Category: AshramDiary
life at the Amritapuri ashram
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Ramayana in Kalari
The heavy rains of monsoon in Kerala make it the wettest and gloomiest season of the otherwise too bright and sunny land. The Kerala month of Karkidakam or the lunar month of Ashaadha falls in the period between mid July and mid August. The astrologers opine that this time period is not auspicious for any endeavours. The vibrations of the time are not positive, say spiritual persons. People, especially the predominantly agriculturist population of Kerala, cannot stir out-doors; they have no work in paddy fields or on farms. Masters prescribe the sole solution of intense prayers and austerities during the…
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Inner presence of the Guru
Today Swami Kaivalyananda answered a number of questions from the brahmacharis on the topic of the Guru, as we recently celebrated Guru Purnima. Here was one question; ‘what is the importance of the physical closeness to the Guru, or living with the Guru?’ Swami said, ‘if one has gained the necessary samskara from previous births and is able to be firm on the path of spirituality, then there is no importance to the physical closeness or distance of the Guru. What is important there is the inner presence of the Guru. Some people stay in the physical presence of the…
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Ego or Guru?
On most years for Guru Purnima, Amma will give a formal talk during the darshan program. This year, because Guru Purnima fell on a Devi Bhava day, there was no special talk in particular. But it so happened that Amma gave a few words to us in this subject, in an informal way.When the webcam was brought to Amma so that all of us could speak to Her, all of Her children connected from different called out ‘Amma!!!’ This continued for some time, from Japan, then from San Ramon, etc. Finally, one brahmacharini said, ‘Amma, today is Guru Purnima.’Amma asked,…
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Grace through WebCam
Co-incidences are no proof, but coincidences do help us in reminding things. Amma’s divinity, Her Vishwaroopa, Her Universal Motherhood is dazzling before the eyes of millions the world over today. When She has pervaded every bit of Existence (for one who has an open heart, ie) there is no space left for Her to squeeze in any momentary thrilling event called ‘miracle’. No need, either. Still, it is Her enormous Grace that She manifests, as cool shade or cool water for a weary traveler in the desert, when She shows Her Grace, in multiple forms. When Amma was in Chicago,…
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GuruPurnima
Guru Purnima celbration will start at Amritapuri on 29 from early morning onwrds.Sw. Turiyamritananda will perform gurupaduaka puja at 8.a.m.Sw. Janamritananda will give a talk.The day is completely scheduled with lot of chanting and practices, dedicated to our Guru Amma.Now, Amma is in Chile –in the last day of her program there, will be giving Devi bhava darsharn.We are all expecting to listen to Amma over the webcast.praying and waiting for Guru’s Grace…. —read some nice updates from chilewithamma.blogspot.com photos from Chile
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Ramayana Parikrama
walking in the footsteps of ramayanait was a spontaneous decision when sw. turiyamritananda told me he was going for ramayana parikrama [circumambulation of sacred spots associated with ramayana]. i asked, can i come with you?yes, he said.we drove 400 odd kilometres to reach pulpally, the hillstation in wynad district.while driving we saw the devastation the heavy monsoon rains in the last few days had wreaked. all the fields, houses and plantations had been submerged under water.leaving the plains, we started going up the mountain’s winding roads, hairpin curves… the sky was clear with no clouds. the rain had washed away…
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Germany youth retreat
From youth retreat conducted in Germanyby Bri.Dipamrita Chaitanya & Shubamrita Chiatanya – July 2007 Amma’s Youth in Europe are moving ahead, under Her Love and guidance. The third Youth Exchange Programme held at the M.A. Center, Germany was a phenomenal success in which the youth from different parts of Europe participated. This year this programme was supported by the “Youth in Action” Program of the European Commission DG Education and Culture. The exchange aimed at bridging the gap of culture, social background, language and creed and at highlighting and practicing the universal values which are the foundation not only of…
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Knower and the Known
Today, Swami discussed the ending part of Shankaracharya’s commentary of the 13th chapter, 2nd shloka. This was the sixth class on this shloka so far, and we reached near the end of the commentary. As said before, this part is one of the most important parts of the Shankara Bhashya of the Gita. The shoka is ‘Know Me to be the knower in all fields. That knowledge of the field and the knower is what I consider true knowledge.’ Again, the Purva Paksha asks, ‘if God Himself is the individual soul, (kshetrajna), then that gives two defects; one is that…