Guest guest Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 Like many of you, I am awaiting Amma... But I hope to get my very first hug from her.. I hear the anticipitation of many, and my eagerness grows... Can someone describe their first hug from Amma? What they felt like? I would like to attend Devi Bhava also, and would some members be willing to share their experience ? Also, I wonder how many of the members consider themselves enlightened. Some gurus make it out to be easy and the natural state being of enlightenment and awareness. The other 'miracles' being ephemeral, as enlightenement is quite simple in nature and we should slide into its natural state. This 'natural state' theory seems to cast everything else we know aside. So why did Buddha have to struggle so much and finally obtain enlightenment under Bodh Gaya after ghor tapasya...are their varied levels of enlightenment....How has Amma helped you in this? I know, I have too many questions and very few answers. There seems to be total confusion right now, and I cannot even begin this journey let alone think of the finish line... Shiva Bhakta http://www.jyotirlinga.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2003 Report Share Posted November 15, 2003 - rishub Ammachi Thursday, November 13, 2003 5:10 PM Enlightenment Namaste, Rishub, I met Amma for the first time this past summer and must admit that it was nothing like I had expected it to be. I arrived in Iowa in a state of fatigue and overwhelming excitement; I had driven for fourteen hours, have (had) severe arthritis, and was a revved as if I were going to meet a rock star. Imagine my surprise, despite having known what She looked like, when a teeny tiny chubby Indian woman - just a little bitty woman - stepped into the room. My mind went flat -that's Amma? Followed immediately, as she passed where I was standing, by a profound feeling of awe. I realized She was, for me at least, "emanating" (I hate language when it comes to this) nothing that 'felt' even remotely 'human' despite her smile and air of pleasure at being among us. The entire area seemed open and hushed, but not just from the cessation of chatter, etc. - the Presence of Amma was literally palpable for me. That feeling continued for the entire time I was there. My first hug was awkward because of my arthritis -legs were not working well, to put it mildly, after such a long drive. Positioning myself felt uncomfortable and I was not certain what to do next-that ended when Amma pushed my hair back, placed Her cheek on mine, and pulled me close. The discomfort melted and I sobbed like an infant while she cooed and whispered in my ear. She pulled back two or three times, smiled and looked at me, then tucked me against Her again. I was ready to stay there for at least twelve lifetimes. When I started to leave, I had terrible trouble walking - my arthritis seemed to have disappeared but I was as unstable on my feet as I would have been stone drunk. I've seen this mentioned before so it may be common; I felt as though my molecules had somehow been reorganized-literally- and it took several moments for me to regain sure-footed use of my body. I spent the afternoon taking a nap- which I don't typically do - and slept deeper and more soundly than I have for years and years. A remarkable sense of peace was with me when I woke and remained with me for several weeks after I returned to WV. If there are any other details I can offer, please let me know. The experience for me was truly a blessed one - and, while it felt wonderfully soothing and perfect to my human aspect, I think something much deeper inside me was aware of the import of having met Mother. The adorable little bitty Indian lady has a marvelous sense of humor, a smile that would melt any heart, and a hug that makes grown people cry. But more importantly, I uderstood that those parts of Amma are simply gifts to make Her appealing, and recognizeable to us- She could be anyone's mom. But She is, in truth, I am sure, nothing less than the Absolute incarnated and of such magnitude that I cannot even begin to fathom her depths. And, to you last question: I truly believe that enlightenment is available to each of us when, as another member said, we dust off the false image and realize we are That already and always have been. But since I cannot seem to shed my ego and continue to look behind every nook, cranny, and theory that blows by, I suspect it will be eons before I come close to enlightment. I just keep believing, against what my hearts tells me, that if I just try a little harder....If Mother has done anything to advance me spiritually, it has been to tie me into such intellectual knots that I must examine each loop and thread to unravel them, and perhaps with that much focus, I'll reach the desired end. At Mother's feet, one raggedy, loving daughter, Snehalata Like many of you, I am awaiting Amma... But I hope to get my very first hug from her.. I hear the anticipitation of many, and my eagerness grows... Can someone describe their first hug from Amma? What they felt like? I would like to attend Devi Bhava also, and would some members be willing to share their experience ? Also, I wonder how many of the members