Guest guest Posted February 16, 2006 Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 Tom wrote: >> ...I'm looking to form a chanting group for learning and chanting the >> Lalita Sahasranaam and also the Mahishaasura Stotram on a regular or >> semi-regular basis in the Washington DC area... Dear Tom ~ I believe there are several Ammachi satsangs in your area, both in Maryland and in Northern Virginia ... not sure about DC. Why not go to Amma's website and email the group contact with your suggestion and see what response you receive. Someone might be very happy to have you help start this type of chanting on a regular basis. My other suggestion would be to contact the Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple (I think that's the name) ... it is in Maryland, on Greenbelt Road, or just off Greenbelt Road. Good luck ~ wish I were still there; I'd help out. : ) Best ~ Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 It would be nice to host the group in an actual temple, both for the group to have neutral influence (rather than the homeowner dictating terms) and for the influx of donations to the temple. SSV temple is pretty far away, but there's others in the area, or it could rotate. I gave years of service to the DC area satsangs and don't have the luxuries that most members have (who've remained through the years). No one's really interested in doing real sadhana, but fine with doing whatever MAC dictates. They approach doing right by not doing any wrong (or risk doing wrong) which is the "politically safe approach". They all can fly to wherever Amma is and have a blast, so there's no reason to make a good try at satsang. Others have to make do with what they got. I tried to tell them years ago, like Swami P said that if the villagers think Amma is possessed during the Bhava's, then She's only valuable those days of the week. If Amma's darshan is what's so valuable, then putting on a good satsang isn't important. Just save your money for a retreat and have fun like everyone else. If I wanted to talk to robots, I'd go to the official satsangs. Many, many, many, many folks have left the DC area satsangs over the years. Most of them, you'll still see at darshan though. Satsang is supposed to be a service for devotees, it's really sad. Bad behavior is glossed over as being Amma's Will, and good behavior is taken for granted as being "How lucky we are!" grace. Supporting bad behavior and ignoring good behavior, sounds backwards to me. Um, how many years passed before MAC took notice and decided to change things at the satsang level? 1,2,3,4,5,6,7... And did they really change, or put different people in charge with the same m.o.? Sadly, the satsangs seem to cater to well-off folks. Just like the early days they catered to Marylander's because much of the inner circle lived there. tom Ammachi, nierika wrote: > Dear Tom ~ I believe there are several Ammachi satsangs in your area, both > in Maryland and in Northern Virginia ... not sure about DC. Why not go to > Amma's website and email the group contact with your suggestion and see what > response you receive. Someone might be very happy to have you help start this > type of chanting on a regular basis. My other suggestion would be to contact the > Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple (I think that's the name) ... it is in Maryland, on > Greenbelt Road, or just off Greenbelt Road. > > Good luck ~ wish I were still there; I'd help out. : ) Best ~ Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 Dear Tom, Namah Shivaya, You wrote: "If Amma's darshan is what's so valuable, then putting on a good satsang isn't important." I'm not sure if I'm understanding you correctly. Is this cynical, or are you saying that satsang isn't important? I believe that Amma says satsangs are important for us. It sure sounds as if you've either been hurt, disgruntled, or both, by the DC satsang. I identify with these feelings, & completely stopped going to my local satsang for a while, because it appeared that a member who was quite in control, was unfairly rejecting & excluding my preteen. For this sort of reason, I also like the idea of having a satsang available in a neutral environment, where one member's ego can't so easily act as a dictator. I met a woman, isolated from other Amma devotees, whose satsang "leader" wouldn't allow her to attend the only satsang near her home. Very, very sad, & extremely contrary to what Amma teaches. One thing is for sure. Amma knows what is going on in these unsavory instances, & they can be used to help us grow. I'm grateful for the diverse participants & openess of this satsang. Sweta Tom <tomgull wrote: It would be nice to host the group in an actual temple, both for the group to have neutral influence (rather than the homeowner dictating terms) and for the influx of donations to the temple. SSV temple is pretty far away, but there's others in the area, or it could rotate. I gave years of service to the DC area satsangs and don't have the luxuries that most members have (who've remained through the years). No one's really interested in doing real sadhana, but fine with doing whatever MAC dictates. They approach doing right by not doing any wrong (or risk doing wrong) which is the "politically safe approach". They all can fly to wherever Amma is and have a blast, so there's no reason to make a good try at satsang. Others have to make do with what they got. I tried to tell them years ago, like Swami P said that if the villagers think Amma is possessed during the Bhava's, then She's only valuable those days of the week. Just save your money for a retreat and have fun like everyone else. If I wanted to talk to robots, I'd go to the official satsangs. Many, many, many, many folks have left the DC area satsangs over the years. Most of them, you'll still see at darshan though. Satsang is supposed to be a service for devotees, it's really sad. Bad behavior is glossed over as being Amma's Will, and good behavior is taken for granted as being "How lucky we are!" grace. Supporting bad behavior and ignoring good behavior, sounds backwards to me. Um, how many years passed before MAC took notice and decided to change things at the satsang level? 1,2,3,4,5,6,7... And did they really change, or put different people in charge with the same m.o.? Sadly, the satsangs seem to cater to well-off folks. Just like the early days they catered to Marylander's because much of the inner circle lived there. tom Ammachi, nierika wrote: > Dear Tom ~ I believe there are several Ammachi satsangs in your area, both > in Maryland and in Northern Virginia ... not sure about DC. Why not go to > Amma's website and email the group contact with your suggestion and see what > response you receive. Someone might be very happy to have you help start this > type of chanting on a regular basis. My other suggestion would be to contact the > Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple (I think that's the name) ... it is in Maryland, on > Greenbelt Road, or just off Greenbelt Road. > > Good luck ~ wish I were still there; I'd help out. : ) Best ~ Linda Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Mata amritanandamayi Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. Ammachi Relax. Mail virus scanning helps detect nasty viruses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 2006 Report Share Posted February 18, 2006 It's not cynicism, I'm merely relating that actions speak louder than words. Not hurt, just frustrated that there are no good satsangs available. It's what happens in political situations. You're doing great as long as there's no marks on your record, according to the world, but God sees everything. The very people in charge of and with the resources to put on a good satsang, are taking the attitude similar to my former job, "Well, I can't see it from my house". That is, unless something affects me directly, I won't do anything, or unless it comes down the chain of command, that way my rear is covered and I won't be chastised by Amma (oh no!). Amma "magically" corrects our mistakes (now I'm cynical). Even the unofficial Sathya Sai group that had a somewhat loose format in that it included Amma, when defunct after many years, mainly because both the homeowner and leader were stifling things (hidden control) That caused a decline in attendance until the homeowner just got fed up with the poor attendance and closed it. It had been a reliable staple in my sadhana diet: every Thursday evening without fail, year round. While I'm a firm believer in learning from experiences, and mistakes, the popular idea of bad karma being "a lesson to be learned" is specifically Metaphysics/New Age. In Sanathana Dharma, (SSB and Amma teach) karma is karma. It's this kind of ignorance that keeps people from progressing. You waste time contemplating something bad that happened for the meaning of something that may have no meaning. Badly run satsang are only costing the ones that can't afford to loose it. Anyone that can go on retreats and fly to where Amma is and follow her around on tour ($$$) certainly doesn't need or care about weekly satsang. They're satisfied with the same slop that swine eat. (a pig's discrimination is so bad that it supposedly will eat it's own young if mixed in with their food, whereas most other animals can smell their own, if not their own kind). My request for a LS chanting group in the DC area was a rhetorical one, in case anyone didn't know. I'm fully aware of the state of devotion here, it's Kali Yuga. tom Ammachi, Sweta Mitzel <swetabc wrote: > > Dear Tom, > Namah Shivaya, > > You wrote: "If Amma's darshan is what's so > valuable, then putting on a good satsang isn't important." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 2006 Report Share Posted February 18, 2006 "Anyone that can go on retreats and fly to where Amma is and follow her around on tour ($$$) certainly doesn't need or care about weekly satsang". What kind of opinionated crap is this Tom? So anyone that works hard all year to save enough money to do the following doesn't need or care about weekly satsang? The only pig around here is you. Have you ever hosted Satsang? Every tried to? You just like to whine and complain about what others do "wrong". Stop taking everyone else's inventory and just take your own for a change. I've been reading these posts and when I read this last one, I decided I could hold my tounge no longer. Surya - Tom Ammachi Saturday, February 18, 2006 9:50 AM Re: To Tom about Lalita Sahasranaam in DC It's not cynicism, I'm merely relating that actions speak louder than words. Not hurt, just frustrated that there are no good satsangs available. It's what happens in political situations. You're doing great as long as there's no marks on your record, according to the world, but God sees everything. The very people in charge of and with the resources to put on a good satsang, are taking the attitude similar to my former job, "Well, I can't see it from my house". That is, unless something affects me directly, I won't do anything, or unless it comes down the chain of command, that way my rear is covered and I won't be chastised by Amma (oh no!). Amma "magically" corrects our mistakes (now I'm cynical). Even the unofficial Sathya Sai group that had a somewhat loose format in that it included Amma, when defunct after many years, mainly because both the homeowner and leader were stifling things (hidden control) That caused a decline in attendance until the homeowner just got fed up with the poor attendance and closed it. It had been a reliable staple in my sadhana diet: every Thursday evening without fail, year round. While I'm a firm believer in learning from experiences, and mistakes, the popular idea of bad karma being "a lesson to be learned" is specifically Metaphysics/New Age. In Sanathana Dharma, (SSB and Amma teach) karma is karma. It's this kind of ignorance that keeps people from progressing. You waste time contemplating something bad that happened for the meaning of something that may have no meaning. Badly run satsang are only costing the ones that can't afford to loose it. Anyone that can go on retreats and fly to where Amma is and follow her around on tour ($$$) certainly doesn't need or care about weekly satsang. They're satisfied with the same slop that swine eat. (a pig's discrimination is so bad that it supposedly will eat it's own young if mixed in with their food, whereas most other animals can smell their own, if not their own kind). My request for a LS chanting group in the DC area was a rhetorical one, in case anyone didn't know. I'm fully aware of the state of devotion here, it's Kali Yuga. tom Ammachi, Sweta Mitzel <swetabc wrote: > > Dear Tom, > Namah Shivaya, > > You wrote: "If Amma's darshan is what's so > valuable, then putting on a good satsang isn't important." Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Mata amritanandamayi a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. b.. Ammachi c.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 2006 Report Share Posted February 18, 2006 Namah Shivaya, Isn't this all getting a little ugly? Can we tone it down a bit or say these things in private emails? Mahamuni wrote: > "Anyone that can go on retreats and fly to where Amma is > and follow her around on tour ($$$) certainly doesn't need or care > about weekly satsang". > > What kind of opinionated crap is this Tom? So anyone that works hard > all year to save enough money to do the following doesn't need or care > about weekly satsang? The only pig around here is you. > > Have you ever hosted Satsang? Every tried to? You just like to whine > and complain about what others do "wrong". Stop taking everyone else's > inventory and just take your own for a change. > > I've been reading these posts and when I read this last one, I decided > I could hold my tounge no longer. > > Surya > - > Tom > Ammachi > Saturday, February 18, 2006 9:50 AM > Re: To Tom about Lalita Sahasranaam in DC > > > It's not cynicism, I'm merely relating that actions speak louder than > words. > > Not hurt, just frustrated that there are no good satsangs > available. It's what happens in political situations. You're doing > great as long as there's no marks on your record, according to the > world, but God sees everything. The very people in charge of and > with the resources to put on a good satsang, are taking the attitude > similar to my former job, "Well, I can't see it from my house". > That is, unless something affects me directly, I won't do anything, > or unless it comes down the chain of command, that way my rear is > covered and I won't be chastised by Amma (oh no!). Amma "magically" > corrects our mistakes (now I'm cynical). > > Even the unofficial Sathya Sai group that had a somewhat loose format > in that it included Amma, when defunct after many years, mainly > because both the homeowner and leader were stifling things (hidden > control) That caused a decline in attendance until the homeowner just > got fed up with the poor attendance and closed it. It had been a > reliable staple in my sadhana diet: every Thursday evening without > fail, year round. > > While I'm a firm believer in learning from experiences, and mistakes, > the popular idea of bad karma being "a lesson to be learned" is > specifically Metaphysics/New Age. In Sanathana Dharma, (SSB and > Amma teach) karma is karma. It's this kind of ignorance that keeps > people from progressing. You waste time contemplating something bad > that happened for the meaning of something that may have no > meaning. > > Badly run satsang are only costing the ones that can't afford to > loose it. Anyone that can go on retreats and fly to where Amma is > and follow her around on tour ($$$) certainly doesn't need or care > about weekly satsang. They're satisfied with the same slop that > swine eat. (a pig's discrimination is so bad that it supposedly > will eat it's own young if mixed in with their food, whereas most > other animals can smell their own, if not their own kind). > > My request for a LS chanting group in the DC area was a rhetorical > one, in case anyone didn't know. I'm fully aware of the state of > devotion here, it's Kali Yuga. > > tom > Ammachi, Sweta Mitzel <swetabc wrote: > > > > Dear Tom, > > Namah Shivaya, > > > > You wrote: "If Amma's darshan is what's so > > valuable, then putting on a good satsang isn't important." Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > Mata amritanandamayi > > > > > > a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. > > b.. > Ammachi > > c.. > > > > > > > > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > > Mata amritanandamayi > </gads?t=ms&k=Mata+amritanandamayi&w1=Mata+amritanandamay\ i&c=1&s=26&.sig=DYRmPW4tjbUZrNprNMY6xw> > > > > ------ > > > * Visit your group "Ammachi > <Ammachi>" on the web. > * > Ammachi > <Ammachi?subject=Un> > * Terms of > Service <>. > > > ------ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 2006 Report Share Posted February 18, 2006 Hi, I agree. I have been holding my tongue for several subjects now, but this last post really went too far and I felt something needed to be said. Sorry if it offended anyone. Namah Shivaya, Surya - Prasadini Ammachi Saturday, February 18, 2006 1:37 PM Re: Re: To Tom about Lalita Sahasranaam in DC Namah Shivaya, Isn't this all getting a little ugly? Can we tone it down a bit or say these things in private emails? Mahamuni wrote: > "Anyone that can go on retreats and fly to where Amma is > and follow her around on tour ($$$) certainly doesn't need or care > about weekly satsang". > > What kind of opinionated crap is this Tom? So anyone that works hard > all year to save enough money to do the following doesn't need or care > about weekly satsang? The only pig around here is you. > > Have you ever hosted Satsang? Every tried to? You just like to whine > and complain about what others do "wrong". Stop taking everyone else's > inventory and just take your own for a change. > > I've been reading these posts and when I read this last one, I decided > I could hold my tounge no longer. > > Surya > - > Tom > Ammachi > Saturday, February 18, 2006 9:50 AM > Re: To Tom about Lalita Sahasranaam in DC > > > It's not cynicism, I'm merely relating that actions speak louder than > words. > > Not hurt, just frustrated that there are no good satsangs > available. It's what happens in political situations. You're doing > great as long as there's no marks on your record, according to the > world, but God sees everything. The very people in charge of and > with the resources to put on a good satsang, are taking the attitude > similar to my former job, "Well, I can't see it from my house". > That is, unless something affects me directly, I won't do anything, > or unless it comes down the chain of command, that way my rear is > covered and I won't be chastised by Amma (oh no!). Amma "magically" > corrects our mistakes (now I'm cynical). > > Even the unofficial Sathya Sai group that had a somewhat loose format > in that it included Amma, when defunct after many years, mainly > because both the homeowner and leader were stifling things (hidden > control) That caused a decline in attendance until the homeowner just > got fed up with the poor attendance and closed it. It had been a > reliable staple in my sadhana diet: every Thursday evening without > fail, year round. > > While I'm a firm believer in learning from experiences, and mistakes, > the popular idea of bad karma being "a lesson to be learned" is > specifically Metaphysics/New Age. In Sanathana Dharma, (SSB and > Amma teach) karma is karma. It's this kind of ignorance that keeps > people from progressing. You waste time contemplating something bad > that happened for the meaning of something that may have no > meaning. > > Badly run satsang are only costing the ones that can't afford to > loose it. Anyone that can go on retreats and fly to where Amma is > and follow her around on tour ($$$) certainly doesn't need or care > about weekly satsang. They're satisfied with the same slop that > swine eat. (a pig's discrimination is so bad that it supposedly > will eat it's own young if mixed in with their food, whereas most > other animals can smell their own, if not their own kind). > > My request for a LS chanting group in the DC area was a rhetorical > one, in case anyone didn't know. I'm fully aware of the state of > devotion here, it's Kali Yuga. > > tom > Ammachi, Sweta Mitzel <swetabc wrote: > > > > Dear Tom, > > Namah Shivaya, > > > > You wrote: "If Amma's darshan is what's so > > valuable, then putting on a good satsang isn't important." > > > > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > Mata amritanandamayi > > > > > > a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. > > b.. > Ammachi > > c.. > > > > > > > > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > > Mata amritanandamayi > </gads?t=ms&k=Mata+amritanandamayi&w1=Mata+amritanandamay\ i&c=1&s=26&.sig=DYRmPW4tjbUZrNprNMY6xw> > > > > ------ > > > * Visit your group "Ammachi > <Ammachi>" on the web. > * > Ammachi > <Ammachi?subject=Un> > * Terms of > Service <>. > > > ------ > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Mata amritanandamayi a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. b.. Ammachi c.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 Tom wrote: >> ...If I wanted to talk to robots, I'd go to the official satsangs. >> Many, many, many, many folks have left the DC area satsangs over the >> years. Most of them, you'll still see at darshan though. Satsang >> is supposed to be a service for devotees, it's really sad. Bad >> behavior is glossed over as being Amma's Will, and good behavior is >> taken for granted as being "How lucky we are!" grace. Supporting bad >> behavior and ignoring good behavior, sounds backwards to me. >> Um, how many years passed before MAC took notice and decided to change > things at the satsang level? 1,2,3,4,5,6,7... And did they really >> change, or put different people in charge with the same m.o.? Sadly, >> the satsangs seem to cater to well-off folks. Just like the early days >> they catered to Marylander's because much of the inner circle lived >> there. Dear Tom, I remember your name from when I lived in the area. I went to a few of the satsangs, but early on I got a bad taste in my mouth, because of the very issues you mention. And I too got tired of people blaming poor behavior on "Amma stirring the pot." That never made any sense to me. I had some very negative experiences...sad. I'm not sure who MAC is, but I did see the tendency to cater to well-off folks as well as the jet setters who could just pick up and follow Amma all over the country. You are probably better off with a temple, and, as you say, there are a number of them ~ I believe there is even one in Northern Virginia ~ and the practice could be rotated. I wish you the best of luck in bringing your dream to fruition. Jai Ma ~ Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 1. I don't own a home to have held satsang and when I did have my own place the parking didn't allow for groups, believe me, I tried back in the day having just a group meditation. 2. The quote you mention below is "actions speak louder than words"... 3. Back in the day, I personally "organized" special event satsangs/puja at a devotee's home, even printed a program flyer (advert and agenda), and made many calls myself. Even then asking them to at least polish the brass puja articles is way too much for Amma devotees (all the satsangs I've attended had this problem despite my own efforts to do the work myself). I had a good laugh when I read the book about Shree Maa, when Swamiji was asked to do a puja in which the articles where already prepared for him: "shining utensils!". Chances are you'll only see this at an Amma satsang if a swami is visiting and his out entourage had polished them at the previous stop before packing. Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni wrote: > > "Anyone that can go on retreats and fly to where Amma is > and follow her around on tour ($$$) certainly doesn't need or care > about weekly satsang". > > What kind of opinionated crap is this Tom? So anyone that works hard all year to save enough money to do the following doesn't need or care about weekly satsang? The only pig around here is you. > > Have you ever hosted Satsang? Every tried to? You just like to whine and complain about what others do "wrong". Stop taking everyone else's inventory and just take your own for a change. > > I've been reading these posts and when I read this last one, I decided I could hold my tounge no longer. > > Surya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 1. Well I don't own a home, but I have still managed to host Satsang here in San Diego. We rent a home and it is my pleasure to host the San Diego Satsang whenever possible. It rotates around San Diego so we get to host it every 2 months or so. I would host if more often but there are many who want to host. We get 40-60 people regularly, so it is a tight squeeze but somehow we all manage. Parking on my little dead end street certainly does not accommodate this number, as with most of our locations, but people carpool and they park as close by as they can and walk. Touring with Amma basically uses up all the money we could possibly spend on any vacations, but we feel it is well worth it and how we want to live our lives. I also obviously don't get paid when I am traveling on Tour, so I have to make all my annual income in 9 months approx. But it is what's important to me and my family, so we make due. We want to serve any way we can. We certainly aren't rich and can't even give too much money each year on top of this, but creatively try to make donations that make more money for the charitable projects, such as donating Emergen C that we buy wholesale, or making crafts, or buying religious items well on Ebay and then donating them. I always wonder how I am going to pull it off, but somehow I just squeak by--all by Ma's Grace. Its always been that way for me. When I was single, I could be on staff and sleep on floors, etc. I was honored to be able to do the seva. It was a precious gift and opportunity. Now I have a family so I don't take an official Tour staff position, but still do almost as much work, and even more in my local stop of L.A. Again, it is how we choose to live. I look at it as an opportunity for Tapas and Seva. While no one has volunteered to help me prepare my house or pay for things, I never asked anyone. I never expected anything either. People bring nice food and flowers and other offerings. I spend many hours preparing the house, but that is my Seva for the Satsang and for Amma. It allows me the opportunity to increase my Bhava and do much japa and rememberance of Ma, so why should I complain. Again, somehow I just squeak by and finish in time. For big celebrations, like Maha Shivaratri, I've spent a great deal of personal money I didn't have to spend to make it a great experience for all, but again it was a great opportunity to serve. By Ma's Grace, it always worked out and was/is always okay. So you tried back in the day? What about now? I know that DC may be a tricky place politically, but that does not mean the whole country is like that and it also doesn't mean you should never go or start a smaller satsang in a different part of the DC area. There are many possibilities if it is what you really want and desire. 2. Don't understand what you mean by quoting that now. 3. Your problem seems to lie in all these expectations you have. Amma Devotees are coming from many different mindsets, backgrounds, experiences, etc and aren't all interested in the same things or doing the same things, etc. So your choice is to just quit and complain? Thank God people like Diane Warren from Dallas don't choose the same. Do you know how overwhelmed that poor lady is and how hard she works? I suspect you have NO idea. I do, because we are old friends and we talk on Tour about it. I wish I could help her. Many people want to quit when things get hard or challenging, but Thank Goddess there are those who persevere. I normally don't answer or respond to your posts because the tone is always the same. Its too bad really, because it seems like you have a great deal to offer, if you would just direct the energy a different way than the current one you choose. Jai Maa! Surya - Tom Ammachi Sunday, February 19, 2006 12:38 PM Re: To Tom about Lalita Sahasranaam in DC 1. I don't own a home to have held satsang and when I did have my own place the parking didn't allow for groups, believe me, I tried back in the day having just a group meditation. 2. The quote you mention below is "actions speak louder than words"... 3. Back in the day, I personally "organized" special event satsangs/puja at a devotee's home, even printed a program flyer (advert and agenda), and made many calls myself. Even then asking them to at least polish the brass puja articles is way too much for Amma devotees (all the satsangs I've attended had this problem despite my own efforts to do the work myself). I had a good laugh when I read the book about Shree Maa, when Swamiji was asked to do a puja in which the articles where already prepared for him: "shining utensils!". Chances are you'll only see this at an Amma satsang if a swami is visiting and his out entourage had polished them at the previous stop before packing. Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni wrote: > > "Anyone that can go on retreats and fly to where Amma is > and follow her around on tour ($$$) certainly doesn't need or care > about weekly satsang". > > What kind of opinionated crap is this Tom? So anyone that works hard all year to save enough money to do the following doesn't need or care about weekly satsang? The only pig around here is you. > > Have you ever hosted Satsang? Every tried to? You just like to whine and complain about what others do "wrong". Stop taking everyone else's inventory and just take your own for a change. > > I've been reading these posts and when I read this last one, I decided I could hold my tounge no longer. > > Surya Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Mata amritanandamayi a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. b.. Ammachi c.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 Wow! I wish you could read your response to Surya and hear your own condescension and judgments. It hurts my heart. I have been to the satsangs and MahaShivaratri celebrations at Surya's temple. Everything he says in his post is true. There is so much bhava. His family is so loving and welcoming to strangers like me. I feel that everything in Surya's post was meant to be an encouragement to Tom. He was not being prideful in describing his seva. He was just showing Tom that with effort and perseverance and Amma's grace it is possible to develop a strong satsang. Since you have chosen Christ over Amma, I don't know why you continue to post on this list. Especially negative posts like this one about situations you are totally clueless about. Pahari Maa On Feb 19, 2006, at 4:34 PM, jmcs_06 wrote: > Your patronizing/condescending tone towards Tom (I don't know him) > is not needed or helpful to him or anyone else. Others who PRIDE > themselves in being condescending towards others, who pride > themselves on their spiritual efforts, and who are always "defending > Amma" will probably disagree. > > I assure you, Amma DOESN'T NEED our outraged indignation, our self- > righteousness or our defense... just as God, the ALL in ALL, doesn't > need "defending" from the words of others with whom we disagree. > Humble yourselves. It is our own ego stuff that makes us feel we > need to tell the world about our spiritual/seva efforts or come to > the defense to "defend the honor of Amma". > > love, > Jeanette, Jah-nette, Kalika, querida, whatever... > > Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni wrote: > > > > 1. Well I don't own a home, but I have still managed to host > Satsang here in San Diego. We rent a home and it is my pleasure to > host the San Diego Satsang whenever possible. It rotates around San > Diego so we get to host it every 2 months or so. I would host if > more often but there are many who want to host. We get 40-60 people > regularly, so it is a tight squeeze but somehow we all manage. > > > > Parking on my little dead end street certainly does not > accommodate this number, as with most of our locations, but people > carpool and they park as close by as they can and walk. > > > > Touring with Amma basically uses up all the money we could > possibly spend on any vacations, but we feel it is well worth it and > how we want to live our lives. I also obviously don't get paid when > I am traveling on Tour, so I have to make all my annual income in 9 > months approx. But it is what's important to me and my family, so > we make due. We want to serve any way we can. We certainly aren't > rich and can't even give too much money each year on top of this, > but creatively try to make donations that make more money for the > charitable projects, such as donating Emergen C that we buy > wholesale, or making crafts, or buying religious items well on Ebay > and then donating them. I always wonder how I am going to pull it > off, but somehow I just squeak by--all by Ma's Grace. > > > > Its always been that way for me. When I was single, I could be on > staff and sleep on floors, etc. I was honored to be able to do the > seva. It was a precious gift and opportunity. Now I have a family > so I don't take an official Tour staff position, but still do almost > as much work, and even more in my local stop of L.A. Again, it is > how we choose to live. I look at it as an opportunity for Tapas and > Seva. > > > > While no one has volunteered to help me prepare my house or pay > for things, I never asked anyone. I never expected anything > either. People bring nice food and flowers and other offerings. I > spend many hours preparing the house, but that is my Seva for the > Satsang and for Amma. It allows me the opportunity to increase my > Bhava and do much japa and rememberance of Ma, so why should I > complain. Again, somehow I just squeak by and finish in time. For > big celebrations, like Maha Shivaratri, I've spent a great deal of > personal money I didn't have to spend to make it a great experience > for all, but again it was a great opportunity to serve. By Ma's > Grace, it always worked out and was/is always okay. > > > > So you tried back in the day? What about now? I know that DC may > be a tricky place politically, but that does not mean the whole > country is like that and it also doesn't mean you should never go or > start a smaller satsang in a different part of the DC area. There > are many possibilities if it is what you really want and desire. > > > > 2. Don't understand what you mean by quoting that now. > > > > 3. Your problem seems to lie in all these expectations you have. > Amma Devotees are coming from many different mindsets, backgrounds, > experiences, etc and aren't all interested in the same things or > doing the same things, etc. So your choice is to just quit and > complain? Thank God people like Diane Warren from Dallas don't > choose the same. Do you know how overwhelmed that poor lady is and > how hard she works? I suspect you have NO idea. I do, because we > are old friends and we talk on Tour about it. I wish I could help > her. Many people want to quit when things get hard or challenging, > but Thank Goddess there are those who persevere. > > > > I normally don't answer or respond to your posts because the tone > is always the same. Its too bad really, because it seems like you > have a great deal to offer, if you would just direct the energy a > different way than the current one you choose. > > > > Jai Maa! > > > > Surya > >  - > >  Tom > >  Ammachi > >  Sunday, February 19, 2006 12:38 PM > >  Re: To Tom about Lalita Sahasranaam in DC > > > > > >  1. I don't own a home to have held satsang and when I did have > my > >  own place the parking didn't allow for groups, believe me, I > tried > >  back in the day having just a group meditation. > > > >  2. The quote you mention below is "actions speak louder than > >  words"... > > > >  3. Back in the day, I personally "organized" special event > >  satsangs/puja at a devotee's home, even printed a program flyer > >  (advert and agenda), and made many calls myself.  Even then > asking > >  them to at least polish the brass puja articles is way too much > for > >  Amma devotees (all the satsangs I've attended had this problem > >  despite my own efforts to do the work myself).  I had a good > laugh > >  when I read the book about Shree Maa, when Swamiji was asked to > do a > >  puja in which the articles where already prepared for > him:  "shining > >  utensils!".  