sharing a story of Vaishnavi's

[Guest guest]

What a beautiful, inspiring story. I wish I had known Vaishnavi. Here is a

link which tells the story of her name sake.

http://www.vaishno-devi.com/about-mata-vaishno-devi.html

 

flangdon <flangdon wrote: Namah Shivaya,

For those of you who don't know Vaishnavi (Cathy Crowl), here is a sample of one

of her posts back in 2001. She shared a story about her life. I am repeating

it below.

 

May Vaishnavi be at peace and in Mother's arms.

 

Fe Langdon

 

 

Dec 29, 2001

 

 

 

Beloved Sisters and Brothers,

 

 

 

Aikya recently put out an invitation for us to share stories of "extending

grace," how others have been affected by our devotion to Amma. I don't know this

story fits into the category, but I'd like to share it.

 

 

 

This is the story of Anil. It began about a week after my second retreat with

Amma. For days after being with Amma, I was so full of bliss that I'm sure I was

radiating something very unusual. I was taking my daily exercise, walking in a

beautiful park that's quite near my house. My heart was unusually open. Just as

I was leaving the park, I noticed a man lying down under a tree who seemed to be

in some distress.

 

 

 

Totally influenced by Mother's inspiration, I walked over to him and asked him

how he was. Initially, I thought that he was an African-American, although it

turned out he was from India. He was reluctant to talk to me at first, but we

did get a conversation going. He was homeless and had just gotten out of the

hospital because of serious heart problems. He was in a lot of pain, and he had

some terrible scabs all over his legs. He was very depressed.

 

 

 

Then all of a sudden he noticed something hanging around my neck. It was a

sandal wood mala that Amma had blessed which had a very pretty picture of Amma

hanging down from it. He reached out and grabbed the picture and said, "Mataji,

Mataji," I told him who it was, and he just kept grabbing hold of it. So I took

mala off and handed it to him. He immediately started doing mantra japa, "Om

Namah Shivaya, Om Namah Shivaya......."

 

 

 

This helped him to relax enormously and to take some comfort. He was totally

with Amma's presence. We talked some more for a while and I told him about Amma.

Then I had a packet of sacred ash (given to me by Amma) in my pocket which I

gave him, and I also gave him the mala.

 

 

 

Well, this was the beginning of a friendship which lasted for several years. The

next day when I took a walk I saw him again, and he had used all the sacred ash

to rub over his legs. The scabs on them had almost cleared up, and he was no

longer in pain.

 

 

 

In those early days of knowing Amma, I didn't have satsang with anyone, so Anil

and I became satsang for each other. He had become estranged from the early

traditions he grew up with after living so long in a Christian country. So it

was also wonderful for him to have someone to talk with about his Hindu roots.

Just about every day, we would talk about Hinduism and about devotion. His

family were Shiva devotees, and his grandfather had built a temple to Lord

Shiva. Anil was very eager to come up to the ashram and to meet Mother someday,

however it never happened. Yet Amma had filled his heart.

 

 

 

It was only by allowing myself to become a vehicle of Mother's love, just as I

had observed it in Her ashram when She was there, that I was able to be so open

and compassionate. I felt that it was really important for me to show Anil that

I cared about him, rather than that I felt sorry for him because he was

homeless. So every time I saw him I would bring him a little present. Sometimes

it was something very practical, and sometimes it was just something personal or

for fun. His favorite presents were always tapes of Mother's bajans. Throughout,

Mother was always my inspiration as well as my

grace.

 

 

 

I learned so much from Anil, much more than I can relate in this e-mail. But it

certainly was a meeting blessed by Amma. I don't know where he is now, he moved

out of the area and we lost contact. So now I pray that he is well.

 

 

 

Om Namah Shivaya!

 

 

 

At Her Feet,

 

 

 

vaishnavi

 

 

 

 

 

Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha!

 

 

Sponsor

It is better to give¿

·Especially when giving to a child in poverty.·Click here to meet a child you

can help.

