Category: AshramDiary
life at the Amritapuri ashram
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Truth, Infinity and Knowledge
Today’s class with Swami Kaivalyananda was about the 24th shloka, 4th chapter of the Gita. This is the famous, ‘brahmarpanam brahmahavir…‘ Brahman is the offering, brahman is the ghee offered in the fire of brahman by brahman. Brahman alone is attained by seeing brahman is all karma.’ Swamiji explained Shankara’s commentary on this. This means that the one who knows Brahman is devoid of the attitude of separation with anything. This is the knowledge, ‘brahmaiva idam sarvam,’ brahman alone is everything.’ In action, his attitude is ‘guna guneshu vartante,’ it is the senses acting among the sense object, but the…
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Shower of grace through “Skype”
Times are changing here in the ashram. Last night was Amma’s Devi-bhava in Helsinki, Finland, which happens to be my native place. But here I was Amritapuri participating in it with all my brothers and sisters thanks to the ever faster internet connections. I haven’t witnessed Amma’s program in Helsinki for some years now physically and really enjoyed seeing many familiar faces getting hugged by Amma. I almost felt being hugged by Amma myself. In the night when I went to sleep I felt like I do after a “real life” Devi-bhava. I couldn’t get sleep as I was thinking…
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Be mindful of your steps
When amma is away,our days here in the ashram normally revolve mainly around our work and sadhana, early morning and evening are given to sadhana and daytime is given to seva…so,after spending my morning in archana, plus some yoga and meditation, i slowly was making my way towards the engineering college. As i approached the bridge, i noticed a very unique sign: “Work in progress. Be mindful of your steps.” What a profound spiritual instruction! In that introverted state of mind, this really struck me as the instruction which i needed at that point,mindfulness is every step, or mindfulness of…
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Violet sari
Today also we were able to connect to the programme hall of Amma. Amma is in Hensinki, Finnland. She gave a satsang, lead the Devi puja, and then started Bhavadarshan. The internet connection was poor. So we could not talk to Amma. She is wearing a Violet sari in Devi Bhava. Probably we may be able to talk to her at the end of darshan.. Let’s pray. Om Namah sivaya I am posting this right after Amma started Devi Bhava darshan. Dhyanamrita, Amritapuri. 15 oct 06
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naiva kurvan na karayan
Today’s Gita class discussed two important shlokas in the 4th chapter; 23 and 24. Swami explained that shlokas 21-23 explain the state of two kinds of Jnanis. One continues to perform actions for the benefit of society, even though action has no personal gain for him, having attained Knowledge of his true nature. The other as verse 21 says, ‘shariram kevalam karma,’ performs only karmas for the sustenance of the body, and remains in the absorption of Self-knowledge. This is continued in the 23rd shloka, ‘For one who is free of attachment, liberated from samsara, whose mind is established in…
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Ammatan maanasakkunju
oru nanavu… ente kankalil jnaan-etra nissaaran alpan, capalan, swaarthan… oru ninavu… saara-milledo taan-innoru sura-gangayil amma-tan madiyil oru kanavu… oru kunjaa-yenkil… moonu lokangaleyum mutha-mittanakkunna amma-tan maanasa-kkunju…! +=======+ A wetness… In my eyes I’m insignificant Puny, unsteady, selfish… A thought… Never mind Today, you’re in the divine Ganges In Amma’s lap A dream… If only I were a child… The very own mind-child of Amma Who hugs and kisses The three worlds…! Vipinan, Amritapuri 15 Oct 06
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Karma in Akarma
After my first post, I didn’t write any. I am thinking to write about the Bhagavad Gita class happening regularly here. Today, Swami Kaivalyananda discussed the meaning of the shloka, ‘karmanyakarma yah pashyet akarmani cha karma yah.’This means, ‘whoever see akarma in akarma, and akarma in karma, is wise among men.’ Swami explained Sri Shankara’s commentary. The first part, ‘he sees karma in akarma,’ means that when we ordinarily feel, ‘I’m not doing anything. I’m relaxing,’ this is also a karma. Even if the body isn’t active, the mind will be active. Even the thought, ‘I am not doing anything,’…
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Amma Manas
Amma Manas (a Malayalam poem) ————amma-yinnannam nalkitante makkalkkuaazhi-kkakkare-ninnu…!hrdayattil ninnuhrdayatti-lekku amma-yinnumma nalkitante makkalkkucamera-kkanniloodemaanasa-kkannilekku…hrdayattilekku… o… ammayude hrdayam…! Vipinachandran, Amritapuri13 Oct 2006================= Her Heart————– Amma fed her childrenwith some foodfrom across the ocean…!from her heartfor our heart Amma gave a kissto her childrenthrough the eye of the camerathrough the eye of the mind…into the heart… Oh, what a heart Amma has!
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Thinking in Colour
Brahmacharis and brahmacharinis were sitting around the video screen, watching Amma’s program in London. She is giving a satsang and Swamiji is translating it. I look around. Some of my brothers are dozing off. It’s past midnight. Most had been up since 4:30 that morning. You cannot blame them for feeling sleepy. Amma started giving instructions for the Devi Puja. “You may be feeling bored now. But when we sit for meditation or puja, we should have the same enthusiasm that we have for an ice cream or chocolate. Try and participate in the puja with at least that much…