SSB devotees

[Guest guest]

First, I'd like to thank you for distinguishing between SSB and his

devotees, as a person could easily make that mistake about any guru.

My experience with SSB and his devotees is similar to what you've

described, but it's 100% the fault of the devotees. SSB does have

guidelines for his centers but there's plenty of so-called long-time

devotees that hold unofficial authority over the centers, by choice

of the members. There's other devotees who claim to have "inner

guidance" from SSB. A local center here is unpleasant to go to

because of the musical pride of many of it's members and their annual

pilgrimage always results in an interview for the group. Another

unofficial center closed recently because of the declining

attendance, no doubt attributed to the deceitful and stubborn ways of

the center's founders. That particular center was run by

westerners, and although they had introduced many people to Amma

through the years, didn't do much but spread ignorance and encourage

the growth of the ego. SSB's discourses are designed for the masses,

similar to Amma's public discourses which are more mild than the

advice given in conversations (Awaken Children series), so as not to

turn away those who are still quite worldly.

 

As far as the presence of certain SSB devotees causing you loss of

peace, health problems and not feeling comfortable attending satsang

programs, maybe it's a blessing in disguise. Somewhere I read that

Amma suggests, like a seedling growing close to the tree, that a

sadhak should spend only 2-3 years in close contact with their guru,

then should do sadhana in isolation. If you're doing intense

sadhana and start progressing, you'll realize the necessity of this.

 

Your problems at work, especially being on Thursdays, the common

night for Sai satsang gatherings, may have more to do with the

placement (weak or afflicted) Jupiter in your birth chart. Thursday

is the day of the guru, but also affects career. I can personally

attest to this because I've had similar problems, whether it's a sub-

sub-period or a major planetary period. Try doing a mantra or

other sadhana to Jupiter on Thursdays (I think the ideal time is a

few hours before sunset), or try a Durga mantra on that day.

 

Don't use bliss as a measurement of peace. Blissful feelings and

sensations will come and go, so don't get hooked on it like it were

some sort of narcotic or sign of auspiciousness.

 

 

> or tried to look gracefully at SSB's picture but that would be just

> invitation to the bad influences of those local thugs.

 

I've turned my photo of Amma to face the wall plenty of times. In 4

years of sacrifice and devotion, my life has only gotten worse since

I've met her. The so-called "bad-influence" you claim to get from

SSB devotees, I've gotten from Amma devotees, but I don't let that

affect my view of Amma, but I also keep my distance from alot

devotees, especially the ones that only call me to do seva, but lack

the skills to return a phone call. Last month I drove 9 hours to

Ann Arbor and didn't even go for darshan, prefering the peace of the

hotel room to the madness (I had given a ride to some others).

 

>Initially for few weeks I had no idea, I couldn't believe that SSB

> or His Sanyasin (regular visitor of bay area)

 

SSB doesn't have a Sannyasin, this must be one of those people I've

mentioned, claiming to have the "in" with SSB.

 

>>Their influeces have many times kept me away from Amma satsangs,

etc.. Does anyone have any suggestion, etc?

 

I can only suggest moving or finding some other center or church to

experience a satsang experience, or spend your Thursdays fasting and

doing sadhana in private.

[Guest guest]

thanks for your reply,

 

i'm very sure it has got nothing to do with guru dasha, etc...

because effects have been monitored very carefull in the presence and

absence of those devotees - and that was not always on thursdays. My

question is if they are so sincere why are they always looking over

people's shoulders at different spiritual places? Somehow I had very

good feeling about one of the devotees (who I had never met) and I

called him saying "I trust you and I'm ghaving few problems, so I

would like to sit with him in a prayer offered to SSB - the place,

time, pooja, etc - everything his choice. just call me and i'll be

there" but somehow other trouble makers found out and poor fella

never really called me. He had promised me that he would invite me

for birthday program and i needed directions/date, etc. details to

his place but noops! i never recd any info at all .... again i was

discouraged from coming to community celebration of ssb's birthday. i

don't want to forget one other incident, when i had requested

prominent she-host to inform me whenever same sanyasin would be

visiting the bay area - but she came and left - nothing! this same

lady (host) somehow twists and manipulates others to stay away from

me or manipulates them to do something or other in amma's ashram....

oh! well ---- life goes on! wheel of life and dharma / karma goes

round-n-round = one cann't break that law of karma.