 

Ammachi/

 

Ammachi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out the new Front Page. www./a

 

 

[Guest guest]

Thanks for sharing the meaning of Vaishnavi's name, Sweta.

 

Here is something else Vaishnavi shared on the list. They are her favorite

verses from the Guru Gita. I have edited several of her emails and combined

it into one document. She had a difficult time being up, so typing this on

the computer was a labor of love.

 

 

For Amma's Darling Children:

 

 

 

Now that our beloved Amma is here among us, and many of us will be able to

spend some time in her divine presence, I thought I'd like to post some of

my favorite verses from the Shri Guru Gita. What I have is an English

translation, and I have taken the further outrageous liberty of changing the

masculine pronoun to the feminine pronoun when referring to the Guru. Please

keep in mind that the Guru Gita contains 182 verses. I have shared just a

few of my favorites. There are many precious gems that I have not included.

 

 

 

I was very fortunate to have been given to opportunity to become familiar

with the Guru Gita before Amma came into my live. I find it very inspiring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, meditation.

 

 

 

(The Guru, who dwells in) the lotus surrounded by the divine petals ham and

sah, which reside in all beings and are the cause of the world, manifested

the world in her own way and of her own free will. Meditate on the Guru, who

reveals That, who is the expression of the shãmbhava state (Shivahood), who

illumines like the flame of a lamp, who is eternal and all-pervasive, and

who is a visible form of all letters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Verse 11) Out of compassion for you, I shall tell you how the embodied soul

becomes Brahman, having been purified of all sins by serving the feet of

Shri

Guru.

 

 

 

(Verse 12) Sprinkle water on your head while remembering the lotus feet of

the Guru. Thus, a person obtains the benefits of bathing in all holy waters.

 

 

 

(Verse 18) Always remember the Guru's form. Constantly repeat the divine

name given by the Guru. (Always) follow the Guru's commands. Think of

nothing other than the Guru

 

 

 

(Verse 27) Surely for all these beings, there is no truth higher than the

Guru. A seeker should offer a seat, a bed, clothing, ornaments, a vehicle,

and other things that will please the Guru. He should gratify the Guru; he

should dedicate his life to her.

 

 

 

(verse 28) Prostrate fully before the Guru without reserve, and continually

serve the Guru with mind, speech, and action.

 

 

 

(verse 35) Salutations to Shri Guru. In order to receive the true

understanding of the world, (I consider you to be) my father, my mother, my

brother, and my God.

 

 

 

(verse 36) Salutations to Shri Guru, by whose reality the world is real, by

whose light it is illumined, and by whose joy people are joyous.

 

 

 

(verse 37) Salutations to Shri Guru, by whose existence the world exists,

who shines through the form of the sun, and by whose love sons and others

are dear to us.

 

 

 

(verse 50) O beloved, every day you should bow with devotion in whichever

direction Shri Guru's two feet rest.

 

 

 

(verse 54) To contemplate the form of one's own Guru is to contemplate

infinite Shiva. To sing the glory of the Guru's name is to sing the glory of

infinite Shiva.

 

 

 

(verse 55) I worship the Lord Guru, even a few particles of dust from whose

feet form a bridge across the ocean of the world.

 

 

 

(verse 60) May the divine glance of the Guru ever dwell upon me. It creates

all the worlds. It brings all nourishment. It has the viewpoint of all holy

scriptures. It regards wealth as useless. It removes faults. It remains

focused on the Ultimate. It is the highest ruler of the three gunas, which

constitute the world. Its only goal is (to lead others on) the path of

liberation. It is the central pillar supporting the stage of all the worlds.

It showers the nectar of compassion. It is the aggregate of all tattvas

(principles of creation). It creates all time. It is Sacchidananda.

 

 

 

(verse 62) It (the Guru principle) moves and moves not. It is far as well as

near. It is inside everything as well as outside everything.

 

 

 

(verse 74) Salutations to Shri Guru. There is no truth higher than the Guru,

no austerity greater than (service to) the Guru, no truth greater than the

knowledge (of her).