consider themselves enlightened. Some gurus make it out to be easy and the natural state being of enlightenment and awareness. The other 'miracles' being ephemeral, as enlightenement is quite simple in nature and we should slide into its natural state. This 'natural state' theory seems to cast everything else we know aside. So why did Buddha have to struggle so much and finally obtain enlightenment under Bodh Gaya after ghor tapasya...are their varied levels of enlightenment....How has Amma helped you in this? I know, I have too many questions and very few answers. There seems to be total confusion right now, and I cannot even begin this journey let alone think of the finish line... Shiva Bhakta http://www.jyotirlinga.com Sponsor Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Ammachi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2003 Report Share Posted November 15, 2003 Dearest Shiva Bhakta, May your meeting with Amma be everything you anticipate it to be. If it is anything like my first darshan it will be more than you could ever imagine. It was June of 2000 in San Ramon where I went to see Amma for the first time (in this life anyway). I had seen Her on the t.v. and had felt overwhelming drawn to Her. I was pleased to find out that Her ashram was just a couple of hours away from my home, and that She would be visiting in a few months. I made room reservations, took a week off of work, and cautiously informed my bewildered family that I was off to spend a week with a spiritual teacher from India. During the time between when I became aware of Her visit and when I left home, I found myself going to Her web sites, reading all that I could about Her, ordering books and CD's, etc. I also found my life starting to reorder itself. I turned inward more, renewed a long dormant practice of meditation, and japa, and felt such a longing. I told a few of my more spiritually aware friends that I thought I was going to meet my guru. When I got to the ashram I felt like I was coming home, like it was the only place that I ever wanted to be. When I got to the temple, Amma had already arrived, and was giving darshan. The hosts at the door gave me a token and told me how the system worked for getting a hug. They told me to get as close to Amma as I could. I felt a fullness in my chest as I circled the room, scoping out this beautiful being in white with such a bustle about Her. I sat awaiting my turn and found myself slipping easily into meditation. Finally it was my turn, and I sat in the center isle and inched my way forward. I watched Her carefully, soaking up all that I could. I felt this humming, warming energy in my chest that grew stronger as I got nearer to Her. And then I smelled roses! Roses so sweet that it made my heart ache. When She took me in her embrace it felt so warm, so deep. I then experienced such a sadness that I could not hold back the tears. It was a knowing, a sensing of my seperation from God, a realization of what I had been looking for all my life. I knew that She was the one who could bring me home, so to speak. The week that followed was overwhelmingly beautiful and culminated with Devi Bhava and getting my mantra from Amma. The experiences in Her pressence are beyond words, and I find my pulse quicken as I realize that I will be with Her in San Ramon in just a short time. Each time is like the first all over again. To meet a Satguru is a blessing beyond all others so I say to you... Jai Ma! Omana P.S. I am no where near enlightened, but hopeful:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2003 Report Share Posted November 15, 2003 > got nearer to Her. And then I smelled roses! Roses so sweet that it > made my heart ache. When a blessing from the inner worlds happens it usually shows up in the form of nice smell(usually of flowers, sandalwood etc). No doubt it was a great blessing from AMMA. -yogaman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 16, 2003 Report Share Posted November 16, 2003 Dear Snehalata, Once again, I have to say that your writing is wonderful! You bring me to tears and joy with this story. Such concise language! Thank you, Gabriela > If there are any other details I can offer, please > let me know. The experience for me was truly a > blessed one - and, while it felt wonderfully > soothing and perfect to my human aspect, I think > something much deeper inside me was aware of the > import of having met Mother. The adorable little > bitty Indian lady has a marvelous sense of humor, a > smile that would melt any heart, and a hug that > makes grown people cry. But more importantly, I > uderstood that those parts of Amma are simply gifts > to make Her appealing, and recognizeable to us- She > could be anyone's mom. But She is, in truth, I am > sure, nothing less than the Absolute incarnated and > of such magnitude that I cannot even begin to fathom > her depths. > At Mother's feet, one raggedy, loving daughter, > Snehalata Protect your identity with Mail AddressGuard http://antispam./whatsnewfree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 16, 2003 Report Share Posted November 16, 2003 Omana, wonderful story, also! My experience is similar to yours, except I sobbed the first time because I felt