Guest guest Posted April 27, 2004 Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 like do you need to have separate money on the side for traveling with Mother, for personal hygiene, basic clothes and necessiities or does Mother take care of the basics and does traveling with Her become as unneccessary once you are in Her abode just as getting a hug becomes less important as doing seva once you have had hundreds and hundreds of Her delicious Divine tranfusions of Immortal Love. What is the renunciant fee? Namah Shivayah, I believe the renunciant fee is approximately $8,000, though it may have gone up. A friend who became a brahmacharya humorously told me, "I gave them $8,000, and they gave me this dhoti and a box of detergent!" There is a "supply closet" of sorts, where travelers sometimes leave medicines, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, etc. for the renunciants. Once one becomes a renunciant, everything is accepted as prasad from God. Brahmacharis do not do pujas, etc. for all is accepted. It is up to Amma whether one goes on trips or stays at Amritapuri. I have not seen my friend since I was in India in 2000. Good luck! In Amma, Jyotsna Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at HotJobs http://hotjobs.sweepstakes./careermakeover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2004 Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 Namah Shivaya. Renunciation fee is currently $12,000. p. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2004 Report Share Posted April 28, 2004 I'm wondering, if you pay the renunciation fee and you still have your life savings, are you allowed to keep you're life savings or is it expected that you give all of your money to Amma/the ashram? Does anyone happen to know this? Does a renunciant in Amritapuri mean you've given up all of your own free will, decisions, etc., or are you still allowed a little choice in running your life? During my first trip to Amritapuri I learned that there are different levels to the experience of "ashramite" and I don't think one becomes a "renunciant" immediately...perhaps just a resident. Anyway, we're all children of the Divine, and sometimes I think making too much of a deal out of all this is not so uplifting...to say the least. Anyway, if anyone knows the answers to any of this, please do write about. Namah Shivaya, Lisa Ammachi, Kenna <kenna@m...> wrote: > Namah Shivaya. > Renunciation fee is currently $12,000. > p. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2004 Report Share Posted April 28, 2004 As I understand it, if you pay the money and ask to be a renunciate (which is definitely different than ashram resident!) then you do give up all decisions. Most people at Amritapuri (at least westerners) are not renunciates. I know of two ladies who went there to be a "renunciate," then decided otherwise. They are still devotees. I think for most of us "ashram resident" is plenty challenging. If you haven't already read "Amma and Me" by Manoharan, that book talks about the different designations for people at the ashram in a down to earth way. I don't think renunciants are asked for all their worldly possessions, only the $12,000. But, on the other hand, if one has truly renounced the world, of what use is money? In Amma, Jyotsna --- lbrachlin <lbrachlin wrote: > I'm wondering, if you pay the renunciation fee and > you still have > your life savings, are you allowed to keep you're > life savings or is > it expected that you give all of your money to > Amma/the ashram? Does > anyone happen to know this? Does a renunciant in > Amritapuri mean > you've given up all of your own free will, > decisions, etc., or are > you still allowed a little choice in running your > life? During my > first trip to Amritapuri I learned that there are > different levels to > the experience of "ashramite" and I don't think one > becomes > a "renunciant" immediately...perhaps just a > resident. Anyway, we're > all children of the Divine, and sometimes I think > making too much of > a deal out of all this is not so uplifting...to say > the least. > > Anyway, if anyone knows the answers to any of this, > please do write > about. Namah Shivaya, Lisa > > Ammachi, Kenna <kenna@m...> > wrote: > > Namah Shivaya. > > Renunciation fee is currently $12,000. > > p. > > Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at HotJobs http://hotjobs.sweepstakes./careermakeover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2004 Report Share Posted April 28, 2004 Dear Lisa: Lisa wrote: "if one has truly renounced the world, of what use is money? That was beautifully put. A turbulent son is not ready to be a resident let alone seek Sanyas. This is due to attachment to the empirical world. At bottom I want a Starbucks oat scone more than Amma. With Regret, GeorgeSon (wayward Son though I be). P.S. Kenna do not write back capitol B. Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at HotJobs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 29, 2004 Report Share Posted April 29, 2004 Dear GeorgeSon, Projecting my own condition, I would venture to say that you are not attached to the scone at all -- if anything better comes along, (such as a tastier dessert) you would drop the scone. If you prefer the scone to Amma because perhaps the scone is more pleasant to you in some way. I am 'addicted' to smoking, but if I got some freedom from tension in another way, I would stop smoking. It is the peace that I am attached to, not the cigarettes. All our attachments to worldly things are not real attachments at all, so don't have any regrets. We are already detached from such things. Fear and Ignorance makes us cling and feel that we are attached. When true bliss reaches us, we will drop all, just as we don't stay up all night watching movies when the bliss of sleep beckons us. Nandu Vallath Nandakumar Ammachi, GeorgeSon <leokomor> wrote: > Dear Lisa: > > Lisa wrote: > > "if one has truly renounced the world, of > what use is money? > > That was beautifully put. A turbulent son is not ready to be a resident let alone seek Sanyas. > > This is due to attachment to the empirical world. At bottom I want a Starbucks oat scone more than Amma. > > With Regret, > > GeorgeSon (wayward Son though I be). > > P.S. > > Kenna do not write back capitol B. > > > > > Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at HotJobs > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 29, 2004 Report Share Posted April 29, 2004 Well said, Nandu. It got me to thinking that if one can realize this, then s/he is closer to non-attachment because the whole "addiction" or desire is elevated to something else - a longing for peace, or love. And even regret can be an attachment, right? And adherance to the idea of sin. These things also hold us back. Not that we should just continue indulging - we should acknowldge our indulgent behavior, our harmful practices and acts, and let them go when we can. I've written about this before: There seems to be a tendancy among devotees of several paths to regret not being "perfect" already. This is a process, and we can only work our part of the "machine" in this process. Only with guru's/God's grace will the full electricity be restored to our little machines. But what do I know? I'm operating a broken machine, too, but I'm learning to become a mechanic! Gabriela Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at HotJobs http://hotjobs.sweepstakes./careermakeover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 29, 2004 Report Share Posted April 29, 2004 "Always maintain your self-control and be the master of external objects and circumstances. Do not let anything enslave or control you." -Amma -- vallathnkumar <vallathn wrote: I am 'addicted' to smoking, but if I > got some freedom > from tension in another way, I would stop smoking. > It is the > peace that I am attached to, not the cigarettes. Dear One, at the risk of coming across as one of those self-righteous ex-smokers, I have a few things to say on the subject: smoking was a BIG attachment for me, one I thought would have me in it's clutches forever. I too thought that if only I could find something else that gave the peace that smoking did, I could quit in a heartbeat. I met Amma, and was filled with peace at the rememberance of Her, yet still I kept smoking. I did yoga and meditation every day, and was filled with peace. Kept smoking. One day it occured to me that I had made so many changes within while looking for peace, that smoking just didn't fit anymore. Although I had tried to quit several times before, this time it was just differant. It was part of my relationship with Amma. I felt that She wanted me to surrender that to Her, NOW. It felt like letting go and floating downstream. I made a list of reasons to quit and taped it to my bathroom mirror. I bought the patch (which I would recomend highly) and just did it. I have to say that the patch made it so much easier. I focused on the psychological aspect of my addiction and was not distracted by physical withdrawl symptoms. The 8 weeks gave me time to recreate an identity for myself as a non-smoker. I would love to give you some really good reasons to quit, but I know how irritating it is to hear from an ex-smoker. But it totally changed my life! Anyway, I suggest to everyone here that our addictions can be offerings to Amma. She wants them, and knows just what to do with them. Whatever it is, ask yourself if it is in the way of spiritual development, and if it is doing harm to you or anyone else. You will find the strength to leave it at Her feet. By the way, I traded the money I used to spend on cigarettes for health insurance and yoga classes! hugs and pranams, Brianna ===== sarvabhauma_yoga/ Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at HotJobs http://hotjobs.sweepstakes./careermakeover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2004 Report Share Posted April 30, 2004 Ammachi, Brianna Mosteller <rubyrapunzel> wrote: > "Always maintain your self-control and be the master > of external objects and circumstances. Do not let > anything enslave or