 

i find it amusing when you said that ssb doesn't have any sanyasi,

then who is she? and whereever she did pooja, we all made donation of

108/-. That's okay for me because i felt i gave it to a sanyasin. one

other devotee who moved from east coast (think michigan) 3-4 years

ago even accepted money from me to be put in the donation box - i had

asked him to pass it on to the needy people. later on after few

months when i gave money to someone else for puththparthi donation,

same 'gentleman' made fun of me! this guy came to my house (once with

his family also) and looking around the house, asking me questions in

a such a manner, - i think i should not get into details, so i'll

stop .... i don't know what is going on in bay area .... i find it

heart breaking many times. now i'm no longer interested in their

practises .... but i know they are more -n- more interested now - oh!

well!

 

I'm aware that they are trying to push me away from my home and

amma's ashram, etc - spoiling my relations with others - all bad

jantar/ mantar/ tantar in the name of Ram! Reminded me of a bad

quote, excuse me:

 

"Muh Mei Ram, Bagal Me Chhura" that means "Ram naam on the tongue but

deception in the mind" - could be

 

"Ram on the tongue and Shaam in the heart" = Righteous like Rama in

your deeds, with full of love like Krishna in the Heart"

 

Om Amritshwariye Namah

 

:ekanath

 

Ammachi, "tomgull" <tomgull@m...> wrote:

> First, I'd like to thank you for distinguishing between SSB and his

> devotees, as a person could easily make that mistake about any

guru.

> My experience with SSB and his devotees is similar to what you've

> described, but it's 100% the fault of the devotees. SSB does have

> guidelines for his centers but there's plenty of so-called long-

time

> devotees that hold unofficial authority over the centers, by choice

> of the members. There's other devotees who claim to have "inner

> guidance" from SSB. A local center here is unpleasant to go to

> because of the musical pride of many of it's members and their

annual

> pilgrimage always results in an interview for the group. Another

> unofficial center closed recently because of the declining

> attendance, no doubt attributed to the deceitful and stubborn ways

of

> the center's founders. That particular center was run by

> westerners, and although they had introduced many people to Amma

> through the years, didn't do much but spread ignorance and

encourage

> the growth of the ego. SSB's discourses are designed for the

masses,

> similar to Amma's public discourses which are more mild than the

> advice given in conversations (Awaken Children series), so as not

to

> turn away those who are still quite worldly.

>

> As far as the presence of certain SSB devotees causing you loss of

> peace, health problems and not feeling comfortable attending

satsang

> programs, maybe it's a blessing in disguise. Somewhere I read

that

> Amma suggests, like a seedling growing close to the tree, that a

> sadhak should spend only 2-3 years in close contact with their

guru,

> then should do sadhana in isolation. If you're doing intense

> sadhana and start progressing, you'll realize the necessity of this.

>

> Your problems at work, especially being on Thursdays, the common

> night for Sai satsang gatherings, may have more to do with the

> placement (weak or afflicted) Jupiter in your birth chart.

Thursday

> is the day of the guru, but also affects career. I can personally

> attest to this because I've had similar problems, whether it's a

sub-

> sub-period or a major planetary period. Try doing a mantra or

> other sadhana to Jupiter on Thursdays (I think the ideal time is a

> few hours before sunset), or try a Durga mantra on that day.

>

> Don't use bliss as a measurement of peace. Blissful feelings and

> sensations will come and go, so don't get hooked on it like it were

> some sort of narcotic or sign of auspiciousness.

