Amma's unending love!

526. Om haridrannaika-rasikayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is fond of food seasoned with turmeric.

She heals with Her love. Amma’s real power lies in Her unending love for humanity; in Her acceptance of each of us; in Her divine ability of see God in each of us. Amma has within the divinity of the universe. And that is what makes Her so incredibly divine and in tune with the universe. What we don’t realise is that we are all part of that river of love, the river that flows endlessly, untiringly. The way a river cuts through many cities lending its waters to the people is exactly the way Amma goes from country to country embracing Her children with the much needed non judgemental love. We seek in Amma what we cannot find in the world. The material illusion of a world that we live in can never afford us complete happiness. This is why long queues are present at Amma’s darshans. Why we wait for hours to get a 10 second hug that acts as a balm for our tired souls. Amma is the ultimate healer, healing everyone with Her acceptance of us. Hopefully one day we will all learn to accept ourselves and spread this divine love.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

A firm faith to move ahead!

525. Om hamsa-vati-mukhya-sakti-samanvitayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is accompanied by the shaktis Hamsavati and Kshamavati

A prayer for those on the ill fated Air Asia flight. A prayer for all the relatives  who are left behind to deal with the gripping pain of loss. Truly, as Amma says, even the next moment isn’t a certainty. The only certainty is Amma’s grace. Amma’s promise to us to be our leader, guru and Mother is unconditional. She will always look out for us and after us. She will always protect us who live in the circle of Her light. Amma will always help us cross the river of life on the best boat possible. Amma will always hold our hands and walk with us. We have to KNOW that. We have to BELIEVE this. We have to FIRMLY have FAITH in this. It’s the only way we can weather any storm. It’s the only way we can actually avoid that storm! Amma is the only certainty. I have known Amma for over 26 years now. In that time, circumstances have changed; friends have changed; locations have changed. My mindset has changed. The only constant, through thick and thin, has been Amma. She’s privy to every thought of mine; every step. She’s my true friend. It’s time I took every ounce of faith the universe thinks me capable off, and reposed it at Her feet. High time.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

A lesson in faith!

524. Om majja-samsthayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the presiding deity of the bone marrow

I had a beautiful meeting today with a friend. I was meeting her after almost 24 years. We’d both grayed slightly at the temples but for the most part, time had stood still. Yet, she was talking to me about life, about manifestation, about God, shivoham. And absolutely everything she said reminded me (as most good things do!), about Amma. She was very clear in her mind that we are, each of us, God. We are the creator and we are the ones who make thinsg happen. Whatever happens in our life, we are responsible for it because we have manifested it. She spoke clearly and confidently about the power of the self; about the power of faith. And I gave away to her my deepest, darkest secret. That despite professing to be a devotee of Amma, I lack faith. I steer towards fear. And she explained that fear was also a kind of faith. In fact, a strong faith. In the negative. And that made me cringe. So basically what I was doing was choosing the darkness over my universal Mother!? How could I? But then Raji made it even simpler. “See yourself as God. You are God. And so things can happen only as you wish it to.” All the while that I was thinking myself to be a very devoted child of Amma, my friend had quietly and firmly established her faith and in fact was living her life in exactly the way Amma would approve off. While she isn’t a devotee of Amma, she is a spiritual soul. Exactly the way Amma wants us to be. Thank You Amma for this beautiful reunion. Thank You for sending me a valuable lesson through this beautiful person.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

In the altar of our hearts!

523. Om sad-ananayai namah: I bow down to Amma who has six faces

I have often wondered about the concept of selfishness. We deem it unworthy but in a deeper sense it means looking out for ourselves first. Which I remember Amma advising us a while ago. About first ensuring that we love ourselves. Much like how stewards advise us to first put on our own oxygen mask before attending to others. And the whole concept takes further shape as when we love ourselves, we have the ability to love others. Only when we are comfortable in our own self can we then reach out to others. When we harm or loathe ourselves, we can never, ever do good to anyone else. Amma advices us to even treat our body like a temple. It is the only way we can, with the correct decorum, seat Amma there. When we realise thatAmma lives within us, we will learn to love ourselves. Amma says that we all have God within us. Godliness. A form of cleanliness of mind and spirit. And just as we pay so much attention to the altar where we seat our Gods, so also must we pay attention to cleaning up our inner self wherein Amma resides.

