Guest guest Posted October 29, 2003 Report Share Posted October 29, 2003 Today's report: By mother's Grace, we have pledges for 1 home = $750! But it's not over yet folks: $90 of $750 has been collected so far! CB43601080D - $20 pledge - 20 pledge - 100 pledge - 40 pledge - 50 pledge - 40 #2537 - 40 pledge - 40 #1209 - 10 pledge - 50 pledge - 50 pledge - 25 pledge - 40 #4532 - 20 pledge - 50 pledge - 25 pledge - 100 pledge - 30 Om Amriteswaryai Namaha!! > ................................................................. > > 1. If you choose to send a check be sure to make it PAYABLE TO THE > > > > > > M.A. CENTER < write down your check number I will email/or mail > you > > > with the check number & amount to confirm I have received your > > check. > > > > > > 2. If you choose to send cash (not so wise, but) please write > down > > > the serial number from each bill (lower right & front of bill, > > > example my $20's serial # is CB43601080D) I will email/or mail > you > > > the serial numbers & amount to confirm that I have received your > > > cash. > > > > > > Diana Burnett > > > 2800 Pine Tree Drive #5 > > > Miami Beach, FL 33140 > > > USA > > > > > > 3. PayPal is a last resort for non-US residents who'd like to > > > participate - email me privately. > > > > > > 4. If you send in or drop off a donation for the M.A. Center > > youself > > > but as part of the group project, include a note that > says "Ammachi- > > > Amrita Kuteeram Project" (and a birthday card?) > please > > > let me know what you've sent so I can keep a tally, email me > > > privately if you don't want to announce to the group. - however - > > > > M.A. Center's final receipt to the group that I will collect & > send > > > will not reflect your monetary input of what you send or drop off > > > yourself, just what I have collected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2003 Report Share Posted October 29, 2003 Here is an interesting interview from amritapuri.org Amma is a Phenomenon Connecting People 5 September 2003, Amritapuri Sister Nivedita joined the Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari in 1977, and is now the esteemed organization’s Vice President. Based on the spiritual teachings of Swami Vivekananda, the Kendra seeks to reconnect India to Her own cultural roots, strengthening Her from within. Dedicating her life to service at the age of 20, and serving the world for almost 30 years, she see Amma as the embodiment of Shakti, as Jagat Janani. Visiting Amritapuri in the weeks leading up to Amritavarsham50, she sat with us for some time, sharing her thoughts with her inspiring enthusiasm: May we begin by asking how you were inspired by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda? “Actually, I didn’t know much about him at all! I just knew that I wanted to serve. My father named me Nivedita, which he told me was a name given by Swami Vivekananda to one of his senior western disciples, but apart from that I knew very little.” What drew you to a life of service? “The samskaras I received from my family gave me this inclination. I grew up in the State of Maharashtra, and while in class 11, I happened to read just a little of Swami Vivekananda’s teachings. They touched me instantly. I learned of the Vivekananda Kendra and wanted to join immediately, but one needs to be at minimum a graduate. However, right after finishing my graduation, I joined. My parents gave their blessings. They never said no.” When did you meet Amma? ”I was blessed to meet Amma in 1982, while in Kanyakumari, and we sang bhajans in our prayer hall. I remember one bhajan that Amma sang in particular - “Manasa Vacha Karmana”. This bhajan fulfilled me in a way no words can describe, leaving a deep mark. We used to have many bhajans in this prayer hall, led by various people, even some famous singers! But this was different. I didn’t know much about Amma at that time, but the intense surrender and yearning for God in Her bhajans went deep, and inspired me. There was no conscious thought about it at that time, but I was deeply touched. Since then, many from our Kendra have come to Amma, and some are even brahmacharis and brahmacharinis now! I knew Amma is a phenomenon. There was no doubt about it.” Do you draw a difference between Amma and others? “Each Mahatma has a particular purpose. But, when the [world’s] Shakti reduces, She has to incarnate again. Amma is that power of Jagat Janani. That’s why so much has been accomplished by Amma, so