15 Oct 2007, Amritapuri

Actually, it’s Devi Bhava in Holland, and earlier this evening, we were watching it through the webcast, but who would have known the difference? Well over a hundred Brahmacharis had gathered on the stage in the main hall to get their first glimpse of Amma since She left for the Europe/US tour last Wednesday. The Brahmacharinis were in the Temple. Even though Amma was thousands of miles away., there were moments when I felt as if we were in Holland with Her. The first moment came during the puja. Everyone on the stage in Amritapuri was participating, chanting ‘Om Parashaktyai Namah’ bringing our hands up and over our heads. We were fully engaged in the experience – it didn’t matter that we were physically separated. We were right there in the bliss of the moment.

After the puja, Amma went inside the mandapam. Once inside we were treated to a live chat. There was no video, but there was audio. Amma asked if we had eaten, if it was raining here (it had been raining lightly earlier), and joked with a few of the Brahmacharis who had the grace to have been given a microphone to talk directly to Her. It was so beautiful – Amma’s repeated calls of ‘Namah Sivayah Makale!’ have the power and sweetness to lift the sadness of those who were missing Her physical presence.
Then our ‘chat’ was over. Darshan was about to begin. We all sat huddled together staring at the TV monitor which featured a view of the curtains of the Mandapam. Swamiji started singing ‘Amritamayi Anandamayi’ and everyone joined in. At that moment, the TV monitor seemed to disappear, and I found myself again in Holland sitting among my brothers and sisters.
The curtain opened. From the color on the TV monitor, it looked as if Amma was wearing a light mint green/light blue turquoise sari that reminded me of the clear waters of the Carribean. Arati started and again we sang along. Again, the transparancy between Amritapuri and Holland disappeared and we were united in reverence for our Beloved Amma.
Tomorrow morning, here, we’ll get to see Amma again for the end of Devi Bhava.

Sri Pati