On Wednesday, August 31, 2005, at 05:08 PM, sprose1@... wrote:
> wonder why there had not been a prediction in 2000 that 2001 would be
> a "dark"
> period.
>
Respectfully, I distinctly remember Amma telling us in 1999-2000 winter
programs in Ann Arbor, and the summer of 2000 that we must recognize
that having strong attachments to her were ok, but crowds would swell,
as many more new children would be needing her,..............and that
she needed many more "worker bees" to support her charitable activities
and the difficult years to come.

As old timers (accustomed to programs with 600-800 attending), many of
us, myself included, pouted as the crowds were swelling each year on
tour. Obtaining a token was becoming more difficult with Amma insisting
all newcomers were to come first, and us old timers must remain
patient, keep her in our hearts and increase our sadhana. The days of
volunteer token attendants was gone...and dear Geetha has to work the
door then work the darshan lines....so all was "fair". Only the
smallest of children can sneak a second hug with our dear Mothers keen
sense of crowd control.

Grateful for feeling spoiled in the 90's in the arms of my Mother, Amma,

Om Namah Shivaya,
amritavarshini

--- In Ammachi (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com, "B.Edmonds" <edmondsb@i...> wrote:
>
> On Wednesday, August 31, 2005, at 05:08 PM, sprose1@a... wrote:
> > wonder why there had not been a prediction in 2000 that 2001
would be
> > a "dark"
> > period.
> >
> Respectfully, I distinctly remember Amma telling us in 1999-2000
winter
> programs in Ann Arbor, and the summer of 2000 that we must
recognize
> that having strong attachments to her were ok, but crowds would
swell,
> as many more new children would be needing her,..............and
that
> she needed many more "worker bees" to support her charitable
activities
> and the difficult years to come.
>
> As old timers (accustomed to programs with 600-800 attending), many
of
> us, myself included, pouted as the crowds were swelling each year
on
> tour. Obtaining a token was becoming more difficult with Amma
insisting
> all newcomers were to come first, and us old timers must remain
> patient, keep her in our hearts and increase our sadhana. The days
of
> volunteer token attendants was gone...and dear Geetha has to work
the
> door then work the darshan lines....so all was "fair". Only the
> smallest of children can sneak a second hug with our dear Mothers
keen
> sense of crowd control.
>
> Grateful for feeling spoiled in the 90's in the arms of my Mother,
Amma,
>
> Om Namah Shivaya,
> amritavarshini

On the positive side: becoming Amma's worker bee is an amazing
opportunity for sadhana. To tell you the truth, i prefer it to hugs!!!
the support she provides blows your mind!