Bhakti/Karma Yoga scene a wonderful window for those oriented to Jnana Yoga

[Guest guest]

Many who are predisposed to a Jnana Yoga "way" might be surprised to

see how profoundly initiatory it is to be in the bhakti/karma yoga

atmosphere around Ammachi. Part of that, I think, is because she is

indeed truely Realized (completely), and that the forms of initiation

(touch and glance) that she "uses" are incredibly potent. I have

been surprised everytime (being a "dry" Jnana type) how much affect

it has been to be with her! Also, felt the same thing with Shree Maa!

(Again: surprise! surprise!)

 

Am very much looking forward to being in San Ramon again this June.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

 

Can you please share some more of your experiences here.

 

When did you first meet Ammachi?

Where?

What was the quality of your experience vis-a-vis your experience

with the Jnana way?

What was the quality of your experience with Shree Ma?

What were your experiences with these two masters? similar or

different?

Have you 'converted' to 'bhakti way' or has the experience reinforced

your 'Jnana way'?

Or are you going to follow a mix of the two ways?

Or is it too early to decide what to do?

 

And anything else you may want to share.

 

I have always been fascinated with the various paths, and the

mixtures that influence most beings on their path.

 

Jai Ma!

 

Ammachi, "mdj1950 <mike_jamieson50@h...>"

<mike_jamieson50@h...> wrote:

>

>

> Many who are predisposed to a Jnana Yoga "way" might be surprised

to

> see how profoundly initiatory it is to be in the bhakti/karma yoga

> atmosphere around Ammachi. Part of that, I think, is because she

is

> indeed truely Realized (completely), and that the forms of

initiation

> (touch and glance) that she "uses" are incredibly potent. I have

> been surprised everytime (being a "dry" Jnana type) how much affect

> it has been to be with her! Also, felt the same thing with Shree

Maa!

> (Again: surprise! surprise!)

>

> Am very much looking forward to being in San Ramon again this June.

[Guest guest]

Ammachi, "manoj_menon <manoj_menon>"

<manoj_menon> wrote:

> Hi,

>

> Can you please share some more of your experiences here.

>

> When did you first meet Ammachi?

> Where?

> What was the quality of your experience vis-a-vis your experience

> with the Jnana way?

> What was the quality of your experience with Shree Ma?

> What were your experiences with these two masters? similar or

> different?

> Have you 'converted' to 'bhakti way' or has the experience

reinforced

> your 'Jnana way'?

> Or are you going to follow a mix of the two ways?

> Or is it too early to decide what to do?

>

> And anything else you may want to share.

>

> I have always been fascinated with the various paths, and the

> mixtures that influence most beings on their path.

>

> Jai Ma!

>

> Ammachi, "mdj1950 <mike_jamieson50@h...>"

> <mike_jamieson50@h...> wrote:

> >

> >

Hi. Good questions. I saw her several times in November 1998, in

San Ramon. I had gone with a friend, who came out from Minneapolis

(and who had seen her before). Mostly I sat (sometimes sang and

danced during bhajans) in a state of meditation (at varying

distances). The second time in darshan line I felt a rising terror

or panic, but I just relaxed with it and allowed it. I went into her

arms, and felt like I was in a motionless and limitless space. She

kissed the right side of my face, and then hand (placing prasad

there); as we looked into each other's eyes, I said "thankyou" and

walked away (ok, maybe staggered a little). While walking away, the

top of my head felt like it was fracturing in three different

directions...and I quickly sat in the nearest chair and watch my

friend get his hug. And, then, we caught the shuttle back....and

were atypically quiet for some time.

 

I saw Shree Maa at her ashram outside Napa, Ca. on Valentines Day

1999, for Shiva/Ratri. I bought a nice bowl of fruit, and someone

guided me through a puja (at one of the lingams on the long temple

altar), I think to bless the fruit, and then sat down waiting for

Shree Maa and her Swami companion. There was singing, and the

passing of the fruit, which she blessed. (It turned out to be the

fruit I brought.) At one point I felt a whole body pulse, like a

magnetic sensation, and everything seemed to stop and the sense of

body solidity and boundaries melted away. That affected me for

several days.

 

I think devotion is a natural, even visceral, response around people

like that. Not something you try to generate. There are all these

legitimate ways to non-dualistic awareness, imo.