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Retreat and Devi Bhava
13 Jun 2009 Devi Bhava just ended about 45 minutes ago. Amma wore a beautiful maroon sari with gold decorations and trim. Friday was the second day of the retreat. Amma held a Q&A session outside. It was quite cold and actually started drizzling briefly just as Amma sat down on the peetham (which was covered). She looked up at the sky with a concerned face and said that she had asked Dayamrita earlier to ask everyone whether they would want the Q&A to be inside or outside given the cool windy weather (no rain was insight)- and she would…
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Off to a new village
4 th June 2009, Deulbari , W Bengal Cyclone Relief – West Bengal 2009 The next two days went off similarly. One the 3rd day some senior government officials came to visit the camp and were generally happy with the work that was being done. While discussing they mentioned that there was some local talk that our doctors were not administering saline to the diarrhea patients. Than the doctors and self explained to them that there were several reasons for this kind of talk that was going on. Firstly the doctors said “saline is administered to a patient only when…
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I can call on the Lord
10 & 11 June 2009 Wednesday was the last public program before the Retreat. When Amma arrived in the hall, as always, She walked down the middle of the Temple with her hands stretched out to touch those of Her children who were standing along the way. A few steps ahead of Her was the little boy who has been sitting next to Amma during most evening bhajans. Like Amma, his arms were stretched out as well and he made sure to touch as many hands as possible. It was a cute scene. During the afternoon program, a gospel choir…
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Q123: Closest animal?
Question 123: “What is the animal that you naturally feel the closest to? What do you think are the reasons for this affinity?” Please make your answer clear and brief (maximum 5 or 6 lines).
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to remain silent freed from thoughts
Ma, opening the vast pages Well written by the past masters, I sought the knowledge ‘Tis only a reflection of the knowledgeable. The true knowledge lay hidden That could ever be penned down, For the word, yet remained A hindrance to know the unknown. Ma, thoughts of the intellectuals Who well claimed to be the masters, I sought the knowledge ‘Tis only a reflection of the ignorant. For the thoughts are formidable hindrances An’ the intellect, the enemy at its best, That could possibly know the truth It remained a mockery, an empty basket of jokes. Ma, now blessed seek…
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Children and Amma
9 Jun 2009 It used to be in the past that only two or three youngsters would sit with Amma on stage during Her US Tour (unlike some cities in Europe where upwards of 70 kids fill the entire stage). However, this year, perhaps 20 or more children follow Amma to the stage and sit through satsang. One particular young boy has been sitting next to Amma the past two nights through bhajans, happily clapping along with the crowd. Tonight, Amma sang: Pahi Gajanana Shyam Sundara Atbhuta Charitre Prem Hi Jivan Ka Adhar He (new) Sri RAma Jay Rama Vilvattal…
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Jai Ma, Jai Mai, Jai Ma
8 June 2009 Today’s programs featured a wonderful classical violin and piano concert by Raushan Akhmedyarova (Violinist with the San Francisco Symphony) and Miles Graber (pianist and faculty member of the San Francisco Conservatory). The performance included pieces by Massenet (Meditation from the Opera ‘Thais’), Saint Saens (Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso), and Bach (Concerto for Violin in A-minor, first movement). A mixture of elder ‘grandmothers’ came for Amma’s darshan. Two were Kanaka Maoli women from Kohawaiipaeaina (Hawaii) and another was a representative of group of elders called the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers. Evening Bhajans were: Kripa Ho Teri…
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food and medicine for Naginabad
Bengal Cyclone relief 2009 Naginabad Village, 1st June 2009 A member of the local Panchayat showed me around the island which was surrounded by rivers and backwaters on either side. He pointed out the huge breach in the embankment in one place through which the major quantity of salt waters had entered the villages, inundated the fields with salt water, washed away roads, cattle, stocks, grains, etc and also demolished houses. A statement often heard was that it was a blessing that the flooding of the villages took place in the day time. Had this calamity happened at night there…
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Silent speakers
6 June 2009 Devi Bhava ended at almost 9:30am Pacific Time. Amma was wearing a tourquise blue sari. At the end, She was also wearing a most beautiful smile as everyone walked to be showered by flower petals. During the day program, the children of Amma’s Bay Area Amrita Balakendra put on a wonderful skit about a teenager, a businessman, and an athelete who are searching for true meaning in life. However, when God’s call comes in the form of a phone call, they are too busy with their worldly pursuits to answer. Eventually, they meet a person who brings…