Om Amriteswariye namah! 

Our little miracles!

522. Om sukla-varnayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is white

I had a quick lesson in faith from my mother. I was wondering about the efficacy of a medicine and whether it had been tested or not and whether it was safe to consume. At which point my mother looked at me and very simply said, “Then you can’t live in this world if you question everything.”

What she hadn’t elaborated on and said was that we need to get by with a certain amount of faith reposed in everything around us. Faith in that medicine. In a doctor. In Amma. In knowing that the world has us well within it’s arms and will take care of us. That when the earth spins, we are a part of that rotation. That everything happens because there is a greater design to it all. Like when Amma created the many little miracles in my life that I could never have fathomed for myself. Even if I should look at the lifes of my friends and see the twists and turns there, Amma’s loving hand has such a strong presence. She’s seen it all for us. Amma can see the bigger picture and know the path like only a caring and loving mother can. And it is only to our advantage that we happily sit in the seat of faith and allow Amma to steer the car of life for us.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Her positive aura!

521. Om ajna-cakrabja-nilayayai namah: I bow down to Amma who resides in the two-petaled lotus in the Ajna chakra

Happiness is a choice. Amma says that irrespective of how we react or how we behave, time will pass. At the start of every day, it is entirely our choice on how to respond to events and how to take the events in our stride. When we react negatively to any situation, we are creating a wave of negativity around us. Similarly when we respond positively, we are creating waves of positivity around us. Amma is a massive aura of positive energy which totally explains the happiness we feel around Her. Even thinking of Amma makes us happy. That's how strong Amma's aura is. Irrespective of where in the world Amma is,  we are still surrounded by Her universal positive energy. How fortunate to have a wonderful Guru like Amma who not only leads us with Her brilliance but is also a loving Mother and guide. May all of us wrap this year with the bestest of wishes for each other and may we start the new year with the most positive thoughts for a better world.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Her helping hand!

520. Om sakinyamba-svarupinyai namah: I bow down to Amma who is in the form of Mother Sakini described in the previous six names

I started this year on a bad note. Tired, weary. fearful. It took me six months to finally get to meet Amma at New York. And that's when the healing began. As always, Amma applies the salve. Through the year I have looked up to Amma searching for Her in shadows, in light, in corners. Asking Her furtively, 'what do I do now, Amma?' or despondently, 'why are You doing this to me, Amma?'. Most times She has stayed silent but the one time She spoke, it was resounding. And She showed me that She was there. In fact, had always been there. Some routes are just a massive test. Like a driving test. Dangerous curves that need great dexterity of faith. It just means I need to carefully manoeuvre along as Amma guides us. We just need to hold on to the steering well rest assured that Amma is right next to us applying the brakes and accelerating as She deems fit.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

This spiritual path!

519. Om mudgaudanasakta-cittayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is particularly fond of food offerings made of mung beans

The altar is painted and cleaned. And for some reason, I didn't feel too connected. Maybe because I wasn't praying through it all. Or maybe because I'm still looking out at the universe and wondering why the ride's been bumpy. To grow spiritually I think is to mature and age wisely. It is to be able to look at any event and truly become a witness. To be able to watch and observe while weighing our options and preparing ourselves for the best reactions. To do so is to actually distance ourselves from high emotions and keep with the spiritual thread of the moment. How calmly we can then take on the world! This is only possible if we all observe and learn from everything Amma teaches us. Every sat sang, every talk is a goldmine of knowledge and we are truly blessed to be the children of this Universal Mother. May we always stay under Her grace and prosper on this difficult but rewarding spiritual path!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

A deep longing for Amma!