Chances are you'll only see this at an Amma > satsang if > >  a swami is visiting and his out entourage had polished them at > the > >  previous stop before packing. > > > > > > > > > >  Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni@> wrote: > >  > > >  > "Anyone that can go on retreats and fly to where Amma is > >  > and follow her around on tour ($$$) certainly doesn't need or > care > >  > about weekly satsang". > >  > > >  > What kind of opinionated crap is this Tom? So anyone that > works > >  hard all year to save enough money to do the following doesn't > need > >  or care about weekly satsang? The only pig around here is you. > >  > > >  > Have you ever hosted Satsang? Every tried to? You just like > to > >  whine and complain about what others do "wrong". Stop taking > >  everyone else's inventory and just take your own for a change. > >  > > >  > I've been reading these posts and when I read this last one, I > >  decided I could hold my tounge no longer. > >  > > >  > Surya > > > > > > > > > > > > > >  Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > > > > >  Mata amritanandamayi > > > > > > - > ----------- > >  > > > >    a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. > >      > >    b.. > >     Ammachi > >      > >    c.. Terms > of Service. > > > > > > - > ----------- > > > > > > > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > > > > Mata amritanandamayi > > > > > > ▪  Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. >  > ▪  >  Ammachi >  > ▪  Terms of > Service. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 Again I am sorry if I have offended you or anyone. That was not my intention. It was the original comment of Tom's, basically calling a group of people "pigs", that encouraged me to respond. This is why I never prefer discussion over the Internet, through posts and emails, etc. Intent, tone and vibration can be so easily misunderstood. Forgive me, Surya - jmcs_06 Ammachi Sunday, February 19, 2006 4:34 PM Re: To Tom about Lalita Sahasranaam in DC Your patronizing/condescending tone towards Tom (I don't know him) is not needed or helpful to him or anyone else. Others who PRIDE themselves in being condescending towards others, who pride themselves on their spiritual efforts, and who are always "defending Amma" will probably disagree. I assure you, Amma DOESN'T NEED our outraged indignation, our self- righteousness or our defense... just as God, the ALL in ALL, doesn't need "defending" from the words of others with whom we disagree. Humble yourselves. It is our own ego stuff that makes us feel we need to tell the world about our spiritual/seva efforts or come to the defense to "defend the honor of Amma". love, Jeanette, Jah-nette, Kalika, querida, whatever... Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni wrote: > > 1. Well I don't own a home, but I have still managed to host Satsang here in San Diego. We rent a home and it is my pleasure to host the San Diego Satsang whenever possible. It rotates around San Diego so we get to host it every 2 months or so. I would host if more often but there are many who want to host. We get 40-60 people regularly, so it is a tight squeeze but somehow we all manage. > > Parking on my little dead end street certainly does not accommodate this number, as with most of our locations, but people carpool and they park as close by as they can and walk. > > Touring with Amma basically uses up all the money we could possibly spend on any vacations, but we feel it is well worth it and how we want to live our lives. I also obviously don't get paid when I am traveling on Tour, so I have to make all my annual income in 9 months approx. But it is what's important to me and my family, so we make due. We want to serve any way we can. We certainly aren't rich and can't even give too much money each year on top of this, but creatively try to make donations that make more money for the charitable projects, such as donating Emergen C that we buy wholesale, or making crafts, or buying religious items well on Ebay and then donating them. I always wonder how I am going to pull it off, but somehow I just squeak by--all by Ma's Grace. > > Its always been that way for me. When I was single, I could be on staff and sleep on floors, etc. I was honored to be able to do the seva. It was a precious gift and opportunity. Now I have a family so I don't take an official Tour staff position, but still do almost as much work, and even more in my local stop of L.A. Again, it is how we choose to live. I look at it as an opportunity for Tapas and Seva. > > While no one has volunteered to help me prepare my house or pay for things, I never asked anyone. I never expected anything either. People bring nice food and flowers and other offerings. I spend many hours preparing the house, but that is my Seva for the Satsang and for Amma. It allows me the opportunity to increase my Bhava and do much japa and rememberance of Ma, so why should I complain. Again, somehow I just squeak by and finish in time. For big celebrations, like Maha Shivaratri, I've spent a great deal of personal money I didn't have to spend to make it a great experience for all, but again it was a great opportunity to serve. By Ma's Grace, it always worked out and was/is always okay. > > So you tried back in the day? What about now? I know that DC may be a tricky place politically, but that does not mean the whole country is like that and it also doesn't mean you should never go or start a smaller satsang in a different part of the DC area. There are many possibilities if it is what you really want and desire. > > 2. Don't understand what you mean by quoting that now. > > 3. Your problem seems to lie in all these expectations you have. Amma Devotees are coming from many different mindsets, backgrounds, experiences, etc and aren't all interested in the same things or doing the same things, etc. So your choice is to just quit and complain? Thank God people like Diane Warren from Dallas don't choose the same. Do you know how overwhelmed that poor lady is and how hard she works? I suspect you have NO idea. I do, because we are old friends and we talk on Tour about it. I wish I could help her. Many people want to quit when things get hard or challenging, but Thank Goddess there are those who persevere. > > I normally don't answer or respond to your posts because the tone is always the same. Its too bad really, because it seems like you have a great deal to offer, if you would just direct the energy a different way than the current one you choose. > > Jai Maa! > > Surya > - > Tom > Ammachi > Sunday, February 19, 2006 12:38 PM > Re: To Tom about Lalita Sahasranaam in DC > > > 1. I don't own a home to have held satsang and when I did have my > own place the parking didn't allow for groups, believe me, I tried > back in the day having just a group meditation. > > 2. The quote you mention below is "actions speak louder than > words"... > > 3. Back in the day, I personally "organized" special event > satsangs/puja at a devotee's home, even printed a program flyer > (advert and agenda), and made many calls myself. Even then asking > them to at least polish the brass puja articles is way too much for > Amma devotees (all the satsangs I've attended had this problem > despite my own efforts to do the work myself). I had a good laugh > when I read the book about Shree Maa, when Swamiji was asked to do a > puja in which the articles where already prepared for him: "shining > utensils!". Chances are you'll only see this at an Amma satsang if > a swami is visiting and his out entourage had polished them at the > previous stop before packing. > > > > > Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni@> wrote: > > > > "Anyone that can go on retreats and fly to where Amma is > > and follow her around on tour ($$$) certainly doesn't need or care > > about weekly satsang". > > > > What kind of opinionated crap is this Tom? So anyone that works > hard all year to save enough money to do the following doesn't need > or care about weekly satsang? The only pig around here is you. > > > > Have you ever hosted Satsang? Every tried to? You just like to > whine and complain about what others do "wrong". Stop taking > everyone else's inventory and just take your own for a change. > > > > I've been reading these posts and when I read this last one, I > decided I could hold my tounge no longer. > > > > Surya > > > > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > Mata amritanandamayi > > > - ----------- > > > a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. > > b.. > Ammachi > > c.. Terms of Service. > > > - ----------- > > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Mata amritanandamayi a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. b.. Ammachi c.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 Thanks for this great, inspiring post, Surya. Your love and devotion for Amma really shine through. Many of us save all year to follow Amma. It's a great blessing to be able to do so. In Amma, Jyotsna Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni wrote: > > 1. Well I don't own a home, but I have still managed to host Satsang here in San Diego. We rent a home and it is my pleasure to host the San Diego Satsang whenever possible. It rotates around San Diego so we get to host it every 2 months or so. I would host if more often but there are many who want to host. We get 40-60 people regularly, so it is a tight squeeze but somehow we all manage. > > Parking on my little dead end street certainly does not accommodate this number, as with most of our locations, but people carpool and they park as close by as they can and walk. > > Touring with Amma basically uses up all the money we could possibly spend on any vacations, but we feel it is well worth it and how we want to live our lives. I also obviously don't get paid when I am traveling on Tour, so I have to make all my annual income in 9 months approx. But it is what's important to me and my family, so we make due. We want to serve any way we can. We certainly aren't rich and can't even give too much money each year on top of this, but creatively try to make donations that make more money for the charitable projects, such as donating Emergen C that we buy wholesale, or making crafts, or buying religious items well on Ebay and then donating them. I always wonder how I am going to pull it off, but somehow I just squeak by--all by Ma's Grace. > > Its always been that way for me. When I was single, I could be on staff and sleep on floors, etc. I was honored to be able to do the seva. It was a precious gift and opportunity. Now I have a family so I don't take an official Tour staff position, but still do almost as much work, and even more in my local stop of L.A. Again, it is how we choose to live. I look at it as an opportunity for Tapas and Seva. > > While no one has volunteered to help me prepare my house or pay for things, I never asked anyone. I never expected anything either. People bring nice food and flowers and other offerings. I spend many hours preparing the house, but that is my Seva for the Satsang and for Amma. It allows me the opportunity to increase my Bhava and do much japa and rememberance of Ma, so why should I complain. Again, somehow I just squeak by and finish in time. For big celebrations, like Maha Shivaratri, I've spent a great deal of personal money I didn't have to spend to make it a great experience for all, but again it was a great opportunity to serve. By Ma's Grace, it always worked out and was/is always okay. > > So you tried back in the day? What about now? I know that DC may be a tricky place politically, but that does not mean the whole country is like that and it also doesn't mean you should never go or start a smaller satsang in a different part of the DC area. There are many possibilities if it is what you really want and desire. > > 2. Don't understand what you mean by quoting that now. > > 3. Your problem seems to lie in all these expectations you have. Amma Devotees are coming from many different mindsets, backgrounds, experiences, etc and aren't all interested in the same things or doing the same things, etc. So your choice is to just quit and complain? Thank God people like Diane Warren from Dallas don't choose the same. Do you know how overwhelmed that poor lady is and how hard she works? I suspect you have NO idea. I do, because we are old friends and we talk on Tour about it. I wish I could help her. Many people want to quit when things get hard or challenging, but Thank Goddess there are those who persevere. > > I normally don't answer or respond to your