Amma's recent message re: Amrita TV/ Dharma of Media

[Guest guest]

Amma bows down to everyone present, all of who are the very embodiments of

Divine Love and the Self.

 

Today, TV and newspapers have become indispensable parts of our life. There

are already so many TV channels. We may question the necessity of yet

another. We see so many burning problems all around us: starvation,

unemployment, natural calamities, increasing violence, etc. It would be

natural for one to think that alleviating the pain of those suffering from

these myriad afflictions is the need of the hour.

 

But we should remember one thing: we alone are the ones responsible for many

of these problems; we have created them. We can trace the origin of all

problems to the human mind. This is where all problems start. Therefore, our

primary dharma is to cultivate values in us. Media is one of the instruments

to achieve this.

 

We surely need entertainment and enjoyment. Without entertainment, life is

dry. To awaken our creativity, entertainment is necessary. But if we allow

our entertainment to be devoid of culture, it will only lead us to danger.

On the other hand, when culture and entertainment are blended together, life

becomes a true celebration. When Amma talks about culture, She means

goodness, values, sadachara [correct conduct] and dharma. To discriminate

between truth and untruth and bring out the reality, to point out the right

and the wrong—this is the dharma of the media. If it just voices one side,

the truth will become diluted, like milk to which water has been added.

Today, society is as if half asleep. The media should help people to think

and act with maturity. The goal of news and entertainment should not be to

lull society into deep sleep. Just the opposite, it should be to rouse them

to the eternal state of awakening.

 

The allure of a city is not only in the stylish fashions its residents wear

or in the skyscrapers that mark its horizon. It is in the culture that has

been believed, practiced and passed on there through generations.

 

Our land and the soil here have a unique fragrance. It is the fragrance of

sacrifice (tyaga), love, austerities (tapas) and spirituality. The deep love

between the parents and the children, the reverence held towards teachers

and elders, the love between neighbours—these are our true wealth. In the

same way, all our art forms are ways of worshipping God. Accordingly, we

need entertainment and knowledge that accepts this culture and lineage. This

is the only way for us to build a good society.

 

The media's dharma is also in finding and enhancing the beauty in human life

and nature. What is true and auspicious alone can lead us to real beauty. We

should not only consider what people like, but also what is good for them.

The entertainment and enjoyment we provide should be based on cultural

values. This is the only way for us to perceive truth and beauty.

 

May Amrita TV be able to achieve this. Amma offers this prayer to the

Paramatman.

 

 

 

 

Ôm Amriteswaryai Namah