Tag: Europe2014
Amma’s Europe Yatra Oct – Nov 2014
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Mere Guruvadi Vani at Hof Herrenberg
Amma graciously consented to inaugurate the new hall at her German ashram, Hof Herrenberg. The hall was a converted training ring for horses and part of the floor remains dirt for the horses to continue to use. But a wooden balcony and temporary flooring for the dirt ring will make a venue for 2000 people and Amma’s programs can be held here in the future. Despite the fact that there was not even 24 hours between the last Devi Bhava of the Europe tour and Amma’s flight to immediately begin her program at her San Ramon, USA program, Amma wanted…
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Ready to serve in the Netherlands
An interesting cross-section of people visit the Amrita University table to find out about Amma’s university, or see about teaching, attending or interning. In the Netherlands, we spoke to some people who told us particularly moving stories. One woman began telling us about poverty in Holland. We were surprised as we had thought people in Holland were quite well off. However, she told us that there are 3 million people living in poverty there. It’s not so obvious as one doesn’t see homeless people on the street, as everyone has a roof over their heads. According to our informant, the…
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Twice in one day!
Toulon is now the biggest program on the tour, with overflow crowds filling the stadium and more waiting outside to get in. They are orderly and disciplined, making crowd control easy. They are also a lighthearted dancing crowd who will be joyously dancing one minute and seriously meditating the next. The organization to produce this program is daunting and over 900 volunteers were on hand for hall set up, crowd control and security, darshan assisting, pot washing, veggie chopping, cooking and serving, cleaning, flower preparation and more. And their job was not over at the end of the huge Devi…
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If it weren’t for Amma, I wouldn’t be here
Called the most glamorous city in the world, and famous for its sophisticated culture, residents of Paris lined up for hours to receive a quick hug from a spiritual teacher from a far away country, born in an obscure fishing village. Although many were coming for the first time, Amma didn’t seem to be unknown to them, perhaps due to the wide publicity she has gotten in France, such as the film Darshan and the publicity from her 3 ashrams in France. (The largest ashram is located in view of Chartres, one hour outside of Paris.) Information on the work…
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Swiss Cheese in Switzerland
Food is often mentioned in reports from the Europe tour and it’s unavoidable as there is so much excellent organic food, and sharing food is so much a part of the social life and culture of Europeans. Despite eating well, Europeans are not overweight as a group and are seen biking, walking and running regularly. There is a culture of fitness and it reflects in both young and old. The tour staff is well nourished by the devotees who provide three meals a day to keep them going during the long program days. On this tour we have been treated…
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The wish fulfilling Mother of all
French Fries in Munich Recently at the Munich program, little Aikyam came up to Amma for his morning hello and kiss. Amma looked at him fondly and asked if he had eaten. Then she told him to wait and sent for something. When it arrived, Amma put something on a plate and offered it to Aikyam. It turned out to be French fries! The people standing around kept telling him that Amma had made the fries for him. Then Amma herself turned and explained that on the way to Munich, someone had offered the group travelling with her some fries.…
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Duende meets Parashakti
Barcelona, Spain – Europe Yatra 2014 Barcelona was the first stop on the 2014 Europe tour. The weather was warm and sunny, which was a boon for the many people who lined up in the early hours of the morning to try for an early token. The huge sports hall was packed with enthusiastic Spaniards, who despite lots of cheers and applause, also meditated with Amma and listened to her satsang in pin drop silence. The University table where I worked was located next to the local seva table. The organization was amazing and the response to seva requests was…