It was a beautiful morning when I finally reached the ashram. Sisters in bright white were pouring out from the Temple after their morning worship. My heart felt immediately at ease. Time spent in the desert of the world had extended to a full six months and I was very happy to be back home. […]
Today Amma went swimming with everybody and came afterwards almost directly for bhajans. Everyone was still blissful from all the fun when bhajans started. Amma sang the following: Nanda Nandana Azhikullil Pelava Kaiviral Alarnda Chutavizhi (Lalitamba) Wondrous Goddess Om Namah Shivaya Uttama Premattin Jai Ma Ambe An old/new English song called Wondrous Goddess was there […]
Today when Amma came out for Q & A, somebody wanted to clarify a doubt about what Amma said yesterday during bhajans. The question was: “Why is it that Amma has sometimes before said that there should also be reason in devotion, that bhakti should be tempered with jnana, but yesterday She said that there […]
Everyone knows that just like snowflakes, no two sunsets are alike. Their inherent beauty and unpredictability are Mother Nature’s gift to humanity – stirring the soul and spirit. But there is something about the sunsets in Amritapuri that lift the soul just a bit higher. Every evening, between 5:30 and 6pm, I head up to […]
I have been at Amritapuri for three weeks now and there have been many opportunities for learning and growing. Something I would like to share that happened recently shows how Amma fulfills our desires, no matter how small, when we have an attitude of detachment. Since arriving here from the US, I have been able […]
Amma was in a very playful mood tonight during the bhajans. There were moments of laughter as She playfully scolded Swamiji and twisted his ear. A few times She would name a song that She wanted to sing but as I was announcing it to the audience She pointed Her drumstick at me – then […]
One year ago, on August 19th, 2005, sadness fell across Amritapuri as news spread of the tragic accident that claimed the life of 11-year old Josha who was headed to the airport with his mother Mona to return to Holland. I had met Josha and Mona while working at the Seva desk. In my daily […]
Tonight’s Bhajans were: Sri Krishna Saranam Mama Nilambuja Nayane Gange Ginta Pavitralu Mere Vicha Ram Kalpantarangalkkum Om Hari Om Kalindi Kalil Oh Mind Become Surrendered Om Namah Shivaya Jai Jai Jai Durga Maharani The lyrics of the new Telugu song Gange Ginta Pavitralu struck me as profoundly Beautiful: Mother, You are holier than the river […]
Amma arrived early for bhajans and everyone rushed to the bhajan hall frantically to be seated in time. Sometimes Amma does this, who knows, maybe to check whether all Her children are arriving punctually for the devotional singing. Amma sang many old songs tonight: Jai Jai Gananath Gajanana Muralidhara Gopala Mukunda Mauna Ghanamritam Muka Ganam […]