A near darshan...

[Guest guest]

Dear Brothers and Sisters....

 

Chandrika's intimate detailed sharing causes me to share another perspective

on how Mother communicates...granted interpreting the guru is always

risky...though called to come to New York Amma seemed to indicate New

England is where my dharma was meant to be last Wednesday evening.

 

 

 

Chandrika Sharma wrote:

 

>

> Dear Divine Siblings,

>

> First of all my humble thanks to all who conveyed their appreciation

> about my post. I was pleasantly surprised to see a photo of myself,

> walking behind Amma from the UN in Amritapuri.org (pic #2). There were

> few more Amma's children at the UN and I would welcome them to share

> their perspective and stories.

> I realized with a sense of deep humility how great all of you really

> are. One story of Krishna's rasa-lila goes like this - around midnight,

> when the maddening strains of the flute could be heard, wafted by the

> jasmine scented, cool breeze from the shores of Yamuna, all the gopies

> woke up from deep slumber, hastily dressed and walked, mesmerized toward

> the haunting malody. However, there was one Gopi, whose husband would

> not let her go. He locked the bedroom door from the outside. You can

> imagine the pain and suffering of this Gopi. She was trapped in the

> room. In a moment of utter desolation, despair and hopelessness, her

> soul simply burst from its physical bondage and flew faster to rest at

> the feet of the Blue Boy of Blessed Brindavan!

> I represent the gopies, who dressed in all fineries, sailed forth gaily

> to meet their beloved. You all represent this Solitary Maiden, who

> surrendered her all in all to merge in her Beloved!

> Hence, let me recapture the final farewell of Amma, which was really

> more for you all than those who were present - Amma could feel the

> strong pull from Her children. I am 100% positive that had She been

> given a choice, She would have preferred to sit with Her children and

> attend to their needs than sit in this glamorous amphitheater, where

> giant egos clashed with each. Amma knew Her children were anxious to see

> Her, hence word was sent to as many people as possible that She would

> grant darshan in Her room. Knowing that the hotel management might not

> like this sudden deluge of people, I had made the humble offer that we

> could hold the darshan in a devotess's house. However, Amma had other

> plans.

> Newark airport was not as large as Kennedy. One could walk in and check

> in at the counter. There was a cement seat outside the entrance, to the

> side. The weather was sunny and yet pleasant. We had gathered around

> 6:30 pm. as Amma's flight was leaving at 8:20 pm. She was to depart from

> Gate 63. Not knowing where to wait, some of us waited near Gate 63.

> After about a half hour, suddenly I had an urge to just walk upstairs.

> Just as our group emerged from the escalator, who should we see but Amma

> walking over to this seat by the side of the building? Joyfully, we ran

> over and somehow I managed to get as close as possible! Very quickly we

> surrounded Her and hastily, a darshan line was put in place. Two little

> children became the prasad givers. A few of us sang bhajans as Amma gave

> darshan one by one. There were two couples celebrating their

> twenty-seventh wedding anniversay. It was very sweet to watch Amma

> quickly grab a garland and put it on their necks. She was symbolically,

> tying them in one bond!

> While giving darshan, Amma suddenly removed her right slipper and

> somehow I managed to get hold of it and held it to my heart. What more

> could I have asked than standing close to Amma, helping people with

> their belongings, directing traffic and HOLDING the GURE PADODAKAM

> (Guru's slppers)! My heart simply sang in bliss. I wished there had been

> thousands, so the darshan could go on unending. Amma attended to

> everyone, according to individual needs - a woman, who had recent foot

> surgery, a sick patient, old folks, young children, couples. In between

> Amma kept beaming at me. Suddenly Swami Dayamrita came up. It seemed the

> officials wanted Amma to show Her face at the counter! (Was this Her

> leela to grant them darshan, as they could not leave their official

> post?) As Amma put on Her slippers, She called out, reassuringly:

> "Children! Wait! Amma will be right back!" (Do you know what flashed

> before my eyes? When my sons were very young, I would give them some

> toys to play in the kitchen as I cooked. Children, though absorbed in

> games, have this uncanny ability to sense when the mother is in the room

> and when she is gone! The minute mother leaves the room, they drop the

> toys and begin to bawl! Usually, mothers will keep talking to their

> children from the other room, so that the babies would not panic!)

> Hearing Amma telling Her children to wait seemed just like that. My dear

> most beloved Babies of Amma! Do you know how fortunate we are that the

> DIVINE MOTHER hovers around us in the most concerned and attentive

> fashion? She never lets us alone for an INSTANT! Nay, She cannot let us

> alone for an instant! Are we not Her hapless Babes?)