>

>

> > or tried to look gracefully at SSB's picture but that would be

just

> > invitation to the bad influences of those local thugs.

>

> I've turned my photo of Amma to face the wall plenty of times. In

4

> years of sacrifice and devotion, my life has only gotten worse

since

> I've met her. The so-called "bad-influence" you claim to get from

> SSB devotees, I've gotten from Amma devotees, but I don't let that

> affect my view of Amma, but I also keep my distance from alot

> devotees, especially the ones that only call me to do seva, but

lack

> the skills to return a phone call. Last month I drove 9 hours to

> Ann Arbor and didn't even go for darshan, prefering the peace of

the

> hotel room to the madness (I had given a ride to some others).

>

> >Initially for few weeks I had no idea, I couldn't believe that SSB

> > or His Sanyasin (regular visitor of bay area)

>

> SSB doesn't have a Sannyasin, this must be one of those people I've

> mentioned, claiming to have the "in" with SSB.

>

> >>Their influeces have many times kept me away from Amma satsangs,

> etc.. Does anyone have any suggestion, etc?

>

> I can only suggest moving or finding some other center or church to

> experience a satsang experience, or spend your Thursdays fasting

and

> doing sadhana in private.

[Guest guest]

> i'm very sure it has got nothing to do with guru dasha, etc...

> because effects have been monitored very carefull in

> the presence and absence of those devotees - and that was not

always on thursdays.

 

My planetary period dasha/bhukti is Jup/Rahu,

switching to Jup/Rah/Jup this past November, which

did suddenly bring about intense problems specifically

with my supervisors at work, not necessarily on Thursdays,

but I mentioned it in case you hadn't had your chart done.

 

 

>My question is if they are so sincere why are they

>always looking over people's shoulders at different

>spiritual places?

 

Maybe they need to take up a hobby... I don't know,

but going out of their way to reak havoc is not

characteristic of Sai devotees around where I live.

 

 

> i find it amusing when you said that ssb doesn't

>have any sanyasi, then who is she? and whereever she

>did pooja, we all made donation >of 108/-. That's okay

>for me because i felt i gave it to a sanyasin.

 

Unfortunately, there's plenty o' people that try

to capitalize on SSB's popularity and how his teachings

are generalized. SSB strictly forbids the discussion

of money matters at his satsang centers/meetings,

saying that such matters should be handled in a

different room, and that money should not be raised

in his name. That's the one thing I miss about

going to those satsangs, in that, although SSB

accepts donations for his various charities and

schools, there is no talk of fundraising or other

money matters, and when they have local retreats,

they always state that anyone wishing to go and

not able to pay should call a particular person.

On the contrary, Amma programs, and sometimes

satsangs have alot of stuff about fundraising,

and it can be distracting for those coming to

a satsang meeting for experiencing God, not a

business meeting. I know there's a place

for fundraising and the associated seva, so please

let not anyone think that I don't agree with

fundraising for charities. It's just that I

notice a big difference at Amma's darshan programs

when the bookstore is in the same room as darshan,

and when most of the store is in another room.

 

About the so-called SSB Sannyasin, you don't know

if she actually was a Sannyasin, or just wore the

robes, but paying (in some form) for a puja or other

specialized spiritual service is always

good karma, and a good habit. How much a puja

benefits a person/home depends greatly on the

concentration ability and devotion of the pujari.

[Guest guest]

Dear Ekanath,

Maybe you've already done this, but I would recommend talking to Dayamrita

Swami about these problems.

OAN, Amalia

[Guest guest]

Let me ask when confronted with these devotees and asked them to

swear in the name of Ganesha / god / ... why do they hesitate or just

change the topic? Why do they like to watch over others' shoulders?

