Sunday, February 22, 2015

Spiritual practices!

579. Om mrnala-mrdu-dor-latayai namah: I bow down to Amma whose arms are as soft and cool as the lotus stem


From the archives of amritapuri.org:
During one of Amma's visits to the beach and the satsang that followed, a lady seated facing Amma said “I do not know how practical it is to get up for the Archana at 4 a.m. every morning.”
Laughing, Amma answered her saying that “when one has an examination at school, it becomes necessary to get up early in the morning to prepare oneself. Spiritual practices are similar. At present, our mind is not in our hands. Desires take shape in the mind. One needs constant practice to understand the nature of the mind. Such preparation alone will help our mind to keep it ‘air-conditioned'; when facing joy or sorrow, one must not get over-excited or over-depressed.” Amma explained about the practicality of spiritual practices.
Amma continued her explanation saying, “Like the tortoise that can withdraw its head and arms into the shell when not needed, the mind should be withdrawn when not needed or in danger.” Amma went on to give another example, that of a tadpole and a frog.  When the tadpole has a tail, it remains only in water.  Once it transforms into a frog by losing its tail, it can go on water and on land as well. By losing our ego, one can live anywhere happily. Everyone is the One Self. Love everyone and serve everyone. ” Amma re-iterated the goal and the purpose of spiritual life.
Amma’s ever smiling face carried with it the depth of wisdom of the Vedas.
And then Amma referred to the story of a person who fell into a rapidly rushing river. Amma explained that by constant practice at least one does not fall backward, even if one does not go forward. “If someone has a business loss, one can recover, but time lost is a loss forever. Youth will not come back, childhood will not come back. So one has to create that awareness and put forth effort continuously,” Amma alerted every one.
The sun was setting in the ocean. Even the last rays had disappeared into the water. Darkness slowly started falling on every thing. Amma continued saying that “we must not complain about the darkness around. We have a lighted candle with us. Take each step with faith. That candle will shed light on the next step.”
After singing  ‘Mukundamurari gopala’ and walking back to the ashram to join the evening bhajans, many ashramites and guests were thinking how lucky they were to have Amma with them to hold their hand and walk beside them, instilling  love and faith with every faith-filled step.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

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