26 Sep 2008

This morning in the ashrams Hatha Yoga class, we practiced an advanced asana called “Hanuman Asana”. Hanuman was the chief of the ape-army who helped rescue Sita, the divine spouse of Sri Rama, from her prison in Sri Lanka. The teacher explained to us that the posture was named after Hanuman because, just like Hanuman jumped across the ocean to rescue Sita, it helps us to go beyond our physical and mental limitations to reach a higher state of being.

After the class, while I was enjoying my morning Cappochino, I was politely asked by the seva coordinators to help carry an over-dimensional grill from the Indian to the Western kitchen. During the next few days, thousands of veggie burgers are meant to be roasted there.

Trying to lift this huge grill together with 9 other Westerners I was reminded of what my Yoga teacher had said earlier this morning: Like the ape-soldiers of Hanuman’s army Amma’s devotees are eager to serve her to the maximum. Going beyond their physical limitations, likes and dislikes and personal comforts, thousands of volunteers are uniting to make Amma’s birthday celebrations happen. Be it lifting a huge grill, cleaning the toilets or collecting the trash, this selfless service does help us to develop superhuman powers like Hanuman – the power to love and serve everyone equally, the power of humility, dedication and unity.

Amma’s brithday celebrations are truly a gift, not so much to Amma, but to all those who come to receive Amma’s love and grace, who benefit from the ashram’s new charitable projects and who get the opportunity to serve.

– Nath