Does SSB ask his devotees to goto each and every religious as well as

spiritual place and spread His name? As I understand He recommends

his devotees to learn and practise spirituality - not just visit

places and place His flag/picture to claim the territory! We all know

everyone has their own chosen path, so they should not be

manipulating the practises or people of place they visit.

- that's their karma and nature!

 

Al though I was casual visitor of SSB groups for number of years,

but now mine and others expereinces tell me there is not much direct

contact with SSB and as a result lots of nonsense go in SSB

mandalies. So I just respect Him and walk away praying that I don't

run into these obsessed devotees of SSB.

 

We are fortunate to have Amma with us, we spend many hours / days

with Her directly - that's a good school for all Amma's devotees.

 

===

God made Earth, Man made nations ... states ... parties ... groups ...

Saints taught us Love and caring, Man made groups, ... competition,

party... everyone wants to own something or other ... it doesn't just

stop there, ... Does anyone remember the famous words of Saint

Francis, a Saint from Asisi?

 

I learnt from saints and ancient scriptures the name of Lord is

simple and sweet (remember Adharam Madhuram ...) and here we got all

this crap of politics, etc. we have to deal with...

 

Om Amriteshwariye Namah

 

:Ekanath

 

 

 

Ammachi, "tomgull" <tomgull@m...> wrote:

> > i'm very sure it has got nothing to do with guru dasha, etc...

> > because effects have been monitored very carefull in

> > the presence and absence of those devotees - and that was not

> always on thursdays.

>

> My planetary period dasha/bhukti is Jup/Rahu,

> switching to Jup/Rah/Jup this past November, which

> did suddenly bring about intense problems specifically

> with my supervisors at work, not necessarily on Thursdays,

> but I mentioned it in case you hadn't had your chart done.

>

>

> >My question is if they are so sincere why are they

> >always looking over people's shoulders at different

> >spiritual places?

>

> Maybe they need to take up a hobby... I don't know,

> but going out of their way to reak havoc is not

> characteristic of Sai devotees around where I live.

>

>

> > i find it amusing when you said that ssb doesn't

> >have any sanyasi, then who is she? and whereever she

> >did pooja, we all made donation >of 108/-. That's okay

> >for me because i felt i gave it to a sanyasin.

>

> Unfortunately, there's plenty o' people that try

> to capitalize on SSB's popularity and how his teachings

> are generalized. SSB strictly forbids the discussion

> of money matters at his satsang centers/meetings,

> saying that such matters should be handled in a

> different room, and that money should not be raised

> in his name. That's the one thing I miss about

> going to those satsangs, in that, although SSB

> accepts donations for his various charities and

> schools, there is no talk of fundraising or other

> money matters, and when they have local retreats,

> they always state that anyone wishing to go and

> not able to pay should call a particular person.

> On the contrary, Amma programs, and sometimes

> satsangs have alot of stuff about fundraising,

> and it can be distracting for those coming to

> a satsang meeting for experiencing God, not a

> business meeting. I know there's a place

> for fundraising and the associated seva, so please

> let not anyone think that I don't agree with

> fundraising for charities. It's just that I

> notice a big difference at Amma's darshan programs

> when the bookstore is in the same room as darshan,

> and when most of the store is in another room.

>

> About the so-called SSB Sannyasin, you don't know

> if she actually was a Sannyasin, or just wore the

> robes, but paying (in some form) for a puja or other

> specialized spiritual service is always

> good karma, and a good habit. How much a puja

> benefits a person/home depends greatly on the

> concentration ability and devotion of the pujari.

[Guest guest]

Can we revert to discussing Amma and her message and please stay off

discussing SSB and his devotees and their deeds ?

 

Thanks !

 

Girish

 

 

>"tomgull" <tomgull

>Ammachi

>Ammachi

> Re: SSB devotees

>Mon, 17 Dec 2001 15:19:10 -0000

>

> > i'm very sure it has got nothing to do with guru dasha, etc...

> > because effects have been monitored very carefull in

> > the presence and absence of those devotees - and that was not

>always on thursdays.

