Digest Number 412

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/22/02 10:02:11 PM Eastern Standard Time,

Ammachi writes:

 

 

> it is true that Mother prescribes 8 hours of meditation there in

> Amritapuri..but SHE is THERE to guide them in this...if you REALLY

> want that kind of guidance, then i would suggest that you GO to

> Amritapuri...and receive it...also if you truly doubt what sadhana to

> do...i would follow the advice of that senior Boston member who said

> to ask Her directly..

>

>

 

Dear V. (can't spell it):

 

When I first read your messge I waited, trying to come up with a response,

but could not, really. But, your last paragraph, above, hits the Mother

lode, as it were. I am not quite ready for total immersion, eight hours per

day. Yet, I still want the kind of close meditation supervision, since I

don't believe I will get anywhere by any other way. the mind has to be

stilled ultimately. Now, if I go to the monthly Amma group, I get the video,

the Bhajan and some meditation with people who cannot help me at all. Then

it's over. Twelve months pass, then I see Ammachi again for a couple of

minutes. If lucky I can reduce my entire life situation to a sentence of 10

words or less, and hope that the new year will be better, which it isn't.

so, I begged for an answer. I think Amma directed me, I could be wrong, to a

Zen meditation group, which has an esteemed Master. I felt that this could

heal the gap, so I could have some growth so that the next Darshan I would be

ahead of the last year. But, I have doubts, as it is after all another whole

group, another path, even though meditation is meditation. There is a fear

that what if there is a divergence between the two; who is my Master? I

regard AMma as my Sat-guru, but can't this become ini name only if I am

following the counsel of the Zen Master? I will be with him on a regular

basis, 11 months a year...I feel an uneasiness about it, since I don't want

to leave Ammachi, or the thought that I am in her fold, despite going weekly

to this group. I am troubled. Also, I live near Ground Zero, and I don't

hear too much Amma in that. I dread the inevitablity of another attack of a

nuke or bio nature. It is difficult to hear Amma in this, for this is not

the time for fancies, but of harsh realities. Also, I do not like to trouble

Amma, so I never write Her. I feel with all the millions, that it is absurd

for me to write Her in India. I thank you for your enthusiastic writings, V.

Avram

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Dear Avram,

know that you are not the only one with a fate like this. Two years

ago I met a Korean Zen Master and got involved in the activities of

his little temple. After going a little deeper I felt that I couldn't

devote myself to it fully because in my heart of hearts I was still

with Amma.

When Amma came to Europe I gave her a picture of the Zen Master. She

looked at it and laughed a bit. Then getting more serious she uttered

in plain English.".. Highway to God Ok but change no good." In my

understanding of her aphorism she wanted to tell me that the

meditation practice is good but if I change the Master that would be

not wholesome.

After meeting Amma very early in my life I've seen a lot of teachers

and masters. From all that I know for myself that Amma is indeed a

very special being.

But in order to go tread the path with her in the long run one must

go and be with her in India for some time each year. And also do

something for her while in the west. Collecting some money, helping

somehow in the local group etc. Only then will be the connection

strong enough that you'll feel her guiding beam with you. At least it

is like that for me. She one time told me when I was about to make a

wrong choice in my life: Whatever you do I'll be always with you. So

far I've failed to clearly perceive that.

But when I do something for her I feel a supportive flow of energy

carrying me to help in my task.

And where I am at with the Zen Master after all?

I go there twice a week and I feel it is good for me. I don't

know

how it will go on. I consider Amma as my spiritual mother and I try

to use the arena of the Zen Temple to learn to still my mind and try

see the one who is perceiving the thoughts. In the early days such

practice was also done around Amma. But few are ready for this and

Amma wanted to do something for many, many people. She once had the

plan of a supportive group of meditating monks beside the "outgoing"

monks. Unfortunately several Indian and western advanced mediators

run away or got kicked by her over the years. So the yogi Branch in

MA mission didn't unfold well. But I havn't been there for quite a

while and new buds in Amma`s yogi-garden might have grown.

Anyway as you know even the people very close to her have their

difficulties ( to say the least) and to be close with her is a tough

challenge.

What I feel from your writing you've already made your choice what to

do now and I hope you get the tuition you need and the strength to

shield of negative currents.

If you pour out your heart to Amma in a letter that will also be

good. Even if she never reads it the thought current in her direction

will eventually make you feel her Buddhanature which is in the last

sense also your Buddhanature.

Lutz

[Guest guest]

I was in Amritapuri 5 years ago for several months.

It was not a good setting for beginning-intermediate meditators.

It's a great place for devotional practices, meeting great people,

encountering ideas, learning about Mother.

Nevertheless, in the midst of the noise and illness, I felt very

distant from Amma.

