Guest guest Posted November 3, 2005 Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 Taken from http://www.6d.fi/business_politics/page.2005-10-31.3590462019 In the past few weeks, people from all of walks of life, in all areas of the earth have continually asked themselves: Why all this suffering? What do these natural disasters mean? Where is God? How can he allow this to happen? The questions aren't new ones, but maybe our answers, like life, are not the same as time passes. Circumstances have in time-immemorial changed, remained the same, gotten worse and better, yet when tragedies strike, and all rational thinking and analyzing have been exhausted, we still somehow flock to our various spaces of safety (religion, family, clergy, places of worship, shelters, loved ones, television, our jobs, our savings, food, drink, tobacco, drugs) or simply, all the things or beings that we can explain, see, and control. It happens to all of us. It makes us feel better to know we can control our surroundings and our lives. The "survival instinct" in seems, prevails within, and automatically turns a button in each of us that strikes the fear of "something" in us. I am all for finding your secure place in the world as long WE ARE ALL CLEAR on what it is we are really crying out for. The places we can find solitude and meaning; with all the suffering, death, illness, poverty and violence; may be of our own creation. So vigilance must be exercised. But lately, I find it distasteful, and downright disgusting when people in high places, use their fear as a platform for hate, and to perpetuate more fear in the hearts of others. Message on point: the president of the country I hold a passport to: George W. Bush. In the past few years, he has been openly sharing with the media, what moves him to decide on events that have ramifications on us all: "I have received a vision of God and he said I must go to Afghanistan and fight the war on terror", and "God told me to go to Iraq and give their people freedom and democracy", this one's a bit pushing it: "God said that I should help create a peace in Israel and Palestine to create a new land" With all the obvious human mistakes and violence inflicted by the "War on terror" that is already in the minds of Americans, a natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina fuels an already paranoid, weary, and doubting public that Bush's God may be the wrong kind of deity that he should be listening to. In other parts of the world, namely India and Pakistan, have moved away from it's past of spiritual governance with Gandhi, to a more secular one with nuclear weapons, and economies of scale. Then the tsunami hits, an earthquake-then the questions persist: Why God why? Cynical as I was, maybe even hungry for another point of view about God, deities, and suffering, I decided to explore the same topic and spoke to a another kind of leader, one who visits Helsinki often: Mother Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi Math aka. the Mother of Hugs and unconditional love), to see her view of what motivated her to do what she does despite all the suffering and disasters in our world. I asked: *Who is your God*? The translator shared my question, and she smiled like the child in all of us and said simply: "*You!*" All my pondering, cynicism, and anger diminished in a flash! What a novel idea! I was immediately converted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2005 Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 Hello Vipin! This post was really great. These questions are on everyone's minds- why...why...why... And it is hard to transform leaders in the world. Heck it's hard to change ourselves!! lol... In the midst of all the afflictions in the world, the best thing we can each do is our spiritual practices, every day without fail. It helps to create a calmness within our own minds, a settling. It does not eliminate sadness or pain for the sufferings that are going on in the world. But I think staying close to our spirituality is the best tool for implementing change in the world. As I believe those changes occur on the subtle level. Each action has an equal and opposite reaction. Just as the pebble tossed into the pond creates outward ripples. So, too our practices will ripple outward to positively affect the world. I loved your question to Amma. And Her answer, of course. Then I think, geez, just where is this God within me...the sleeping Giant... adriane Ammachi, Vipin Pavithran <vipin.p@g...> wrote: > > Taken from > http://www.6d.fi/business_politics/page.2005-10-31.3590462019 > In the past few weeks, people from all of walks of life, in all areas of > the earth have continually asked themselves: Why all this suffering? What do > these natural disasters mean? Where is God? How can he allow this to happen? > The questions aren't new ones, but maybe our answers, like life, are not the > same as time passes. > > Circumstances have in time-immemorial changed, remained the same, gotten > worse and better, yet when tragedies strike, and all rational thinking and > analyzing have been exhausted, we still somehow flock to our various spaces > of safety (religion, family, clergy, places of worship, shelters, loved > ones, television, our jobs, our savings, food, drink, tobacco, drugs) or > simply, all the things or beings that we can explain, see, and control. > > It happens to all of us. It makes us feel better to know we can control our > surroundings and our lives. The "survival instinct" in seems, prevails > within, and automatically turns a button in each of us that strikes the fear > of "something" in us. I am all for finding your secure place in the world as > long WE ARE ALL CLEAR on what it is we are really crying