Cynicism - clarification.

[Guest guest]

Ammachi, Mike Brooker <patria1818> wrote:

> Not to second-guess Amma, but I've gotten a healthy

> dose of cynicism, particularly after reading Sarah

> Macdonald's book _Holy Cow_** I've never been to

> Amritapuri, but I've seen seen enough fawning,

> sycophantic western devotees on the North American

> tours to corroborate Ms. Macdonald's observations:

> "The Indian devotees are enjoying the ashram like it's

> a holiday camp with a divine counselor...the

> Westerners, in contrast, seem pious and precious...Can

> you feel pity for the divine? I'm overcome with

> sorrow for the holy Mother surrounded by such

> grasping, pulling, demanding, desperate people".

> Keval

 

Keval,

 

I have not read Ms McDonald's book, but if this quote is all that

you are basing your cynicism on, then I am afraid both she and you

are wrong.

 

I think the author is comparing apples with oranges - Indian vs

western devotees.

 

Let's take the mindset of one vs the other.

 

Indian devotess are exposed to the brink with gurus, saints etc. in

short, they are saturated. so most would see Amma as a great saint

(treating her just like any other saint) and revere her, wheras a

few of them would be extremely committed to Amma (because they treat

her like God etc) and only to Amma. But, in either case, because of

their upbringing, most are able to enjoy the atmosphere as

a 'spiritual picnic'

 

Western devotees of Amma have (usually) no frame of reference about

the devotional system they are exposed to, except Amma (assuming

Amma is their first exposure to Indian religion and mysticism). so

they tend to idolize her, and hold on to her desparately. You may

see this as pathetic, but I think they are fortunate in that they

have a 'horse's eye view of the divine', a quality most of us

(including me) badly needs.

 

So, instead of being cynical about this, I urge you to treat it as a

leela, and be compassionate about their station in life. It is very

easy for anyone to be judgemental about this, and it is equally easy

for the 'precious'(sic) devotees to be affected by such judgemental

postures.

 

 

Take another case. Reverse the situation. Look at Indian Christians

vs Western Christians. You will find many Indian Christians being

more passionate/precious about Christinaity than the Westerners (who

grew up predominantly in that culture). There is no need to label

them as 'precious'; it's their station in life, that's all.

 

MOST IMPORTANTLY, I don't see the need to be cynical about this, I

only see it as an opportunity to learn more about human nature and

the various paths it takes to evolve (or you can say 'involve').

 

But then again, if you do what I say, it will be boring.

How will authors write 'colorful' books and make a living, right?

Vested interests (not necessarily evil), play of Maya Devi .....

 

Jai Ma!