Guest guest Posted July 23, 2004 Report Share Posted July 23, 2004 Dear Friends: Eleven years ago I came to Bryant to teach. The summer following, Ammachi held her first retreat on campus. It is one of the several major retreats in the U.S. lasting from Thursday evening to Sunday morning. Every year for the last 10 years the Ammachi group has come and they are here again. Even though not part of the group, I go and enjoy the Indian food and sometimes the Kirtan. A nice group of devotees to mingle with. They usually form lines at night and get on their knees for a chance to hug Amma. Many of them ask me if I have had a chance to hug Ammachi. It is hard to tell them that I don't feel inclined to get in the line and so forth and come mostly for food and sometimes the kirtan and the nice environment. Frankly, I am satisfied hugging my own Amma (my mother)! In spiritual circles, the balancing act of respecting others philosophy, gurus and views and at the same time being true to oneself requires diplomacy and tact. Sri Ramana was, as I recall, was a master of such tact. Once someone sought (offered) to initiate the Sage and Sri Ramana characteristically kept quiet. Later when the person insisted, Sri Ramana relying on a scriptural text mentioned that those living within a certain distance of Arunachala did not require formal initiation and thus the matter came to a harmonious end. Love to all Harsha ===== /join Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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