Please correct me if I am wrong.

[Guest guest]

Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

I have never seen a swami of Amma or any of the people

that seem to me that are advanced in her teaching just

sitting and looking at her with nothing else to do for

extened periods of times.

 

As far as I can recall, they are most of the time working

(doing SEVA) for us, her children. Yes, I am sure they do

spend some time meditating in her unconditional love.

Balance, i think, is the key.

 

Yes, we need to focus on Amma, however it seems to me that

our spiritual practices would be a bit hollow if they only

focus in the liberation from suffering of our individual selves.

[Guest guest]

Ammachi, "rastanaga" <rastanaga> wrote:

> Please correct me if I am wrong.

>

> I have never seen a swami of Amma or any of the people

> that seem to me that are advanced in her teaching just

> sitting and looking at her with nothing else to do for

> extened periods of times.

>

> As far as I can recall, they are most of the time working

> (doing SEVA) for us, her children. Yes, I am sure they do

> spend some time meditating in her unconditional love.

> Balance, i think, is the key.

 

OK, you're wrong. A few years ago while the tour was here in

Fairfax, VA, I was very surprised to see a Swami sitting down and

hanging-out (for lack of better words) while the cafeteria goods

needed to be relocated (of which I helped with very few people). I

don't know the Swami's name and probably wouldn't divulge it if I

did. He may have just been resting, but he didn't look that tired as

he watched us work.

 

I don't know about those being "advanced" in her teaching, as that's

subjective, but I've seen plenty of long-time devotees do exactly

that: come to the darshan programs every year and hang-out, bliss-

out, whatever you want to call it.

 

 

>

> Yes, we need to focus on Amma, however it seems to me that

> our spiritual practices would be a bit hollow if they only

> focus in the liberation from suffering of our individual selves.

 

Amma's focus is Liberation from Rebirth. Whether it's by service or

otherwise. Problems will always be in the world, especially in Kali

Yuga. People thinking they'll devote their lives to service will

burn themselves out, because there's no end to the world's

suffering. Even Mother Theresa always said something like, "We're

not social workers... Our work is about Jesus".

 

Those "in" the world (non-ashramites) have more of a responsibility

to make changes in the world, politics, etc. Keeping in mind what I

just said about burning out, and what Amma's goal is.

tom

[Guest guest]

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

 

Tom, thank's for your honest feed back.

It is well received.

 

> OK, you're wrong. A few years ago while the tour was here in

> Fairfax, VA, I was very surprised to see a Swami sitting down and

> hanging-out (for lack of better words) while the cafeteria goods

> needed to be relocated (of which I helped with very few people).I

 

> don't know the Swami's name and probably wouldn't divulge it if I

> did. He may have just been resting, but he didn't look that tired

> as he watched us work.

 

Interesting story, it does in fact surprise me. However seeing

the tone of your comment, it does not look that his "actions"

made what you would consider a "good example". Of course,

this is just my interpretaion and I do not wish to put

"words in your mouth". You could comment on this more if you

wish to do so.

 

> I don't know about those being "advanced" in her teaching, as

> that's subjective, but I've seen plenty of long-time devotees do

> exactly that: come to the darshan programs every year and

> hang-out, bliss-out, whatever you want to call it.

 

Good point, I should have included my "parameter" of what i

use to define "Amma's advanced devotees". With that I mean,

people that dedicate their life to serve Amma's works.

 

I have also seen (for many years in a row)many devotees that when Amma

is there, they are always working. From kitchen work to

guiding other devotees inside the temple. In fact, I know of

quite a few that hardly ever go to get darshan at Amma's feet.

Some of them, never dress in white. I am sure other devotees

here can confirm this.

 

> Amma's focus is Liberation from Rebirth. Whether it's by service o

> or otherwise.

 

There is a point to that, since "suffering", in my view, is what

makes life on earth less desirable.

 

> Problems will always be in the world, especially in Kali

> Yuga. People thinking they'll devote their lives to service will

> burn themselves out, because there's no end to the world's

> suffering.

 

While I agree to some extent that "there's no end to the world's

suffering" that does not seem to stop other people to try and

help to ease what they can.

 

I have to add, that I have had some releif to past sufferings that

aflicted my life, so I would not tell anyone that your pain will

always be there. Yes, some new other pain will come after, but it

would be a differnet lesson in life.

 

Should a person that suffers pain because of a disease not go

to a doctor because maybe next year he will have a differnt

disease. I would, since is the "present" what matters the most.

 

> Even Mother Theresa always said something like, "We're

> not social workers... Our work is about Jesus".

 

To me the work of Jessus equals a work of love and sacrifice.

Is not easy. Many are called, few can make it.

 

> Those "in" the world (non-ashramites) have more of a responsibility

> to make changes in the world, politics, etc.

 

I have always had a bit of truoble understanding where is the

Ashram located.

 

I have felt many times, that there is an "etheric" Ashram, where I can

always go and join the others that are meditating with her always.

But, hey, I never said I was 100% sane. Maybe is one

more "craze" of mine.

 

> Keeping in mind what I just said about burning out,

> and what Amma's goal is.

 

Looooong time ago I gave up trying to understand what a

Guru's job is and how he does it. What I do, is just do

my work's and sipiritual practices as best as I can and

just let the Gurus do their thing.

 

I have been realted to Gurus (in one way or another) since

the late 60's. I would lie, if I tell you that I understand

what they do and how they do it. Maybe is me, that I am too

slow learning.

 

Thanks again for sharing your points of view.