Excerpts from Amma’s 2009 New Year message

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Namaste

 

Thanks for posting Keval. . .

 

Aum Amriteswaryai Namaha

marci

 

On Thu, Jan 1, 2009 at 10:32 PM, Mike Brooker <patria1818 wrote:

 

> http://www.amritapuri.org/2514/nyrmsg/

>

> Overcome the times of trouble with Spiritual strength

>

> Excerpts from Amma's 2009 New Year message

>

> 1 January 2009 — Amritapuri

>

> Thousands of devotees from around India and the world came to Amritapuri in

> order to begin 2009 with the auspicious start of being in Amma's presence.

> As Amma gave darshan, they offered performances from their various cultural

> heritages—including a flamenco dance from Spain, Bharata Natyam from India

> and a modern dance set to a soulful rendition of Amma's English bhajan

> 'Everyone in the World.'

>

> When midnight struck, Amma immediately led everyone in several minutes of

> chanting the ashram's mula-mantra: Om lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu—'May

> all beings in the world be happy. "

>

> Then came Amma's New Year's address. " The year 2009 is taking birth in the

> midst of many different challenges, " Amma began. " On this occasion, there

> are so many nascent problems upon which we need to deeply contemplate. " Amma

> went on to mention the economic crisis, war, global warming, terrorism,

> increase of mental problems, the neglecting of the elderly and the

> deterioration of families.

>

> " In fact, the most serious problem facing the world today is the pollution

> of the human mind and the increase in selfishness and cruelty. " Amma said.

> " This is the root of all the others problems facing the world today.

> Everything in the world is changing—with one exception: our negative mental

> state! Our personality is a reflection of our mind. The ability of human

> beings to rise up to a situation and act is slowly disappearing. In the name

> of stability and competition, mankind is allowing their lives to be led by

> hatred, revenge and stubbornness. "

>

> Amma told the devotees that she felt if people took the necessary steps,

> moving forward with awareness and discrimination, that the various problems

> the world is facing could be mitigated. But she lamented the fact that human

> beings are losing their ability to stand up and face challenges and to

> follow through acting with determination.

>

> It is only through spirituality, Amma said, that we can develop the

> strength that will empower us to face all the challenges life brings our

> way.

>

> " In life, things rarely happen according to our expectations. This is why

> it is very important to develop the attitude of surrender to God. This will

> also help us to live in the present moment. If we learn to live in the

> present moment, we will be able to cheerfully accept any circumstance we may

> have to face in life.

>

> " Only the present moment is in our hands. So, we must live in it joyfully,

> with alertness. It is said that the lifespan of a butterfly is only a few

> days to a week. Yet how joyously it flies around! It spreads delight and

> happiness to everyone. Our lives should become like this. "

>

> " We should make sure that the flame of compassion in our hearts doesn't

> become extinguished. "

>

> " Only a person who has known hunger will understand the pangs of hunger in

> another person. Only a person who has carried a heavy load will understand

> the strain of carrying heavy weights. If each of us really wanted to, we

> could make a big difference in the world. The benefit of all the good

> actions that we perform with a selfless attitude will definitely come back

> to us. "

>

> " We should develop a mind devoid of egoism—a mind that doesn't fall apart

> in failure, a mind that finds joy in giving and accepts adversity with love.

> Such a mind will never experience sorrow. "

>

> Amma concluded with a prayer: " May all our thoughts, words and actions

> benefit both others as well as ourselves. On this New Year's Day, let us

> pray that our lives become like incense sticks, spreading a beautiful

> fragrance to the lives of one and all. "

>

> Amma then led everyone in two bhajans— " Mata Rani " and " Kushiyonki. " The

> latter was an ecstatic celebration of life, the former a compassionate

> prayer—attitudes to cultivate in 2009.

>

>

>