posts because the tone is always the same. Its too bad really, because it seems like you have a great deal to offer, if you would just direct the energy a different way than the current one you choose. > > Jai Maa! > > Surya > - > Tom > Ammachi > Sunday, February 19, 2006 12:38 PM > Re: To Tom about Lalita Sahasranaam in DC > > > 1. I don't own a home to have held satsang and when I did have my > own place the parking didn't allow for groups, believe me, I tried > back in the day having just a group meditation. > > 2. The quote you mention below is "actions speak louder than > words"... > > 3. Back in the day, I personally "organized" special event > satsangs/puja at a devotee's home, even printed a program flyer > (advert and agenda), and made many calls myself. Even then asking > them to at least polish the brass puja articles is way too much for > Amma devotees (all the satsangs I've attended had this problem > despite my own efforts to do the work myself). I had a good laugh > when I read the book about Shree Maa, when Swamiji was asked to do a > puja in which the articles where already prepared for him: "shining > utensils!". Chances are you'll only see this at an Amma satsang if > a swami is visiting and his out entourage had polished them at the > previous stop before packing. > > > > > Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni@> wrote: > > > > "Anyone that can go on retreats and fly to where Amma is > > and follow her around on tour ($$$) certainly doesn't need or care > > about weekly satsang". > > > > What kind of opinionated crap is this Tom? So anyone that works > hard all year to save enough money to do the following doesn't need > or care about weekly satsang? The only pig around here is you. > > > > Have you ever hosted Satsang? Every tried to? You just like to > whine and complain about what others do "wrong". Stop taking > everyone else's inventory and just take your own for a change. > > > > I've been reading these posts and when I read this last one, I > decided I could hold my tounge no longer. > > > > Surya Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > Mata amritanandamayi > > > -- ---------- > > > a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. > > b.. > Ammachi > > c.. Terms of Service. > > > -- ---------- > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Namaste Surya, Thanks from me too. Your words are thoughtful, well balanced and inspiring. Amma's Blessings, amarnath Om Santi, Santi, Santihi Ammachi, "jyotsna2" <jyotsna2 wrote: > > Thanks for this great, inspiring post, Surya. Your > love and devotion for Amma really shine through. > > Many of us save all year to follow Amma. It's a > great blessing to be able to do so. > > > In Amma, > Jyotsna > > Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni@> wrote: > > > > 1. Well I don't own a home, but I have still managed to host > Satsang here in San Diego. We rent a home and it is my pleasure to > host the San Diego Satsang whenever possible. It rotates around San > Diego so we get to host it every 2 months or so. I would host if > more often but there are many who want to host. We get 40-60 people > regularly, so it is a tight squeeze but somehow we all manage. > > > > Parking on my little dead end street certainly does not accommodate > this number, as with most of our locations, but people carpool and > they park as close by as they can and walk. > > > > Touring with Amma basically uses up all the money we could possibly > spend on any vacations, but we feel it is well worth it and how we > want to live our lives. I also obviously don't get paid when I am > traveling on Tour, so I have to make all my annual income in 9 months > approx. But it is what's important to me and my family, so we make > due. We want to serve any way we can. We certainly aren't rich and > can't even give too much money each year on top of this, but > creatively try to make donations that make more money for the > charitable projects, such as donating Emergen C that we buy > wholesale, or making crafts, or buying religious items well on Ebay > and then donating them. I always wonder how I am going to pull it > off, but somehow I just squeak by--all by Ma's Grace. > > > > Its always been that way for me. When I was single, I could be on > staff and sleep on floors, etc. I was honored to be able to do the > seva. It was a precious gift and opportunity. Now I have a family > so I don't take an official Tour staff position, but still do almost > as much work, and even more in my local stop of L.A. Again, it is > how we choose to live. I look at it as an opportunity for Tapas and > Seva. > > > > While no one has volunteered to help me prepare my house or pay for > things, I never asked anyone. I never expected anything either. > People bring nice food and flowers and other offerings. I spend many > hours preparing the house, but that is my Seva for the Satsang and > for Amma. It allows me the opportunity to increase my Bhava and do > much japa and rememberance of Ma, so why should I complain. Again, > somehow I just squeak by and finish in time. For big celebrations, > like Maha Shivaratri, I've spent a great deal of personal money I > didn't have to spend to make it a great experience for all, but again > it was a great opportunity to serve. By Ma's Grace, it always worked > out and was/is always okay. > > > > So you tried back in the day? What about now? I know that DC may > be a tricky place politically, but that does not mean the whole > country is like that and it also doesn't mean you should never go or > start a smaller satsang in a different part of the DC area. There are > many possibilities if it is what you really want and desire. > > > > 2. Don't understand what you mean by quoting that now. > > > > 3. Your problem seems to lie in all these expectations you have. > Amma Devotees are coming from many different mindsets, backgrounds, > experiences, etc and aren't all interested in the same things or > doing the same things, etc. So your choice is to just quit and > complain? Thank God people like Diane Warren from Dallas don't > choose the same. Do you know how overwhelmed that poor lady is and > how hard she works? I suspect you have NO idea. I do, because we > are old friends and we talk on Tour about it. I wish I could help > her. Many people want to quit when things get hard or challenging, > but Thank Goddess there are those who persevere. > > > > I normally don't answer or respond to your posts because the tone > is always the same. Its too bad really, because it seems like you > have a great deal to offer, if you would just direct the energy a > different way than the current one you choose. > > > > Jai Maa! > > > > Surya > > - > > Tom > > Ammachi > > Sunday, February 19, 2006 12:38 PM > > Re: To Tom about Lalita Sahasranaam in DC > > > > > > 1. I don't own a home to have held satsang and when I did have > my > > own place the parking didn't allow for groups, believe me, I > tried > > back in the day having just a group meditation. > > > > 2. The quote you mention below is "actions speak louder than > > words"... > > > > 3. Back in the day, I personally "organized" special event > > satsangs/puja at a devotee's home, even printed a program flyer > > (advert and agenda), and made many calls myself. Even then > asking > > them to at least polish the brass puja articles is way too much > for > > Amma devotees (all the satsangs I've attended had this problem > > despite my own efforts to do the work myself). I had a good > laugh > > when I read the book about Shree Maa, when Swamiji was asked to > do a > > puja in which the articles where already prepared for > him: "shining > > utensils!". Chances are you'll only see this at an Amma satsang > if > > a swami is visiting and his out entourage had polished them at > the > > previous stop before packing. > > > > > > > > > > Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni@> wrote: > > > > > > "Anyone that can go on retreats and fly to where Amma is > > > and follow her around on tour ($$$) certainly doesn't need or > care > > > about weekly satsang". > > > > > > What kind of opinionated crap is this Tom? So anyone that > works > > hard all year to save enough money to do the following doesn't > need > > or care about weekly satsang? The only pig around here is you. > > > > > > Have you ever hosted Satsang? Every tried to? You just like > to > > whine and complain about what others do "wrong". Stop taking > > everyone else's inventory and just take your own for a change. > > > > > > I've been reading these posts and when I read this last one, I > > decided I could hold my tounge no longer. > > > > > > Surya > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > > > > > Mata amritanandamayi > > > > > > -- > ---------- > > > > > > a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. > > > > b.. > > Ammachi > > > > c.. Terms > of Service. > > > > > > -- > ---------- > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Thanks. Your comments are appreciated. - amarnath Ammachi Monday, February 20, 2006 7:59 AM Re: To Tom about Lalita Sahasranaam in DC Namaste Surya, Thanks from me too. Your words are thoughtful, well balanced and inspiring. Amma's Blessings, amarnath Om Santi, Santi, Santihi Ammachi, "jyotsna2" <jyotsna2 wrote: > > Thanks for this great, inspiring post, Surya. Your > love and devotion for Amma really shine through. > > Many of us save all year to follow Amma. It's a > great blessing to be able to do so. > > > In Amma, > Jyotsna > > Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni@> wrote: > > > > 1. Well I don't own a home, but I have still managed to host > Satsang here in San Diego. We rent a home and it is my pleasure to > host the San Diego Satsang whenever possible. It rotates around San > Diego so we get to host it every 2 months or so. I would host if > more often but there are many who want to host. We get 40-60 people > regularly, so it is a tight squeeze but somehow we all manage. > > > > Parking on my little dead end street certainly does not accommodate > this number, as with most of our locations, but people carpool and > they park as close by as they can and walk. > > > > Touring with Amma basically uses up all the money we could possibly > spend on any vacations, but we feel it is well worth it and how we > want to live our lives. I also obviously don't get paid when I am > traveling on Tour, so I have to make all my annual income in 9 months > approx. But it is what's important to me and my family, so we make > due. We want to serve any way we can. We certainly aren't rich and > can't even give too much money each year on top of this, but > creatively try to make donations that make more money for the > charitable projects, such as donating Emergen C that we buy > wholesale, or making crafts, or buying religious items well on Ebay > and then donating them. I always wonder how I am going to pull it > off, but somehow I just squeak by--all by Ma's Grace. > > > > Its always been that way for me. When I was single, I could be on > staff and sleep on floors, etc. I was honored to be able to do the > seva. It was a precious gift and opportunity. Now I have a family > so I don't take an official Tour staff position, but still do almost > as much work, and even more in my local stop of L.A. Again, it is > how we choose to live. I look at it as an opportunity for Tapas and > Seva. > > > > While no one has volunteered to help me prepare my house or pay for > things, I never asked anyone. I never expected anything either. > People bring nice food and flowers and other offerings. I spend many > hours preparing the house, but that is my Seva for the Satsang and > for Amma. It allows me the opportunity to increase my Bhava and do > much japa and rememberance of Ma, so why should I complain. Again, > somehow I just squeak by and finish in time. For big celebrations, > like Maha Shivaratri, I've spent a great deal of personal money I > didn't have to spend to make it a great experience for all, but again > it was a great opportunity to serve. By Ma's Grace, it always worked > out and was/is always okay. > > > > So you tried back in the day? What about now? I know that DC may > be a tricky place politically, but that does not mean the whole > country is like that and it also doesn't mean you should never go or > start a smaller satsang in a different