Grace and Devotion

[Guest guest]

(This is a nearly work-for-word rendition of a question and Amma's

answer from her November 2002 trip to San Ramon.)

 

Question: What is grace? Also, how can we become more devotional?

We feel so closed inside. How can we be more loving and open?

 

Ammachi's Answer: Grace comes as part of actions we have performed in

a previous life. It depends on the good actions we have performed in

a previous life. Some people have performed more good actions. For

them there is more grace.

Two people with the same qualifications go for a job

interview. One person answers all the questions and still does not

get the job. The other person does not answer all the questions but

still gets the job. This is due to an inner feeling on the part of

the interviewer. When the (second) individual sees the interviewer,

the interviewer's heart melts, so the interviewer gives the job to

that person. That's grace.

For a person who does not feel devotion, maybe they did not

get enough love from their parents. Or maybe they have been hurt or

betrayed by those whom they loved, so it is hard for them to love.

Still they must continue to try.

The thought, "I am not worthy to receive this love" is not good. Do

not feel unworthy.

If we don't get a job the first time, we don't give up. We

keep trying. Like the scientist may not discover something right

away, he will keep trying. Edison didn't figure out the light bulb

the first day. He invented many other things before the light bulb.

Whatever research he performed before the light bulb was discovered

was not wasted.

Because you fail once of twice, don't say, "Oh, I don't have

a job. I am hopeless." Don't be like that. Keep moving forward.