FW: Ann Arbor

[Guest guest]

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Kenna <kenna

Sat, 01 Dec 2001 17:40:49 -0600

Amma Hindunet <amma-l

Ann Arbor

 

Namah Shivaya dear siblings,

 

The weather was quite warm for late November and it was drizzling a lot.

Very unusual for Michigan at this time of year. Perhaps one romp in the snow

last year was enough for Amma.

 

As I was going for morning darshan on Wednesday, Amma was giving an

interview, which Swamiji was translating. Something said, listen to what he

says as you go to Amma's lap:

"The world needs more love and LOVE IS HUMILTY."

 

The crowds were very large for this program. Well over 2000 at Devi Bhava.

So for the first time we overflowed the hall for the puja and showed a video

in the dining hall. Since I had token seva, I watched in the dining hall,

situated very close to the screen. It was wonderful to be able to watch the

close up's of Amma's expression throughout the puja.

 

And something unusual happened as Swamiji chanted the 108 names: Amma

stopped him near the beginning (ever so gently and lovingly) because he was

going too fast.

 

After the puja I went into the main hall for the arati. I was very struck by

the prayers Amma made to the Devi crown. I suppose it had special meaning

because of our list's discussion generated by the Santa's hat thread. Many

times during the evening, especially at the end, I was struck by the

emanations from the crown. And feeling grateful to our group, especially

Lalitha and Visvanathan, for that discussion and the consciousness it gave

me.

 

As Amalia said, Amma was divinely attired in bright green and gold. The

"umbrella stick" (forgive me for not knowing the proper terms) was

beautifully decorated with a spiral of red flowers, including poinsetta. So

the red and green theme she mentioned was continued.

 

Devi Bhava lasted until about 6 am. There were 2 or 3 blessings of babies,

but no weddings. Perhaps for that reason, the segue into the flower blessing

was less raucous, for which I was grateful. I had been blessed with a seat

on the floor just to the right and not far behind Swami Dayamrita, who was

singing with Swamiji. Near me was Cathy Schmidt playing harmonium. It was

such a great spot to participate in the final songs, so I decided to stay

there during the petal blessing instead of joining the moving circle of

devotees. As the petal blessing finished and Devi stood there for the final

blessing, I found myself meditating on Her eyes as they moved slowly across

the entire crowd from Her right to Her left, then back a little, then losing

focus as She stepped back and began to disappear. Several of us doing this

were dissolving in tears. There are no words to describe the feelings within

as She poured that ocean of love and compassion upon all of us.

 

May each of you be feeling that blessing.

 

Aum Amriteshvaryai Namah.

 

premarupa