part of the DC area. There are > many possibilities if it is what you really want and desire. > > > > 2. Don't understand what you mean by quoting that now. > > > > 3. Your problem seems to lie in all these expectations you have. > Amma Devotees are coming from many different mindsets, backgrounds, > experiences, etc and aren't all interested in the same things or > doing the same things, etc. So your choice is to just quit and > complain? Thank God people like Diane Warren from Dallas don't > choose the same. Do you know how overwhelmed that poor lady is and > how hard she works? I suspect you have NO idea. I do, because we > are old friends and we talk on Tour about it. I wish I could help > her. Many people want to quit when things get hard or challenging, > but Thank Goddess there are those who persevere. > > > > I normally don't answer or respond to your posts because the tone > is always the same. Its too bad really, because it seems like you > have a great deal to offer, if you would just direct the energy a > different way than the current one you choose. > > > > Jai Maa! > > > > Surya > > - > > Tom > > Ammachi > > Sunday, February 19, 2006 12:38 PM > > Re: To Tom about Lalita Sahasranaam in DC > > > > > > 1. I don't own a home to have held satsang and when I did have > my > > own place the parking didn't allow for groups, believe me, I > tried > > back in the day having just a group meditation. > > > > 2. The quote you mention below is "actions speak louder than > > words"... > > > > 3. Back in the day, I personally "organized" special event > > satsangs/puja at a devotee's home, even printed a program flyer > > (advert and agenda), and made many calls myself. Even then > asking > > them to at least polish the brass puja articles is way too much > for > > Amma devotees (all the satsangs I've attended had this problem > > despite my own efforts to do the work myself). I had a good > laugh > > when I read the book about Shree Maa, when Swamiji was asked to > do a > > puja in which the articles where already prepared for > him: "shining > > utensils!". Chances are you'll only see this at an Amma satsang > if > > a swami is visiting and his out entourage had polished them at > the > > previous stop before packing. > > > > > > > > > > Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni@> wrote: > > > > > > "Anyone that can go on retreats and fly to where Amma is > > > and follow her around on tour ($$$) certainly doesn't need or > care > > > about weekly satsang". > > > > > > What kind of opinionated crap is this Tom? So anyone that > works > > hard all year to save enough money to do the following doesn't > need > > or care about weekly satsang? The only pig around here is you. > > > > > > Have you ever hosted Satsang? Every tried to? You just like > to > > whine and complain about what others do "wrong". Stop taking > > everyone else's inventory and just take your own for a change. > > > > > > I've been reading these posts and when I read this last one, I > > decided I could hold my tounge no longer. > > > > > > Surya > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > > > > > Mata amritanandamayi > > > > > > -- > ---------- > > > > > > a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. > > > > b.. > > Ammachi > > > > c.. Terms > of Service. > > > > > > -- > ---------- > > > > > > > > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Mata amritanandamayi a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. b.. Ammachi c.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 Well, since you've brought it up, let's get more specific: Due to karma, I've had to move 5 times in a 2-year period. The second time in my life. I enjoy having my stuff getting banged up from all the packing and moving. You're very lucky: Parking on a dead end street would be preferred to being towed from an apartment lot or having to park in an adjoining shopping center and walking, hoping you're still not going to get towed. I've had to move back into my parent's house until my career is stabilized. Who wants to move home at 33? Satsang at home is not an option. I've asked devotees about hosting a private unofficial satsang and they're parking situation is the same, or they're worried about noise complaints or going against "the group". Hosting satsang, oh my gosh, did you ask Amma first? You must've asked... (blah blah blah) Most of the long-timer's here are hypocrites. The year prior to Amma's first official tour addition of Wash DC back in '97, I attended the satsangs before even meeting Amma and rarely saw any of the main members. The devotee hosting it ran the Amma bookstore year around for devotees, and even did a website way back then. All this was ignored and they asked Amma for a new satsang practically down the street from this fellow. Although he ended up being a little controlling for my tastes, it was a blatant slap in the face, disrespectful behavior, that is all too commonly ignored in Amma groups. The guy ended up closing his down and I only see him now and then. The DC area covers a wide enough area that there's geographic obstacles (traffic and distance) between the satsangs, but I was more than willing to "make rounds" back in the day. I personally re- vamped the satsang's agenda to make it more user-friendly because all the long-timer's couldn't give a damn, and it alienated folks like an Indian SSB satsang does. Unfortunately, where the agenda is still in use, it's not done in the smooth fashion it was designed, and some of the group's have reverted to the old ineffective format, or at least result. "Touring with Amma basically uses up all the money we could possibly spend on any vacations" Funny, preparing and leading satsang seem to do the same for me. Vacation? what vacation money? Hell, I was dubbing bhajans' from friend's tapes because I couldn't afford them back then, or trying to learn the melody from memory and copying the words out of the books at the bookstall. People who could afford the tapes wouldn't make the effort to learn the songs.Back-in-the day, I was scrambling just for gas money to make the rounds at the satsangs. When I got more money I learned how to cook to support the fledgling Mother's Kitchen project, buying pots so large I had to wash them in the bathtub. Earlier member's only remember me for the large dish of rice, which was all I could do as things got busier/expensive for me. In the earliest of my days, I'd make a large main dish, large rice dish, dessert, and pick up 2 bags of ice on the way over, in addition to the serving utensils I bought. It saddened me to hear a couple of years ago, that things had degenerated into people just buying food and bringing it. I don't know the state it's in now. It's more than just having a place for satsang. It's about support and doing your part. Once, when I was doing my own puja/satsang in my room, one of my roommates (an Amma devotee) asked why I didn't invite my roomies in to join. "It's because I know you're just going to sit and meditate, instead of helping to prepare the puja or participate. If you just want to meditate, I know you can hear me in your room. Otherwise, you need to work for it or at least buy some flowers (he had much more money than I)." Laziness and cheapness are not in short supply in the world, or in the Amma satsang's I've been to. You have to remember that when Dayamrita had "re-organizational" meetings here 2 years ago, there was first an "invite only" meeting where grievances were aired and then were told to "let them go, they're the past". Who's condemned to repeat what????? At the second meeting that was open to the public, he tried to ignore the first meeting, even though discussing it was mentioned on the agenda. He then proceeded to "privately" install 2 new co- leaders after the meeting, instead of discussing this with the group during the meeting. Much of what took place at the meeting could have been done before the meeting, and more importance should have been placed on having so many devotees in one place at one time. I left the satsangs for good, in the week or so that followed, realizing that very little had changed, only the person(s) in charge did. I'm very glad that this whole topic has come up, because it's important for new people not to be misled by appearances. Complacency is all too common. I don't remember reading that once you're an official office holder, that although you're not perfect, you're now "Infallible", so if someone has a problem with you, it's their problem, or their issue. If they want to argue, have them talk to the hand, uh, I mean Amma. "If it's allowed to happen, it must be Amma's will". Make it into a frickin' bumper sticker... Having no care for the fruits of your actions is just as Tamasic as being attached to them (my words; swami P's talks on the gunas). tom Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni wrote: > > 1. Well I don't own a home, but I have still managed to host Satsang here in San Diego. We rent a home and it is my pleasure to host the San Diego Satsang whenever possible. It rotates around San Diego so we get to host it every 2 months or so. I would host if more often but there are many who want to host. We get 40-60 people regularly, so it is a tight squeeze but somehow we all manage. > > Parking on my little dead end street certainly does not accommodate this number, as with most of our locations, but people carpool and they park as close by as they can and walk. > > but we feel it is well worth it and how we want to live our lives. I also obviously don't get paid when I am traveling on Tour, so I have to make all my annual income in 9 months approx. But it is what's important to me and my family, so we make due. We want to serve any way we can. We certainly aren't rich and can't even give too much money each year on top of this, but creatively try to make donations that make more money for the charitable projects, such as donating Emergen C that we buy wholesale, or making crafts, or buying religious items well on Ebay and then donating them. I always wonder how I am going to pull it off, but somehow I just squeak by--all by Ma's Grace. > > Its always been that way for me. When I was single, I could be on staff and sleep on floors, etc. I was honored to be able to do the seva. It was a precious gift and opportunity. Now I have a family so I don't take an official Tour staff position, but still do almost as much work, and even more in my local stop of L.A. Again, it is how we choose to live. I look at it as an opportunity for Tapas and Seva. > > While no one has volunteered to help me prepare my house or pay for things, I never asked anyone. I never expected anything either. People bring nice food and flowers and other offerings. I spend many hours preparing the house, but that is my Seva for the Satsang and for Amma. It allows me the opportunity to increase my Bhava and do much japa and rememberance of Ma, so why should I complain. Again, somehow I just squeak by and finish in time. For big celebrations, like Maha Shivaratri, I've spent a great deal of personal money I didn't have to spend to make it a great experience for all, but again it was a great opportunity to serve. By Ma's Grace, it always worked out and was/is always okay. > > So you tried back in the day? What about now? I know that DC may be a tricky place politically, but that does not mean the whole country is like that and it also doesn't mean you should never go or start a smaller satsang in a different part of the DC area. There are many possibilities if it is what you really want and desire. > > 2. Don't understand what you mean by quoting that now. > > 3. Your problem seems to lie in all these expectations you have. Amma Devotees are coming from many different mindsets, backgrounds, experiences, etc and aren't all interested in the same things or doing the same things, etc. So your choice is to just quit and complain? Thank God people like Diane Warren from Dallas don't choose the same. Do you know how overwhelmed that poor lady is and how hard she works? I suspect you have NO idea. I do, because we are old friends and we talk on Tour about it. I wish I could help her. Many people want to quit when things get hard or challenging, but Thank Goddess there are those who persevere. > > I normally don't answer or respond to your posts because the tone is always the same. Its