out for. The places > we can find solitude and meaning; with all the suffering, death, illness, > poverty and violence; may be of our own creation. So vigilance must be > exercised. > > But lately, I find it distasteful, and downright disgusting when people in > high places, use their fear as a platform for hate, and to perpetuate more > fear in the hearts of others. Message on point: the president of the country > I hold a passport to: George W. Bush. In the past few years, he has been > openly sharing with the media, what moves him to decide on events that have > ramifications on us all: "I have received a vision of God and he said I must > go to Afghanistan and fight the war on terror", and "God told me to go to > Iraq and give their people freedom and democracy", this one's a bit pushing > it: "God said that I should help create a peace in Israel and Palestine to > create a new land" With all the obvious human mistakes and violence > inflicted by the "War on terror" that is already in the minds of Americans, > a natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina fuels an already paranoid, > weary, and doubting public that Bush's God may be the wrong kind of deity > that he should be listening to. > > In other parts of the world, namely India and Pakistan, have moved away from > it's past of spiritual governance with Gandhi, to a more secular one with > nuclear weapons, and economies of scale. Then the tsunami hits, an > earthquake-then the questions persist: Why God why? > > Cynical as I was, maybe even hungry for another point of view about God, > deities, and suffering, I decided to explore the same topic and spoke to a > another kind of leader, one who visits Helsinki often: Mother Amma (Mata > Amritanandamayi Math aka. the Mother of Hugs and unconditional love), to see > her view of what motivated her to do what she does despite all the suffering > and disasters in our world. I asked: *Who is your God*? The translator > shared my question, and she smiled like the child in all of us and said > simply: "*You!*" All my pondering, cynicism, and anger diminished in a > flash! What a novel idea! I was immediately converted! > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2005 Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 Namah Shivaya >> I loved your question to Amma. And Her answer, of course. Then I think, geez, just where is this God within me...the sleeping Giant... I am NOT the Author of the article. There is another interview posted on amritapuri.org <http://amritapuri.org> by the same Author ( Antoinette Langcaun-Tenhunen ) Here is the link http://www.6d.fi/starters/page.2005-10-31.6816509828 I am pasting the content below. Again I am NOT the author of the post .... An interview with Amma: A living God to some, to others the embodiment of the spiritual mother By Antoinette Langcaun-Tenhunen This is an interview during Amma's latest visit to Helsinki in the Cable factory or Kaapeli, translated by Swami Amritaswarupananda. As the moon seemed full that night, a quiet feeling and energy of excitement filled the air of the humungous hall of the Kaapeli. Faces I have seen in year's past were there once more, happily greeting each other like long-lost relatives. My friends came over from Tampere and were all getting ready to see Amma. Being the overly neurotic person that I am, I was burdened with bills, bills and more bills. So it was definitely refreshing to take a break from watching the BBC, CNN and the Virtual Online Coordination Center for Disasters. I had come to this hall years before and have been hugged my Amma. I had thought that this woman was just another person, capitalizing on love. It was a break from watching my country's president, George W. Bush, doing what he does best: capitalizing on fear. I found myself by the press table and quickly inquired about an interview. As I mentioned my humble credentials (already feeling foolish as Amma is on the same playing field as the Dalai Lama in the Parliament of World Religions and the recipient of the Gandhi/King Award for Non-Violence by the Global Peace Initiative of Women and Religious Spiritual Leaders at the Palais des Nations in Geneva) I was told that I could speak to her before the "hugging" festivities begun. Just like that! I was amazed. I could have had an uzi in my bag or a bomb but "no fear" seemed the policy here at Amma's place. I got a press badge saying Media, and was waiting for the opening ceremony to start. I had no idea what to ask, as Bush was on my mind after the whole "God told me to go to Iraq" and how cynical I have been feeling lately about what was going on in the world that the only question that seemed clear was: Who is your God? Who is the God that this tiny woman follows? What makes her get up every morning to do what she does? Why does a seemingly loving person so controversial in her own country and within the Indian spiritual community here in Helsinki? How can the president of India donate his entire year's salary to Amma's organization? How can she donate millions of dollars herself to the Tsunami relief and at the same time, be accused of commercializing her organization for profit? So many contradicting definitions, myths, and realities about this person. So when my time came, I was led to Swami, and was asked to kneel or sit by a wooden chair. Amma was already giving hugs and mantras to all those that have been there for hours waiting her arrival. Although I only asked a few questions, Amma's responses were full of allegory and analogies that encompassed all the topics and questions I had prepared. I invite you to make your own opinion of this woman by the way she answered. Here is the interview I had with her in its complete form: Who is your God