518. Om varadadi-nisevitayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is attended by Varada and other shaktis

A moment, a stillness that reminds me of Amma. I decide to clean the altar only so I can feel a deeper connect with Her. Anything where I can pretend to be actually washing Amma's feet or cleaning the peetham Amma sits on, or even preparing the altar for Amma. When I clean up my altar and place Amma's pictures back there, it feels the same as welcoming Amma to Her seat at a programme. And all the while Amma is watching only me. Like She is happy with the job I have done of cleaning up the space for Her to sit. Like Amma knows what thoughts have gone in to keeping the place worthy of our Goddess. Like Amma knows my deepest longing for Her and just how much my heart aches to have Her darshan and Her unending assurance and love. Like Amma knows that for now, if this is the closest I can get, it's also the safest I feel:)

“Compassion is Consciousness expressed through your actions and words. Compassion is the art of non-hurting. Compassion cannot hurt. Compassion cannot hurt anyone because compassion is Consciousness manifested. Consciousness cannot hurt anyone. Just as the sky cannot hurt anyone and space cannot hurt anyone, the manifestation of Consciousness, compassion, cannot hurt anyone. One who has compassion can only be compassionate.”: Amma

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Our protector!

517. Om ankusadi-praharanayai namah: I bow down to Amma who holds the goad and other weapons

For protecting us from ourselves; for preventing us from the harmful paths we find ourselves on; for helping us along the many crossroads we tend to stumble upon; for giving us the power of discretion; for allowing us the luxury to rely entirely on a Guru who truly cares; for helping us cross the river of faith; for making us realise that faith is really just letting go and allowing the universe's grand plan to take over: Thank You for everything, Amma! 

"After boarding a bus or train, you won’t carry the luggage, will you? You will put it down. Likewise, surrender everything to God. He will protect you. Have the thought that God is near you. If there is a place to rest nearby, the mere thought of unloading the luggage which we are carrying lessens the weight of the burden. If we think that there is no place to rest, then the baggage seems heavier. In the same way, when we think that God is near, all our burdens diminish." -Amma  

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Basking in Her compassion!

516. Om asthi-samsthitayai namah: I bow down to Amma who resides in the bones

Some journeys are meant for our spiritual enhancement. Sometimes it gets so difficult to understand exactly what Amma is deciding for us. Sometimes we stand at a crossroad and really wonder if Amma has any idea what's happening in our lives. That's the moment when the universe teaches us an important lesson in faith. It's so easy at that time to just laugh bitterly at what we consider as Amma shrugging us off. But it's so important at all times to always know that Amma has a bigger plan. Always. For the better.
May we always live immersed in the river of love that Amma has created for us. May we always bask in the carpet of compassion Amma had laid out for us.
Om Amriteswariye namah!

Guru, Guide, Guardian Angel!

515. Om panca-vaktrayai namah: I bow down to Amma who has five faces

Compassion. Love. Non judgemental. Universal Mother. Guru and Guide. And a quick sixth one: Guardian Angel.

Amma wears so many colours of the love rainbow. Each of us sees something unique in Her. While to me She may be the Guru who guides us on the right path, to another devotee Amma may well be the Mother who chastises and corrects lovingly. Yet another devotee may see Amma as a river of love. Someone else may see Her as the fount of compassion. I think we see in Amma what we wish to see in the world. Bereft of friends, someone may see their best friend in Amma. When we are down and out, She is the elixir of our life. When we are gasping from the blows of life, She is the much needed oxygen. When we are burdened with tears, She is the much needed shoulder to cry on. Amma is a reflection of what we are hoping the world will be. When we hope for the world to be a kind place, Amma is there; the picture of kindness. When we hope for the world to give us compassion, Amma radiates compassion. She is absolutely every beautiful virtue there can ever be in this universe and I am so happy that She chose me to be Her child.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Spiritual teachings!

514. Om muladharambujarudhayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is resident in the lotus in the Muladhara chakra

Some beautiful words from Amma on parenting:

"Amma said it was not enough for parents to provide their children with money and luxuries, but that they needed to impart to them spiritual culture and values. “Even if a person buys the most expensive car and fills its tank with the highest grade petrol, a battery is needed in order to start the engine,” Amma said. “Similarly, regardless of much wealth and education the child receives, it is the love and cultural values received from the parents that help the child to handle any circumstances once he or she grows into adulthood, and to give and receive love.”

Amma also stressed the importance of imparting the spiritual teachings to youth in a language, manner and context with which they can relate. She said we should not lecture the youth about spirituality but rather create heartfelt dialogues wherein their questions and criticisms are patiently and lovingly considered. “We should approach them with compassion,” Amma said. “Such an approach will create a change within them. Above all, we should set examples that will inspire them.”

