Grace: Amma Anasuya Devi, Pt. I

[Guest guest]

I would like to share with the readers some material on Amma Anasuaya

Devi `Grace'. The excerpt is from a little book that was gifted to

me by my friend Gordon Westerlund some

time back, entitled, "Ammaness" by M. Dinakar. The

following is an

excerpt from the `Prelude' by M. Dinakar, in which he

explains some

things regarding the compilation of the book. This book was printed

back in l979:

 

"This book is presented to you with a trepidation. A trepidation

born out of the inadequacy of the verbal medium in expounding the

eternal truth. Gaps in comprehension of these by the human mind may

also peep out in between the lines.

 

Besides, Amma expresses herself in brief, inimitable telugu idiom.

Her diction is at once simple and comprehensive. Fundamental truths

are succinctly exposed. Such richness and beauty of expression is

difficult to transport into another language.

 

Brushing aside all these inhibitions, a humble attempt is made to

present the fundamental philosophy of Amma in this small volume,

which is by no means complete in content. The patient readers may

glean through these shortcomings, bear with them and get at the core.

Such a discerning effort will redeem us immensely in this task.

 

Hesitation tarried the work a little. It arose in trying to present

the ideas gathered from different sources articulately.

 

Each sentence of Mother has a profound idea. Several of these ideas

form the basic philosophy of Amma. They are culled from various

sources and presented in a conceptual form.

 

Presentation of these ideas is guided by experience. Experience at

times both painful and rewarding. Sometimes continual pondering over

Amma helped. What in effect happened is an open disclosure of the

ideas which hitherto remained in the big household of Amma.

 

Amma never prescribed any set norms; for Her, existence is

salvation. For all who exist, the end is positive. Positive bliss

awaits the saint and the sinner alike, but with a varying time lag.

This boundless assurance is immensely soothing to mankind.

 

The mind is caught in the throes of duality. It shuffled between the

base and the sublime. It is swayed to and fro by the common place

and the noblest of thoughts. The interaction between these extremes

is often painful. Existence is itself a painful duality with little

choice. This duality caused and causes suffering. Despite these

limitations, there is continual striving to gain at a semblance of

unity. This strife is the connecting link of what is described.

Continuance of such feeling of unity is the much cherished desire.

 

The mind in anguish brooded. It delved into life's varied

experience. Some cherished and some distasteful. Through these

interludes, it pondered over the infinite and humbled at Amma's

feet.

 

The unburdening of an intensely personal revelation has taken place.

Disclousure of this privacy can be acquitted if only other kindred

souls share and savour these experiences. Such reaction makes a

public invasion of sacred privacy worthwile.

 

This is but a beginning. The yearning for grace continues to cause a

more wholesome expression of existence." (p. i-iii)

 

· * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

This will be continued into Part II, where an excerpt on

`Grace' will

be shared.

 

Kathy