Category: interesting

Memories of Amma’s first USA Yatra 1987 – part 6

Crossing the country that winter was extremely cold, but every day I managed one video show and at least one decent meal. Sometimes a contact from the summer would arrange for me to show a video, other times I would simply walk into a bookstore and see who might want to watch Amma’s video. I was not fussy, Amma’s children were everywhere and She was my guiding light. Using the phone book, I would arrange to meet informally with members of different church denominations and spiritual centers to speak of Amma. Many decided to host an evening program in their churches or meeting halls free-of-charge after hearing about Amma. The Quakers, the Unitarians, the Vipassana Meditation Center, the Zen Center, the Theosophical Society, the Sufis, the Yoga Society, St.John the Divine in New York City, even Harvard University were all interested. The tour was shaping up, the details were coming into focus.

In the cities where I had made contacts the summer before, we would all meet to look for venues and come up with a publicity plan and start making lists. And constantly talking about the pre-tour. Everyone was already feeling the excitement building. We were getting to know each other by working together on a common goal, to bring Amma in our midst. Their innocent faith in doing this selfless service having never met Amma was blossoming and it was inspiring to watch. Their inner compass was steering them in Her direction. Clearly these were Amma’s children and it was with great anticipation that I looked forward to their first darshans.

How did the cities and towns get picked you might wonder. Imagine Amma blowing on a dandelion, the airborn seeds were the central cities where family and friends lived; scattered across the country these seeds germinated having been sprinkled with the water of Amma‘s video. Like tendrils growing from a central stem the other locations emerged. From the first video show in San Francisco came invitations to visit Mt. Shasta which in turn led me to Seattle. Then Santa Cruz. Taos, New Mexico was full of old friends and spiritual seekers eager to meet Amma as that was where I lived when I was blessed to first see Amma’s photo in 1983**. From there came Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Lama Mountain. Sw. Paramatmanada’s mom, the late Phyllis Rosner was in Chicago, his first yoga teacher was in Madison, Wisconsin. My father was living in Boston. Two important American cities, New York & Washington DC, I felt Amma must do programs in. As there was no one in those two cites, I had to work from scratch.

Like that I zigged and zagged across the US. Always Amma was arranging connections between people and cities, all there was for me to do was see the thread and follow it. Families began offering to have Amma stay in their homes. Even after explaining it would not just be Amma, rather all ten of us, they were very welcoming without exception. Doors were opening everywhere. In this way, what had been a huge, impersonal country just two months before became an interconnected web of divine potential, a pattern was emerging.

– Kusuma

to be continued
—

**Greg Vyasa McFarland of Santa Fe had visited Amma in 1982 and had filmed and photographed Amma at that time. It was these photos which sent me on a pilgrimage to go and meet Amma in 1983.

Memories of Amma’s first USA Yatra 1987 – part 5

It is hard to imagine those days when there was no computer, no cell phone, no internet . But all the planning for the first tour took place without that. The small typewriter which had been given to me was my way to contact people, to type up the Amritanandam newsletter and to keep in touch with the small & scattered group of people who had been keen to help after seeing the video of Amma in the summer. The Europe planning had been divided out and given over to a devotee living in France, Jacques Albohair. He would follow up there with the contacts I had made, added to those he already had, while I figured out Amma’s tour in America.

By January I knew that it was time to return to the US. Now that we had the plane tickets and the visas were granted, the substance of the tour was what was needed. Where would Amma and the group stay? Which cities and towns would Amma visit? What halls would be suitable for the evening bhajans and darshan? How about all those publicity posters that needed to be put up everywhere? Who would be there to do all that? I decided to cross the country again even though it would be the dead of winter. More video shows meant more contacts, more helpers, and more of Amma‘s children would come to hear of Amma’s upcoming visit. It was the only way I could see to move forward. Starting in San Francisco I would not stop until I reached Boston.

Asking for Amma’s blessing, my ticket for the US was booked for 3rd February.