Amma said such dialogues are essential not only for imparting spiritual teachings to youth, but also for the fostering of inter-religious harmony. Problems arise when we say, ‘My religion alone is good and yours is bad.’ This is like saying, ‘My mother is perfect; your mother is a prostitute.’ When we hold discussions with the understanding that each person sees their mother as perfect, we will be able to truly communicate with others.”

Om Amriteswariye namah!

May peace reign!

513. om kakini-rupa-dharinyai namah: I bow down to Amma who is in the form of the Kakini yogini, described in the ten previous names.

Sometimes it feels like humanity could not fall any lower. And then someone, somewhere gives us a rude shock. We shudder, we pray, we carry on with our lives. Not even the next second stays accounted for. And moments like these make us feel out of control, helpless, scared. The only rudder, the only anchor we can seek is Amma. Where we can offer ourselves at Her feet and wait for the miracles of Her grace to unfold. Wherein we can totally surrender ourselves to Her and then wait for Amma to take over the reins of our life. In actuality Amma is already holding the reins but our ego prevents us from recognizing all the good She is doing. We are so convinced about the power of our own ability that we forget about the ephemeral nature of the world. Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu. May peace reign in this world. May all the beings in this world be happy. With Amma's unending grace.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

The divinity within!

512. Om dadhyannasakta-hrdayayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is particularly fond of offerings made with curd

Whenever I read stories of unwavering faith by devotees, I feel pangs of jealousy. How is it that they are able to feel and connect with Amma in a way that I can't seem to? How is it that when they ask, Amma gives so willingly and so quickly? I look for signs and symbols from Amma, all the time. In fact, I look for Amma everywhere. In a pattern on the cupboard door; in a fragrance; in a beautiful scenery. I wish She would actually give me a very symbolic sign that I could then carry like a spiritual signature, all the time. I hope wistfully that Amma would send a blessing floating through the wind that I could then quickly capture in my dream catcher. I  wish, I hope, I pray, I dream....while all the while the divinity is very much within me. I read a beautiful saying by Sai Baba that Bindu had posted:

"There is only one important thing that you have to take note of - give up the delusion that the Divine is in some remote place. Have the faith: "I am God." When you have the faith that you are Divine, you will never go astray. You will pursue the right path. Believe that God is in every human being. Have the firm faith that Divinity is present in every human form. Perform right actions befitting the human form. Eschew selfishness, and the attachments and hatred arising from it. The way to get rid of selfishness is adoration of God.

- Sri Sathya Sai Baba"

The only way forward. The only way to realise that Amma is actually always watching out for me with Her signs and symbols. Cos She lives within me. Om Amriteswariye namah! 

Absolute, unwavering faith!

511. Om bandhinyadi-samanvitayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is accompanied by Bandhini and other shaktis

Beautiful excerpts from the book Torrential Love by Swamini Krishnamrita Prana:
'Sometimes I go about pitying myself
And all the while I'm being carried
across the sky by beautiful clouds'
Native American Saying

"The faith that Amma inspires in us can help us to overcome what may otherwise seem to be insurmountable obstacles. ...When we approach the Guru with innocence, sincerity and openness, we will get some directions that shall guide us on the right path, even if we make a mistake along the way. This attitude of innocence also helps us to attain an element of deep peace and satisfaction in our lives....Some people lose their devotion when they meet with difficulties. That kind of faith is not for the sake of devotion but is based on some kind of expectation. True faith needs to be steadfast and unwavering. Only with this kind of faith can we grow spiritually....When we have strong faith, it cannot be shaken. Our faith helps us to face hard times as well as times when all is going smoothly. If our faith can be shaken, then it was not real faith after all."

I needed this today.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Into a state of egolessness!

510. Om madhu-pritayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is fond of honey and other offerings made with honey.

