Guest guest Posted August 3, 2002 Report Share Posted August 3, 2002 I would have to agree with this. Compared to what I've seen, people around Amma are real angels. Of course, as long as one hasn't risen above the small ego and human nature in general, these things will occur. People wouldn't need to come and see Amma, or serve her if they were already beyond these things. So this is why you are seeing these things. As far as having to wait in line, this is what has to happen around Amma because of the numbers that come to see her. I wouldn't be too analytical over who has to wait longer. I would just be happy to be in line waiting for a turn to see Amma. Yes, everyone has to wait...even the sick. Of course, one should let the disabled go before oneself whenever possible. But it will happen that even they will be tested at times. We are all cooking in the same stew, so to speak. Yes, it happens around every saint. This is human nature, and we must rise above this. But when ever possible, I just recommend being as broad-minded as possible around Amma. Lisa Ammachi, Rick Archer <rick@s...> wrote: > I guess it depends on what you¹re used to. Having been in the TM movement > for 34 years, the atmosphere around Amma strikes me as being extremely > loving, gentle, kind, considerate, etc. People¹s hearts seem to be much more > open, and their egos much smaller, than in the TM group. Count your > blessings. > > > I have seen this kind of cronyism around Mother and every other saint I > > have had the great grace to be around. I have read about it in other > > groups. There is the "in" group who get to boss around everyone else, > > and often rudely. I have seen the sick and elderly wait and wait and > > wait for darshan. It is rather infuriating. I don't know why it > > happens, other than that it is human nature, I guess, selfishness, and > > an "I've got mine, too bad about you" attitude. It sure brings out my > > vasanas. Maybe that's why it happens. As Mother says, we are all like > > gems rubbing against each other to wear off the rough edges. > > > > Jai Ma! > > Prasadini Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2002 Report Share Posted August 3, 2002 I usually don't write much - I'm surprising myself here! Anyway some people with disabilities just like to sit there on the rows of chairs for the special needs line because that's the closest they can sit near Amma - they can't sit on floor - and they have a pretty good view there. They are asked when they want to go for darshan but at least in RI and Andover we don't mind them staying there the whole time - so mostly there not there waiting for their darshan - that's the best place they've found to sit. But of course there may have been some mistakes where some had to wait too long. But I kind of wish people could give the person doing a seva a little more of the benefit of the doubt! I was asked to watch over the special needs line in RI for a couple of hours because the person signed up had to leave - it was one of many extra sevas but I thought it would be easy. Well if there's even 3-4 inches of space left before the tape marking the line someone will sit down blocking the lane. And when I would ask them if they were in the special needs line - maybe they were told they could go before I got there - I could clearly see some of them overreacting, getting angry, talking to their friends about how rude the seva people are etc. Well I'm sorry but I know I happen to be the biggest doormat in the world. If they react that way to my asking them as politely as possible why they're there and if they are not in the line could they please keep the lane clear - it's them! It really bummed me out being snapped at and spoken to so rudely and I'm just not going to do that seva again. I guess it taught me something - how to say no - I do have trouble with that - even when it's a seva for Amma. By the end of my two hour stint the space was pretty much gone with who knows who parked everywhere. When the next person came to relieve me I pretty much just said I didn't know who anyone was and ran away as fast as I could. I know, I'm a wimp. I understand that some devotees are so young maybe they really don't understand that if someone has a back problem or is on crutches or is in pain they need room to walk, they need a clear path. If they've broken their hip and it's never healed right then they are afraid of falling again. I happen to have a friend who is both deaf and blind and has balance problems - but she's smart and uses computers to communicate etc - anyway she does need a guide where ever she goes, and a little space! You know, like Heller Keller! I would have to be able to walk beside her to bring her right up to Amma. Well it makes me sad but at this point I don't feel I can recommend that she come to see Amma. So I'm here crying about it as I'm writing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2002 Report Share Posted August 3, 2002 I have an 80 year old Gujerati friend in New York City. I had just loaned her Amma's biography by Swamiji to read on the flight from Oakland, CA to NYC. She is from Mumbai, grew up with Gandhiji, and has been a vey precious friend to me, always giving when I was most sad or lost. Your story about your blind friend whom you don't ask to come see Amma reminded me that I didn't tell Shreedevi about Amma's visit to New York. I wasn't there to accompany her. I didn't think she would have been treated nicely. She's a tiny little woman, physically very easy to overwhelm by the huge crowd. etc. I secretly hoped she'd see a flyer or an advertisement but she wouldn't have gone alone. My thesis began with a story about the Saraswati wall hanging that she gave me. During her recent visit, I found out it wa in the style of Kerala wall paintings. The end of my thesis about the bhajans has her asking me if I have every met Amma....... We are all so NEEDY! If you have the physical energy to be aggressive and push yourself forward, maybe it's most important to remember those who cannot do that. Aikya Ammachi, "muyilusionada" <muyilusionada> wrote: > I usually don't write much - I'm surprising myself here! Anyway some > people with disabilities just like to sit there on the rows of chairs > for the special needs line because that's the closest they can sit > near Amma - they can't sit on floor - and they have a pretty good > view there. They are asked when they want to go for darshan but at > least in RI and Andover we don't mind them staying there the whole > time - so mostly there not there waiting for their darshan - that's > the best place they've found to sit. But of course there may have > been some mistakes where some had to wait too long. > > But I kind of wish people could give the person doing a seva a little > more of the benefit of the doubt! I was asked to watch over the > special needs line in RI for a couple of hours because the person > signed up had to leave - it was one of many extra sevas but I thought > it would be easy. Well if there's even 3-4 inches of space left > before the tape marking the line someone will sit down blocking the > lane. And when I would ask them if they were in the special needs > line - maybe they were told they could go before I got there - I > could clearly see some of them overreacting, getting angry, talking > to their friends about how rude the seva people are etc. Well I'm > sorry but I know I happen to be the biggest doormat in the world. If > they react that way to my asking them as politely as possible why > they're there and if they are not in the line could they please keep > the lane clear - it's them! It really bummed me out being snapped at > and spoken to so rudely and I'm just not going to do that seva again. > I guess it taught me something - how to say no - I do have trouble > with that - even when it's a seva for Amma. By the end of my two hour > stint the space was pretty much gone with who knows who parked > everywhere. When the next person came to relieve me I pretty much > just said I didn't know who anyone was and ran away as fast as I > could. I know, I'm a wimp. > > I understand that some devotees are so young maybe they really don't > understand that if someone has a back problem or is on crutches or is > in pain they need room to walk, they need a clear path. If they've > broken their hip and it's never healed right then they are afraid of > falling again. I happen to have a friend who is both deaf and blind > and has balance problems - but she's smart and uses computers to > communicate etc - anyway she does need a guide where ever she goes, > and a little space! You know, like Heller Keller! I would have to be > able to walk beside her to bring her right up to Amma. Well it makes > me sad but at this point I don't feel I can recommend that she come > to see Amma. So I'm here crying about it as I'm writing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2002 Report Share Posted August 3, 2002 > You know, like Heller Keller! I would have to be > able to walk beside her to bring her right up to Amma. Well it makes > me sad but at this point I don't feel I can recommend that she come > to see Amma. So I'm here crying about it as I'm writing this. Bring her to Fairfield next year and have her see Rosie Estrin, who does our special needs the entire time. She¹s incredible and there¹s no situation too difficult for her to deal with compassionately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.