> My friend C. who was chatting with Sneha at the counter almost fainted

> when she found Amma by her side. As Ron tried to sort out the matter,

> Amma kept asking Him, "Finished?" Soon as he nodded, She was out the

> door in a flash, back at Her seat! The darshan continued for about 30-45

> minutes. By this time Swami Dayamrita was looking a bit agitated as time

> was ticking by and Amma had to get in the plane. Amma speeded up the

> darshan. I thought to myself, "You have been basking in Amma's presence

> for almost a week, so don't go for darshan. Amma will have one person

> less to hug! (I have still to understand Amma's Compassion and Love!) As

> we started down the stairs, we could accompany Amma only till the

> check-in. But a few of us managed to get beyond it. What I saw next

> wrung my heart like a wet towel. Amma was standing 6 feet from us. Tears

> were streaming down her face and her lips quivered as She tried to

> withhold Her pain at parting from Her darling children. We too were

> sobbing, "Amma! Amma!" Seeing Her pain, I called out in Tamil, "Amma!

> Please don't cry!" Next, something happened that I hope remains etched

> on my soul forever! Amma walked toward me with outstretched hands and as

> we hugged, it seemed for a moment we both rested our heads on each

> others' shoulders. Dear Brothers and Sisters - for the first time in my

> life, it did not seem like a Morther-Child hug, but as though two sakhis

> (female friends) were sharing their sorrow with each other. Many a time,

> in my dream I have seen Amma and I interact with each other as though we

> are intimate friends, but this was the first time, I ever felt it in the

> physical sense. (Please, I beg of you - don't misunderstand me. I am not

> claiming that I am equal to Amma or Her friend. I am simply stating a

> bhava (attitude) of a Sakhi. In the path of devotion, there are several

> attitudes, Dasya (servant), Sakhya (friendship), Madhurya (romantic

> love) and Vatsalya (parental)etc. Sudama and Arjuna had the attitude of

> being Krishna's friend. No attitude is lower or higher.)

> I am taking the liberty of sharing this innermost feeling, knowing that

> many of you live these experiences vicariously through these words. If

> Amma uses me as Her pen to convey these feelings, I am thankful to Her.)

>

> Once again to those of you, who meditate on Her with more intensity,

> especially when you are not in Her presence, I can say with utter

> conviction that Amma is closer to you than your very breath. May She

> remove this veil of Maya which creates an illusion of separation.

> Jai Ma!

> Chandrika

>

>

>

> Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha!

>

> Ammachi-

[Guest guest]

ONS

Sorry about the truncated message...that's what I get for trying to keep in

touch with Amma-ites during my work day at school.

 

TO CONTINUE...

 

Tuesday[August 29] I arrived home at 9:15 PM from preparing for the first day

of school here in New Hampshire. I had two phone messages stating Amma was

going to receive devotees in Her suite at 8:00PM, Wednesday evening...my

response was "That's a five hour drive...You've got to be kidding Amma" THEN I

thought "It's perfect...I'll leave school at noon, catch a train from MASS

arrive at Grand Central at 7:20PM...meet with Amma and come home by train then

drive in time for school on Thursday."

 

Two devotees agreed to this travel plan and all was ducky (or 'swanny' as the

case may be)....UNTIL 10:00AM the next morning. I checked messages to find out

one of my sisters had found an earlier more convenient ride...a little

disgruntled(watch out for negativities) I proceeded with leaving at noon. My

MASS friend called on the car phone as I was half an hour into the two hour trip

to MASS to get the train and said "Turn around, Ranjani, Amma is taking a 5:00

train...there is not enough space to gather devotees at the Waldorf...it would

have been fun."

 

Immediately I turned around figuring I could make dismissal at the end of the

day, which had felt the dharmic thing to do all along. I have a new

administrator and he was reluctant to release me early until I mentioned the

Dala Lama/ UN.

 

THEN...the phone rang again (by the way, this was only the second time in two

years I had given my carphone number to anyone)..."Ranjani, Laksmi just

announced Amma's undecided...you better turn around, we still have time to catch

the 3:50 train." I proceeded to MASS. ON arrival at my friend's, the news

was..."Amma is giving darshan at the Newark airport before her 8:00 flight.."

This left us deflated and unlikely to complete travel by car in time for a

possible hug or glance from Amma at the airport. As it turns out close friends

were "remarried" as Chandrika described...the new owner's of the former New

Hampshire ashram brought back prasad from Amma's room as they fortunately met

Amma at the hotel missing the information about change of darshan site. Amma

showered them with fruit,candy and ash greeted them familiarly and warmly. They

generously prepared bags for those of us who missed the events in New York.

 

My travelling companion and I had our own satsang Massachusetts which included

dropping a broken statue of Ganesh and one of Siva in the Connecticut River.

