Thank you, Amma...

[Guest guest]

Om Namah Shivaya,

I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself, my name is Barry, and I just

returned from my first experience with Amma.

This past Wednesday, I first experienced Amma in Danvers, MA. What an incredible

evening. My past has been a mishmash of spiritual searching, emotional pain and

distress, and recently some serioud physical illness. I received my first

darshan with Amma that night, and, as it has with thousands, it changed my life.

The evening ended with such a joy and spirituality coursing through me, I

thought I may never all asleep again. I was planning on going to the Rhode

Island retreat with my best friend (and the man that introduced me to Amma)

Dharmasilan; however, it became apparent at the last moment that I was not going

to be able to afford the entire retreat.

I was QUITE upset. I wanted so badly to be with Amma, and to learn the IAM

meditation technique...I ended up staying at Dharmasilan's house for Thursday

and Friday...which turned out to be a blessing because one of his dogs fell ill

and I was able to stay and take care of them. He would come home at night (4am

the next morning, actually) and tell me all about the day, hoping to give me

some sense of what it was like there. Then, of course, he'd fall asleep and be

up again in 3 hours to drive back down to RI for the next phase of the retreat.

I have to praise Dharmasilan for being the incredible man that he is, with the

physical and spiritual fortitude that he has and the unbelievably kind heart and

soul that he is.

Well, along came Saturday...last day of the retreat, evening of the Devi Bava. I

made my way down once again and had such a warm feeling as I thought of being in

Amma's presence again. This being my first Devi Bava, I wasn't sure what to

expect...and having gone to the retreat, Dharmasilan was in a different line and

area during the first half of the night so I was alone. I felt so comfortable

and welcome and loved that my usual fear and uncomfort was no where to be seen.

As the darshan lines began to form, I found Dharmasilan and we went to dinner in

the dining hall....AMAZING. My new love is raita! And the sweet pudding, of

course!

I've been on this journey of spiritual awakening for some time now with

Dharmasilan's help and guidance, and spending time with Amma has reinforced that

I am on the right path. I sat in line for darshan and simply could NOT take my

eyes off her. I got to Amma for darshan and felt like I was back home after two

days of not being with her. She gave me the biggest hug and chanted in my ear a

bit, then she picked up my head, cradled my face in her hands and kissed me

three times (one on each cheek and once on the forehead) and then put my head

back down for another hug. She said something to me this time (I wish I knew her

language) and I didn't know what it was, but it was a good 4 or 5 sentences. I

then said to her, "Mantra, Amma" as I wanted to receive my mantra that night.

She again, lifted my head, gave me the BIGGEST and WARMEST smile I've ever

gotten, she wiped the tears from my face gave me another kiss and put my head

down again for hug #3. I just sobbed...I knew I was with my true Mother and this

was exactly the place I was supposed to be and where I would be for the rest of

my days. After this third hug she lifted my face and showered me with rose

petals and gave me my Hershey's kiss. She then reached over and pulled a small

picture from next to her, wrapped it in rose petals, kissed it and placed it in

my hands. I wasn't sure what this was, I assumed it was my 'ticket' to the

mantra training. I floated off the stage and went to the mantra area, once there

I showed the swami my 'ticket'...his words were, "what's that?" I had assumed

wrong, I'm STILL not sure what this little gift was, but it's now at home

prominently displayed on my altar. Has anyone else recevied such a thing?

I had my mantra 'orientation' and went back up on stage to be with Amma. I sat

for about 20 minutes before it was time to receive my mantra. Sitting for 20

minutes only a mere 3 feet from Mother again, was amazing...I could feel her

spirit....it was a good 'jolt'.

It was my turn for my mantra, and once again I got to feel Amma's touch as she

whispered my mantra in my ear and held her hands on my head. I could feel a

'blast' of power and she initiated the mantra in me. I got another kiss, another

amazing smile and more flowers. Then it was off to the swami to get a grasp on

the pronunciation of my mantra, and then for the last part of mantra 'class'

with another swami.

We arrived in RI at about 2pm on Saturday afternoon, and by 10am Sunday morning,

the darshan line was still lengthening and the music and dancing were going

strong. When darshan finished (at about 11:30am), Amma performed a few

marriages. The line to go by the stage as Amma threw flower petals was amazing

and beautiful. Then it was time to go home. I cried. Just the though that I'd

have to wait another full year before I got to be with her again saddened me. As

we drove home I saw God everywhere and I heard Amma's voice on the wind. I AM a

new person. Thank you Dharmasilan for enlightening me and showing me the way to

Amma. I love you.

And thank you Amma, for being my guru, for loving us all and for saving me.

Om Amriteswaryai Namah

Barry

 

 

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/30/2004 2:47:00 PM Eastern Standard Time,

raemel writes:

 

and pulled a small picture from next to her,

 

 

what/who is on the picture?

curious,

vandya