Sat night San Ramon

[Guest guest]

Om Namah Shivaya!

Just some images of the program today at the retreat...

Some of tonight's questions and answers (from my

somewhat spotty memory):

1) What is Grace? And how can one develop more

devotion?

Grace comes from good karma from one's past lives.

This is why someone who interviews for a job and

answers all the questions correctly may not get the job,

but another who interviews and doesn't answer all of

them still may get the job. The second person is

benefiting from the grace of good energy from past lives,

and the person interviewing senses that for some reason,

they feel the 2nd person would be better for the job.

(my paraphrase). Still, one develops devotion by

continuing to strive and continue to interview for jobs,

for example. We should all keep trying, and the

devotion will develop. (all of this is my paraphrasing).

 

2) Are animals on a different evolutionary (spiritual)

path than humans, or are they "fallen" humans, or

what is it with animals? They sometimes seem so human

in their expressions, etc.

Humans are the highest incarnation... we go through

many lives as animals to be able to incarnate as a human.

Humans have discernment, which animals don't have.

The problem is, we don't always use it! Animals, however,

are more unconditionally loving than humans are (she tells

a story to illustrate this that was a little disturbing for us

animal lovers out there, and it caused a bit of a ruckus with

Swamiji, because he really struggled with telling it!

Perhaps those who understand Malayalam can ellaborate

on the dialogue that went on between Amma and all the

Swamis about this. And perhaps someone can tell the story -

I really don't want to!).

 

There were a couple other questions... perhaps someone

else can share them!

Blessings,

Achintya

[Guest guest]

On Sunday, November 24, 2002, at 01:04 AM, Connie Habash wrote:

 

> 2)  Are animals on a different evolutionary (spiritual)

> path than humans, or are they "fallen" humans, or

> what is it with animals?  They sometimes seem so human

> in their expressions, etc.

>         Humans are the highest incarnation... we go through

> many lives as animals to be able to incarnate as a human.

> Humans have discernment, which animals don't have. 

> The problem is, we don't always use it!  Animals, however,

> are more unconditionally loving than humans are (she tells

> a story to illustrate this that was a little disturbing for us

> animal lovers out there, and it caused a bit of a ruckus with

> Swamiji, because he really struggled with telling it! 

> Perhaps those who understand Malayalam can ellaborate

> on the dialogue that went on between Amma and all the

> Swamis about this.  And perhaps someone can tell the story -

> I really don't want to!).

>

 

 

Could someone tell this story that was at the San Ramon question and

answer session. . . i am very interested in this topic and would really

like to hear the story Amma told.

-sara

 

 

[Guest guest]

Here is the story of Ammachi's Swamiji was reluctant to tell. It's

close to a word-for-word rendition. I think he was correct to be

reluctant. I see columns of People for the Ethical Treatment of

Animals...er... Here goes.)

 

Ammachi:

...

It is said that, in order to demonstrate the master-disciple

relationship, a disciple should be like a faithful dog.

In a country, the king was very fond of his court jester. Other

courtiers were jealous. They were always spreading rumors about the

jester to discredit him with the king.

One day the Prime Minister asked the court jester, "The king loves

you very much. How much do you love the king."

"I love the King as much as my dog loves me," the jester said.

The Prime Minister thought the jester was insulting the King. The

Prime Minister and the courtiers went to the King. They said the

jester should be terminated from service.

The king really understood (what) the court jester (meant). The

King asked the court jester to prove his words. The court jester

brought his dog (to the court). He ordered his dog to go here and

there and the dog did.

Then the court jester cut off one of the dog's legs. He ordered

the dog to go here and there. Limping, the dog went as he was told.

Then the jester cut off another leg and ordered the dog as

before. Dragging himself painfully, the dog again obeyed. One by

one, the dog's legs were cut off until none remained. When the

jester told the dog to go across the room, the dog rolled across the

room. When he called the dog back, the dog rolled back.

 

(This possibly was Swamiji's addition. He said, "Don't worry: all

of the dog's legs were restored.")

 

We never love our kith and kin like that. If the cow stops giving

milk, we sell it to the butcher.

It is difficult to say whether human beings are superior (in some

things) or animals are superior. Both have their places.

 

 

Aikya

 

Ammachi, Sara Snow Bliffert <sarasnow@e...> wrote:

>

> On Sunday, November 24, 2002, at 01:04 AM, Connie Habash wrote:

>

> > 2)  Are animals on a different evolutionary (spiritual)

> > path than humans, or are they "fallen" humans, or

> > what is it with animals?  They sometimes seem so human

> > in their expressions, etc.

> >         Humans are the highest incarnation... we go through

> > many lives as animals to be able to incarnate as a human.

> > Humans have discernment, which animals don't have. 

> > The problem is, we don't always use it!  Animals, however,

> > are more unconditionally loving than humans are (she tells

> > a story to illustrate this that was a little disturbing for us

> > animal lovers out there, and it caused a bit of a ruckus with

> > Swamiji, because he really struggled with telling it! 

> > Perhaps those who understand Malayalam can ellaborate

> > on the dialogue that went on between Amma and all the

> > Swamis about this.  And perhaps someone can tell the story -

> > I really don't want to!).

> >

>

>

> Could someone tell this story that was at the San Ramon question

and

> answer session. . . i am very interested in this topic and would

really

> like to hear the story Amma told.

> -sara

>

>