to Sam about being a solitary devotee

[Guest guest]

Dear Sam ~ you are not alone. I have been a solitary devotee for nearly ten

years now. At first it was because there was no group where I lived. I

even tried to start one, but all the people wanted to do was watch videos.

(Which, by the way, is one good way of getting to know Amma here.) In the last

post someone posted a link to a YouTube presentation of an interview with

Amma.

 

The best thing is to get a mantra from Amma. When you have the chance to

see her again, there is a special line for people who want to ask Amma for a

mantra. In the meantime, she has not only given us the IAM meditation

technique, but before that gave the Ma Om technique. You simply silently chant

Ma Om on the in and out breath as you sit quietly with your eyes closed.

There is a CD at Amma's store about this technique. I'm sorry I couldn't find

the link for you. Again, as another wrote to you, you could also ask Swami

Dayamrita about this meditation. I recently wrote and asked, this group I

think, if, not being able to learn the IAM meditation, it was a good idea to

still use the Ma Om, and the answer was yes.

 

When I was in New Mexico, that is where there was no satsang for me. I was

8 hours away from the wonderful Santa Fe ashram, and for some that might

seem a rather minor drive to go through, but, due to my illnesses, I was not

able to drive even more than 20 minutes. Now, in Lowell, MA, there is a

satsang nearby, but I have been too sick to go. I am hoping I can make it to

the next one, which is in October. Still, for me, this digest group has been

a satsang for me, and the devotees here have given me much in the way of

support, example, answers to questions, and so on.

 

Best of luck with your spiritual seeking ~ Linda

Jai Ma

 

Sam wrote:

 

Hey everyone!

 

I'll try to make this as short a question as possible.

 

Over the past few months (maybe more), I've really been touched by Amma. I

can't explain it, but a great feeling of devotion to the Divine Mother

comes to me when I read about Amma's teachings and message.

 

I would like to be a devotee of Amma, but I have some questions before I

fully make a commitment to Amma in my heart.

 

Firstly, would it be bad if I couldn't come into contact with any of

Amma's devotional groups? I personally don't have one near me, but I guess I

also ask this because I've been wondering what an agoraphobe or social-phobe

would do if they were to become Amma devotees.

Is there a specific need to go to the groups?

 

Also related to that question, I saw on one of Amma's websites (I think it

was Amma.org, in the teaching section), that it said we should use a

mantra given to us by a Sat-guru. Does this mean Amma devotees need to go see a

Sat-guru and/or have some kind of initiation, or is this more a spiritual

connection we have with Amma (like I've seen with other Sat-gurus: i.e.

they're meant to give mantras when people ask them in meditation)?

 

Finally, is it necessary to learn the IAM meditation? I don't have an

instructor near me either. Is there maybe a book or internet course?

 

If you can give me some pointers for daily spiritual practice, that would

be good too, but I really would like those questions answered first please

=]

 

Thankyou SOOOOO much for any help you can give me!