ah yes, the guru-go-round

[Guest guest]

Om Namah Shivaya,

 

How funny that this should be coming up again. I was going over the posts, and two stories came to mind that I'd like to share. One was that I made this sterling silver bracelet with six photos set in resin, of Ramana Maharshi, Karunamayi, Neem Karoli Baba, Amma, Nisargadatta Maharaj and Anandamayi Ma. In 2004, shortly after making the bracelet, I went on summer tour and had an intense desire for Amma to notice my handiwork. In New Mexico, Geeta actually noticed it and wanted to see it up close. She enthusiastically showed it to Amma, who slowly turned the bracelet on my wrist with much interest and consideration, as she gently touched each charm and named the master in the photo. Actually, when she came to her own photo, she gave a little giggle, as though it were funny to see herself there. Then she brought her hands together in pranam and gave a little bow to the bracelet.

 

The other story is that the first time I had an individual blessing from Karunamayi, one of the things I asked for was prema bhakti for my own guru. I didn't name my guru, but when she read my card she said, "Oh, this is a very noble aspiration. It makes me so happy to see you pray for such devotion to your guru. She is a perfect master, I am so happy for you to have this desire."

 

In seperate places, I have read Amma give the infidelity teaching to one person, and then remark in another place that any time we have the opportunity to have the darshan of a mahatma, we should go. She took her own sadhaks to see several other masters, and even recommends some of their teachings. Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita took the dust of the the feet of every sage in the forest. We all know of Amma's message on the necessity of innerfaith dialogue and understanding. And I have long seen quotes from Sivananda, Sri Ramakrishna and others appearing on this list. I agree that it should not be sidetracked with long threads about other masters, as it is not appropriate in a satsang context. But I think a little drop here and there may enrich some, can be easily ignored by the non-interested, and won't compromise the Amma-centered space here that we all draw from. As long as it is kept to a healthy minimum.

 

So it's hard to say with Amma. She is well known to be contradictory. I think she will let each of us know in her own way what is right for us. For me, I don't mind a little sharing, but I respect the requests for focused intention.

 

Happy new year, my dear friends!

 

love,

Prajna

"Children, all of spirituality is contained in that one word: Awareness." - Amma

[Guest guest]

Prajna, thanks for sharing the story of your bracelet. That's beautiful...and it's also my

feeling that Amma will let each of us know what is appropriate for us...and that this may

even change over time. For several years after meeting Amma, I had no desire to see other

Mahatmas...and then one day, I felt her pushing me to go see one, when I didn't even feel

like it! It is hard for any one person to say what Amma wants for another. I know she's

answered private questions at times in ways that seem to go against her public teachings.

 

Iswari

 

Ammachi, Prajna - Brianna <prajnaji wrote:

>

> Om Namah Shivaya,

>

> How funny that this should be coming up again. I was going over the posts, and two

stories came to mind that I'd like to share. One was that I made this sterling silver bracelet

with six photos set in resin, of Ramana Maharshi, Karunamayi, Neem Karoli Baba, Amma,

Nisargadatta Maharaj and Anandamayi Ma. In 2004, shortly after making the bracelet, I

went on summer tour and had an intense desire for Amma to notice my handiwork. In New

Mexico, Geeta actually noticed it and wanted to see it up close. She enthusiastically

showed it to Amma, who slowly turned the bracelet on my wrist with much interest and

consideration, as she gently touched each charm and named the master in the photo.

Actually, when she came to her own photo, she gave a little giggle, as though it were

funny to see herself there. Then she brought her hands together in pranam and gave a

little bow to the bracelet.

>

> The other story is that the first time I had an individual blessing from Karunamayi, one

of the things I asked for was prema bhakti for my own guru. I didn't name my guru, but

when she read my card she said, "Oh, this is a very noble aspiration. It makes me so happy

to see you pray for such devotion to your guru. She is a perfect master, I am so happy for

you to have this desire."

>

> In seperate places, I have read Amma give the infidelity teaching to one person, and

then remark in another place that any time we have the opportunity to have the darshan of

a mahatma, we should go. She took her own sadhaks to see several other masters, and

even recommends some of their teachings. Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita took the dust of

the the feet of every sage in the forest. We all know of Amma's message on the necessity

of innerfaith dialogue and understanding. And I have long seen quotes from Sivananda, Sri

Ramakrishna and others appearing on this list. I agree that it should not be sidetracked

with long threads about other masters, as it is not appropriate in a satsang context. But I

think a little drop here and there may enrich some, can be easily ignored by the non-

interested, and won't compromise the Amma-centered space here that we all draw from.

As long as it is kept to a healthy minimum.

>

> So it's hard to say with Amma. She is well known to be contradictory. I think she will let

each of us know in her own way what is right for us. For me, I don't mind a little sharing,

but I respect the requests for focused intention.

>

> Happy new year, my dear friends!

>

> love,

> Prajna

> "Children, all of spirituality is contained in that one word: Awareness." - Amma

>

>

[Guest guest]

dear prajna

 

i love the story of the bracelet ! thank you for sharing

 

om shanti,

carma