 

 

 

(verse 76) The root of meditation is the Guru's form. The root of worship is

the Guru's feet. The root of mantra is the Guru's word. The root of

liberation is the Guru's grace.

 

 

 

(verse 77) Salutations to Shri Guru. The Guru is the beginning (of all, but)

she is without a beginning. The Guru is the supreme deity. There is nothing

higher than the Guru.

 

 

 

(verse 78) The merit gained by bathing in all holy waters, up to the seven

seas, is not difficult to obtain by (sipping even) one-thousandth part of a

drop the water from the Guru's feet.

 

 

 

(verse 88) I remember Shri Guru, who is Parabrahman. I speak of Shri Guru,

who is Parabrahman. I bow to Shri Guru, who is Parabrahman. I worship Shri

Guru, who is Parabrahman.

 

 

 

(verse 91) Meditate on the divine form of the Guru seated on the throne

situated in the center of the pericarp of the heart lotus, shining like the

crescent of the moon, holding the book of knowledge and (the mudrã that)

bestows the desired boon.

 

 

 

(verse 92) She has two eyes. She is clad in white garments. She is besmeared

with white paste and is adorned with (garlands of) white flowers and pearls.

She is joyous. She has a gentle smile. She is a treasure house of abundant

grace. The divine Shakti is seated on the left side of her lap.

 

 

 

(93) I always bow to Shri Guru, who is bliss, who exudes delight, and who is

cheerful. Her very nature is knowledge, and she is aware of her own Self.

She is highest among the yogis and is adorable. She is the physician for the

disease of worldly existence.

 

 

 

(96) There is nothing greater than the Guru. There is nothing greater than

the Guru. There is nothing greater than the Guru. There is nothing greater

than the Guru. This is the teaching of Shiva. This is the teaching of Shiva.

This is the teaching of Shiva. This is the teaching of Shiva.

 

 

 

(99) One should purify one's mind by following the path shown by the Guru.

Whatever transient things are ascribed to the Self should be discarded.

 

 

 

(109) Just as one lamp lights another lamp, (the Guru) imparts the knowledge

that everything is Brahman -- the Brahman that is imperceptible, eternal,

highest, without form, and without attributes.

 

 

 

(verse 110) One should perceive the inner Self through the gift of the

Guru's grace. By this path of the Guru, knowledge of one's Self arises.

 

 

 

(verse 111) I bow to (the Guru, who is) the highest being and who is of the

form of this world, from Brahmã to a blade of grass, (everything) movable

and immovable.

 

 

 

(verse 112) I always bow to the Guru, who is Sacchidananda, who transcends

all differences, who is eternal, perfect, without form, and without

attributes, and who is established in her own Self.

 

 

 

(verse 113) The Guru, who is higher than the highest, who always bestows

bliss, and who is seated in the center of the space of the heart, (shining)

like a pure crystal, should be meditated upon.

 

(verse 182) I bow to the Gururaja mantra (the Guru Gitã), which removes the

great fear (of transmigration). It is the only mantra that rescues one from

the ocean of the world. It is the perfected mantra worshipped by sages and

gods, such as Brahmä and others. It is the mantra that puts an end to

privations, miseries, and the disease of mundane existence.

 

 

 

(verse 182) Thus ends the Guru Gitã which occurs in the dialog between Shiva

and Parvati in the latter portion of Shri Skanda Purãna,

 

 

 

This is offered at the feet of Shri Gurudeva

 

 

 

Your sister in Amma,

 

vaishnavi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for these precious words. I wonder if any of the other devotees

not already with Amma are feeling, like this child, as if they are in the

middle of a great whirling windstorm. I bless the windstorm, knowing it is

Amma's breath preparing me for her actual presence. These words bring some

calm.

 

 

 

Bless you!

 

 

 

Aum Amriteshvaryai Namah.

