Guest guest Posted October 7, 2005 Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 About the sandal story.... This story reminded me of the first and so far only, time my mother who went with me to see Amma. My mother suffers from severe rheumatoid arthritis and cannot go without shoes due to the severe pain. She is on chemo drugs since all other medical options have been utilized. She seemed to feel awkward and unsure when we arrived at the hall-not knowing what to expect and being suddenly quite reserved. My mother is usually quite outspoken! When she saw everyone removing their shoes, she wasn't even going to try to go to see Amma as she was embarrassed that she had to keep her shoes on. I encouraged her not to worry about it-that Amma really does not care if she wears shoes or not. We quietly ignored the glaring stares at my poor mother's feet. Even a Swami made a sharp look at my mom's feet-that surprised me and made us all the more embarrassed. Amma paid no attention, pulling my mother, bending over,- close to Her. My mom had been afraid of Amma's hug also due to her neck and back problems with her illness. After my mother was hugged when we were basking in the afterglow, my mother suddenly realized that her neck and back did not hurt at all when Amma pulled her to Her. And the shoe thing...that was forgotten. My mom wore her shoes the whole weekend. Another sweet part of the story, is on the next day-Devi Bhava afternoon-my mother thanked Amma for " being in my daughter's life" !!! I stood there with my mouth dropping! Amma presented her with an apple. This apple exuded Amma's scent! Once we returned to St. Louis, my mom called me. She said the apple smelled like Amma! I asked what she did. She said she washed it and it still smelled like Amma! I asked what she did with the apple. She said "I ate it!" She said while eating it, the apple exploded with the smell of Amma in the room. There is much more to the story but this is long enough! I'd love to read more stories of Amma! BTW-my mother previously said she did not believe in God while we were driving to Fairfield to see Amma!....lol...! love adriane Message: 5 Thu, 06 Oct 2005 20:52:29 -0000 "amarnath" <anatol_zinc "The heart is not in the sandals." When everyone had received prasad, a devotee approached Amma, telling her that she had just scolded another lady because she had approached Amma while wearing her sandals. The woman told Amma that she had sternly told the lady that one should never approach the Guru wearing shoes or sandals, but that one should come barefoot and humble. She asked Amma if what she had said was correct, and if she was in the right to have scolded the woman. Amma's response was quick: "The heart is not in the sandals." As always, Amma's focus was on the attitude, not the act. It is better to approach the Guru with humility and a pure heart while wearing one's sandals than to approach barefoot and full of pride. After Amma's answer, Amma and those immediately around her broke into laughter. But, as there was no microphone, no one else knew why they were laughing. Soon, the group around Amma shared the story with the circle of people directly behind them. Of course, they too began to laugh. Then the circle of people directly behind them wanted to know what was so funny, so they also were told. In this way, the laughter gradually spread, like a single slow-moving shockwave, throughout the temple. By the time the story reached the very back of the hall--setting off a final burst of laughter--several minutes had passed. So Amma asked what they were laughing at. When she heard the reason, of course, she fell into laughter once again. "To eliminate the ego, always be humble and bow down to others." -Amma ______________________ ______________________ Message: 6 Thu, 06 Oct 2005 21:48:51 -0000 "ammasiswari" <ammasiswari Re: "The heart is not in the sandals." That's beautiful, and it reminded me of something that happened in Rhode Island a few years ago. There was a girl that really, really wanted to give Amma a present, and she had picked out a pair of (used?) lovely shoes/slippers. Many people were aghast to see her offer these to Amma, but Amma -- seeing the purity of the girl's heart/offering -- touched them to her head in gratitude. It was very beautiful and a good reminder to not get so caught up in the custom that we forget the meaning behind it. Blessings, Iswari