Swami Dayamrita had indicated broken statues should not be discarded

casually...burying them or river disposal is proper...someone may wish to

elaborate on this custom. On the way home, I pondered the significance of days

events...the lessons...the patterns in my relationship to Amma...more

importantly, Her relationship to me.

 

In 1995, Amma's first UN visit, I had dharmic professional commitment ...I

presented it to a Swami explaining I had a six month prior commitment of major

importance. I didn't see how I could reneige even with the notice given about

Amma's participation at the UN. He responded "As we say in India, we'll see

you when we see you."

 

Another instance of confounding events that interrupted my plans to see Amma

occurred in July of this year. I cut short a European trip to join Amma in

Chicago until the end of the tour, HOWEVER, immediately on return I found out

my mother [91]had fallen and I was needed to arrange for immediate and

continuing care. There was no doubt in my mind that this too was dharmic(duty).

My summer time was reduced from two weeks to four days with Amma. If this

sounds like complaining, it's really not. For me it is really having to walk

my talk. Strive to accept what is dealt with equipose..Amma gives us what we

need. I beg Her every day in morning prayer to take me and use me any way that

serves Her. She answers me...that I know...there is no room for self-pity or

grumbling.

 

>From 1988 and my first hours with Amma in that two car garage with about 40

others, I never doubted Her divinity. I do believe She is with every one of us

at every moment...I know I will never understand how this works but know we each

have a path... ..the personal prasad comes in so many forms. Each story

reveals a personal, tailor-made connection directly from Amma. Amma challenges

and stretches us each in different ways. Surrender at every moment is the

appetizer, main course and dessert for life with Amma. Amma feeds the soul so we

can become one with Her.

 

Wonder when she will return to the UN???? Doesn't matter...each of know where

She is right now...deep inside our hearts...as She says time and time

again..."Amma goes, Her heart stays...Children .Ki Jai!"

 

To all of us that didn't get to New York...let's remember those words.

 

Hers and yours,

Ranjani

 

mblake wrote:

 

>

> Dear Brothers and Sisters....

>

> Chandrika's intimate detailed sharing causes me to share another perspective

> on how Mother communicates...granted interpreting the guru is always

> risky...though called to come to New York Amma seemed to indicate New

> England is where my dharma was meant to be last Wednesday evening.

>

> Chandrika Sharma wrote:

>

> >

> > Dear Divine Siblings,

> >

> > First of all my humble thanks to all who conveyed their appreciation

> > about my post. I was pleasantly surprised to see a photo of myself,

> > walking behind Amma from the UN in Amritapuri.org (pic #2). There were

> > few more Amma's children at the UN and I would welcome them to share

> > their perspective and stories.

> > I realized with a sense of deep humility how great all of you really

> > are. One story of Krishna's rasa-lila goes like this - around midnight,

> > when the maddening strains of the flute could be heard, wafted by the

> > jasmine scented, cool breeze from the shores of Yamuna, all the gopies

> > woke up from deep slumber, hastily dressed and walked, mesmerized toward

> > the haunting malody. However, there was one Gopi, whose husband would

> > not let her go. He locked the bedroom door from the outside. You can

> > imagine the pain and suffering of this Gopi. She was trapped in the

> > room. In a moment of utter desolation, despair and hopelessness, her

> > soul simply burst from its physical bondage and flew faster to rest at

> > the feet of the Blue Boy of Blessed Brindavan!

> > I represent the gopies, who dressed in all fineries, sailed forth gaily

> > to meet their beloved. You all represent this Solitary Maiden, who

> > surrendered her all in all to merge in her Beloved!

> > Hence, let me recapture the final farewell of Amma, which was really

> > more for you all than those who were present - Amma could feel the

> > strong pull from Her children. I am 100% positive that had She been

> > given a choice, She would have preferred to sit with Her children and

> > attend to their needs than sit in this glamorous amphitheater, where

> > giant egos clashed with each. Amma knew Her children were anxious to see

> > Her, hence word was sent to as many people as possible that She would

> > grant darshan in Her room. Knowing that the hotel management might not

> > like this sudden deluge of people, I had made the humble offer that we

> > could hold the darshan in a devotess's house. However, Amma had other

> > plans.

> > Newark airport was not as large as Kennedy. One could walk in and check

> > in at the counter. There was a cement seat outside the entrance, to the

> > side. The weather was sunny and yet pleasant. We had gathered around

> > 6:30 pm. as Amma's flight was leaving at 8:20 pm. She was to depart from

> > Gate 63. Not knowing where to wait, some of us waited near Gate 63.

> > After about a half hour, suddenly I had an urge to just walk upstairs.

