Category: WithAmma
travelling with amma
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I need you, I need you with me
On Mondays and Fridays Amma has regularly been going to the beach and leading meditation and question and answer sessions. Monday the 16th, however, it had been raining heavily. So, we were surprised when we heard the familiar three bells announcing that Amma was coming out to join us. But where? In the bhajan hall under a tin roof reverberating with raindrops we discovered. Amma was accompanied, as usual, by Siddarth who sat by her side. When another little boy came up and got a kiss from Amma, Siddarth clearly wanted to be sure he got his share of attention…
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Mother is here to sing a lullaby
Kobe, July 30, 2010: Amma was wearing a beautiful Teal color saree. The color combination appeared to be that of a Kimono (Japanese traditional garment), apt for the Devi Bhava in Japan! Swami Amritaswarupananda sang an old Malayalam bhajan “Tarapadangalae…” The lyric of this bhajan has a nice meaning: “O stars, can’t you please come down? Mother is here to sing a lullaby to you. She is the stream of never-ending Love and She is the shade-giving tree for seeking minds. O cool, gentle breeze, who comes slowly humming silent songs in the night, what did you whisper sweetly in…
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With the seva children in Japan
Tokyo, July 27, 2010: Amma was wearing a beautiful golden saree with red border. One of the devotees described Amma in that saree as “Sinduraruna vigraham” (Meditate on the Divine Mother, who has a body of the color of saffron/vermilion-red). The Tokyo program was made possible by the tireless efforts of the sevites. One could see people doing seva in every corner of the hall and outside (snack shop, kitchen). When Devi Bhava ended, Amma came out of the temple and started walking towards Her car. Then She stopped and looked at all the sevites and asked them to come…
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Being Ammas child
4 Aug 2010, Amritapuri Tuesday is a special day indeed with close Satsang, Q-and-A with Amma and most blessedly, getting the Prasad from Amma’s hands. This Tuesday was the first after Amma’s long US-Japan tour and as Amma came in, the crowded Kali temple became silently lively and joyfully dynamic. Amma sat in the center surrounded by her children. The little boy, Siddharth sat right next to Amma. After leading a beautiful meditation, Amma asked food to be brought so she can hand it over to one and all. Amma also asked little Siddharth to sing a song and in…
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Orchids and Pearls
In Tokyo, white orchid stems leaned in a graceful arc from the edge of the stage toward Amma. In Kobe, delicate salmon pink rosebuds lined the stage behind her chair. The flowers seemed to reflect the delicacy and grace of the Japanese people as they came for darshan, falling like pearls into her lap. For those used to the hustle and bustle of programs in the USA and Europe, the programs in Japan were an interesting change. The people here seem quiet and inward in their approach to Amma. During meditation, time there is pin drop silence as they sit…
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The Serving drive
They have been our trusted ‘chalaks.’ Rick, Steve, and Corey. These three drivers have been bringing us from city to city for the past two North American Tours. While we are fast asleep, exhausted after a long Devi Bhava, they are wide awake – navigating the highways across the US. They became part of the family – they know most of us by our first name. Amma knows them too (of course) – they have gone for darshan more than once. And yes, they drivers also caught the seva bug. Where other bus drivers would probably stay in their rooms…
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Kobe, first day
Thursday, July 29, 2010: Today was the first day of Amma programs in Kobe, Japan. The program was held at ‘Kobe International Exhibition Hall’ in Chuo-ku, Kobe. Amma gave darshan in the morning and evening. Amma gave a satsang which was translated in Japanese by Br Shantamrita. During the evening program, there were a few dignitaries who attended and participated in the release of a few of Amma’s books in Japanese. Bhajans from today * Jai Ganesha Jai * Giridhar He * Kalpatarangalkkum Appurattarkumor * Devi Devi Devi (Kannada) * Kannai Imail Kappathu Pol * Om Namah Shivaya * Dayagala…
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Tokyo – day 2
Today was the second day of Amma programs in Tokyo. Amma gave darshan in the morning and evening. Amma gave a satsang which was translated in Japanese by Br Shantamrita. Bhajans from today * Sri Gananayaka * Giridhar He * Matr Vatsalya * Hariyuva Nediya – Hari Om Siva (Kannada) * Dayagala Ma Amma * Tathi Tathi * Ma Tere Caranam Me At the end of Darshan Amma little Siddarth sang ‘Jin Ki Karuna’ bhajan. He also narrated the story of how Durga killed Mahishasura – it was very cute. – Sudhakar
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Guru Purnima in Tokyo
Tokyo, Sunday, July 25, 2010 Amma’s Japan program started today in Tokyo. Amma’s darshan was supposed to be from 11 AM to 5 PM, but due to the large crowd, the program lasted until 10:15 PM. Today is Guru Purnima . Guru Poornima is a day for celebration and worship – a day on which the disciples remember and express their gratitude to the lineage of Gurus. The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the great sage Vyasa. On this…