>

>My planetary period dasha/bhukti is Jup/Rahu,

>switching to Jup/Rah/Jup this past November, which

>did suddenly bring about intense problems specifically

>with my supervisors at work, not necessarily on Thursdays,

>but I mentioned it in case you hadn't had your chart done.

>

>

> >My question is if they are so sincere why are they

> >always looking over people's shoulders at different

> >spiritual places?

>

>Maybe they need to take up a hobby... I don't know,

>but going out of their way to reak havoc is not

>characteristic of Sai devotees around where I live.

>

>

> > i find it amusing when you said that ssb doesn't

> >have any sanyasi, then who is she? and whereever she

> >did pooja, we all made donation >of 108/-. That's okay

> >for me because i felt i gave it to a sanyasin.

>

>Unfortunately, there's plenty o' people that try

>to capitalize on SSB's popularity and how his teachings

>are generalized. SSB strictly forbids the discussion

>of money matters at his satsang centers/meetings,

>saying that such matters should be handled in a

>different room, and that money should not be raised

>in his name. That's the one thing I miss about

>going to those satsangs, in that, although SSB

>accepts donations for his various charities and

>schools, there is no talk of fundraising or other

>money matters, and when they have local retreats,

>they always state that anyone wishing to go and

>not able to pay should call a particular person.

>On the contrary, Amma programs, and sometimes

>satsangs have alot of stuff about fundraising,

>and it can be distracting for those coming to

>a satsang meeting for experiencing God, not a

>business meeting. I know there's a place

>for fundraising and the associated seva, so please

>let not anyone think that I don't agree with

>fundraising for charities. It's just that I

>notice a big difference at Amma's darshan programs

>when the bookstore is in the same room as darshan,

>and when most of the store is in another room.

>

>About the so-called SSB Sannyasin, you don't know

>if she actually was a Sannyasin, or just wore the

>robes, but paying (in some form) for a puja or other

>specialized spiritual service is always

>good karma, and a good habit. How much a puja

>benefits a person/home depends greatly on the

>concentration ability and devotion of the pujari.

>

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Dear sister,

 

I haven't talked with Swamiji about these issues, long time back I

had casually mentioned that I feel conflict and that was it.

 

But the fact is it doesn't help going over again and again - so

I'll just rest without worrying about it. I'll deal with it event by

event.

 

Sorry for taking away lots of bandwidth and time of everyone more

over harmony away from the group.

 

Om Amriteshwariye Namah

 

:ekanath

 

PS: He had suggested me that I do 108 names and Lalitha everyday but

I had not been regular.

 

 

Ammachi, adarl52357@a... wrote:

> Dear Ekanath,

> Maybe you've already done this, but I would recommend talking to

Dayamrita

> Swami about these problems.

> OAN, Amalia

[Guest guest]

> Sorry for taking away lots of bandwidth and

> time of everyone more over harmony away from

> the group.

 

Ekanath, don't feel bad about discussing a

serious subject as you did in your original

post. Although this is an Ammachi discussion

board, you'll find that many devotees of Amma

are "multi-guru", whether they realize it or

not, and openly discussing such issues is not

only healthy, but helpful. My local unofficial

SSB center that finally closed, only continued

to exist because people enjoyed the bliss

of ignorance and did their best not to resolve

the real issues at hand.

 

About asking BRAMACHARI Dayamrita, you need to

understand that just because he's been with

Amma a long time, doesn't mean he's wise.

No offense to him or any other disciple.

 

I don't apologize for any "dis-harmony" by my

posts, because it's necessary to discuss the

Truth, in order to honor why Amma does what

she does, rather than having a group love-in.

[Guest guest]

Om Amriteshwariye Namah,

 

All the practises are usless if one cann't surrender to his/her

Guru and do Karma wisely by applying appropriate discrimination,

staying in satsang and asking for advice if needed, continue to study

Guru's teaching, - these are gems of devotion one must strive to earn

for.