> > Just as our group emerged from the escalator, who should we see but Amma

> > walking over to this seat by the side of the building? Joyfully, we ran

> > over and somehow I managed to get as close as possible! Very quickly we

> > surrounded Her and hastily, a darshan line was put in place. Two little

> > children became the prasad givers. A few of us sang bhajans as Amma gave

> > darshan one by one. There were two couples celebrating their

> > twenty-seventh wedding anniversay. It was very sweet to watch Amma

> > quickly grab a garland and put it on their necks. She was symbolically,

> > tying them in one bond!

> > While giving darshan, Amma suddenly removed her right slipper and

> > somehow I managed to get hold of it and held it to my heart. What more

> > could I have asked than standing close to Amma, helping people with

> > their belongings, directing traffic and HOLDING the GURE PADODAKAM

> > (Guru's slppers)! My heart simply sang in bliss. I wished there had been

> > thousands, so the darshan could go on unending. Amma attended to

> > everyone, according to individual needs - a woman, who had recent foot

> > surgery, a sick patient, old folks, young children, couples. In between

> > Amma kept beaming at me. Suddenly Swami Dayamrita came up. It seemed the

> > officials wanted Amma to show Her face at the counter! (Was this Her

> > leela to grant them darshan, as they could not leave their official

> > post?) As Amma put on Her slippers, She called out, reassuringly:

> > "Children! Wait! Amma will be right back!" (Do you know what flashed

> > before my eyes? When my sons were very young, I would give them some

> > toys to play in the kitchen as I cooked. Children, though absorbed in

> > games, have this uncanny ability to sense when the mother is in the room

> > and when she is gone! The minute mother leaves the room, they drop the

> > toys and begin to bawl! Usually, mothers will keep talking to their

> > children from the other room, so that the babies would not panic!)

> > Hearing Amma telling Her children to wait seemed just like that. My dear

> > most beloved Babies of Amma! Do you know how fortunate we are that the

> > DIVINE MOTHER hovers around us in the most concerned and attentive

> > fashion? She never lets us alone for an INSTANT! Nay, She cannot let us

> > alone for an instant! Are we not Her hapless Babes?)

> > My friend C. who was chatting with Sneha at the counter almost fainted

> > when she found Amma by her side. As Ron tried to sort out the matter,

> > Amma kept asking Him, "Finished?" Soon as he nodded, She was out the

> > door in a flash, back at Her seat! The darshan continued for about 30-45

> > minutes. By this time Swami Dayamrita was looking a bit agitated as time

> > was ticking by and Amma had to get in the plane. Amma speeded up the

> > darshan. I thought to myself, "You have been basking in Amma's presence

> > for almost a week, so don't go for darshan. Amma will have one person

> > less to hug! (I have still to understand Amma's Compassion and Love!) As

> > we started down the stairs, we could accompany Amma only till the

> > check-in. But a few of us managed to get beyond it. What I saw next

> > wrung my heart like a wet towel. Amma was standing 6 feet from us. Tears

> > were streaming down her face and her lips quivered as She tried to

> > withhold Her pain at parting from Her darling children. We too were

> > sobbing, "Amma! Amma!" Seeing Her pain, I called out in Tamil, "Amma!

> > Please don't cry!" Next, something happened that I hope remains etched

> > on my soul forever! Amma walked toward me with outstretched hands and as

> > we hugged, it seemed for a moment we both rested our heads on each

> > others' shoulders. Dear Brothers and Sisters - for the first time in my

> > life, it did not seem like a Morther-Child hug, but as though two sakhis

> > (female friends) were sharing their sorrow with each other. Many a time,

> > in my dream I have seen Amma and I interact with each other as though we

> > are intimate friends, but this was the first time, I ever felt it in the

> > physical sense. (Please, I beg of you - don't misunderstand me. I am not

> > claiming that I am equal to Amma or Her friend. I am simply stating a

> > bhava (attitude) of a Sakhi. In the path of devotion, there are several

> > attitudes, Dasya (servant), Sakhya (friendship), Madhurya (romantic

> > love) and Vatsalya (parental)etc. Sudama and Arjuna had the attitude of

> > being Krishna's friend. No attitude is lower or higher.)

> > I am taking the liberty of sharing this innermost feeling, knowing that

> > many of you live these experiences vicariously through these words. If

> > Amma uses me as Her pen to convey these feelings, I am thankful to Her.)

> >

> > Once again to those of you, who meditate on Her with more intensity,

> > especially when you are not in Her presence, I can say with utter

> > conviction that Amma is closer to you than your very breath. May She

> > remove this veil of Maya which creates an illusion of separation.

> > Jai Ma!

> > Chandrika

> >

> >

> >

> > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha!

> >

> > Ammachi-

>

> Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha!

>

> Ammachi-