Clarification re Circle of Love Inside

March 15, 2005

ASppologies to the List. The Circle of Love inside volunteers are

having a discussion about how best to express Guidelines for the

seva. Again there is confusion, in spite of attempts at careful

language and process, about the conversion issue. Since Snehalata

has posted her reply to this group in error, let me clarify and

emphasize that there is no effort going on or intended to go on

through Amma's Circle of Love Inside to convert anyone to be an Amma

devotee or to be a Hindu or anything else. We're trying to get the

wording of our guidelines so that is very clear.

Sorry to have accidentally wandered in with our online process.

Aikya

Ammachi, "Dixie Lou" <dixielou@s...> wrote:

>

> -

> "Roger Feit" <rfeit@o...>

> "Dixie Lou" <dixielou@s...>

> Cc: "Aikya Param" <aikya>

> Tuesday, March 15, 2005 1:35 PM

> Re: Circle of Love Inside Guidelines to Review

>

> Namaste,

>

> I'll try to be a bit more clear about my thoughts; I hope it

helps but I do

> have to admit my thinking is not at its peak lately!

>

> I guess my suggestion for changes in the guidelines is that as the

mission

> statement stands, I feel we are somewhat pressured-especially if

we are to

> adhere closely to the guidelines - to use our letters as a means

of

> witnessing for Mother. And, please, don't misunderstand; I am

clear that

> converting others is not an issue here nor is it espoused in the

guidelines.

>

> In short, I do not want the guidelines to specify that we must

write about

> Amma's life, Her mission, or Her projects-nor I do think we can

even allow

> our egos to glimpse the thought that WE are transforming lives by

doing so.

> I can't even draw my next breath without Amma's grace - I

certainly don't

> want to claim to be doing, or be capable of doing, Her 'job'! I

think we

> need to maintain guidelines that state we desire to serve Amma by

extending

> a written note of love from our hearts to the hearts of those

whose

> struggles are called to our attention through Amma's grace - and

leave the

> rest to Mother to tweak as She will.

>

> That said, I agree that we are not writing as we would to friends

or

> neighbors, but to I don't think we can assume writing letters that

are

> purely spritiually-based will prevent us from being used in a

manner we do

> not agree with. In fact, what better way for inmates to prove

reform than

> to share correspondence about spiritual things with spritually-

based

> outsiders?

>

> And, a final issue: if we restrict the letters to Amma-based

content, won't

> the person who receives letters from several of us sort of get

beaten over

> the head with the 'good news"? While I've been ill, I've had

letters from

> several of Amma's children and have been absolutely dazzled by the

variety

> of "faces" they have - and Mother's love sparkled in each one

regardless of

> the letter's content.

>

> Your sister in Amma,

> Shehalata/Dixie

>

> > Hi, I'm Hari, one of the letter writers and I colaborate with

Aikya.

> >

> > I would like to thank you for your voicing of concerns, but I'm

a bit

> > confused what you would like changed. we all are on the same

team and we

> > all want to do what is best and correct, so please outline your

changes so

> > we can see what you mean.

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > In Amma's Service

> >

> > Hari

> >

> >> CIRCLE OF LOVE

> >>> Aikya Param, Coordinator

> >>>

> >>> Do you know anyone who would benefit from letters of

> >>> encuragement, uplift and inspiration? Please send their names

> >>> and contact information.

> >>>

> >>> CIRCLE OF LOVE INSIDE

> >>> Aikya Param, Coordinator

> >>> Touching the hearts and transforming the lives of brothers and

sisters

> >>> who are incarcerated by sharing Amma, her picture, her story

and her

> >>> mission of unconditional love and service.

> >>

> >> -------------------------------

----------------

> >>

> >> Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.7.0 - Release Date:

3/8/2005

> >>

> >

> > --

> >

> > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.7.3 - Release Date:

3/15/2005

> >

March 15, 2005

-

Aikya Param

Ammachi

Tuesday, March 15, 2005 3:46 PM

Re: Clarification re Circle of Love Inside

Namaste, All,

My apologies, too; I apparently posted to the list instead of the smaller group.

As I had said earlier, I think Mother took me seriously about relieving me of my

monkey mind and has added a fast-paced stripping of attachments and surrendering

(it sort of feels like "Ready or not, here I come!"). Anyway, I am going to do

more reading than posting for a while and see if things begin to resolve

themselves a bit.

Your sister in Amma,

Snehalata