Guest guest Posted August 26, 2003 Report Share Posted August 26, 2003 Thank you for the quote... I'll look for the book. Perhaps at some point it goes into detail about each 'type' of person living at the ashram, each level of renunciation and what they mean. Also, does anyone know if there are any plans to release videos of the q&a sessions with Amma? I know some gurus have hundreds of such tapes that can be played at satsang. They are often labeled according to subject and are about 10-20 mins long a piece. Just curious... One more question - is there an email where one of Amma's swami's, or a group of them, answer questions that come in? If I travelled to the San Ramon ashram, could I have time with the resident swami to ask my questions? Thank you!!!!! Gabriela --- "E. Lamb" <jyotsna2 wrote: > Om Namah Shivayah, > > Here is an excerpt from my friend Manoharan's > book, "Amma and Me," which was published this > year. I recommend it as the most candid, down- > to-earth read about Amritapuri. > > Jyotsna > > "Except for swamis who wear ochre, and the > official brahmacharins who wear yellow, almost > everyone at Amritapuri wears white. It's not > an enforced rule; it just seems to be the ashram > uniform.... > > It took me a while to learn the distinctions > between the different categories of people who > live at Amritapuri. In addition to the > brahmacharis and brahmacharinis there are the > western monastics, usually referred to as > "renunciates." (There are also a number of > married renunciate couples.) Westerners who live > here for longer periods but have not made the > monastic commitment, are referred to as "residents." > Many of them now live in the ashram apartments that > have been costructed these last few years. Another > Amritapuri sub-community consists of "householders," > an Indian term denoting married couples and > families. > Sometimes the word "inmate" is used for all who > live here. To me this seems an apt description, > because at times this place reminds me of a mental > institution. (Joke, joke--sort of.) There are > also many thousands of visitors hailing from every > part of India and around the world rotating through > Amritapuri for various lengths of time. > > Amma has likened the ashram to a polishing machine > where you take some stones, put them in the > canister with some abrasive powder, and let them > tumble and grind against each other, smoothing out > the rough edges, until they emerge looking like > sparkling gems. And after my own experience of > over seven years in the tumbler, I have to say that > I think it's a good thing stones can't speak, > because > you probably wouldn't want to hear what they have > to say while they're tumbling around inside of a > polishing machine." > > Excerpted from "Amma and Me" by Manoharan > > > --- MSoliz <msoliz2000 wrote: > > Namaste, > > > > Can anyone explain the difference between > sanyasin, > > bramachari, and > > priest under Amma? > > > > Can one be a priest and not be a sanyasin? I read > > that sanyasins in > > Amma's ashram are celibates and live with her, but > I > > know that Hindu > > priests can be householders as well. I guess I'm > > wondering if someone > > can go there and train to be a priest, then return > > to the "world" and > > be a householder and priest-on-demand in their > > community. > > > > Is bramachari a higher, graduated form of > sanyasin? > > I guess they > > practice total renunciation as opposed to > sanyasins > > who are celibate > > students... > > > > Thanks to anyone who can help. > > > > Namah Shivaya, > > Gabriela > > > > > > > > > > SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site > design software > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2003 Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 > Also, does anyone know if there are any plans to > release videos of the q&a sessions with Amma? I know > some gurus have hundreds of such tapes that can be > played at satsang. They are often labeled according > to subject and are about 10-20 mins long a piece. > Just curious... There is at least one where Amma answers questions at the Rhode Island Retreat in 2001. I think it's titled Light of Wisdom, but maybe someone else knows for sure. p. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.