody from other countries to be sad. Then Amma directed devotees from 6 different countries to make the same announcement with the mic, in their respective language. Everyone thought this was very funny.

Piyush,
August 10, 2007

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Ever New Amma

Amma came directly to bhajans after giving darshan all day. It is such an endearing and slightly heartrending sight when Amma comes for bhajans with her hair disheveled and sari smeared with tears and the makeup of devotees.

I don’t know, I’m repeating myself but why is it that I never tire of watching Amma sing bhajans? Will I go to my grave enslaved by her beauty? Probably, and I’m not complaining.

The songs were:

  • Radhika Manohara
  • Irul Tingi Valarunnu
  • Karunya Murte
  • Om Shakti Om Shakti (Tamil)
  • Padamulattile Pamsuvay
  • Manavu Nondiralu Amma (Kannada)
  • Om Namah Shivaya
  • Jai Jai Kali Ma


Vishwanath
9 August 2007

Bhilai melts in Amma's Love

Bhilai melts in Amma's Love - IAM at Bhilai

IAM sessions were held from 15th July 2007 to 17th July 2007 at Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), Chattisgarh.

Seven - time winner of the Prime Minister's Trophy for best Integrated Steel Plant in the country, Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) is India's sole producer of rails and heavy steel plates and a major producer of structural steel. The plant is the only supplier of the country's longest rail tracks (260 metres). Since there were a large number of soldier at BSP, we had to divide the troops into two groups – morning group and evening group. Roughly about 300 Jawans (soldiers) attended the program which spanned across 5 sessions.





The next morning, we started our session at 7 am. The Inspector introduced the IAM team to the Jawans. What was different here from other CISF branches was that the Senior Officers including the Commandant sat with us. Indeed it was quite encouraging for the Jawans to see their officers also participating in IAM with such zeal. Whenever we asked them something, the officers, as well as the Jawans, showed their enthusiasm by showering us with replies.



In the evening, we were supposed to start our session at 4 p.m, but when we reached there, the organizers looked worried. It was a Sunday. Everyone had been expected to be present for the evening session, but many were not there. Some miscommunication was there. The officers assured us that if we waited for about half and hour, everyone would eventually come. As we were waiting, we overheard a soldier saying – "I was on duty last night and could not get time to sleep much". After some waiting, we felt that the current crowd in the hall was getting restless over the delay, so we decided to go in. Then, an officer took the mic, and told the soldiers that they they were really happy that M.A.M is teaching this technique free of cost and that its representatives have traveled a long distance for the benefit of the soldiers.

For the next 20 minutes, time just was not moving at all while we waited. We told them what we had overheard one soldier talking about not getting sleep. Everyone started laughing. We then sang a lullaby for them. Within 3 minutes many of them were sleeping like babies! For 15 minutes they had a nice nap. When they got up, they started looking at each other in awe, surprised that they had actually slept. The waiting time was over. Everyone came in and the evening session resumed.




Next day morning the strength increased. The hall was packed. Some young soldiers who were also excellent sportsmen had joined us. The number of officers on stage also increased. About 5 officers were on stage with us. An officer said, "We are so lucky to have received the shower of Amma's Love through the IAM Technique."

On the final day, the number young soldiers who were also high class sports people, had also increased. Many of them had played at the national level and in the Asian games. One of them had even been the captain of the Indian team.




Before starting the IAM, we had a dancing session for about 5 minutes. Everyone present danced away in joy. After the IAM session, everyone's face looked so serene. Many of them were reluctant to open their eyes and come out of the meditative state. The Inspector said, "No matter how much money we have, or how much we roam about in a market, something like the IAM Technique, which is a token of Love from Amma, cannot be bought. The peace this Technique brings is invaluable."

Later, the Inspector took us on a brief tour of the Bhilai Steel Plant. This plant is one of the richest sources of income for SAIL (Steel Authority of India Limited). We were taken to a cabin which was high above the plant floor. From there we could see big red hot bars of iron that were being rolled over the moving cylinders then straightened by big machines and finally cut into proper shapes. Then these bars were passed onto another section where rails are made for Indian Railways. This plant started the "Long Rail Project" a few years back and we were told that it is the only project of its kind in all of Asia.



Thereafter, we visited the blast furnace. What we saw amazed us – molten red hot metal, gushing out of gigantic machines - like a golden bright stream of sun. This metal then gets separated into high quality and low quality metal streams. One could see this red hot metal flowing like water into a gigantic mug-shaped vessel.

Amit & Mohan