If you want to go inward and tame the mind, zen sounds great.

Christian monks follow the orders of their superior, but keep their

heart and minds on Christ.

When your Heart is with Amma, she is near and helping.

Stephen

 

Ammachi, sprose1@a... wrote:

> In a message dated 1/22/02 10:02:11 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> Ammachi writes:

>

>

> > it is true that Mother prescribes 8 hours of meditation there in

> > Amritapuri..but SHE is THERE to guide them in this...if you REALLY

> > want that kind of guidance, then i would suggest that you GO to

> > Amritapuri...and receive it...also if you truly doubt what

sadhana to

> > do...i would follow the advice of that senior Boston member who

said

> > to ask Her directly..

> >

> >

>

> Dear V. (can't spell it):

>

> When I first read your messge I waited, trying to come up with a

response,

> but could not, really. But, your last paragraph, above, hits the

Mother

> lode, as it were. I am not quite ready for total immersion, eight

hours per

> day. Yet, I still want the kind of close meditation supervision,

since I

> don't believe I will get anywhere by any other way. the mind has

to be

> stilled ultimately. Now, if I go to the monthly Amma group, I get

the video,

> the Bhajan and some meditation with people who cannot help me at

all. Then

> it's over. Twelve months pass, then I see Ammachi again for a

couple of

> minutes. If lucky I can reduce my entire life situation to a

sentence of 10

> words or less, and hope that the new year will be better, which it

isn't.

> so, I begged for an answer. I think Amma directed me, I could be

wrong, to a

> Zen meditation group, which has an esteemed Master. I felt that

this could

> heal the gap, so I could have some growth so that the next Darshan

I would be

> ahead of the last year. But, I have doubts, as it is after all

another whole

> group, another path, even though meditation is meditation. There

is a fear

> that what if there is a divergence between the two; who is my

Master? I

> regard AMma as my Sat-guru, but can't this become ini name only if

I am

> following the counsel of the Zen Master? I will be with him on a

regular

> basis, 11 months a year...I feel an uneasiness about it, since I

don't want

> to leave Ammachi, or the thought that I am in her fold, despite

going weekly

> to this group. I am troubled. Also, I live near Ground Zero, and

I don't

> hear too much Amma in that. I dread the inevitablity of another

attack of a

> nuke or bio nature. It is difficult to hear Amma in this, for this

is not

> the time for fancies, but of harsh realities. Also, I do not like

to trouble

> Amma, so I never write Her. I feel with all the millions, that it

is absurd

> for me to write Her in India. I thank you for your enthusiastic

writings, V.

> Avram

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Namah Shivaya dear Lutz and other Listers,

 

> But in order to go tread the path with her in the long run one must

> go and be with her in India for some time each year.

 

Could you please say more about why you believe this?

 

 

And also do

> something for her while in the west. Collecting some money, helping

> somehow in the local group etc. Only then will be the connection

> strong enough that you'll feel her guiding beam with you. At least it

> is like that for me.

 

And also for this child. At the moment serving at the food kitchen brings

deep feelings of Amma, though most working there are not Amma devotees. It's

the best satsang in this town at this time.

 

> Anyway as you know even the people very close to her have their

> difficulties ( to say the least) and to be close with her is a tough

> challenge.

 

Do those of us outside her physical presence not also have difficulties?

Perhaps it's a matter of expectations and romantic ideas....?

 

> If you pour out your heart to Amma in a letter

 

or any other way....it's the pouring out of the heart that connects us to

Amma...serving others and pouring out our hearts, no matter where we are.

 

Aum Amriteshvaryai Namah

 

premarupa

[Guest guest]

Hello,

 

I'd like to know about this:

 

Ammachi, "ellwoodis" <ellwoodis> wrote:

> I was in Amritapuri 5 years ago for several months.

> It was not a good setting for beginning-intermediate meditators.

> It's a great place for devotional practices, meeting great people,

> encountering ideas, learning about Mother.

> Nevertheless, in the midst of the noise and illness, I felt very

> distant from Amma.

 

What is meditation like in Amritapuri? Can one go to a meditation

hall any time of day...say during one's free time? Is there a place

for this? Why is the setting not suitable for beginning-intermediate

meditation? Is it quite noisy all of the time? How does Amma's

meditation instruction differ in India from the rest of the world?

I believe the mantra that Amma gives is the vehicle for meditation.

Become absorbed in the mantra and meditation will follow.

 

I'm considering a visit because I'd like to see Amma's ashram in in

India and spend some time with her there, but I feel spiritual

progress is possible anywhere. It isn't that one serves Amma only

through ashram seva...if the entire world is her creation, then

divine service is a matter of attitude.

