Digest Number 417

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In a message dated 1/27/02 9:39:22 AM Pacific Standard Time,

Ammachi writes:

 

<<

I'd like to know a little bit more about why Amritapuri's not such a

good setting for intermediate-beginning meditation. As meditation is

a major part of my existence, this interests me. I can say that in my

own home, my meditations are very deep and profound. I would like to

visit Mother's ashram simply to make a connection with her in her

home and to spend a little more time with her there (and do some

seva), but I'd like to know more about meditation practice in

Amritapuri. Is there a meditation hall there where residents can go

at any time of the day? Is it really a very noisy place as I've heard

time and time again? >>

 

My experience has been that meditating in Amma's presence, especially in

India, greatly moved me along in term so of depth and intensity of

meditation, and made a positive contribution to my meditation at home. In

India, just as in America, meditating around Amma means meditating in a noisy

environment. It helped me to read in the Autobiography of a Yogi by

Paramahamsa Yogananda, which I read just before meeting Amma, that meditation

in India always takes place in the midst of the noisiness of everyday life,

because, after all, that's where spiritual life takes place. One needs to be

able to make the mind one-pointed and concentrated even in the midst of

distractions. That's the whole point of meditation practice.

 

It's nice to meditate in silence, very pleasant indeed - I often have that

experience here at home, or at the meditation retreats at MA Center, but but

there is nothing to compare with meditating in Amma's presence. Verbal

instructions, indeed, do not seem to be necessary. Experiences seem to 'just

happen.'

 

I also find that doing seva, which I do primarily at Mother's Kitchen

Project in Oakland, does seem to vivify my compelling link with Amma, and to

purify my mind sufficiently to make prayer and meditation relatively easy. I

am most grateful for these opportunities in my life. Om Namah Shivaya,

Kasturi