A beautiful excerpt from an article on Amma at this site


Ammachi’s compassion seems virtually limitless. She is so intoxicated with God that she seems to have burned out every trace of personal desire, and many the world over revere her as the very embodiment of unconditional love. And yet, Mata Amritanandamayi, the "Mother of Immortal Bliss," has a wrathful face as well. As unconditionally accepting as she is of those who initially come to see her, for those who have chosen to live their lives under her tutelage as her disciples, she is known to be an equally demanding and exacting spiritual teacher. Her discipline can be fierce; to come close to Ammachi, her students say, is to come close to the fire.
In Ammachi’s teachings, the role of the guru is to "break the ego of the disciple" so that "they can know reality." She warns them of the dangers of the ego, saying: "Blindness of the eyes is bearable and can be managed. . . . You can still have a loving and compassionate heart. But when you are blinded by the ego, you are completely blind. . . . The blindness carried by the ego pushes you into complete darkness."
Ammachi believes that the path to liberation is a path of humility and obedience, and that it is only by bowing down to the guru that the disciple can keep his or her ego in check. Long-term students readily tell stories of hardships and tests, of the "ego bashing" and "ego rebellion" that they experience at the feet of their beloved guru. They speak frequently and respectfully of the tough schedules, physical discomfort and strict discipline that have tested them more than a little. "It is not always easy being with Mother," they say, "but she helps to speed up our karma."

How wonderful this is! Om Amriteswariye namah!

Life's basic principles!

509. Om medo-nisthayai namah: I bow down to Amma who resides in the fat in living beings.

Some  beautiful words of advice from our ever loving Amma to householders and the way to carry on our spiritual quest:

” A griha (house) can be converted into an ashram. An ashram is a place where people devote all their time and energy to the remembrance of God, doing selfless service and developing qualities like love, patience and respect for others. They do spiritual practices to help them see unity in diversity. Family life can also be like this. It was like this before, in the olden days. That is why a householder devotee is known as a grihasthashrami, a person who leads an ashram life while remaining in his house. He is a person who tries hard to attain the supreme goal, bliss, even while living with his wife and children. This is possible if you sincerely try.”

~

“Children, stay where you are and do your duty with love and dedication. If you are married and settled in the world, don’t run away, abandoning your job and your responsibilities as a husband or wife, and parent. Don’t think that God will accept you only if you renounce all your duties and wear ochre-coloured clothes. No, that is not how it is. Continue to wear the same clothes, perform your duties, stay at home, and do your work. But at the same time, learn to live within your true Self. This is the most important art that we should learn. We learn everything else but never this: the art of dwelling in our own Self.”

~

“Whether you are living all alone or with a family, your life will not be happy and successful unless you have the mental capacity to adapt to any situation. This is one of life’s most basic principles.”

Om Amriteswariye namah!

The essence of heaven!

508. Om ati-garvitayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is very proud (of Her weapons and Her captivating beauty)

I sometimes wonder about the basis of religion. Traditionally it seems based upon the fear of Gods. And that's what I've grown up on. A punishing God who got angry at the drop of a hat. Who watched our every move and was free with punishment. Who applauded austerity and chastised indulgence. And then there comes Amma who only knows how to love. Who sits for hours giving out not punishment but acceptance and love cloaked in compassion. Who will listen to all our sins and never judge. Who will hear us out and understand our point of view. Who will never garland us with the weight of outdated beliefs. A truly realised soul, all Amma wants is for us to live a good and honest life creating changes for the positive in society. To make others happy. To spread Amma's chain of love. She forgives us our sins. She helps clean up our karmic debts. She will do everything She can to ensure that the world is a better place. Earlier, we always looked skywards when referring to the Gods. Now, Amma has created a revolution. It suffices for us to merely look at the altar, touch Amma's ring or a locket. For in that lies captured the essence of heaven.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Amma's road to faith!

507. Om pita-varnayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is yellow is color.

It's one of my favourite sayings by Amma: Whether we laugh or cry, time will pass. What Amma is saying is that events will occur and then everything really depends on our choices. We can choose to cry about something or laugh through it. Time, that great master, will pass by irrespective. Everything at the end of the day is leela. If something good happens to us, we can easily choose to see the negative in it and the day will give way to the dark at the appointed hour. If we choose the positive in it, the same day will give way to the same darkness. In the first instance, purely owing to our state of mind, the darkness will seem depressing. In the second instance, the darkness will seem comfortable, even celebratory. Everything is at the end of the day a result of choices we make. I remember Robert Frosts's poem, The Road Not Taken. Amma always advices us to stay positive, have faith and see everything as the hands of God. To walk in absolute faith knowing that whatever happens, happens for the best. And as Frost says, that one choice will have made all the difference.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

On reaching out!

