"A spiritual aspirant shouldn't waste the opportunity he gets to pray and meditate in complete solitude. These are golden moments when he can delve deep into the inner core. He should utilise such chances to progress spiritually through introversion. We can attain the necessary strength for this only through meditating and repeating our mantra, through the introspection we do in solitude."

http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/hinduism-forum/422706-foreshadow-ammas-birth.html

Amma had mentioned years ago in Japan: "The effect of humility is wonderful. Even if they do not realize the importance of bowing their heads (the Japanese bow to each other as a way of greeting each other), its goodness is reflected in these people and in this country. These same customs that have been expounded and put into practice by the rishis of yore are highly significant and meaningful. Where such practices are followed and observed, there is bound to be prosperity."

Attachment to the Guru is good in that it helps one to free oneself from all other bondages. One should have a strong relationship with the Guru and ardent love towards Him. Such love is blind and it should be blind in this respect. If love is not blind in the beginning, then it is not love at all. Openness of mind and expansiveness will come through that kind of blind love. This blind love in the beginning enables one to see everything as one's own Self later on. The Guru is not an individual. He is the all-pervading Consciousness, the Supreme Truth. So blind love towards the Guru will lead one to oneness with the Divine Consciousness.

Amritageetananda Swami Talk Matruvani

Many devotees come to Amma and ask, "How can we know whether we are progressing on the spiritual path?" Amma replies, "If you feel compassion towards others arising in your heart, then you can be sure that you are progressing. But if, even after many years of spiritual practice, you don't feel any compassion for all living beings, then you can be sure that you haven't progressed at all."
Once there was a sadhak (spiritual aspirant) who stayed in a small hut at the foot of a mountain. He took a firm vow that he wouldn't eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset. After some time a beautiful star appeared on the eastern horizon, and he heard a voice say that the star was a symbol of his noble austerities. Sometime later he was walking on the mountain, accompanied by a small boy. It was very hot and the two became extremely thirsty. When they passed a little stream, the sadhak gave the boy a small vessel and told him to drink. The boy filled the cup with fresh water and offered it to the sadhak, but he refused to drink because of his vow.
Seeing this, the boy said that under this condition, he wouldn't drink anything either. Now the sadhak was in a dilemma. He did not want to break his vow, but he also did not want to see the boy suffer because of him. He finally thought, "This boy is extremely tired and thirsty. Let me break my fast for his sake and drink a little water." After he had taken one sip, the boy immediately started drinking.
Later, the man felt a little unhappy for having broken his vow. Hesitatingly, he looked at the eastern horizon to see what had happened to the star. To his surprise, he saw two beautiful stars. This showed that he was really progressing. Through his austerities, he had been able to purify his mind, and as a result, compassion had grown in his heart. That compassion, which is love without attachment, is the sign of progress.

From faith in the scriptures comes fidelity to one's own duty; and by the performance of that duty comes the purification of the heart. There only is the knowledge of the Supreme Self, and by that knowledge comes the destruction of the tree of the world- root & all.

66 Vivekacudamani, Adi Shankacharya

How sweet it is, the Spiritual Master. On my journey, unlike my brothers or sisters- I have ventured it feels so deep over the years. A stream of practice recoils through and uplifts the mind. Now I know, not know, but understand that it is possible to attempt to soar. The highest Love is a path not for the timid, but the strong, like the lion, the gait of power, the will of iron.
Everyday new truths find themselves into the corners of my heart. Everyday you energize and give me life. Without this experience, this relationship, of countless eons, you watched over me, like a mother hen, with excuding lovingness. Now I make my last mark on the world. May it be a life of renunciation, of giving, of scarcity, of kindness, of warmth & gentleness to the whole world- I proclaim Your teachings ! The great principle of life ! May I spread your words through the beating of my heart and the whisper of my soul. Wa Guru ki fateh! Victory to the Mother! Blessed be those who trod on her path and seek salvation ! Who see man as god and worship the downtrodden ! May nothing stop them, may they have infinte strength!
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When I see your children, and You- it overfills my being. Now I see vasudeva kutbhum- the world family. There is no difference between the bhakta and bhagvan. He who gives you his slightest gesture of love, with what warmth you embrace such devotees! Blessed be their path ! May they never fail ! May they be victorious in life and death! May they never forget you, oh my Govinda !

The homeless go without eating. The elderly go without medicine. The mentally ill go without treatment. Troops go without proper equipment. Veterans go without benefits that were promised to them. Yet we give billions in tax breaks to the wealthiest 2% of Americans -- those who need it least.

. "For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return." (da Vinci)

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." - Henry David Thoreau

My Master

What words can express. I only know that in my country's history this lineage of Guru and Bhaktan continued for eons. The hero's of that nation. When will I return to that soil and give my blood for that Tree, which grows in India's soil. I have made hundreds of mistakes and landed here. Amma said she was happy I got this job. It is like some drug addiction. You cannot get enough of her. Your eyes want to consume her, but tears block your sight, and headaches prevent your utmost concentration on her.

Seattle WA May 27th - May 31st

I told Amma before I left to return to SF for work Tuesday- that during bhava darshan, I do not have words for this pain. The word I used was Virat. I have written perhaps more than a thousand poems. Perhaps more like five times that. But they are lost, or here and there. I don't have anything to write anymore. I want to dive deep into meditation and find my God there. I do not want to speak about it or express it. Let it die in me, and let this I die, so that One can find space within. I had longed to put my head on her shoulder and rest. They say the Mother does not get rest, but that is not true. She is eternally at rest. It is us, in this wheel that keeps churning at her command. I am tired, I want to rest in Her. I want to be close.

WA Programs Summer 2011

Another Start of a New Summer Tour, 2011- May, June, July.

Too many things happened in the Seattle programs. The experiences witnessed with Malu , alone could fill up this post. But I'll leave that for when my mind is more lucid.
But to note however, Malu wrote a poem that Amma really liked and said had the bhava and is now being transformed into bhajan via Swarna or Hari Chettan or both.

I made some food for Amma, much of which sucked except the black quinoa and the baked almonds. Amma said the 25 years of eating sugar has caused her to watch out for it now, and can't take peanuts people said.

Though my love has expanded in my heart, the pain has only increased. Amma again reitereated, the one point I found most important. Continue, take the pain, suffer through it, and expand yourself. I find myself opened to new understandings. Not spiritual heights, but kindness. It is now exuding from my pores. I find myself able to catch the tune of a bhajan immediately now. I think that love has grown deeper, and unfolded itself. Numerous lessons have I learned this time. But the continued effect, of this seperation and longing eat away at my soul. I wonder if with my two eyes I will be able to see Her form, as it appears when you are in her Physical presence. People worry about the masters body. I do not. She is the storehouse of infinte strength. If she fails, then all our worlds fail; so how can it be ? My attitude is that of a small child with its Mother. I cannot protect Her. But it is my duty to do what she asks of me, and propogate her teachings through my actions and thoughts. Love , I now know is the highest truth. Sadhana evolves from it, knowledge is a product of deep , surrendering love. Wherever a great Jnani exists, know that a great wide heart is present. My master, some would say is unparalled. I do not make such claims. If she were a blade of grass , I would have loved her all the same. It is the eternal principle she stands for. How much, I have suffered, how many nights I have meditated, and still, still I find it difficult to pierce her mysterty. Still my mind is covered by anger, lust, and fatigue. Amma, and Vivekananda said the same thing to me- Strength. Have it. It is the most important teaching. Become powerful, adorable, and let that light come out .