 

That'a all I have to say,

 

Om Amriteshwariye Namah

 

:Ekanath

 

PS: In my experience Dayamrita Swamiji is lot lot wiser than I have

met so far in life and Amma has spoken thru him : so I listen to him

and his every word. Yes, I agree my own ignorence and ego may come in

the way sometimes - that's a different issue. Over -n- out!

 

I AM NOT GOING TO REPLY ANYMORE

 

Ammachi, "tomgull" <tomgull@m...> wrote:

> > Sorry for taking away lots of bandwidth and

> > time of everyone more over harmony away from

> > the group.

>

> Ekanath, don't feel bad about discussing a

> serious subject as you did in your original

> post. Although this is an Ammachi discussion

> board, you'll find that many devotees of Amma

> are "multi-guru", whether they realize it or

> not, and openly discussing such issues is not

> only healthy, but helpful. My local unofficial

> SSB center that finally closed, only continued

> to exist because people enjoyed the bliss

> of ignorance and did their best not to resolve

> the real issues at hand.

>

> About asking BRAMACHARI Dayamrita, you need to

> understand that just because he's been with

> Amma a long time, doesn't mean he's wise.

> No offense to him or any other disciple.

>

> I don't apologize for any "dis-harmony" by my

> posts, because it's necessary to discuss the

> Truth, in order to honor why Amma does what

> she does, rather than having a group love-in.

[Guest guest]

Keeping the mind active with inspiring content is an effective shield

against bad psychic vibes. Sounds basically like good advice. Maybe

the solution was a little more strenuous than you could do. Ask

again.

 

I have noticed that Br. Dayamrita is maturing quickly and

beautifully I thought his talk when Amma was here in November was

the best talk given by any of the monks this tour.

 

Oh and here's a little Br. Dayamrita story. I decided to try this

class on Wednesday some time back. We all sat and fidgeted--you know

how we are -- waiting for him to arrive. Suddenly I was filled with

a powerful sense of peace and felt loved. THEN I saw Br. Dayamrtia

coming up to the platform. Hmmm--I thought to myself; who is this

guy anyway?

 

Another thing is that he is teaching TATTWA BODHA. This is an

introductory text which is traditionally taught first to students

being traditionally trained in Vedanta. I have gone through this

text about 4 times and, sorry, folks, but I can't stand it. When I

completed my studies, I vowed I would NEVER teach it first or even

second or third to Westerners. Most of us need to be sort of

hammered over the head for a while with the vision. Tattwa Bodha

uses ancient Indian general science with which we are completely

unfamiliar to unfold the truth of the Self (about which we also don't

have a clue). For a lot of Westerners, it seems like a dry

vocabulary lesson.

 

So there I was in Dayamrita's Tattwa Bodha class wondering what kind

of karma was THIS? Tattwa Bodha class! Oh no! And, he did something

amazing. He made me enjoy it! Maybe it's because I'm in my dotage

now and can see things with a different view. Or, maybe he's pretty

good.

 

Aikya

 

Ammachi, "ekanath" <ekanath> wrote:

> Dear sister,

>

> I haven't talked with Swamiji about these issues, long time back

I

> had casually mentioned that I feel conflict and that was it.

>

> But the fact is it doesn't help going over again and again - so

> I'll just rest without worrying about it. I'll deal with it event

by

> event.

>

> Sorry for taking away lots of bandwidth and time of everyone more

> over harmony away from the group.

>

> Om Amriteshwariye Namah

>

> :ekanath

>

> PS: He had suggested me that I do 108 names and Lalitha everyday

but

> I had not been regular.

>

>

> Ammachi, adarl52357@a... wrote:

> > Dear Ekanath,

> > Maybe you've already done this, but I would recommend talking to

> Dayamrita

> > Swami about these problems.

> > OAN, Amalia