Ammachi, "amarnath" <anatol_zinc> wrote: > When everyone had received prasad, a devotee approached Amma, telling > her that she had just scolded another lady because she had approached > Amma while wearing her sandals. The woman told Amma that she had > sternly told the lady that one should never approach the Guru wearing > shoes or sandals, but that one should come barefoot and humble. She > asked Amma if what she had said was correct, and if she was in the > right to have scolded the woman. > Amma's response was quick: "The heart is not in the sandals." > As always, Amma's focus was on the attitude, not the act. It is > better to approach the Guru with humility and a pure heart while > wearing one's sandals than to approach barefoot and full of pride. > After Amma's answer, Amma and those immediately around her broke into > laughter. But, as there was no microphone, no one else knew why they > were laughing. > Soon, the group around Amma shared the story with the circle of > people directly behind them. Of course, they too began to laugh. Then > the circle of people directly behind them wanted to know what was so > funny, so they also were told. In this way, the laughter gradually > spread, like a single slow-moving shockwave, throughout the temple. > By the time the story reached the very back of the hall--setting off > a final burst of laughter--several minutes had passed. So Amma asked > what they were laughing at. When she heard the reason, of course, she > fell into laughter once again. > > "To eliminate the ego, always be humble and bow down to others." > -Amma ______________________ ______________________ Message: 7 Thu, 06 Oct 2005 19:27:38 -0000 "carma" <vaishnovi108 Hatha Yoga Aum Amriteshwaryai Namah Hello all. I am new to the group, so I hope I am not repeating an old question. I have heard that Amma recommends hatha yoga practice. Just curious if any of you are practising and what kind of practice you are doing. I am trying to figure out a program for myself. In Amma, carma in Toronto ______________________ ______________________ Message: 8 Thu, 6 Oct 2005 20:27:19 EDT nierika Re: To Premrupa on amma enews Premarupa wrote: ....The story about the villagers saying goodbye in amma enews is so sweet! be sure and read it. Dear Premarupa ~ where is amma enews? Is it on Her website, or the Amritapuri website. I get an email newsletter, but I don't remember getting anything about this, and I'd love to read it. Jai Jai Ma ~ Linda P.S. And with all the stories of animals and puja, bhajan and darshan, wait until you read my story of my puppy Cassie and my Amma doll. ______________________ ______________________ Message: 9 Thu, 6 Oct 2005 20:36:45 EDT nierika Re: To Ravi on Piano music of Amma's bhajans Ravi wrote: I am looking for Piano tabs (music sheet) for Amma's bhajan songs. If anyone has them and wish to share, please email them to me at ravi Dear Ravi ~ there are music books or Tour and Amritanjali songs on Amma's website, under the books section. The description says it has musical notes (so that would be for the piano, I am thinking), guitar chords and words. The descriptions tell which Amritanjali tapes are covered in the books. You have to go through quite a few pages to get to these music books. I'll try the link, but if it doesn't work just go to amma's website: http://www.amma.org/ and click on the picture of the hands holding the rudraksha beads. Underneath, it says "Visit The Amma Shop." Here is the link directly to the page that has the music books: _http://www.theammashop.org/cgi-bin/bookstore/books_and_gifts.cgi?cart_id=78 95 321.17668_ (http://www.theammashop.org/cgi-bin/bookstore/books_and_gifts.cgi?cart_id=78 95321.17668) Jai Jai Ma ~ Linda :::singing, singing, always singing, and soon I will get my keyboard again::: : ) ______________________ ______________________ Message: 10 Thu, 6 Oct 2005 20:57:31 EDT nierika Re:To the group on the Cassie, my puppie, and my Amma Doll Dear brothers and sisters, Many of you will remember the lively discussion of how pets seem to gravitate to people when they are doing their puja or singing bhajans, and how some pets have even gotten Amma's darshan. I have been reciting the Chandi Path as a sankalpa for Navaratri, and for those who don't know, the Chandi Path, besides being an intensive system of worship, is also a magnificent story of how Durga and the other Goddesses won out over the army