JAI Hanuman (San Ramon Retreat Night 1)

[Guest guest]

OM Amriteswaryai Namah,

 

Two little experiences I witnessed in the three or so hours I made of

last night's program. One on gender dynamics and the interplay of a

chela and Her guru; the other on a little playfulness with a doll of

Hanuman. Hope this transmission, made in tiredness, is not too

diluted of its essence.

 

One of Mother's daughters came up for Darshan, innocently complaining

because she had been shooed away from the chair after sitting there

two or three hours. She pointed at the little huddle of men near the

chair, and asked Amma why She didn't have THEIR wives come and get

them after standing near Her for such a looooooong time.

 

Mother and Atmaja went back and forth quite a bit. I was delighted to

hear her challenging and questioning -- strengthening her trust, it

seemed, in the leela of the ashram -- and Amma told her approvingly

(it seemed from my perspective) that she should get mad at Amma,

instead of fighting with one's wife or husband. To feel the anger at

the Guru instead of beating up on your other loved ones. Amma boxed

with Her hands and said something that sounded like " karate. " She

also pointed out that not all of them had wives there, and there was

much laughter among those who speak and understand Malaylam.

 

Then Amma called for something to beat on, a bell or something.

 

What was found were several wood blocks. And Amma started beating

loudly, calling the wives of these men -- the " wall of San Ramon " --

to come up and replace them. Much laughter.

 

Gita, Amma's Darshan soldier, then was told to repeat these

instructions in English. " OM Amriteswaryai Namah " she called, beating

rapidly on the wood blocks. " Will all the wives of .... [see above] "

Now everyone in the hall laughed. (And this child started thinking

about Sita and Ram, and the way so many women are so very modest about

putting themselves forward.)

 

It seemed to take a little while for the wives to get there, but it

was a lovely sight to see Mother surrounded by a new crew. She then

called loudly for Atmaja to come back, again and again and again...

what a thrill that must be, to hear Amma call you! ... until Her

daughter came running down the stairs and joined the flower of

admirers.

 

A bit later, another devotee approached Amma and offered a Hanuman

doll that was set up with rubber bands in its front arms, so it could

be used as a slingshot to imitate that great servant of God's flight

across to Lanka and retrieve the stolen Sita. The sevite who offered

was so delighted as Amma played and played with Hanumanji. She fit

her fingers into the little glove parts and let the monkey fly up into

the heights of the Temple. We all oohed and ahhed in exclamatory joy.

 

And then again, hitting a saftey team member (who I observed had been

the instrument of rousting me from my long houred seat near Deviamma

several days before!) And then again, with a shallower trajectory,

and a sweet son reached up and caught the Monkey like one sees

sometimes at western weddings when the bride throws her bouquet and

all the single women grab wildly for it as a traditional oracle of

being the next to be married.

 

All the devotees took such pleasure in this play.

 

And after the tokens ended, Amma called for everyone who hadn't come

for Darshan to join the line, and She began blessing people in what I

heard described as " Indian style, " a very quick succession of hugs, so

that many could come. Closing in on 4 a.m. and still going strong,

She finally agreed to press the pause button.

 

As I drove our car down the hill from the Ashram, it was yet another

lesson about Sita, Ram, and Hanuman, to be the transportation vehicle

for at least several sevites who are such dedicated servants of Amma.

 

Jai Ram. Jai Sitaram! Jai Jai Hanuman!!