506. Om suladyayudha-sampannayai namah: I bow down to Amma who possesses the trident and  other weapons (noose, skull and abhaya)

Amma on giving and compassion:
“There are three types of people in this world. There are those who have nothing; then there are those who are just scraping by; and the third type are those who have far more than they need. Now, if those who belong to the third category don’t do anything to help those of the first two categories, then Amma would say that those who belong to the third category, who are supposed to be rich, are, in fact, the poorest of the poor. Those who have far more than they need should, have eyes with which to see the suffering of others; they should have ears to hear the distressed calls for help; they should have a loving heart with which to feel compassion towards those who suffer, and they should have willing hands with which to lend their assistance to those in need.”
May we always have the eyes, ears and the heart to reach out to others in need. And in the long road to spiritual enlightenment, may we always walk under Amma's umbrella of grace enriching the lives of everyone around us, just as Amma has enriched our lives so much.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Amma and the universal law of karma!

505. Om catur-vaktra-manoharayai namah: I bow down to Amma who has four beautiful faces

Funny I should use a photograph where you  can barely see Amma's face, for this mantra. And yet I find this photograph so intriguing. It captures in it all the mystery of Amma: Her supernatural and mystical being; Her fabulous communion with nature. She's communicating with the sea. And even the rocks seem to be mesmerised (like the rest of us), with Her. She is truly the Empress of all She surveys! 

Yet another beautiful saying by Amma, from the Facebook page I have come to really enjoy (We Love Amma):

"The power of karma veils our real nature, while at the same time it creates the urge to realize the Truth. It helps us to go back to our real existence. The circle of karma is a great transformer, if you have the eyes to see it. It lets us know the great message: 'This life of yours is the effect of the past. Therefore be aware, your actions in the present determine your future. If you do good (follow your dharma) you will be rewarded accordingly but if you commit mistakes or perform evil actions (acts of ignorance that are against dharma) such actions will return to you with equal strength.' To the true spiritual seeker the message says, "It is better if you can stop the circle completely. Close the account and be free forever."
 Amma 

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Our perceived experiences!

504. Om svadhishthanambuja-gatayai namah: I bow down to Amma who resides in the six-petaled lotus in the Svadhishthana chakra

I have known happiness, because Amma has granted me this. I have known pain, because Amma has allowed me this for my spiritual furtherment. I have known betrayal because Amma has decided it was good for my education. I have known success because Amma has rewarded me for my hard work. And yet, Amma's advice on the many ups and downs of our life is so humbling:
"A real Master teaches you to accept everything that happens in life. He helps you to be thankful for both good and bad, right and wrong, enemy and friend, those who harm you and those who help you, those who cage you and those who release you from the cage. The Master helps you forget about the dark past and the bright future full of a thousand promises. He helps you live life in the present moment with all its fullness. He lets you know that the whole of nature - everything, everybody, even your enemy is helping you evolve and attain perfection."

And here is a beautiful quote by Amma on the way we perceive expereinces:
"Children, to a very large extent, it is the mind that is responsible for making life joyful or sorrowful. We happily welcome experiences that the mind likes, facing all others with resentment and grief and sometimes even anger. If we wear coloured glasses, we will see all objects tinged only with that color. In a similar way, we view all experiences through the lenses of our likes and dislikes, and thus interpret them as good or bad accordingly."
  
Om Amriteswariye namah!

Amma on meditation!

503. Om lakinyamba-svarupinyai namah: I bow down to Amma who is in the form of Mother Lakini described in the previous eight names.