much connecting of the people.” Since you serve amidst society, are you able to see Amma’s influence? “I have seen many who are influenced. Generally, I see it in normal, everyday people. While interviewing some teachers from rural villages recently, many of whom were wearing rings or lockets with Amma's photo on them, I could see how much strength they derive from their faith in Amma.” “We wanted Amma to come to certain places where there was too much westernization, militancy, etc. We felt that Amma’s presence would help change that. Amma told us that ‘Change will come in time’” What sort of problems have you faced? “In the beginning of my social work, people did not understand why I was there, especially in the villages. People assumed that I must have some problem, or there must be something wrong with me for me to be there! Our modern culture is not in the habit of going out to work in society, so it was odd to see a young girl doing this. But, I have learned that if we accept people, they will accept us.” “In truth, there are never any outside problems. There are only inside problems.” “However, we see simple villagers being fooled and manipulated by the Christian missionaries. We sometimes question whether our efforts will really work. But, even this is an opportunity to surrender to the Will of Jagat Janani.” Can you describe one of your most beautiful experiences? “One day an old lady brought a small box to me. She said, ‘You poor people, only eating vegetarian food! Here’s a little fish for you’. I was so touched! She was so sure that she was relieving us from our suffering that she didn’t even ask. She just brought us the fish! Simple innocence. These are the people that really respond to Amma. They have open hearts.” Any bad experiences you want to share? “It’s hard to say that anything is really a bad experience. However, sometimes it is very painful to see our own people failing to understand what it is that we are trying to do. They can often be too secular in their thinking. So called modern ‘education’ has taught them not to believe in God. They are blind to the Divine. We try to open their hearts, but so often they just don’t see. It can be very painful to see. But, otherwise there have been no bad experiences.” “This land – Bharat – should be established in Dharma. The people are currently like donkeys. We should practice dharma, live it. Not otherworldliness, but IN life. Then only can India fulfil Her purpose.” Do you see Amma helping along these lines? “Yes! Spirituality is oneness, and that’s what Amma is creating. Her entire life reflects this oneness. She LIVES it. In Her inclusiveness, there’s no conversion, and no goody-goodiness either. She is accepting of all, but She also points out what is wrong.” What exactly is the conversion you’re speaking of? “In Sanatana Dharma, I can choose any form as my Ishta Devata. So, suppose today I decide that Jesus will be my Ishta Devata. There is nothing wrong with it, it is perfectly alright. But, the problem is that when I accept Jesus, the organized Church steps in, and the Church tells me that, yes, if you are worshipping Jesus, then you should worship only this way. And you should turn to the Church for such things, and you should take this bread and that water, and you should not keep these other photos [of other forms of God]. They should be removed. So, for example, suppose I’m a Shaivite today and now I decide that Vishnu will be my Ishta Devata. I still continue worshipping Ganapati first, and then after Him offer my prayers to Vishnu. But, suppose Jesus becomes my Ishta Devata. I cannot offer first worship to Ganapati and then to Jesus - it is not allowed! So, I am cut off from my cultural roots. When enough numbers of converted people come there [to the church], then starts de-nationalisation and anti-nationalization. This we are seeing very openly in our field. And the Church is openly supporting it! Therefore, organized religion will not allow the person to grow spiritually. That is the problem. That is what is wrong with it. It says “You are to worship Jesus this way only! You have to come to the church only. You have to get baptized only. You have to go for confirmation also. You have to do this, you have to do that. Why can’t I just meditate on Jesus? And, at the same time keep five other forms of God also, as happens with Indian families? Suppose a daughter-in-law moves into the house, and she worships some other God, say Durga. Already