The rules making it up as we roll along!..permanent beginners

May 20, 2006

Hi Mikki,

definitely hear what you are saying...you can always go back to room

to sleep, and at times we have provided space in the back of the

hall to sleep (new england).

The other suggestion is to prepare for Devi Bhava night. Some really

good ways to stay up are to (1) eat lightly that day, or liquid fast

(2) do physical volunterring during parts of Devi bhava, if you are

engaged and moving, staying up is much easier. (3) Earlier in the

night, before the doors close at 4:00..?that may change..take a

alternating hot and cold shower, that can totally relax you if you

do it 3 or 4 times alternating..and makes you feel wide awake (4)

and most important, breath in the sacred energy, and find a centered

peace with the minimum of disturbing emotions and distractions, keep

coming back to center

Welcome to the adventure, we may sound like we know what we are

doing, but the truth is that we are making it up as we go

along...Amma is known for changing the rules at the last minute!

Namah Shivaya,

Chris

Ammachi, "Mikki Rhodes-Gloor" <lacemkr>

wrote:

>

> I am relatively new to Amma's grace, only a couple of years now.

One thing

> I have noticed, both at the ashram in San Ramon and in this chat

group, is

> that experienced devotees seem to have a body of knowledge

regarding the

> 'rules' as they pertain to the things going on surrounding Amma's

programs.

> I know I felt particularly lost the first time I came for

darshan. My first

> Devi Bhava was confusing. I did not know the main hall would be

closed, or

> that there would be a line, or even had a clue as to what would be

> happening. Perhaps an informational flyer could be distributed to

newbies,

> describing what to expect and how to behave. At the very least

these

> 'rules' should be posted on the website. I looked for them and

found only

> instructions on dress and such.

>

> As for sleeping in during Devi Bhava, I did not know it was

forbidden.

> Unfortunately, I was unable to stay for the entire event that

time, as I

> knew I would not be safe driving home afterward. Strange how many

are

> getting down on others for behavior that is normal for the doer,

when

> information regarding expected behavior is not given. Perhaps

these people

> are not ready for the tapas of staying up all night. We must meet

people

> where they are, not where they could be or where we would like

them to be.

> We all walk this path differently, perhaps gentle instruction in

advance

> would eliminate some of these problems later on. We must also

remember that

> not everyone attending a program is a devotee, many are

experiencing Amma

> for the first time, and do not know any better. They are young

and do not

> know the way.

>

> Namah Shivaya,

> Mikki

>

Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha!

Terms of Service.

May 20, 2006

Ammachi, "ckeniley2003" <ckeniley2003>

wrote:

>

> Welcome to the adventure, we may sound like we know what we are

> doing, but the truth is that we are making it up as we go

> along...Amma is known for changing the rules at the last minute!

>

> Namah Shivaya,

> Chris

> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

my feeling is that Amma does not want us( externally ) to become too

organized like an established religion with dogmatic rules and egoic

enforcement.

when asked, Amma replied that her religion is LOVE.

and, of course, Amma says that our true nature is LOVE.

She wants us to be guided by LOVE primarily.

As far as discipline is concerned, that needs to be self-enforced

due to ones inner inspiration.

anyway, that's my 2cents.

amma bless,

amarnath

May 20, 2006

Caffeine doesn't hurt either. I prefer a 200 mg pill so I can control the dosage without the stomach upset. I only do this if and when I need it. But chai or coffee works well too, though I don't do that if I am fasting.

-

ckeniley2003

Ammachi

Saturday, May 20, 2006 4:10 AM

Re: "The rules">>making it up as we roll along!..permanent beginners