Hang in there Tom !

[Guest guest]

Hi Tom, Namaste,

 

My advice is to hang in there, knowing that IT IS THE NATURE OF THE MIND

TO DOUBT, etc. You know of course that you are not the only one with

many concerns, but we all handle these differently. Understanding this

we need to be flexible with each other and not insist that we all agree

all the time.

 

I don't know if the following words of Amma can be of help to you or

not?

 

" …our faith is the cause for what we perceive. The principle is

that if we believe that God is in a blade of grass, we will get power

even from that. " AC vol 1 p 373

 

" Each [opposing] reaction which arises from us causes a delay in

attaining the goal. Whereas acceptance will cause the Grace to flow

without any break. " AC vol 1 p351

 

I have been reading a lot of " advaita " and it just helps me to

understand Amma's teachings all the better and appreciate how

comprehensive Amma's teachings are and still the " advaita "

is there even if not stated specifically. Studying advaita helps me to

see the " essence " in things, teachings, people, etc. Also, just

finished rereading " Awaken Children " Vol 1; at the end pages

374-381 is a nice section " Mother's Talk to Western

Devotees. "

 

Now instead of studying, I would prefer to practice advaita( not-two )

more by seeing God in everyone and serving the poor more; I just learned

where all the homeless gather at 2:30-4:00 pm; got some foot long

tuna-fish sandwiches at " Subway " cut in half. Was not enough for

everyone as the crowd got larger while I went for the sandwiches. What

to do? Winning the lotto, lotto, lotto would help; or I may have to

settle for going earlier while the crowd is smaller; or maybe cut the

foot long into three; some said they are willing to share, etc; really

nice people; one fellow said, " I thank you even though I didn't

get a sandwich. "

 

So, we are all limited by various circumstances which we should perhaps

view as challenges we need to first ACCEPT( because that's what is

for us in the present moment) and then see how best to handle them

without falling into the " poor little me; the world is against

me " syndrome; and believe me I'm not pointing at others, have

been there lots of times as I'm sure so have many of us. What can I

say? This earth life is very challenging.

 

I have a long standing chronic pain that hinders my functionality in

everything I do including my spiritual practices. While Amma has helped

me and my wife in many " miraculous " ways, the pain is still

there; somewhat better due to advaitic understanding, knock on wood.

Perhaps Amma left the pain there because that is what has, you might

say, forced us to look into advaita, etc. We also looked into the

miraculous healer John of God and while Amma said it would be OK to

visit his healing center in Brazil, we really cannot afford to do so.

Again, we are forced back to take refuge in Amma( =God to us) and

advaitic teachings at this time.

 

I'm just sharing this as one example of how we deal with our

challenges. Others, I'm sure deal in their own ways. The thing is to

realize what Amma says about the nature of mind( Maya ) and the tricks

it plays on us. And not to get hung up on what others are doing. And not

to project our limited concepts onto others, orgs, etc. as if we

understand what their intentions are. Unless we are awakened, all of us

are struggling, doing the best we can and hopefully working in the

direction of awakening to our true nature.

 

By all means, use your discrimination to hang with people who are

sattvic, etc. so as not to lose hope. But live and let live " saying

YES to LIFE " as Amma says.

 

One advaitic view is that " LIFE( the One omnipresent reality ) is

actually living us, but we get into trouble by allowing mind

identification to accept doership and mess things up. "

 

Was hoping to run into you at Amma's WDC program, but looks like I

can make only NYC this time around.

 

Amma Bless,

amarnath