You! Her, him, everything! What do you think the various natural disasters happening in the world mean? Nature's way to bring more awareness in the heart's of people. A reminder for people to do your duty to earth and Mother Nature. Human beings are taking too much of the natural resources. There are certain restrictions, do's and don'ts and human beings are not following them. Human beings are crossing boundaries. For example traffic lights. If we do not observe them, there will be accidents. Human beings are not observing Dharma to mother earth and nature. Humans break down mountains, destroy forests, while the population is growing but the earth is not growing. How nature can be completely calmed down like a cool gentle breeze is only through divine grace. Only divine grace can transform nature's turbulence, as nature is restless. What is the role of Native People/Indigenous People in the world today? Their traditions and practices should be continued and strengthened. There is a tendency to go mainstream. They should not forget their ancient cultures for example worshipping nature, honoring it. Governments should also give them necessary protections. Is the world becoming for feminine in nature with its energy and what is the role of women in this age? Feminine energy always existed for everyone. There was a period when it was weakened due to laws, regulations and religion that society imposed on women. Everyone has feminine energy. Men and women need to learn how to channel their energy to create harmony. Men and women were equal in the far past and were never contradictory, but complementary. Like two wings on a bird. Feminine energy is a flow of a river. Strong, free, that it can even make electricity.. But now this river has split into branches (weakened feminine energy) that have weakened the flow. In the past women always had power. Women are slowly awakening. Women have a greater responsibility to society as God gave her a womb. She should be more patient. And then her power will be greater. The same way that electricity can be used for constructive things and also for the atomic bomb. Like electricity, humans too have energy. This time now, is a revival period. _______________________ As quickly as the interview got underway, time passed just as quickly passed. I was allowed to take picture of Amma, and was put ahead of a lot of people that were waiting to hug her and receive a blessing. She hugged me, and I got an apple and a shower of rose petals. I stayed on taking photos and saw her hug a child and start to weep. I asked her devotees who the child was. They told me that the boy was a Finn that lived in Amma's ashram in India, but they had moved back to Finland recently. The boy told Amma that his mom died. Just like that, Amma instructed him and his father to sit by her as she continued hugging the hundreds of people who came to see her. The little boy replaced me, next to her and they both started chatting about the boy's school, and his activities. So from a journalist, to a devotee's child, Amma wears the "mothering" and educating parts of her mission well. Was she God? Maybe if God were to come to earth, I would imagine her/him to encompass the mother in all of us, and the teacher in our hearts. (I think a good embracer is also a personal qualification I would include) Did she say she was God? Not really? She said I was hers (what a concept!) I think my God would be something words cannot define and would blow away every conceivable idea any of us has of the mighty one. What would yours be like? By Antoinette Langcaun-Tenhunen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2005 Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 Namah Shivaya Hellooooo Vipin!! We miss you here in Sainte Louie....)-;<...but we know you had another calling to Amma....after writing my response, I THEN went to the link...LOL..and quickly realized my error. But oh well...great story just the same! And just where is this sleeping GIANT within me that is so awake while I am sleeping...God... peace-may it reign... adriane -- In Ammachi, Vipin Pavithran <vipin.p@g...> wrote: > > Namah Shivaya > >> I loved your question to Amma. And Her answer, of course. Then I > think, geez, just where is this God within me...the sleeping Giant... > I am NOT the Author of the article. There is another interview posted on > amritapuri.org <http://amritapuri.org> by the same Author ( Antoinette > Langcaun-Tenhunen ) > Here is the link > http://www.6d.fi/starters/page.2005-10-31.6816509828 > I am pasting the content below. Again I am NOT the author of the post .... > An interview with Amma: A living God to some, to others the embodiment of > the spiritual mother By Antoinette Langcaun-Tenhunen > > This is an interview during Amma's latest visit to Helsinki in the Cable > factory or Kaapeli, translated by Swami Amritaswarupananda. > > As the moon seemed full that night, a quiet feeling and energy of excitement > filled the air of the humungous hall of the Kaapeli. Faces I have seen in > year's past were there once more, happily greeting each other like long-lost > relatives. My friends came over from Tampere and were all getting ready to > see Amma. Being the overly neurotic person that I am, I was burdened with > bills, bills and more bills. So it was definitely refreshing to take a break > from watching the BBC, CNN and the Virtual Online Coordination Center for > Disasters. I had come to this hall years before and have been hugged my > Amma. I had thought that this woman was just another person, capitalizing on > love. It was a break from watching my country's president, George W. Bush, > doing what he does best: capitalizing on fear. > > I found myself by the press table and quickly inquired