To resist Spanish ‘tapas’ one needs Indian ‘tapas’

During Mother’s Devi Bhava in Barcelona the webcam team went around the program place and transmitted us for few hours images from everything like book stalls, Amma dolls, tables of AmritaTV, of CDs, of French ashram, etc. We saw many ashramites and devotees either passing by or doing some seva. Many stopped before the camera to greet us.

But before the tour reached those places, at the beginning of the tour the highlight was very long time in food section, which was very big. Br. Shubamritaji who led most part of this webcam tour explained often something and made many here laugh. Unfortunately he spoke mostly in Malayalam. I could not understand it and share their jokes.

However, one thing I could understand. In Barcelona ‘tapas’ means a kind of snacks like mini food plates with very tasty food. The camera passed us close ups of those ‘tapas’ and all kinds of delicious foods. I firmly decided to not let my tongue get wet while seeing it but it became wet. How difficult it is to control the palate! Old memories of eating ‘tapas’ in Barcelona a long time ago flashed in my mind. Soon I realized that so long there is at some subconscious level even a tiny shadow left of old habits, likes and dislikes, they will inevitably come back in appropriate conditions and even grow if we are not alert.

Fortunately I met Amma and came to this path. I know now that to resist things like Spanish ‘tapas’ I need to take refuge in Indian tapas (Sanskrit word meaning austerities).

Ahalya (Finland), 11 Nov 2006