of negative thoughts (these negative thoughts had even driven the Gods out of Heaven, and so the Gods pleaded with the Divine Mothers for help). Another one of Durga's names is "She who tears apart thought." Last night I was very restless, so I got my Amma doll to hold. When I got up in the morning, I left Amma sitting on one of the pillows. I fed my dogs and then I got distracted doing some fliers for an art walk I am involved with this weekend. Usually, I put the puppie, Cassie, outside after I feed her. Then I got up, and Cassie came into the living room. "Oh, Cassie," I said, "I forgot to put you out. I'm sorry." So I put her outside, then went into the bedroom to turn off the light. All over the bed was stuffing. At first I thought that Cassie had tried to eat a pillow. Then I saw my Amma Doll's little dress and Her little slip, two bracelets, still intact and various beads loose all over the bed. It was too late to do "No, bad dog," because, well, you know, that only works if you actually catch them in the act. I stood there dumbfounded. That Amma doll has been through so much with me, even to the hospital. I thought, "she ate my Amma Doll." I cried and cried as I gathered all the stuffing, the clothing, the jewelry and wrapped it up and put it under the bed. (I live in a trailer, so the bed lifts up, and once something's under the bed, Cassie can't get to it.) I looked all over for the stocking body and the hair, but I couldn't find it. I was inconsolable. I called my sister who was somewhat empathetic and said I should hold a funeral for my Amma Doll. I couldn't think of it. Then I went back in the bedroom and round one more piece of cotton stuffing, in a perfectly round circle, so I took it and put it on my altar. Then I got involved in my day. Later, after running some errands, I let Cassie back in the house and got involved in practicing my music as I am singing as part of this "Weekend at the Galleries" thing. Shortly thereafter, I got up and went into the bedroom, and there was Cassie, sitting on the bed, calmly chewing on Amma ... I couldn't believe it. She hid Amma very well. So I have my Amma Doll back, but She is missing an arm and a leg and doesn't sit up anymore. I am sure there is some lesson in all of this, but in some ways, I feel that even if I could afford to buy a new Amma, which I can't, it would not replace my Amma Doll. So if Durga is she who tears apart thought is Cassie she who tears apart Amma Dolls (and just about anything else she can get her teeth around). This weekend, I will wash all of Amma's clothes. I fear Her rudraksha necklace is ruined but I will get Her back together as best as I can. But it is so sad to see Her without an arm and a leg. I am just very glad that Cassie didn't chew Her face. And of course, I love Cassie, and I understand puppies, so I can't fault her. I guess this will teach me to be more careful with putting things out of reach. Jai Jai Amma Doll ~ Linda ______________________ ______________________ Message: 11 Thu, 6 Oct 2005 23:28:25 -0400 Bela Gaytán <bela.fela Re: Cassie, my puppie, and my Amma Doll Oh Linda, I am so sorry to hear about Cassie tearing up your Amma doll! I know how much she means to you. Poor Cassie... she didn't know she was hurting something you love so dearly! ¸... ´¨¨)) -:¦:- ¸..´ ..´¨¨)) ((¸¸..´ ...´ -:¦:- ..::Brightest Blessings::.. -:¦:- ((¸¸..´.¸...` ..::Bela::.. ______________________ ______________________ Message: 12 Thu, 06 Oct 2005 21:02:20 -0700 Prasadini <ganesh1008 Re: Re:To the group on the Cassie, my puppie, and my Amma Doll Dear Linda, This is just too weird. Just a couple of hours ago I was thinking about your Amma doll. We have a great little dog from New Orleans we are fostering. He is about a year old and gets into everything. He is a really good dog and we have come to love him very much. Before he came I put my Amma doll in another room on top of a dresser so the new dog, "Hari Gumbo" didn't chew Her. We had a close call with Alfie, our 11 year old dog. When he was a puppy he went up on the bed and grabbed Amma and was running around the house holding Her by the head. Fortunately then nothing more happened than She had her hair messed up a little bit. So this afternoon I was really missing my Amma doll in the next room, and wondering how you kept your doll safe from your dogs and cats. I don't know if I would have a funeral, or see if you can have Her