I have been searching for the methods and means of meditation. Today I found 2 of Amma's quotes on it, thanks to a lovely facebook group called WE LOVE AMMA ...(don't we all!):
"Children know that meditation is the saving principle that makes you immortal and eternal. Meditation takes you across the cycle of death and rebirth. Meditation is ambrosia. It actually prevents the fear of death. It makes you egoless and takes you to the state of no mind. Once you transcend the mind, you cannot die. Meditation and spiritual practices give you the power and courage to smile at death. Meditation helps you to see everything as a delightful play so that even the moment of death becomes a blissful experience."
Amma
And even better, is this quote in which Amma tells us how to meditate:
Q: Mother, how should we practice meditation?
Amma: Place a small picture of a God or Goddess that you like in front of you. Sit gazing at the picture for some time. Then, while closing your eyes, try to see the form within. When the form within fades away, again look at the external picture. Then again close your eyes. Imagine that you are talking to your beloved deity, 'Mother, please do not go away and abandon me. Come into my heart. Let me always see Your beautiful form'. Cry, embracing your beloved deity. That which we meditate on will appear in front of us if we constantly call out with faith. One can understand the secret of bliss when you think of the nature of the Self. The happiness that we get from the objects of the world is only an infinitesimal fraction of the bliss that we get from within."
Om Amriteswariye namah!

Amma's equanimity!

502. Om samasta-bhakta-sukhadayai namah: I bow down to Amma who confers happiness on all Her devotees

I was fliping through some facebook pages on Amma and looking at the pictures. It was so incredibly awesome to see Amma smiling at all the devotees. I couldn't see one of the pictures clearly but everyone was smiling quite broadly in it. I thought perhaps Amma was hugging a celebrity....and it's only while reading the description I came to know that it was a blind man Amma was hugging. But the joy on Amma's face was no ness than when She hugged Jim Carrey. It doesn't matter to Amma who we are. All that She cares about is that we are all happy. What equanimity Amma holds! Absolutely nothing gets Her excited or sad. Amma truly looks at life as the great equalizer and walks the talk on this. Thank You Amma for always looking out for us and making such a difference in our lives. Thank You, thank YOU!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

My Mother who protects!

501. Om gudanna-prita-manasayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is fond of sweet rice made with raw sugar

Some days it is so beautiful to be able to enjoy a satsang in such a way that it feels almost personal. Where you feel that Amma is actually smiling ONLY at you! The connection is so strong! It was truly beautiful and brilliant. There was a reassuring sense of calm about the prayer, the people, the evening and not to forget, Amma's amazing presence. Even though She was looking at us from a picture, it felt like She was there. And She was because Amma's presence is so real. To the Mother who protects and ensures our safety and security at all times, I bow in surrender (though I would be lying and it would be egotistical of me to say that the surrender is complete. Far from it. I have much to learn!). To the Mother who knows our every thought, I lay down my ego. To the Mother who understands our every needs and knows that our intentions may not be bad, I promise to try and ensure faith in every step. I love You, Amma!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

In gratitude, Amma!

500. Om mamsa-nisthayai namah: I bow down to Amma who presides over the flesh in living beings

"As the duel was about to begin, Susarma appeared on the scene with several trigartas.
'I am here again, O Arjuna,' he said, 'to complete the task we had left unfinished. Only your death or mine will end this game.'
Arjuna now saw himself caught on the horns of a dilemma. On one hand was Bheema fighting a terrible duel with Bhagadatta, and on the other was Susarma's challenge.
'What should I do, O Lord?' he turned to Krishna for advice.
'You can do anything,' Krishna responded. 'Why don't you first get this trigarta out fo your way and then take on Bhagadatta?'
Immediately Arjuna pressed Gandiva into action. Within minutes many of the trigartas were wiped out. When one of his arrows hit Susarma, he swooned and collapsed on the ground. Leaving him there, Arjuna's Gandiva resumed its course of devastation. Now panicking, the Kaurava soldiers began to flee. Krishna then steered Arjuna's chariot to where Bheema was fighting Bhagadatta. On seeing Arjuna, Bhagadatta prodded the elephant into attaching his chariot. But Krishna's hands skilfully dodged the animal's attacks.....undeterred he picked up a bunch of his deadly javelins and began to hurl them at both Krishna and Arjuna. When one of his javelins was about to pierce Arjuna's chest, Krishna intervened to take it on his own body. But since it was covered by his jeweled armour, kaustubha, the javelin fell away, blunted. Looking angrily at Krishna, Arjuna said, 'Why did you risk your life for my sake, O Vasudeva?' 
'At that moment your life was more precious than mine,' he replied smiling."   