there are four or five pictures there in the puja room, but Durga will also be inserted. Similarly, why doesn’t it happen in a Christian house, that someone comes who worships Krishna – as a friend I will accept and add Krishna along with Jesus in the puja room. But, that’s not how it is. That’s why I say that spiritual freedom is not there. Is there a particular favourite teaching of Amma’s? “Only Amma’s love. Her open heart. So natural! I watched Her feeding Ram tonight – it was so nice! I liked it so much, that I didn’t even feel the need to talk to Amma! “We cannot capture the experience around Amma in words – that would be like trying to capture the morning sunlight.” Do you have any prayers to Amma? “I only ask that Amma give me the capacity to love and care for people. Just one-hundredth of Amma’s capacity is enough!” Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears http://launch./promos/britneyspears/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2003 Report Share Posted October 29, 2003 My check is in the mail! --- Amarthya <Dianadevi wrote: > Today's report: > > By mother's Grace, we have pledges for 1 home = > $750! But it's not > over yet folks: > > $90 of $750 has been collected so far! > > CB43601080D - $20 > pledge - 20 > pledge - 100 > pledge - 40 > pledge - 50 > pledge - 40 > #2537 - 40 > pledge - 40 > #1209 - 10 > pledge - 50 > pledge - 50 > pledge - 25 > pledge - 40 > #4532 - 20 > pledge - 50 > pledge - 25 > pledge - 100 > pledge - 30 > > Om Amriteswaryai Namaha!! > > > .................................................................. > > > > 1. If you choose to send a check be sure to make > it PAYABLE TO THE > > > > > > > > M.A. CENTER < write down your check number I > will email/or mail > > you > > > > with the check number & amount to confirm I > have received your > > > check. > > > > > > > > 2. If you choose to send cash (not so wise, > but) please write > > down > > > > the serial number from each bill (lower right > & front of bill, > > > > example my $20's serial # is CB43601080D) I > will email/or mail > > you > > > > the serial numbers & amount to confirm that I > have received > your > > > > cash. > > > > > > > > Diana Burnett > > > > 2800 Pine Tree Drive #5 > > > > Miami Beach, FL 33140 > > > > USA > > > > > > > > 3. PayPal is a last resort for non-US > residents who'd like to > > > > participate - email me privately. > > > > > > > > 4. If you send in or drop off a donation for > the M.A. Center > > > youself > > > > but as part of the group project, include a > note that > > says "Ammachi- > > > > Amrita Kuteeram Project" (and a > birthday card?) > > please > > > > let me know what you've sent so I can keep a > tally, email me > > > > privately if you don't want to announce to the > group. - > however - > > > > > > M.A. Center's final receipt to the group that > I will collect & > > send > > > > will not reflect your monetary input of what > you send or drop > off > > > > yourself, just what I have collected. > > Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears http://launch./promos/britneyspears/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2003 Report Share Posted October 29, 2003 Beautiful! Thank you Avinash. There are some very iteresting points about organized religion here, especially the occidental varieties. Don't forget that much of Christianity and Islam in the past were hijacked for political power maneuvering, starting with the Roman Emperor (Constantine or Justinian?) converting to the new Chritian religion, abandoning the Gods, and making the Roman Empire the "Holy Roman Empire" a) to conquer the tidal wave of the real spirituality that had formed a formidable movement. Anyway, Sri Ganupati on my puja table loves the company of Mata Maria with Lord Jesus (on the right), and Shen Gjergji (St. George, my family patron on the left) and vice versa. They will not allow me to re-arrange them! Ammachi, avinash ramidi <avinash7_99> wrote: > Here is an interesting interview from amritapuri.org > > Amma is a Phenomenon Connecting People > 5 September 2003, Amritapuri > > > Sister Nivedita joined the Vivekananda Kendra, > Kanyakumari in 1977, and is now the esteemed > organization's Vice President. Based on the spiritual > teachings of Swami Vivekananda, the Kendra seeks to > reconnect India to Her own cultural roots, > strengthening Her from within. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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