Negative aspects of Western culture more disastrous than nuclear deal, says Mata

[Guest guest]

http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/28/stories/2007092853660500.htm

 

KOLLAM: Mata Amritanandamayi has said that even as

heated debates are on on the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal,

no one seems to be bothered about the import of the

negative aspects of Western culture into the country.

 

She was delivering the customary benedictory address

at her 54th birthday celebrations at Amritapuri near

here on Thursday.

 

She said there were many good aspects in the Western

culture, but these were not absorbed. The influence of

the Western culture’s negative aspects could be more

disastrous than any nuclear deal. The Mata said she

did not want to either vouch or oppose the nuclear

deal. These things are to be decided at the government

level.

 

She said that India was poised to become a major

economic power. “Even if India emerges as a major

economic power, what purpose will it serve if there

are going to be crores of people starving or lacking

proper education. Our advancement should manifest as

food for the hungry, homes for the homeless and uplift

of the downtrodden. Real advancement is the refinement

and culture of the human mind.”

 

In order to experience true happiness, one needs to be

filled with love. This love should grow and expand

until it becomes all pervasive. The body grows only up

to a certain age, but that is not the case with love.

We should ensure that its growth never stops.

 

The power of God which lies dormant in human mind can

be awakened and made vibrant only through love. Love

alone makes human beings divine. When one is devoid of

love, one becomes an animal. The only phenomenon over

which gravity has no control is love. The power of

love’s upward leap easily transcends this force. Love

always moves upward and anything that comes into

contact with love is also taken up. The foundation of

happiness is love. Only such happiness is true

happiness. Only if one is happy can one perform

actions with beauty and dedication. Real happiness is

spirituality.

 

Spiritual power

 

 

In his address, Union Minister of State for Planning

M.V. Rajashekaran said that spiritual power enhanced

the values of the country. Indian civilisation still

exists through the power of the spiritual leadership

of people like Mata Amritanandamayi.

 

He said that peace and harmony prevailed through her

divine presence.

 

On the occasion, Mr. Rajashekaran presented the Amrita

Keerti Puraskar to Paravur Sreedharan Tantri.

 

Fisheries Minister S. Sarma said the Mata provided

great relief whenever there were calamities. Her

services are a model to the whole world.

 

He inaugurated a Vidyamithram scheme and a vocational

training programme for 5,000 women’s group instituted

by the Mata Amritanandamayi Math.

 

The celebrations started with a pada puja performed by

Swami Amritaswarupananda.

 

 

 

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