Ammachi, Nora, Max [Kali Mantra Initiation]

[Guest guest]

I'm glad you've pointed this out, DB. I, too, feel that Nora and Max

were essentially saying the same thing – but somehow, something led

to confusion.

 

Anything that is " organised " has its strengths and its pitfalls –

and so it goes for any spiritual organisation.

 

The strength is obviously its ability to spread the message and

teachings to more people. It makes spiritual " education " (sorry,

can't find a better word for it right now) more accessible: the

organisation holds a " darshan " event in different parts of the world

and, many a times, a soul desperately searching for that elusive

comfort will find it upon attending one of these. And what greater

blessing can a person have than to find the spiritual path with

which his/her soul resonates?

 

Since each soul vibrates on a different level, and has different

leanings and tendencies, different gurus appeal to different

people: " As many faiths, so many paths, " as Ramakrishna Paramahansa

said.

 

The pitfall of the " organisation " that grows around the teachings

comes with the growing popularity. There are, of course,

the " sincere " aspirants, and then there are those who simply

attend, or become a part of these organisations – internationally or

nationally popular – whatever the case may be, just

so that they have more to talk about and discuss at their club

meetings or social gatherings.

 

I have been a part of such a spiritual organisation, one which is

truly committed, and I have seen both these kinds of people. Some

come to truly learn and humbly serve, and some come to be seen

around in the " right " place, and to be a part of the

latest " spiritual fad. "

 

Of course, none of this makes the Guru any less or more, better or

worse. The most unfortunate thing happens when some of the " rich and

powerful " – who choose to become a part of such organisations mainly

to be seen in a better light by others – do more harm than good.

 

They do financial good to the organisation, which needs money to

hold more and more events, and to open more and more ashrams in

order to become more and more accessible (and so it goes on,

sometimes frighteningly -- all with good intentions though). But

what also happens in that process, sometimes, is that the sincere

ones feel left out – mostly as the administrative aspect of the

organisation falls into the hands of a more " managerial " type

personality, and the immediate surface appeal gets tougher to deal

with. People get disillusioned, and this is where a lot of the

disenchantment with " popular " gurus comes from.

 

One needs to keep the clarity, and keep in mind that his/her

relationship is with God and Guru, and not with the paraphernalia of

the organisation. And that is not an easy thing to do, as I know

from personal experience.

 

Anyway, seems like I have added more than just my two cents :-)

 

Durga

 

, " Devi Bhakta "

<devi_bhakta wrote:

>

> Hi Max:

>

> Since I am off on my " subjectivity " thing at the moment anyway, I

> would add that I think it applies here too.

>

> NORA: Ammachi has become like a high quality branded product such

as

> Gucci, Channel, etc., that you all wear with pride and show off

> around with. Your status symbol.

>

> MAX: Nothing more? You really think, Nora, what she is doing is no

> more than that? There are certainly people who relate to her in

this

> way, but that does not say anything about who she is.

>

> NORA: Yes! That is how I have seen her to become. You all may

> disagree, fine with me. But this is what I see.

>

> MAX: Anytime you get someone who has a mass impact on this scale,

> there are going to be plenty of people who don't get it and who

act

> out crass spiritual materialism. But there are also a great many

> sincere seekers and aware people.

>

> I am with Max 100 percent, and I don't think Nora would disagree.

As

> far as I can tell Nora does not question what Ammachi is -- as she

> herself said in a post yesterday:

>

> NORA: I do believe Ammachi is just a simple minded siddha and a

> humble one. Its the sishya and those around her who like to

> exaggerate.

>

> MAX: We aren't trying to convince anyone to join anything [...] If

> you think all we are interested in is status symbols, what more is

> there to be said.

>

> I think it's the term " we " that needs to be watched here. I don't

> think Nora is doubting Ammachi's authenticity or Max's seriousness

> of devotion. I think she is simply commenting on why she (Nora) is

> not attracted to Ammachi in light of the lower " vibe " of some of

the

> organization and adherents who have jumped on the bandwagon as her

> (Ammachi's) mainstream popularity has exploded.

>

> I do not see Nora disparaging Ammachi or all of Ammachi's devotees

> as a class. I think her criticism is very specific, and not

> necessarily inconsistent with Max, who states essentially the same

> thing above.

>

> That's my reading, at least?

>

> DB

>