to Linda about IAM and token system

[Guest guest]

Namah Shivaya, Linda,

 

There are more IAM instructors being authorized every year, I think,

so it's certainly possible that it is more available for you now

than it was in the past.

 

In terms of the token system, please do not worry. Amma does not

want anyone to miss Her darshan due to health concerns. This is how

the token flow system works in a nutshell: people arriving at the

program are met by greeters (wearing red scarves or " May I Help "

badges). People with physical limitations, health conditions, small

children, and suchlike that would make it impossible for them to

wait several hours for Amma's darshan can indicate this to the

greeters, who will then seat them in the queue for " assisted

darshan " , which used to be called " priority " . (The sevites for

assisted darshan wear blue scarves.)

Tokens are given out with priority to newcomers or those who have

not already gotten darshan during that tour, and they are numbered

in sequence. The numbers are posted in the hall and the regular

darshan line sevites (green scarves) cannot admit people into the

darshan line if their token number has not yet been posted. However,

the assisted darshan sevites do have the authority to let people

into the line quickly even if they are holding a later token. You

don't have to explain or prove anything to them, just tell them what

your limits are in terms of how long you can physically remain in

the hall and what assistance you may require in terms of getting

into and out of Amma's arms (eg, no kneeling, having someone's arm

to lean on as you walk up to Her, being in a wheelchair, etc).

I think that some longtime devotees with severe disabilities will

arrange not to even come to the hall until close to the end of the

morning darshan. This has been the case with those who are bedridden

or severely paralyzed. They will be wheeled close to Amma, and after

Amma finishes giving darshan to everyone else, She will get up from

Her chair and give darshan to these people before She leaves the

hall.

 

I know I've thrown a lot of info and color codes and whatnot at you.

Don't worry about retaining it all. If you only retain one thing,

let it be this: tell the greeters you require assisted darshan, and

if at ANY time once Amma's darshan has begun you feel you simply do

not have the reserves to wait any longer, do not hesitate to

approach a sevite. People wearing blue scarves or " May I Help " are

the best bet, but no matter who you talk to, they should be able to

help you find someone to get you into the line as quickly as

possible. Amma loves you and does not want you to go without getting

Her darshan.

 

I am not speaking as any official representative on this score, and

if there are inaccuracies in how I have depicted the token flow

system, the fault is mine. I only speak from my experience of

coordinating darshan line entry in Toronto (that's where I live).

Anytime you see someone with a May I Help badge, they know best.

 

In response to some of your other recent questions, I do not know of

an electronic version of Matruvani. It and Immortal Bliss are still

being published in hard copy. However, you can get a lot

electronically these days. You can to Amritavani, an

email newsletter, at https://amritavani.com// . There are

regular postings of Amma's and the ashram's activities at

http://blogs.amritapuri.org/ and you can even follow an almost hour-

by-hour report of Amma's activities and whereabouts at

http://twitter.com/amritapuri .

 

Jai Ma,

Pranada

 

Ammachi , nierika wrote:

>

> Dear Pranada ~ thank you so much for giving me all the details

about the IAM

> meditation. I do remember hearing of it before, but had forgotten

what it

> was ... I guess I knew it was available at tours, but since I was

too far away

> and too ill to see Amma, I put it out of my mind. I didn't know

there were

> designated teachers. Of course, at that time there may not have

been any or any

> in my town. I will look on the website to see if there are any in

my area.

>

> I really want to see Amma this time, especially as I am so close

to Boston.

> But I have heard of the new token system and the ever larger

crowds, and it

> worries me because of my illness. I know my husband would take me.

If anybody

> knows anything about how Amma's visits go and can help alleviate

my fears I

> would greatly appreciate the information. Jai Jai Ma ~ Linda P.S.

you

> mentioned Canada. Is that where you are?

>

>