so terrible for my past, so sad for my dark childhood and darker young adulthood. I also cried because I couldn't believe God could accept me because I was a terrible person. But Kali Ma was working on me and gobbled up all those negative thoughts. "Are you crazy?" She says in my heart! "You think you're the worst person on Earth? What ego!" I love hearing these stories! With love, Gabriela Protect your identity with Mail AddressGuard http://antispam./whatsnewfree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2003 Report Share Posted November 17, 2003 i felt the same way, Gabriela. as i approached AMMA, i felt so unworthy to be near HER and undeserving of HER love. i feared that SHE would see --- as you'd described it--my dark past. when SHE smiled at me in HER loving way, my first thought was, "SHE doesn't know about me", but soon realized the truth : SHE had forgiven me. i believe that no matter what terrible things we've done, MOTHER always forgives her children. JAI MAA janu Ammachi, Miranda Soliz <msoliz2000> wrote: > Omana, wonderful story, also! My experience is > similar to yours, except I sobbed the first time > because I felt so terrible for my past, so sad for my > dark childhood and darker young adulthood. I also > cried because I couldn't believe God could accept me > because I was a terrible person. > > But Kali Ma was working on me and gobbled up all those > negative thoughts. "Are you crazy?" She says in my > heart! "You think you're the worst person on Earth? > What ego!" > > I love hearing these stories! > > With love, > Gabriela > > > > > Protect your identity with Mail AddressGuard > http://antispam./whatsnewfree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2003 Report Share Posted November 18, 2003 Dear Janu, A (perfect) mother doesn't "forgive" her children -- she simply does not see their faults. A mother doesn't forgive her child after it throws a tantrum or wet its pants -- she simply thinks of these things as an aspect of childhood, accepts it, and deals with it appropriately. Nandu Ammachi, "janu" <janubharat@m...> wrote: > i felt the same way, Gabriela. as i approached AMMA, i felt so unworthy to be > near HER and undeserving of HER love. i feared that SHE would see --- as > you'd described it--my dark past. when SHE smiled at me in HER loving way, > my first thought was, "SHE doesn't know about me", but soon realized the > truth : SHE had forgiven me. i believe that no matter what terrible things we've > done, MOTHER always forgives her children. > JAI MAA > janu > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 Ever read the "Hound of Heaven" by Francis Thompson(this one is one of Yogananda's favourites)- outwardly it may seem that we are the ones who are trying to meet Amma; we travel, we wait in line for darshan for hours and we ... we ... we... we seem to do everything outwardly; but when we really look behind the scenes, it is really AMMA that is running towards you:-) So when Amma is running towards you, you are in a position of strength, not only does Amma have to accept our weaknesses and faults and would also have to fulfill all our desires(hopefully).. to be quite honest, i have not got to the part of asking amma to fulfill all my wishes because i seem to lose the ability to speak in Amma's presence. Ammachi, "janu" <janubharat@m...> wrote: > i felt the same way, Gabriela. as i approached AMMA, i felt so unworthy to be > near HER and undeserving of HER love. i feared that SHE would see -- - as > you'd described it--my dark past. when SHE smiled at me in HER loving way, > my first thought was, "SHE doesn't know about me", but soon realized the > truth : SHE had forgiven me. i believe that no matter what terrible things we've > done, MOTHER always forgives her children. > JAI MAA > > But Kali Ma was working on me and gobbled up all those > > negative thoughts. "Are you crazy?" She says in my > > heart! "You think you're the worst person on Earth? > > What ego!" > > LOL. this was really funny. must really take a lot of ego to think you are the worst :-) -yogaman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2003 Report Share Posted December 4, 2003 on 11/19/03 5:04 PM, childofdevi at childofdevi wrote: > Amma would also have to fulfill all our desires(hopefully). > I don¹t see why this would have to be the case. The movie Bruce Almighty, starring Jim Carey and Jennifer Aniston, offers an amusing example of what would happen if God were to fulfill all our desires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2003 Report Share Posted December 4, 2003 I agree...at least when it comes to worldly desires. Amma has spoken so muc= h of surrender, and of our peace not being dependent on our external circumstanc= es. Iswari Ammachi, Rick Archer <rick@s...> wrote: > on 11/19/03 5:04 PM, childofdevi at childofdevi wrote: > > > Amma would also have to fulfill all our desires(hopefully). > > > I don¹t see why this would have to be the case. The movie Bruce Almighty,= > starring Jim Carey and Jennifer Aniston, offers an amusing example of wha= t > would happen if God were to fulfill all our desires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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