control you." > -Amma I would presume that this included the physical Amma, her organization, etc. Your story below indicates that when you found peace, you did give up smoking, proving my point. I have not found that peace, so I continue to smoke. Eating tasty food, watching TV, any hobby or activity falls into the same category -- we drop it when something better comes along, not before, or we drop it out of fear. During one of Amma's visits, we discussed smoking. On the way to the airport to see her off, I threw away my pack of cigarettes, and at the airport, told her what I had done. She told me it is better I don't stop, but just reduce it to a very few a day. So ... to ex-smokers and non-smokers ... I have not heard anything new story, technique etc. for a LONG time, so forget your advice. Instead, speak to me the divine truth, and I will be free of fear and ignorance (and cigarettes). Vallath Nandakumar > > Dear One, at the risk of coming across as one of those > self-righteous ex-smokers, I have a few things to say > on the subject: > > smoking was a BIG attachment for me, one I thought > would have me in it's clutches forever. I too thought > that if only I could find something else that gave the > peace that smoking did, I could quit in a heartbeat. I > met Amma, and was filled with peace at the > rememberance of Her, yet still I kept smoking. I did > yoga and meditation every day, and was filled with > peace. Kept smoking. > > One day it occured to me that I had made so many > changes within while looking for peace, that smoking > just didn't fit anymore. Although I had tried to quit > several times before, this time it was just differant. > It was part of my relationship with Amma. I felt that > She wanted me to surrender that to Her, NOW. It felt > like letting go and floating downstream. I made a list > of reasons to quit and taped it to my bathroom mirror. > I bought the patch (which I would recomend highly) and > just did it. I have to say that the patch made it so > much easier. I focused on the psychological aspect of > my addiction and was not distracted by physical > withdrawl symptoms. The 8 weeks gave me time to > recreate an identity for myself as a non-smoker. I > would love to give you some really good reasons to > quit, but I know how irritating it is to hear from an > ex-smoker. But it totally changed my life! > > Anyway, I suggest to everyone here that our addictions > can be offerings to Amma. She wants them, and knows > just what to do with them. Whatever it is, ask > yourself if it is in the way of spiritual development, > and if it is doing harm to you or anyone else. You > will find the strength to leave it at Her feet. > > By the way, I traded the money I used to spend on > cigarettes for health insurance and yoga classes! > > hugs and pranams, > > Brianna > > ===== > sarvabhauma_yoga/ > > > > > > > > Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at HotJobs > http://hotjobs.sweepstakes./careermakeover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2004 Report Share Posted April 30, 2004 Dear Vallath, You are right. When we quit smoking before we are ready, we will only turn to another vice. For me, I quit smoking (it will be three years ago in 10 days) and turned that addiction into another addiction. Now I am dealing with health complications because of that second addiction. So, where is the cycle going to end? Once we are ready, we see our vices for what they truly are, and in the end, we will give it to Amma. We chase after that "good" feeling when we are not happy with ourselves, feel attached to the senses, or the like. We do not smoke or overeat when we are honest-to-goodness happy and living in the moment. If you are not ready, brother, I can totally understand that. May Amma bless you. With love, Erica Ammachi, "vallathnkumar" <vallathn@h...> wrote: > Ammachi, Brianna Mosteller <rubyrapunzel> > wrote: > > "Always maintain your self-control and be the master > > of external objects and circumstances. Do not let > > anything enslave or control you." > > -Amma > > I would presume that this included the physical Amma, her > organization, etc. Your story below indicates that when you found > peace, you did give up smoking, proving my point. I have not found > that peace, so I continue to smoke. Eating tasty food, watching > TV, any hobby or activity falls into the same category -- we drop > it when something better comes along, not before, or we drop > it out of fear. > > During one of Amma's visits, we discussed smoking. On the way > to the airport to see her off, I threw away my pack of cigarettes, > and at the airport, told her what I had done. She told me it > is better I don't stop, but just reduce it to a very few a day. > > So ... to ex-smokers and non-smokers ... I have not heard anything > new story, technique etc. for a LONG time, so forget your > advice. Instead, speak to me the divine truth, and I will be > free of fear and ignorance (and cigarettes). > > Vallath Nandakumar > 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.