 

Frankly, I find myself going into deep meditation in my own home. It

is a matter of going deep within one's own being. Don't you think so?

 

Lisa

[Guest guest]

> But in order to go tread the path with her in the long run one must

> go and be with her in India for some time each year.

 

>>Could you please say more about why you believe this?

 

 

When you do a spiritual practice like mantra repetition,

visualization of your guardian deity or working selflessly for a

master some formerly unconscious inner feelings and themes will come

up. The good, the bad and the ugly will rise its head. Eventually

you'll have also visions, inner voices what not or nothing of this

sort happens and you start do doubt if you are on the right track at

all.

If you have a teacher or master you just go and share with him what

your trouble is. He'll do something if he is genuine.

If you are an Amma devotee you'll pray to her for guidance and

something will happen. But everybody has some areas in his mind which

are very unclear filled with strong emotions and false beliefs. These

areas you can't clear just by yourself.

If the local Amma representative can't help you but you want to work

on those issues I think going to Amritapuri is a good choice. In

Ammas special presence there everything gets magnified and worked out

if you allow it to happen.

On top of that you do your process in mothers loving presence.

You'll have there only a small chance to share your problem with

mother( directly asking her something) but from my own experience I

know that some other people will help you to work things out.

It might be not perfect for everybody. As you see from other

postings some people have difficulties there.

>From your posting I get the impression that you are quite happy and

content where you are with Amma at the moment. No need to go to

India...

 

 

 

> Anyway as you know even the people very close to her have their

> difficulties ( to say the least) and to be close with her is a tough

> challenge.

Do those of us outside her physical presence not also have

difficulties?

Perhaps it's a matter of expectations and romantic ideas....?

 

I feel like writing a whole booklike posting to explain my saying but

I must do also other duties.

If you are close with Amma expectations and romantic ideas will be

shattered.

 

That is what is spirituality about letting go of false concepts about

you, the others and the world.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

 

In response to:

 

Ammachi, "ellwoodis" <ellwoodis> wrote:

> I was in Amritapuri 5 years ago for several months.

> It was not a good setting for beginning-intermediate meditators.

> It's a great place for devotional practices, meeting great people,

> encountering ideas, learning about Mother.

> Nevertheless, in the midst of the noise and illness, I felt very

> distant from Amma.

 

I'd like to know a little bit more about why Amritapuri's not such a

good setting for intermediate-beginning meditation. As meditation is

a major part of my existence, this interests me. I can say that in my

own home, my meditations are very deep and profound. I would like to

visit Mother's ashram simply to make a connection with her in her

home and to spend a little more time with her there (and do some

seva), but I'd like to know more about meditation practice in

Amritapuri. Is there a meditation hall there where residents can go

at any time of the day? Is it really a very noisy place as I've heard

time and time again? Commenting on some other comments recently made

here, I'd like to know how Mother's meditation instructions differs

in the Amritapuri then in the West. I think that meditation happens

more in her prescence then from verbal instruction. I believe the

mantra she gives is the vehicle, and this can be done anywhere. Don't

you think?

 

I know that in the early days, 8 hours of meditation was mandatory,

but I'm wondering if this still holds true in light of what a busy

place Amritapuri has become.

 

Somebody else recently commented here that he couldn't connect with

Amma unless he did ashram service for her...but if this world is her

body...if this entire universe is the divine manifestation, than I

think service is possible just about anywhere...it's a matter of

attitude. If one see's the divine in everyone, then service shouldn't

be a problem.

 

Lisa

[Guest guest]

Just in brief:

Meditation in the sense of peaceful sitting in a quiet surrounding is

may be possible early morning or at night on no bhava Darshan days on

the roof of the main temple. Beside that are Tuesdays dedicated to

meditation with mother participating.

Mother place is not a peaceful bliss out place but rather a divine

whirlpool, Kali's cauldron, a magic net charging everything in your

mind and above all, a place to remember the love in your heart.

You can meditate in peace on beaches a couple of miles away when

mother is gone to digest the experience if you feel like it.

> Somebody else recently commented here that he couldn't connect with

>Amma unless he did ashram service for her...but if this world is her

<body...if this entire universe is the divine manifestation, than I

>think service is possible just about anywhere ...it's a matter of

>attitude

 

Sorry I am not that much a Yogi that I actually feel the world is her

body. Nice concept but it is not a living reality for me.

 

>. If one see's the divine in everyone, then service shouldn't

>be a problem.

 

I try to see the divine in everyone but I feel my mind is disturbing

this concept. In mothers presence glimpses of a different worldview

become more tangible.

 

That is a reason for me to go there.

 

>From my own experience I can say that Amritapuri is a unique power

place. If you have the chance to go go! If you don't like it you can

still search elsewhere. South India has many nice places...