Sitting in my hut near the Kalari one night getting ready to go, an idea popped into my head. Why not put together a ‘pre-tour’ with a few of the brahmacharins to precede Amma. They could go to each place Amma would visit, present an evening of satsang & bhajans and share their much vaster experience with Amma. All the halls and homes I was planning to arrange this coming month could be checked to make sure everything was suitable. Even though I knew it would add a layer of complexity to plan a pre-tour while at the same time planning for Amma’s visit, I decided to ask Amma about it. No one really much liked the idea except Amma. She smiled so sweetly when I asked permission for the pre-tour, and picked 3 brahmachris to travel in advance of Amma.

The pre-tour date was fixed for 26th March. We would meet in San Francisco and drive across the country. They would bring the harmonium and tabla set. One began composing a beautiful Hari Katha to share along the way. Another was busy editing Bhajanamritam Volume 1 in English. With all that in place, I set off.

– Kusuma

to be continued…

Memories of Amma’s first USA Yatra 1987 – part 4
December 1986

The ticket I had traveled on during the summer of ’86 was a dream ticket. At first a simple round trip to San Francisco was my plan, but as it turned out the travel agent in Kochi advised me that there was a new deal – for $1000 I could pick two airlines and 10 cities. That had worked very well for the initial tour planning, and my idea was to get the same ticket for Amma and the group. There was only one problem – there was no means to purchase the plane tickets and this was very much in the back of my mind as the weeks and months passed by.

It is important for you to know that I was already a very frugal person before coming to Amma, didn’t have a credit card, had never owned a car. The only impulsive thing I had done my whole life was to travel to India in order to meet Amma three years earlier. Now that I was at the ashram the only back-up in case of emergency was an American Express card my parents had given me on the condition it would only be used if absolutely necessary.

Everything would come that was needed, Amma had said so very clearly. The plane fare was no exception, I was absolutely certain of that. But this particular need was pressing — the plane tickets were needed to apply for the US visas. The French visas could be gotten on the weight of the US visas. Only then could the more detailed planning proceed. Only then the dream of bringing Amma to Her children would take one more critical step in the direction of becoming reality.

Amma’s words, “My children are crying for me, they are unable to find me,” were compelling. I myself had cried for the Divine Mother for two years before meeting Amma. I knew what that felt like. More than anything I wanted that Amma and Her children be reunited. Amma’s longing to see Her children had become my longing to see Amma with Her children. I decided some risk would have to be taken, we had to proceed.

I went to talk to Neelu (Swami Paramatmanada). Explained about this small detail of the plane tickets. To be honest, I knew that he had the same arrangement with his mom as I did with mine, the in-case-of-emergency card! Suggested we go to the travel agent in Kochi and split the tickets down the middle – I would buy five, and he would buy five. Assured him that the money would come, I had complete faith in that. If not I was ready to get a job at the end of the tour to repay the debt. We left for Kochi within the hour.

The two carriers were Singapore Air and Delta; the ten cities I picked were Singapore, San Francisco, Albuquerque, Chicago, Washington DC, Boston, New York, Paris, Zurich and Vienna. Tour on.

– Kusuma

to be continued

Memories of Amma’s first USA Yatra 1987 – part 3

The task which would absorb my attention for nearly three months was applying for all the passports, procuring the US & French visas, and getting the plane tickets for Amma and the nine others who would go on tour. The passports would be easy, but the visas were another matter. In those days, even for a short visit, US sponsors were required for Amma and the brahmacharins. It was very difficult to get one visa, much less seven of them. In fact, although none of the families I approached for sponsorship had met Amma, they were all ready to sponsor Amma’s group.

A feeling of trepidation was weighing heavily on me as I waited in the KayamKulam bus station for the 17 hour bus ride to take me to the US Consulate in Chennai. I had no appointment, no plan in particular as to how to get the visas, no agent in tow to make our case. The bit of research I was able to do indicated it was unheard of to get what we needed without many months of waiting. If we were declined, we had to wait for one year before re-applying. I knew the determining factor, as always, would be Amma’s prevailing grace. One of Amma’s countless miracles was to arrange all such matters without the slightest hitch. But we still had to make the effort. With the set of ten plane tickets, passports and seven sponsorship letters safely tucked in my backpack, I boarded the bus, spending much of the time praying not to return empty handed. If the visas were not granted it would leave the tour plans in tatters, at least for the timetable which had been carefully laid out.

