Questions to Amma

[Guest guest]

updated on M.A. Center website...

 

Questions to Amma

 

San Ramon, CA, November 25, 2003

 

Ask Amma a question and you can be sure that the answer you get will be

the most precise, practical, and correct one possible. So it is no wonder

that there are always tiny scraps of paper closely packed with writing,

being passed to the translators beside Amma - questions ranging from "Is

this person right for me?" to the essence of mystic truths hidden away in

obscure scriptural texts. Usually all questions and answers are kept

confidential. However, if the question is not of a personal nature, Amma's

advice benefits all who are within hearing range.

 

Like the woman who had a question about chanting her mantra (sacred

syllables representing the Divine).

 

The woman explained to Amma that her job required her to concentrate on

the work at hand. It was mostly 'mind-work' and hence chanting her mantra

constantly, as Amma recommends, distracted her and made her lose

concentration, causing her to make mistakes in her work.

 

Each person's situation is different and unique and hence Amma gives

advice in accordance to the situation. Usually Amma suggests chanting a

mantra to gain focus. But in this case, Amma suggested that she not chant

her mantra while engaged in intellectual tasks. She further guided her to

concentrate on her work until completed, and then resume chanting the

mantra.

 

Hearing this answer, a gentleman nearby expressed his wish of how he

wanted to remember Amma in all of his actions, but that as soon as he

switches on the computer, he completely forgets about her and only thinks

of work. Amma has often said that the goal of spiritual practice is to

remember God in every action. Therefore, this devotee felt that working in

this way was egoistic, and that he should instead work for Amma's

charities, creating a situation where thinking of her constantly would be

easier.

 

Amma replied to his question, saying that some amount of ego is necessary

for work. However, when the same ego, that is the feeling of, "I am doing

the work", is offered to God, that work becomes worship. If all work,

including that which is done to earn money for oneself, is done as an

offering to God, then it is equal to working for God.

 

As Darshan (meeting and receiving a hug from Amma) went on, a woman told

Amma that her husband spends much of his time doing seva (selfless

service) for Amma. His dedication to this selfless service drives him to

work long hours effortlessly. She went on to describe her own desire to do

more service for Amma. Her complaint to Amma was that she did not get as

many opportunities to do seva as her husband. Amma gave a most loving

reply to the devotee. She said that in order for her husband to offer his

skills, he needed immense support from his wife. Had she held him back,

his skills would not have benefited society as much as they do now. Thus,

her seva has been offering support to her husband; hence it is she who

needs to be honored for his dedicated service.

 

Each question is different, and yet Amma consistently gives an answer that

is practical and specific to the individual. At times her answer may

appear to contradict a previous teaching, as with the question about the

mantra. However, upon closer examination, one realizes there is really not

one correct answer, just infinite possibilities. Depending on the

understanding and mental maturity of the asker and the particular personal

situation surrounding the question asked, Amma, in her all-knowingness,

gives the perfect answer. The only thing needed when approaching Amma with

a question, is an open heart and an unflinching trust in her infinite

wisdom.

 

 

R.B.M. Gallop

Women's Studies and History, Queens College, City University of NY

Doctoral Candidate, Department of History, University of Minnesota

 

"To one who doesn't hear the music the dancers look crazy." Sufi proverb