Smile with your heart
Tour has rolled in and out of Dallas, then onto Iowa and is in Chicago where it is now Devi Bhava. Dallas and Iowa were both only two days so bhajans were only on the first night for each city.
In Dallas, Amma sang:
- Sri Gananayaka
- Murali Vale Pyare Kanha
- Virahatti
- Sankara Siva Sankara
- Nannu Chosi Ma Talli
- Ammana Divya
- Nalenchu Nalekya (in Spanish)
- Mayyiji Manu Tu Chahidi
There is a sweet story about Ammana Divya. There is a devotee who has been living at the San Ramon Ashram for many years, and who has been singing Ammana Divya quite often during nightly bhajans. It is one of her favorites. Unfortunately, she was unable to come on tour. While Amma was singing, another San Ramon resident who is on tour thought it would be nice to call and let her hear Amma singing it over the phone. Turns out that at that very same moment, she was also singing it during San Ramon bhajans!
In Iowa, Amma sang:
- Sri Gananayaka
- Murali Vale Pyare Kanha
- Virahatti
- Sankara Siva Sankara
- In This World of Change
- Atbhuta Charitre
- Mata Bhavani Maheshi
In Iowa, little 5 year old Siddharth, who has been sitting next to Amma during bhajans and mimicking practically ever move She makes, was throwing his arms up in the air during Mata Bhavani Maheshi. It was so cute.
Grammy Award winner Jim Lauderdale also played a few songs dedicated to Amma on the second morning. One song, he attributed to a young devotee named Eknath who is known for jumping up and down in synch with the tablas during bhajans in Iowa and Chicago. Eknath also likes to go around and tell people to ‘Smile’ – pushing the edges of his mouth upwards with his fingers. While Jim was getting darshan a few years back, Eknath was nearby and did just that – and Amma’s response was ‘Smile with your Heart’ – and so came the inspiration for a new song.
In Chicago, the first program started at 11am and went to just about 9pm. There was no break and no bhajan set, but just when darshan was about to end and everyone thought Amma would get up to leave, she called for the microphone and began singing Mayajji Manu Tu Chahadi! Everyone went off to rest for the night in bliss….
Sri Pati
Mid-West – USA
Another Guru Poornima has arrived, another day to celebrate. In Amma we have a Living Master who is with us every moment, who has come down to our level to uplift us, who is humility personified, the embodiment of compassion and love, who works tirelessly, just for us. I sometimes wonder how Amma puts up with all of us, at least with me. My idea of God and Guru is so different from other people, so is my way of expressing love and devotion. But Amma has always accepted me, with all my multicoloured flaws and many shortcomings, making me feel like a princess in her arms. She has accepted both my love and doubts, prayers and anger, gratitude and grumpiness with a grace that only Amma can show.
I take this occassion to wish Amma’s children all over the world a very Happy Guru Poornima. May Amma’s Blessings and Grace guide us in this life and the next.
Joy to hear words of Amma And Events. I will Smile with my heart today. And rachnachhabria, thank you for your heartfelt words. I identified with them and Amma used them to touch my heart, bringing tears and humility. Thank you for good wishes to all and same to you. I do not know what Guru Poornima is but it must be good. Happy Guru Poornima to you and all. I live in USA.
Amma brings such a lot of joy to all her children, it would be an absolutely selfish act if we don’t share this joy, or our experiences with the rest of her children; in the process firming their faith. Thank you Sharon, this is for your knowledge; Guru Purnima is a day we Indians worship our Holy Masters (Gurus, Saints and Mahatmas) for their presence in our lives, for showing us the right path, for guiding us, for bringing knowledge to our minds, for their blessings. I believe that Amma not only guides us, but most of the time carries us through the thorn ridden path, taking the thorns upon herself and saving us from the hurt. I live in Bangalore, India.
A Smile only comes from the heart, when u make others smile. So first make other to smile a lot, thereafter a Hearty Smile will shine to the outside. It’s my personal experience.