Walking into the Consulate I found myself amidst dozens and dozens of people waiting in the entry hall, some pacing around and each one holding a large number tag waiting to be called over to a glassed in area where the clerks were seated. Scanning the noisy, nervous crowd of people I felt the air go still again, just as it had on the porch of the Kalari with Amma some months before. I decided to forgo the number system and walked right up to the glass window to get a clerk’s attention. In quiet tones I leaned forward and explained what was needed… Seven visas to visit America for two months this summer. No, none of the applicants were married. No, not even engaged. No, none of them owned businesses. But, yes, all of them would be certain to return to India in August. Yes, I did know they would need sponsors. Held up the sponsorship packet nodding ‘yes’. I smiled shakily at the clerk while internally reciting Amma’s words, “Ask for nothing, and all will come, ask for nothing and….the clerk swung open the door and ushered me into one of the offices for the interview. It was a Yoda moment from Star Wars. I heard myself explaining what was needed, and watched in stunned silence the hand stamping over and over again, seven times, the visas into all the passports. As it turned out, less than one hour was spent getting all the visas issued; tears of gratitude poured down my cheeks standing outside on the sidewalk. That same afternoon I caught a bus back to KayamKulam and was back home with Amma 17 hours later, safe and sound.

– Kusuma

To be continued…

Memories of Amma’s first USA Yatra 1987 – part 2

The front porch of the Kalari* was where Amma was sitting that day in August of 1986 when I arrived back**. Some of the residents had also joined Amma there and were curious to know how my time had been spent. What was happening? When would Amma be leaving for America? Where were the places Amma would be visiting? Who had heard of Amma? I recall the volley of questions being both exciting and overwhelming at the same time as I struggled to answer them in a clear way. Within a moment I noticed that Amma was sitting completely quiet, taking it all in. Her deep, eternal eyes and my eyes locked on each other, and there was a stillness in the air.

“ശരിയായോ മോളേ? Sheriyayo, mole?” was all Amma asked me. (Is it all ok, daughter?) The effect that Amma’s simple and direct question had on me can’t be described. It was as if the air itself had stopped breathing, waiting for my answer. Time was momentarily suspended while Amma tested the bearing capacity of my heart to carry Her message to the faraway children and bring Amma to them, all the while being far away from Amma’s physical presence in order to do so. Intuitively I sensed that Amma was measuring my resolve. Calmly and deliberately I spoke the words, “ശരിയായി അമ്മേ Sheriyayi, Amme,”  in reply (All is ok, Amma), and in that moment I felt a jolt, as if a bridge was materializing between Amma’s heart and my own. Amma smiled compassionately at me and held me in Her arms for a long time. Amma wanted me to go and rest from the journey. When I stood up to take leave of Amma, I could unmistakably sense a deep bond had been sealed between us that would give me “all that was needed without my asking” as Amma had instructed me a few months back. In that moment I knew in my soul that the tour was on, that Amma would be with Her children before long. But that a lot of effort and sacrifice would go into it. I remember a tremendous feeling of joy spreading over me.

There was not a moment to waste. The very next day I proposed that a newsletter be started to send to the people on the mailing list collected at the video shows. What? A newsletter? But Amma hasn’t even visited the US yet, was the response. Not satisfied I got a translator to ask Amma about my idea and She heartily agreed asking me to bring a tape recorder and She would answer questions for the first issue. Not only that, but with Her own hand She wrote a letter to send to all those who had signed onto the mailing list.

– Kusuma

to be continued
=—-

*In those days the Kalari had no homa fire pit for pujas on the porch in front, only two steps on either side exiting to the sand between Amma’s family home on the north side, and the other set to the south where Amma’s house was located. The south set of stairs is always where Amma sat for bhajans each evening at sunset.