too bad really, because it seems like you have a great deal to offer, if you would just direct the energy a different way than the current one you choose. > > Jai Maa! > > Surya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 Tom, Thanks for expressing yourself and in a reasonably nicer way. My whole reason for commenting was because of the language you were using and the blanket statments you were making about groups of devotees--especially since they were very negative statments. I just wanted new people or relatively new people, who are on this list, to know that though this is your experience of your satsang, it is not everyone's experience of their local satsang, or even most people's. Even if most people in D.C. area would agree with you, and I am not saying they would or would not, it doesn't mean that this is how it is all across the country--because it ABSOLUTELY is not. Groups of people will almost always have some conflicts at best and usually more than some over time. Hey, this happens in just relationships with one person, so why shouldn't it happen with much more than one? All we can do is try to work through it as best we can. What else can we do? If certain people want to act in ways that are less than perfect, we need to make sure we act better. I'm not saying that we need to just put up with what anyone does, or shouldn't complain when necessary, or confront those people, etc. But we need to start by taking our own inventory, so to speak, before telling others about their faults. Its all karma and lila as far as I am concerned. Doesn't mean one shouldn't care, because one should, but one shouldn't be attached to preconceptions about how things/people should be--mostly because they will never hold true. And just for the record, there isn't any parking on my little dead end street for people. That was the whole point of why I mentioned it. There is a beach parking lot near by and obviously we don't have the parking difficulties you do in D.C. Hey, Satsang is not an absolutely necessary thing, but it sure can be a nice thing and a way to really feel and connect to Amma's Energy when She is not physically here. This certainly has been my experience. Take Care, Surya - Tom Ammachi Tuesday, February 21, 2006 3:40 PM Re: To Tom about Lalita Sahasranaam in DC Well, since you've brought it up, let's get more specific: Due to karma, I've had to move 5 times in a 2-year period. The second time in my life. I enjoy having my stuff getting banged up from all the packing and moving. You're very lucky: Parking on a dead end street would be preferred to being towed from an apartment lot or having to park in an adjoining shopping center and walking, hoping you're still not going to get towed. I've had to move back into my parent's house until my career is stabilized. Who wants to move home at 33? Satsang at home is not an option. I've asked devotees about hosting a private unofficial satsang and they're parking situation is the same, or they're worried about noise complaints or going against "the group". Hosting satsang, oh my gosh, did you ask Amma first? You must've asked... (blah blah blah) Most of the long-timer's here are hypocrites. The year prior to Amma's first official tour addition of Wash DC back in '97, I attended the satsangs before even meeting Amma and rarely saw any of the main members. The devotee hosting it ran the Amma bookstore year around for devotees, and even did a website way back then. All this was ignored and they asked Amma for a new satsang practically down the street from this fellow. Although he ended up being a little controlling for my tastes, it was a blatant slap in the face, disrespectful behavior, that is all too commonly ignored in Amma groups. The guy ended up closing his down and I only see him now and then. The DC area covers a wide enough area that there's geographic obstacles (traffic and distance) between the satsangs, but I was more than willing to "make rounds" back in the day. I personally re- vamped the satsang's agenda to make it more user-friendly because all the long-timer's couldn't give a damn, and it alienated folks like an Indian SSB satsang does. Unfortunately, where the agenda is still in use, it's not done in the smooth fashion it was designed, and some of the group's have reverted to the old ineffective format, or at least result. "Touring with Amma basically uses up all the money we could possibly spend on any vacations" Funny, preparing and leading satsang seem to do the same for me. Vacation? what vacation money? Hell, I was dubbing bhajans' from friend's tapes because I couldn't afford them back then, or trying to learn the melody from memory and copying the words out of the books at the bookstall. People who could afford the tapes wouldn't make the effort to learn the songs.Back-in-the day, I was scrambling just for gas money to make the rounds at the satsangs. When I got more money I learned how to cook to support the fledgling Mother's Kitchen project, buying pots so large I had to wash them in the bathtub. Earlier member's only remember me for the large dish of rice, which was all I could do as things got busier/expensive for me. In the earliest of my days, I'd make a large main dish, large rice dish, dessert, and pick up 2 bags of ice on the way over, in addition to the serving utensils I bought. It saddened me to hear a couple of years ago, that things had degenerated into people just buying food and bringing it. I don't know the state it's in now. It's more than just having a place for satsang. It's about support and doing your part. Once, when I was doing my own puja/satsang in my room, one of my roommates (an Amma devotee) asked why I didn't invite my roomies in to join. "It's because I know you're just going to sit and meditate, instead of helping to prepare the puja or participate. If you just want to meditate, I know you can hear me in your room. Otherwise, you need to work for it or at least buy some flowers (he had much more money than I)." Laziness and cheapness are not in short supply in the world, or in the Amma satsang's I've been to. You have to remember that when Dayamrita had "re-organizational" meetings here 2 years ago, there was first an "invite only" meeting where grievances were aired and then were told to "let them go, they're the past". Who's condemned to repeat what????? At the second meeting that was open to the public, he tried to ignore the first meeting, even though discussing it was mentioned on the agenda. He then proceeded to "privately" install 2 new co- leaders after the meeting, instead of discussing this with the group during the meeting. Much of what took place at the meeting could have been done before the meeting, and more importance should have been placed on having so many devotees in one place at one time. I left the satsangs for good, in the week or so that followed, realizing that very little had changed, only the person(s) in charge did. I'm very glad that this whole topic has come up, because it's important for new people not to be misled by appearances. Complacency is all too common. I don't remember reading that once you're an official office holder, that although you're not perfect, you're now "Infallible", so if someone has a problem with you, it's their problem, or their issue. If they want to argue, have them talk to the hand, uh, I mean Amma. "If it's allowed to happen, it must be Amma's will". Make it into a frickin' bumper sticker... Having no care for the fruits of your actions is just as Tamasic as being attached to them (my words; swami P's talks on the gunas). tom Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni wrote: > > 1. Well I don't own a home, but I have still managed to host Satsang here in San Diego. We rent a home and it is my pleasure to host the San Diego Satsang whenever possible. It rotates around San Diego so we get to host it every 2 months or so. I would host if more often but there are many who want to host. We get 40-60 people regularly, so it is a tight squeeze but somehow we all manage. > > Parking on my little dead end street certainly does not accommodate this number, as with most of our locations, but people carpool and they park as close by as they can and walk. > > but we feel it is well worth it and how we want to live our lives. I also obviously don't get paid when I am traveling on Tour, so I have to make all my annual income in 9 months approx. But it is what's important to me and my family, so we make due. We want to serve any way we can. We certainly aren't rich and can't even give too much money each year on top of this, but creatively try to make donations that make more money for the charitable projects, such as donating Emergen C that we buy wholesale, or making crafts, or buying religious items well on Ebay and then donating them. I always wonder how I am going to pull it off, but somehow I just squeak by--all by Ma's Grace. > > Its always been that way for me. When I was single, I could be on staff and sleep on floors, etc. I was honored to be able to do the seva. It was a precious gift and opportunity. Now I have a family so I don't take an official Tour staff position, but still do almost as much work, and even more in my local stop of L.A. Again, it is how we choose to live. I look at it as an opportunity for Tapas and Seva. > > While no one has volunteered to help me prepare my house or pay for things, I never asked anyone. I never expected anything either. People bring nice food and flowers and other offerings. I spend many hours preparing the house, but that is my Seva for the Satsang and for Amma. It allows me the opportunity to increase my Bhava and do much japa and rememberance of Ma, so why should I complain. Again, somehow I just squeak by and finish in time. For big celebrations, like Maha Shivaratri, I've spent a great deal of personal money I didn't have to spend to make it a great experience for all, but again it was a great opportunity to serve. By Ma's Grace, it always worked out and was/is always okay. > > So you tried back in the day? What about now? I know that DC may be a tricky place politically, but that does not mean the whole country is like that and it also doesn't mean you should never go or start a smaller satsang in a different part of the DC area. There are many possibilities if it is what you really want and desire. > > 2. Don't understand what you mean by quoting that now. > > 3. Your problem seems to lie in all these expectations you have. Amma Devotees are coming from many different mindsets, backgrounds, experiences, etc and aren't all interested in the same things or doing the same things, etc. So your choice is to just quit and complain? Thank God people like Diane Warren from Dallas don't choose the same. Do you know how overwhelmed that poor lady is and how hard she works? I suspect you have NO idea. I do, because we are old friends and we talk on Tour about it. I wish I could help her. Many people want to quit when things get hard or challenging, but Thank Goddess there are those who persevere. > > I normally don't answer or respond to your posts because the tone is always the same. Its too bad really, because it seems like you have a great deal to offer, if you would just direct the energy a different way than the current one you choose. > > Jai Maa! > > Surya Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Mata amritanandamayi a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. b.. Ammachi c.