In gratitude, Amma, because that is what You always do. Stand in the path of javelins coming our way. Om Amriteswariye namah!
(Excerpt of quoted text from THE MAHABHARATA by Shiv kumar)

Amma's great actions!

499. Om rakta-varnayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is red in complexion

How beautiful is it that the entire world celebrated as Amma stood by the side of the Pope and signed a declaration to end slavery. How beautiful that on one platform were so many spiritual leaders who are responsible for showing us the way! How beautiful and lucky are all these people to have stood with the true Empress of the Universe!!

Amma signs Faith Leaders’ Universal Declaration Against Slavery, Joining global faith leaders at Vatican Ceremony

Dec 2, 2014 – Vatican City, Rome

Amma joined Pope Francis in the Vatican and 10 other world religious leaders this morning, in a ceremonial signing of a declaration against human trafficking and slavery.

The signing today of the Faith Leaders’ Universal Declaration against Slavery is a historic initiative, working together to end a global tragedy by 2020, gathering combined represented congregations of followers and supporters of over half the world’s population.
Amma commented herself:

“We are honoured and thankful that His Holiness Pope Francis has gathered us here today under the auspices of the Global Freedom Network. I am optimistic that all global faiths are uniting together to inspire both spiritual and practical actions towards society ending the horror of slavery and human trafficking.

“People from all nations and religions become victims to the ravaging effects of human enslavement and experience extreme abuse and suffering. Their physical and mental pain does not differentiate between language, race or skin colour. These victims are just a single group of humans, struggling against the clutches of endless sorrow and emotional suppression.

“The human mind has created many divisions in the name of religion, caste, language and national boundaries. Let us try to create a bridge of all-encompassing pure love to break down these self-created walls.”

Pope Francis commented, “Inspired by our faiths, we have gathered together today because of one historical initiative and one concrete action: to declare that we will work together to eradicate the terrible scourge of modern slavery in all its forms. The physical, economical, sexual and physiological exploitation of men, women, boys and girls is currently linking millions of people to dehumanization and humiliation. Every human being —man, woman, boy and girl— is an image of God. God is Love and freedom that is given freely in interpersonal relationships; therefore, every human being is a free individual, whose life is for the good of others, living in equality and fraternity.”

With the meeting of such great minds, the world lives on in renewed hope!
Om Amriteswariye namah!

Amma's little tests!

498. Om damaryadibhir-avrtayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is surrounded by Damari and other attending deities.

Problems. Amma's way of checking up on how much we trust Her and how much we are using the skills given to us by Her. Of course when we're faced with problems, myriad or otherwise, the first impulse is to run. A wise person once said, God helps those who help themselves. Amma equips us to face problems but we often find it difficult to. We lean so heavily on Amma that when She sends Her little tests our way, it becomes so tough to pull our act together and face up to it. We crumble. We shrink. Tears we thought had dried up resurface. The challenge begins again. Some days, the effort to just sit up and look for the sun seems so much. Some days, things get easier and the prayers that escape our lips are: "I can just hope and pray that Amma makes it all easy. You know my limitations, Amma. Please don't test me so. This is really all I can take." That's the time we need to feel the unseen hand of Amma guiding us so closely. That's when we really need to take that leap of faith and trust ENTIRELY in Her design for us. Amma has a plan. And She knows it will work!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Amma's spiritual footsteps!

497. Om vajradikayudhopetayai namah: I bow down to Amma who holds the vajra (lightning bolt) and other weapons

Amma is the Supreme Mother of the world. As Amma gets ready to meet the Pope, a historic event in itself, the world is talking about this. Everyone is excited and there is such a beauty to this meeting. 2 religious heads, 2 leaders of men and women will meet each other and hopefully the world will be a better place; the world will understand that religion isn't about creating sects or battling over whose way of worship is better. Instead it is about following the paths of people like Amma or the Pope, who are so progressive in their thinking and only care about the betterment of the world. Both these spiritually evolved giants of the religious world lead their flock by being the perfect examples themselves. They are both extremely non judgemental whose spiritual currency is love and compassion. May this meeting create the most divine waves all over the world. May the world turn a new chapter in compassion and goodness. May these 2 incredible giants help steer the world to an even better place and envelop us with their grace!

Om Amriteswariye namah!