** from eight weeks in the USA & Europe to organize Amma’s first world tour; see the previous blog, ‘My Children, they are crying for me…‘

Memories of Amma’s first USA Yatra 1987 – First part
(Gretchen Kusuma is recollecting how Amma’s first world tour happened in 1987 on this 25th year of Amma’s visit to USA)

25 May 2011, writing from the Denver airport….

We were about twenty renunuciates living with Amma at the Idammanel family compound in April of 1986 when the invitation for Amma to visit America came and was accepted by Amma. The invitation was from Nealu’s (now known as Sw.Paramatmananda) brother and sister-in-law, Earl & Judy Rosner of San Francisco.

At the time I was the ashram cook and was in the midst of preparing lunch. Amma sent Sw.Paramatmananda to ask me what should be done to prepare for the trip to America which had been confirmed moments before.

I remember putting down the soup ladle and glancing at the flames of the open fire cooking the rice for a moment of thought. Then blurting out a few items off the top of my head – passports would be needed, visas, warm socks!, a place for Amma to sing bhajans, and posters. Lots of posters would need to be put up because no one knew of Amma in America.” He left to go inform Amma, and I thought, “What do I know about such things? ” and went back to the cooking.

Not two hours had passed when there was a knock on the door of my hut. It was Sw.Paramatmananda standing there holding a rusty typewriter. “I think you are going to need this,” and handed it over. “Amma said you should get those things ready for the visit.”

With Amma’s blessings, on June 2, 1986 I travelled to the US for the first of three organizing trips back and forth across the country in order to get things ready for Amma’s visit in the following year. My family bought me a ticket to ‘visit’ them. Little did they know what a whirlwind visit it would be! Little did I know that those hundreds of miles would turn into thousands of miles of effort to bring Amma to the West for what would become Amma’s First World Tour in May of 1987.

Landing in San Francisco with a backpack containing one change of clothes, twenty copies of the booklet, “Mother of Sweet Bliss”, and a video which was called, “A Day With Mother”. I set off across the country and finally the world, showing the video to as many people as possible in every city where there was family or friend.

I had no idea what to do but let Amma lead me in the next direction that seemed obvious. I had no plan to follow, no devotees to contact. Listening with my heart to what Amma wanted was my constant compass. Amma told me before I set out, “My children are everywhere. They are crying for Amma, but cannot find me. Amma must go to them.” And so I went in every direction possible, showing the “Day with Mother” video as many times as could. I had no money at all to do any of this. Amma had told me, “Daughter, never ask for anything and everything will come to you.” And so I moved forward in an eastward direction around the world with absolute faith in those words of Amma.

New Mexico, where I had first seen Amma’s picture in 1983, was a location I could easily work from because of the circle of friends there. Nealu’s cousin Ron Gottsegen in Carmel California, my old friends from the University of California-Berkeley, a new friend George Brunswig and the late Larry Kelly, Tina Jenks & Nancy Crawford of Berkeley, Earl & Judie in San Francisco, Susan Cappadocia of Mt.Shasta, Candace Strand of Seattle, friends of the Rosner’s: Steve & Kathy Schmidt of Santa Fe, Nealu’s mom in Chicago, his first yoga teacher Barbara Lawrence and her husband David in Madison, Wisconsin, new friends Mary LaMar and Michael Price also of Madison, my parents near Washington DC and Boston were the backbone of this first organizing effort. In those places I could always count on food and shelter, loving kindness and generosity of spirit. From this network of people sprang new connections, more video shows, more contact of Amma with Her children through my effort directed by Amma’s invisible but constantly present guidance.

Amma had blessed a simple brass oil lamp for my journey which was lit before each showing of the video. A notebook I carried recorded each person’s name and address if they were interested to learn about Amma’s upcoming visit. Speaking of my time with Amma since 1983 and all of the experiences I had in Her presence were the bread and butter of each video show. Often it would be very obvious to me which people would be instrumental in hosting Amma’s first world tour.

By August 14th, 1986 I returned to Amma’s fledgling ashram having visited Singapore, San Francisco, Carmel, Santa Cruz, Mt. Shasta, Seattle, Taos, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Boulder, Madison, Wisconsin, Chicago, Washington DC, New York, Boston, London, Zurich & Schweibenalpe, Switzerland, and Graz, Austria.

— Kusuma

To be continued…