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 Tom wrote: >> Due to karma, I've had to move 5 times in a 2-year period. The >> second time in my life. I enjoy having my stuff getting banged up >> from all the packing and moving...I've had to move back >> into my parent's house until my career is stabilized. Who wants to >> move home at 33? Satsang at home is not an option. I've asked >> devotees about hosting a private unofficial satsang and they're >> parking situation is the same, or they're worried about noise >> complaints or going against "the group". >> ...The DC area covers a wide enough area that there's geographic >> obstacles (traffic and distance) between the satsangs, but I was more >> than willing to "make rounds" back in the day. >> ...It's more than just having a place for satsang. It's about support >> and doing your part. >> ...You have to remember that when Dayamrita had "re-organizational" >> meetings here 2 years ago, there was first an "invite only" meeting >> where grievances were aired and then were told to "let them go, >> they're the past". Who's condemned to repeat what????? >> At the second meeting that was open to the public, he ...proceeded to >> "privately" install 2 new co-leaders after the meeting, instead of >> discussing this with the group during the meeting... >> ..."If it's allowed to happen, it must be Amma's will". Make it into a frickin' bumper >> sticker... Dear Tom ~ since I have "been there" (in the DC area for most of my life) as well as having "been there" in terms of some of the experiences to which you refer, I understand what you are feeling. I believe that perhaps I was lucky to get uninvited to that meeting because, had I gone, I surely would have become more involved, and that would have led down the same path that my job did ... leaving or getting booted. I'm pretty sure it's hard for devotees to hear what you are saying because we want to believe that all of us who are involved with Amma have the highest intentions and act accordingly. Unfortunately, we are all human and sometimes we can be downright mean spirited, or sometimes we just don't pay attention. I moved in with my mother at age 49, so I can attest, along with you, that this doesn't make for the best situation. It is very difficult, and in my case, it was a disaster. I hope your career is stabilized soon. Since you "appear" to be complaining, others may well criticize you. But I think we have a right to vent, if we do it thoughtfully. Even Amma has told us to hit our Amma Dolls (which I would never do) if we are upset. We need to be able to hear our brother and sister devotees' distress as well as their joy and good feelings. Aside from the satsang troubles, DC and the surrounding areas are power hungry, power manipulative, and power driven ... it is the center of our government, and I have heard people say, and I have felt it too, that even in the air there is a feeling of buzzing crazyness. I also understand the longing for satsang or even a group to chant with. It is so ironic that, after I finally was able to get a little satsang here going, after a few months I became too ill to attend. But it was meant to happen, and it didn't take much effort on my part. I just put up a few fliers. I also have a tendency to get derailed by other people's negative behavior, especially if it is directed at me. I never learned how to have boundaries growing up, and it is something I'm still working on. Also, believe it or not, a group I was in back in DC had the exact same thing that you describe with Swami D. happen. The local chapter of the Women's Caucus for Art was working on hosting the national organization's annual conference...no small task. Two women had volunteered to co-chair this effort, but there was a lot of fussing and bickering going on. Then a fairly well-known artist came to town, seemingly for an unrelated task (to give a workshop), but she had obviously heard from some of the grumblers. After the workshop, she essentially deposed the two co-chairs (without bothering to talk with them first or even giving them a heads up) and put two other people in the co-chair roles. Afterward, most of us felt like we'd just been run over by a train. Then several more months went by, and we were rapidly loosing the lead-time for our planning, fundraising, etc. The conference might very well not have occurred at all except that the two original co-chairs stepped up to bat and took the reins back. And we had a great conference. But it almost got derailed over "politics." I don't know what I'm trying to do Tom. Tell you I understand how you feel. Let you know that I have always felt that blaming the bad behavior of an individual or individuals on Amma "stirring the pot" was just a little too easy, an excuse to not really address whatever the issue was about. Maybe if you put an ad in "Pathways," and make it somewhat neutral, not directed at Amma devotees, but more at people interested in an Eastern path and who'd like to get together for chanting or kirtan. Heck, play some Krishna Das tapes. He's great. I think, even within the geographical complexity that is DC, and even with not being able to use your mother's home to host, this could happen and be a very good thing for you and anyone else who would participate. When I put my fliers for a local satsang up I knew that I couldn't use my trailer to host it, and one of the first women who called stepped forward, and all the satsangs have been at her house ... and she just called from an ad I left on a bulletin board. You could also find a "central" location that might be willing to host your chanting program. The Unitarian Church in DC might be a good place to try. Or if you want to keep it more local to where you are living (and I can't remember if you mentioned where that is), there will still be a Unitarian Church nearby, and they are all very open to hosting events like this. Some of their members might even be eager to participate. Give it a go; you've got nothing to lose, and maybe this would help ease some of the sting you have been feeling. Jai Ma ~ Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 I do believe the original discussion was about the DC area Amma groups. I have been to one Boston area event a while ago, and while there were some obvious politics involved, they were better organized in general. DC got so bad that I once overheard an organizer say that Swami Ramakrishna refused to come to DC, always giving excuses (for a period of time, he's since come) Your earlier response is typical of people here that host satsang, who honestly feel they're being devoted by merely hosting it and doing seva for the tour. It's doesn't change the truth of the situation. Amma doesn't teach the complacency that goes on. I can guess that some people stop getting involved because of the cult-like administrative styles and the hidden/secret actions taken. Dharma is Dharma, and bowing to Cheapness and Laziness is why the DC area is in the shape it's in. These 2 unholy residents are why there's no East Coast ashram/amma center, not because Amma doesn't want one there. A constant supply of "fresh blood" (new members) often gives a false impression to a group, spiritual or otherwise. A sudden or large hemorraging of members or support is always a sign that something is seriously wrong. "Fresh blood" conceals this, as members will leave (often as a last result) as time reveals the truth. There is a definite effort to suppress unrest, rather than embracing the Truth. Dayamrita's "invite only" meeting here (the first of re-organizational meetings in late 2003) is a great example of this. Other's don't want to be seen "bad-mouthing" their guru, so they merely stop attending, and in some cases change guru altogether because of the experience. We really don't know how it is across the country, so both of us can only guess. There's also different levels of discrimination, as the current DC satsang members obviously don't have a problem with it to continue going. So what's acceptible to one sadhak, may not be for another. As Amma has said, for satsang to be beneficial, it has to be "real satsang". tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 Hi Tom, I've read all the posts with interest. I have to laugh because human relationships are fraught with difficulties by their very nature! And I laugh because I am certainly no exception. I fly off the handle once in a while and then look back and think, OMG-I need a chill pill! I am quite sure that that is not the guru's fault. lol I cannot imagine leaving Amma. Once you find your guru, there is no other For those who do leave, it is simply that Amma is not really their guru. Our Satsang is pretty small. We sometimes get a good upward wind of 10 or so and other times, there are 3 of us. But many come out of the woodwork for special events-which is nice. I guess what I may be trying to say is this: even with our small group, we have had small challenges along the way. We are all just people and things come up once in a while. But for the larger part, Satsang is an incredibly blissful experience. Our Satsangs are almost miraculous by design. We follow Swami Dayamrita's format or whoever designed it- maybe it was from Amma, I don't know. But it has been great. I'm sorry you haven't found that yet where you are. But I am sure not everyone who is a devotee in your area is as you describe. Perhaps things will come together for you. Where one door closes, another opens... You have had your challenges and it's ok to air them here. I agree Nirieka on that. Life can be tough and all of us probably have some kind of story to support our own difficulties. But one thing I have found, is by continuing my own spiritual practices, it is much easier to face all things that come my way. I still have my issues but I think meditating really helps weather the storms. In fact, I have heard that the ashramites believe everything is prasad. All things are to bring us to the goal once we have accepted our Guru-at least this is true with Amma. Swami Dayamrita was once asked, "How do we know if we are always doing the right actions, doing the right thing? How do we know if we will get to the goal knowing we make so many mistakes?" He replied, "Having Amma for your guru, you need not worry. It is like the lamb's head in the Lion's mouth. She (Amma) will not let you go." I hope this is somehow helpful. thanks, Jai Ma, Jai Jai Ma.... adriane -- In Ammachi, "Tom" <tomgull wrote: > > > I do believe the original discussion was about the DC area Amma groups. > I have been to one Boston area event a while ago, and while there were > some obvious politics involved, they were better organized in general. > DC got so bad that I once overheard an organizer say that Swami > Ramakrishna refused to come to DC, always giving excuses (for a period > of time, he's since come) > > Your earlier response is typical of people here that host satsang, who > honestly feel they're being devoted by merely hosting it and doing seva > for the tour. It's doesn't change the truth of the situation. > > Amma doesn't teach the complacency that goes on. I can guess that some > people stop getting involved because of the cult-like administrative > styles and the hidden/secret actions taken. > > Dharma is Dharma, and bowing to Cheapness and Laziness is why the DC > area is in the shape it's in. These 2 unholy residents are why there's > no East Coast ashram/amma center, not because Amma doesn't want one > there. > > A constant supply of "fresh blood" (new members) often gives a false > impression to a group, spiritual or otherwise. A sudden or large > hemorraging of members or support is always a sign that something is > seriously wrong. "Fresh blood" conceals this, as members will leave > (often as a last result) as time reveals the truth. > > There is a definite effort to suppress unrest, rather than embracing the > Truth. Dayamrita's "invite only" meeting here (the first of > re-organizational meetings in late 2003) is a great example of this. > Other's don't want to be seen "bad-mouthing" their guru, so they merely > stop attending, and in some cases change guru altogether because of the > experience. > > We really don't know how it is across the country, so both of us can > only guess. There's also different levels of discrimination, as the > current DC satsang members obviously don't have a problem with it to > continue going. So what's acceptible to one sadhak, may not be for > another. As Amma has said, for satsang to be beneficial, it has to be > "real satsang". > > tom > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 Namah Shivaya Adriane, This is wonderfully great news! Although we probably feel much of the time like our head is in the lions mouth! > > Swami Dayamrita was once > asked, "How do we know if we are always doing the right actions, > doing the right thing? How do we know if we will get to the goal > knowing we make so many mistakes?" He replied, "Having Amma for your > guru, you need not worry. It is like the lamb's head in the Lion's > mouth. She (Amma) will not let you go." > > I hope this is somehow helpful. > thanks, > > Jai Ma, Jai Jai Ma.... > adriane > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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