 

 

 

Premarupa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

"" <jpm333_bc

<Ammachi>

Wednesday, November 03, 2004 10:54 PM

Re: sharing a story of Vaishnavi's

 

 

 

What a beautiful, inspiring story. I wish I had known Vaishnavi. Here is a

link which tells the story of her name sake.

http://www.vaishno-devi.com/about-mata-vaishno-devi.html

 

flangdon <flangdon wrote: Namah Shivaya,

For those of you who don't know Vaishnavi (Cathy Crowl), here is a sample of

one of her posts back in 2001. She shared a story about her life. I am

repeating it below.

 

May Vaishnavi be at peace and in Mother's arms.

 

Fe Langdon

 

 

Dec 29, 2001

 

 

 

Beloved Sisters and Brothers,

 

 

 

Aikya recently put out an invitation for us to share stories of "extending

grace," how others have been affected by our devotion to Amma. I don't know

this story fits into the category, but I'd like to share it.

 

 

 

This is the story of Anil. It began about a week after my second retreat

with Amma. For days after being with Amma, I was so full of bliss that I'm

sure I was radiating something very unusual. I was taking my daily exercise,

walking in a beautiful park that's quite near my house. My heart was

unusually open. Just as I was leaving the park, I noticed a man lying down

under a tree who seemed to be in some distress.

 

 

 

Totally influenced by Mother's inspiration, I walked over to him and asked

him how he was. Initially, I thought that he was an African-American,

although it turned out he was from India. He was reluctant to talk to me at

first, but we did get a conversation going. He was homeless and had just

gotten out of the hospital because of serious heart problems. He was in a

lot of pain, and he had some terrible scabs all over his legs. He was very

depressed.

 

 

 

Then all of a sudden he noticed something hanging around my neck. It was a

sandal wood mala that Amma had blessed which had a very pretty picture of

Amma hanging down from it. He reached out and grabbed the picture and said,

"Mataji, Mataji," I told him who it was, and he just kept grabbing hold of

it. So I took mala off and handed it to him. He immediately started doing

mantra japa, "Om Namah Shivaya, Om Namah Shivaya......."

 

 

 

This helped him to relax enormously and to take some comfort. He was totally

with Amma's presence. We talked some more for a while and I told him about

Amma. Then I had a packet of sacred ash (given to me by Amma) in my pocket

which I gave him, and I also gave him the mala.

 

 

 

Well, this was the beginning of a friendship which lasted for several years.

The next day when I took a walk I saw him again, and he had used all the

sacred ash to rub over his legs. The scabs on them had almost cleared up,

and he was no longer in pain.

 

 

 

In those early days of knowing Amma, I didn't have satsang with anyone, so

Anil and I became satsang for each other. He had become estranged from the

early traditions he grew up with after living so long in a Christian

country. So it was also wonderful for him to have someone to talk with about

his Hindu roots. Just about every day, we would talk about Hinduism and

about devotion. His family were Shiva devotees, and his grandfather had

built a temple to Lord Shiva. Anil was very eager to come up to the ashram

and to meet Mother someday, however it never happened. Yet Amma had filled

his heart.

 

 

 

It was only by allowing myself to become a vehicle of Mother's love, just as

I had observed it in Her ashram when She was there, that I was able to be so

open and compassionate. I felt that it was really important for me to show

Anil that I cared about him, rather than that I felt sorry for him because

he was homeless. So every time I saw him I would bring him a little present.

Sometimes it was something very practical, and sometimes it was just

something personal or for fun. His favorite presents were always tapes of

Mother's bajans. Throughout, Mother was always my inspiration as well as my

grace.

 

 

 

I learned so much from Anil, much more than I can relate in this e-mail. But

it certainly was a meeting blessed by Amma. I don't know where he is now, he

moved out of the area and we lost contact. So now I pray that he is well.

 

 

 

Om Namah Shivaya!

 

 

 

At Her Feet,

 

 

 

vaishnavi

 

 

 

 

 

Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha!

 

 

Sponsor

It is better to give¿

·Especially when giving to a child in poverty.·Click here to meet a child

you can help.

 

Ammachi/

 

Ammachi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out the new Front Page. www./a

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha!

Links