repaired. Last November in San Ramon the doll maker had a whole room of Amma dolls she was repairing. Yours may take major surgery, but maybe She can be repaired. I am so sorry about your doll. I know She's not just any old doll. Mine has comforted me through some very hard times. Now your Amma doll is kind of like the "Velveteen Rabbit". Jai Ma! and all Amma dolls! Prasdini nierika wrote: > Dear brothers and sisters, > > Many of you will remember the lively discussion of how pets seem to > gravitate to people when they are doing their puja or singing bhajans, > and how some > pets have even gotten Amma's darshan. > > I have been reciting the Chandi Path as a sankalpa for Navaratri, and > for > those who don't know, the Chandi Path, besides being an intensive > system of > worship, is also a magnificent story of how Durga and the other > Goddesses won > out over the army of negative thoughts (these negative thoughts had > even driven > the Gods out of Heaven, and so the Gods pleaded with the Divine > Mothers for > help). Another one of Durga's names is "She who tears apart thought." > > Last night I was very restless, so I got my Amma doll to hold. When I > got up > in the morning, I left Amma sitting on one of the pillows. I fed my > dogs and > then I got distracted doing some fliers for an art walk I am involved > with > this weekend. Usually, I put the puppie, Cassie, outside after I feed > her. Then > I got up, and Cassie came into the living room. "Oh, Cassie," I said, "I > forgot to put you out. I'm sorry." So I put her outside, then went > into the > bedroom to turn off the light. > > All over the bed was stuffing. At first I thought that Cassie had > tried to > eat a pillow. Then I saw my Amma Doll's little dress and Her little > slip, two > bracelets, still intact and various beads loose all over the bed. It > was too > late to do "No, bad dog," because, well, you know, that only works if > you > actually catch them in the act. I stood there dumbfounded. That Amma > doll has > been through so much with me, even to the hospital. I thought, "she > ate my Amma > Doll." I cried and cried as I gathered all the stuffing, the clothing, > the > jewelry and wrapped it up and put it under the bed. (I live in a > trailer, so > the bed lifts up, and once something's under the bed, Cassie can't > get to it.) > I looked all over for the stocking body and the hair, but I couldn't > find it. > > I was inconsolable. I called my sister who was somewhat empathetic and > said > I should hold a funeral for my Amma Doll. I couldn't think of it. Then > I went > back in the bedroom and round one more piece of cotton stuffing, in a > perfectly round circle, so I took it and put it on my altar. Then I > got involved in > my day. > > Later, after running some errands, I let Cassie back in the house and > got > involved in practicing my music as I am singing as part of this > "Weekend at the > Galleries" thing. Shortly thereafter, I got up and went into the > bedroom, > and there was Cassie, sitting on the bed, calmly chewing on Amma ... I > couldn't believe it. She hid Amma very well. So I have my Amma Doll > back, but She is > missing an arm and a leg and doesn't sit up anymore. I am sure there > is some > lesson in all of this, but in some ways, I feel that even if I could > afford > to buy a new Amma, which I can't, it would not replace my Amma Doll. > > So if Durga is she who tears apart thought is Cassie she who tears apart > Amma Dolls (and just about anything else she can get her teeth around). > > This weekend, I will wash all of Amma's clothes. I fear Her rudraksha > necklace is ruined but I will get Her back together as best as I can. > But it is so > sad to see Her without an arm and a leg. I am just very glad that Cassie > didn't chew Her face. > > And of course, I love Cassie, and I understand puppies, so I can't fault > her. I guess this will teach me to be more careful with putting things > out of > reach. Jai Jai Amma Doll ~ Linda > > > > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > ------ > > > * Visit your group "Ammachi > <Ammachi>" on the web. > > * > Ammachi > <Ammachi?subject=Un> > > * Terms of > Service <>. > > > ------ > ______________________ ______________________ Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! ------ ------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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