Amma's swamiji, Swami Purnamritananda Puri gave this beautiful talk on his experience when he first met Amma:
Before I met Amma, I had many questions about God. Along with my friends who were rationalists, I went to many places to study superhuman abilities, ghosts and spirits and haunted houses. We stayed in houses that were reputed to be haunted. We questioned people who claimed to possess superhuman powers. We finally understood one thing. Man's beliefs are exploited everywhere. We realized that ghosts and spirits are not as dangerous as human beings. It was that quest that brought me to Amma. I asked Amma, "Does God exist?" Amma replied, "That is a silly question, son. Why do you ask?"
If God exists, I am angry enough to kill him!" I said.
Amma laughed, "Why is that?"
"There are so many people in this world who suffer from poverty and disease. On the other hand, many enjoy unlimited prosperity. In this creation, every creature has been created as another creature's prey. If there is a God that created such a cruel world, it makes me angry enough to kill Him."
Amma said to me, "Amma really likes you, because your anger against God isn't for any selfish reason. It is because of your compassion for others. God dwells in the heart which is full of compassion for others."
Then Amma explained, "God never punishes. God does not know anything about punishment. God is the one who saves. We are the ones who punish ourselves. Each unhappy experience is a result of our thoughts and actions."
Amma reminded me of a precept of modern science. " 'For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction'. Newton's law. This reaction occurs in both gross and subtle planes. Even a thought has a reaction. So the reason for all our sorrows is our thoughts and actions. Having attained a human body, if we continue to live like animals, we may be reborn as an animal and become food for its predator. God is not responsible for this. God is the epitome of love; the essence of compassion. But Nature has laws. Nature has no compassion. Whether a little child throws a rock, or a learned man, or a celebrity the rock falls back down. The rock may fall on their heads. Nature does not consider that the child may have thrown the rock in ignorance. So there are only laws in Nature. Now that the rock is thrown, what can be done? Put on a helmet. That is the only way out. We have done many actions in ignorance. So get protection through prayer and good actions. God has no part in this."
Then I asked Amma, "Amma, are you God?"
"Amma is just a crazy woman" Amma replied, "I am surviving because no one is putting me behind bars. Amma does not say that you should believe in Amma or in a God that lives above, son. Just believe in yourself. Everything is in you. Like the seed that contains the large tree within itself, the power of God exists within each and every animate and inanimate creation in this universe. If man can awaken and develop this power through concentrated practice, positive actions and meditation, he can attain wholeness. Man can go beyond the laws of nature. He can go beyond the cycle of birth and death. The secrets of the universe will be revealed to him. At that supreme state, he is able to see God everywhere. This life is an opportunity for man to attain wholeness. Someone who sees God everywhere will be able to love and serve everyone alike. Mahatmas take birth in order to guide man to that state. God is not an individual but a state of being. The president of a nation is not an individual - it is a position. Anyone can reach that position, but they need the vote of the majority. Similarly, it is only with the blessing of every creature in this universe that one can attain God-realization. Amma's life shows us that it is possible to attain God- even if you are born in the most adverse circumstance.
When I saw every quality of God in Amma, I put an end to my search for God.
Om Amriteswariye namah!
No comments:
Post a Comment