about an interview. > As I mentioned my humble credentials (already feeling foolish as Amma is on > the same playing field as the Dalai Lama in the Parliament of World > Religions and the recipient of the Gandhi/King Award for Non- Violence by the > Global Peace Initiative of Women and Religious Spiritual Leaders at the > Palais des Nations in Geneva) I was told that I could speak to her before > the "hugging" festivities begun. Just like that! I was amazed. I could have > had an uzi in my bag or a bomb but "no fear" seemed the policy here at > Amma's place. I got a press badge saying Media, and was waiting for the > opening ceremony to start. I had no idea what to ask, as Bush was on my mind > after the whole "God told me to go to Iraq" and how cynical I have been > feeling lately about what was going on in the world that the only question > that seemed clear was: > > Who is your God? Who is the God that this tiny woman follows? What makes her > get up every morning to do what she does? Why does a seemingly loving person > so controversial in her own country and within the Indian spiritual > community here in Helsinki? How can the president of India donate his entire > year's salary to Amma's organization? How can she donate millions of dollars > herself to the Tsunami relief and at the same time, be accused of > commercializing her organization for profit? So many contradicting > definitions, myths, and realities about this person. So when my time came, I > was led to Swami, and was asked to kneel or sit by a wooden chair. Amma was > already giving hugs and mantras to all those that have been there for hours > waiting her arrival. Although I only asked a few questions, Amma's responses > were full of allegory and analogies that encompassed all the topics and > questions I had prepared. I invite you to make your own opinion of this > woman by the way she answered. Here is the interview I had with her in its > complete form: > > Who is your God > > You! Her, him, everything! > > What do you think the various natural disasters happening in the world mean? > > Nature's way to bring more awareness in the heart's of people. A reminder > for people to do your duty to earth and Mother Nature. Human beings are > taking too much of the natural resources. There are certain restrictions, > do's and don'ts and human beings are not following them. Human beings are > crossing boundaries. For example traffic lights. If we do not observe them, > there will be accidents. Human beings are not observing Dharma to mother > earth and nature. Humans break down mountains, destroy forests, while the > population is growing but the earth is not growing. How nature can be > completely calmed down like a cool gentle breeze is only through divine > grace. Only divine grace can transform nature's turbulence, as nature is > restless. > > What is the role of Native People/Indigenous People in the world today? > > Their traditions and practices should be continued and strengthened. There > is a tendency to go mainstream. They should not forget their ancient > cultures for example worshipping nature, honoring it. Governments should > also give them necessary protections. > > Is the world becoming for feminine in nature with its energy and what is the > role of women in this age? > > Feminine energy always existed for everyone. There was a period when it was > weakened due to laws, regulations and religion that society imposed on > women. Everyone has feminine energy. Men and women need to learn how to > channel their energy to create harmony. Men and women were equal in the far > past and were never contradictory, but complementary. Like two wings on a > bird. Feminine energy is a flow of a river. Strong, free, that it can even > make electricity.. But now this river has split into branches (weakened > feminine energy) that have weakened the flow. In the past women always had > power. Women are slowly awakening. Women have a greater responsibility to > society as God gave her a womb. She should be more patient. And then her > power will be greater. The same way that electricity can be used for > constructive things and also for the atomic bomb. Like electricity, humans > too have energy. This time now, is a revival period. > > _______________________ > > As quickly as the interview got underway, time passed just as quickly > passed. I was allowed to take picture of Amma, and was put ahead of a lot of > people that were waiting to hug her and receive a blessing. She hugged me, > and I got an apple and a shower of rose petals. I stayed on taking photos > and saw her hug a child and start to weep. I asked her devotees who the > child was. They told me that the boy was a Finn that lived in Amma's ashram > in India, but they had moved back to Finland recently. The boy told Amma > that his mom died. Just like that, Amma instructed him and his father to sit > by her as she continued hugging the hundreds of people who came to see her. > The little boy replaced me, next to her and they both started chatting about > the boy's school, and his activities. So from a journalist, to a devotee's > child, Amma wears the "mothering" and educating parts of her mission well. > > Was she God? Maybe if God were to come to earth, I would imagine her/him to > encompass the mother in all of us, and the teacher in our hearts. (I think a > good embracer is also a personal qualification I would include) Did she say > she was God? Not really? She said I was hers (what a concept!) I think my > God would be something words cannot define and would blow away every > conceivable idea any of us has of the mighty one. What would yours be like? > By Antoinette Langcaun-Tenhunen > > > > 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.