Category: General
not this nor that
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It is a distinct honor to take part in Amma’s service activities
I told Amma how I was thankful to her for making the environment for me to participate in volunteer activity in India. Amma kindly took away my anguish and nervousness in my daily life
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Accha Bacca – The Good Child
They probably came first for a free meal, then a safe place to play. Many attend the after school tuition classes. Some accompany Swami on his morning walks or do yoga with him. These are the neighborhood kids from slum who make Amma’s Delhi Ashram their second home. They are everywhere, usually in small groups. “Good morning sir … Om Namah Shivaya … What are you doing…Can I help you?” For ten days before Amma arrived, I had the privilege of working with these boys and girls, preparing the ashram. Hundreds of volunteer name badges were made for…
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Fresh vegetables for Delhi Brahmasthanam
A large tract of land near Delhi (Faridabad) has been acquired for a new Amrita Hospital and University. Until construction begins, Amma has instructed the land be used for farming. More than 50% of the 1000+ kilos of fresh vegetables to be served during her Delhi Program will come from this farm. An additional blessing for all who attend and take a meal. – Scotti
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Japanese students play Holi
After demolishing a derelict school building in just two days, the IVUSA student volunteers from Japan took a welcome break to play Holi. The village of Batwadi where we have built most of our “Amma Houses”hosted a wonderful party with bhajans, a dance by the children,followed by many kilos of color. It was an experience the students will never forget. -Scotti
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Laughter Yoga
I recently joined a Laughter Yoga (Hasya Yoga) Therapy course at Amritapuri. Though I was vaguely aware of the feel-good effects of laughter, I had never thought to seek out more opportunities for laughter in my life. Well into my first class, I realized there would be much less downward facing dog poses and handstands than I had anticipated. It was more of a holistic mind-body experience. Amma says, “80% of all illness is stress-related. Seriousness is a disease, and we should try to leave it and allow ourselves to laugh more. Laughter is good for our hearts. Laughter is…
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His baby heart was calling
Yesterday evening, as Amma was leaving the stage, I was there waiting for her passage with others and was so happy when she touched our outstretched hands. When she reached the steps leading to her room, Soham, the one year old little blond devotee was waiting for her, carried by his mom Sudha. Amma stood in front of him smiling. He went wild – for Amma! He was reaching and reaching for her. Amma stood watching and smiling. Only after a few moments, did Amma take him in Her arms… Amma said he was calling her. Baby Soham doesn’t speak…
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Service is Good!
During most Saturday programs at M. A. Center, I sit in the back of the hall cutting out old photos of Amma from cassette covers, calendars, and various outdated printed material to recycle or frame. Inevitably, a few children – maybe 4 or 5, sometimes more – will stop by to help along with a parent. They sit for a some time, and some stay, while some eventually get distracted and bounce away like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh. Some come back, only to bounce away again… Tonight, I was looking forward to returning to my usual spot after having…
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When watching movies…
This experience reveals that Amma is always with us and watching our steps. From my childhood, I was being a typical human being liking the media entertainment. It always used to be just a 3 hour entertainment and the effect of it will fade off after completing the movie. For some reason, recently the movies I watched didn’t let me be myself at all. I was getting glued on to the incidents happened in the movie and forgetting the fact that it is just a movie. This went for almost 2 weeks. I could feel my energy drain and lack…
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Thanksgiving in Attappadi
Thanksgiving is an American holiday that celebrates the survival of the Pilgrims (early European settlers of the North American continent). They had landed clueless in a strange land, halfway across the world from their origins and it was only through the generosity of their Native American neighbours that they could learn the skills, and be given the sustenance to thrive in this new environment. The Pilgrims invited the Native Americans to a joint feast and that is commemorated by the current holiday of Thanksgiving, when a festive meal of traditional dishes is shared with family and friends and all give…