It’s been another summer

In the past most of the summers in Amritapuri were a time that nearly nobody from outside visited the ashram. The monsoon period was the time with dark rainy days and lots of wind. Not easy for people to travel and come to the ashram. The past seven weeks in the ashram has been different. It’s been quieter than the rest of the year, but there was a continuous in flow of people.

Visitors came for a few days and left. Some groups of travelers stopped for a few hours at the ashram because they heard about Amritapuri and just want to see what it is. They got a little tour and watched an introduction video. You could see that some people were touched and would come back later in August or see Amma on tour in Europe or USA. People came who had never met Amma before and stayed for a month or longer. They are visibly enjoying there time here; helping with seva and enthusiastically participating in the daily routine.

Some saw the movie “Darshan” in Europe and could not wait to meet Amma in the autumn, when She tours there. They came right away to Amritapuri (“Come running darling children”) and are eagerly awaiting Amma’s arrival to receive their own darshan.

A group of students studying social work from Cleveland, Ohio USA came with their teacher. They had studied a research project, which took place here, on children’s responses to the tsunami. They were very impressed with all aspects of the ashram and particularly with Amma’s humanitarian efforts.

We had two Devi Bhava’s a week transmitted from the other side of the world. During the broadcast we have the feeling Amma is peeping in on us and that Mother is not far away. At the end of the Devi Bhava, the curtain closes to the devotees in the US for a few moments and Amma steps into Amritapuri.

In the past, the summer had always a point where everything became quiet. Until now we’ve never had a moment where things slowed down. The café is always lively, the juice stall is open all day. In June many Amritapuri students went home for the summer break. Now most are returning, giving the ashram a youthful boost of energy.

Preparations for Amma’s return are already starting. The water tanks from the flats are being cleaned and the railings from the stairs are freshly painted. The balcony shop in the temple is closed for painting. A new bhajan supplement is in the process of being finished before everybody arrives.

A few weeks to go………..four more Devi Bhava’s, Amma’s first visit to South America, a Guru Purnima…….. and more people are coming from all over the world to be here before Amma arrives. How many people will be coming? And how many will show up now from South
America? It will be an interesting time and I am looking forward to it.
Amritapuri, the “city” that never sleeps!

Srihari
16 July 2007