Amma!

856. Om garvitayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is proud.

The only way forward - to immerse oneself in the Lord's name. Amma, Amma, Amma!

"The Lord's Name has power. But for every thing there must be correct attitude or feeling and mood. This is the same as concentration. For example, when a musician sings without feeling, the singing will have no appeal. Feeling comes only when there is bhakti or devotion. Bhakti towards an object or towards the work that we are doing is important. This feeling comes only when one does the work with concentration. It is a feeling of oneness, of merging in the work. In the same way, although God's Name has a power of Its own, when we chant It with feeling/mood or concentration, It becomes more powerful.": AMMA

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Seeing me through this!

855. Om gaganantahsthayai namah: I bow down to Amma who resides in the ether, space.

It's funny how Amma shows us our true friends. It's amazing how She reveals the truth to us. Amidst so much pain, as I realised exactly what had been happening, I knew Amma was there to hand hold me through it all. I had told Her it was too big for me to handle. I had told Her it was too enormous for me to process. And She hasn't let go ever since. I feel Her presence as She guides me and helps me come to terms with the deep rooted deceit. Everything happens for a reason. And this has happened so that I can finally have more faith in Amma and so that my spiritual journey can begin. As always, Amma will see me through this. I know there's a rainbow somewhere out there. I know one day Amma will help me see the world in colour again.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Letting go...and moving on!

854. Om gambhirayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is unfathomable.

As I stand on the cusp, a message from Amma I need to revisit:

"To attain the state of complete oneness with the Supreme, one has to lose oneself. This, however, is our greatest fear: that we will lose ourselves. For to lose oneself would be a form of dying, and who wants to die? Everyone wants to live. But in order to live life fully, we must learn to love life at its very essence, and to let go of everything else. Learn to embrace life with open arms as you let go of your attachments. Let go of all that you cling to, all your regrets, all your fears and anxieties. But this letting go is not a loss at all, it is the biggest gain there is. It brings the entire universe to you, and you become God."

Om Amriteswariye namah!

On discrimination in spirituality!

853. Om santyatita-kalatmikayai namah: I bow down to Amma who transcends the state of peace

"Discrimination is meant for one who is in the process of evolution. You need strict discrimination to understand the difference between what is good for your spiritual progress and what will create obstacles in your path. A seeker must discriminate between what is eternal and what is non-eternal. But once you have attained the state of perfection, you have renounced everything, even discrimination. You cannot hold onto anything. Transcending all dualities, you become the universe; you become expansiveness itself. You become both day and night. You go beyond purity and impurity.": AMMA

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Where are You, Amma?

852. Om sarvopanisad-udghustayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is celebrated by all the Upanisads

"You children are all like the leaves on a plant. Some leaves are close to the flower, and others are far away from it, but all the leaves belong to the same plant. Likewise, all are Amma's children; don't doubt that one bit. Don't feel sorry that you can't enjoy Amma's physical presence by not being with Her. You can also reach the ultimate goal some day.": AMMA

And yet I acutely feel Your absence, Amma! I wish, wish, wish I could see You! I love YOU!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

November rain of peace!

851. Om janma-mrtyu-jara-tapta-jana-visranti-dayinyai namah: I bow down to Amma who gives peace and repose to those afflicted by birth, death, and decrepitude.

A strange November it has become. A November that I sometimes forget is the second last month of this miserable year. And every time I find myself on the brink of tears, I remind myself of Amma's words: "Whether you're happy or sad, time will pass." The choice is mine. I might look back on this year as the year of painful change or as a pathway to peace. The choice is entirely mine. I have already decided on my spiritual path. I have oft said the words but maybe this was the test to truly mean it: I lay down my life by Your feet Amma. Do with it as You think best.
I recently read these words spoken by film director Shekhar Kapur about Amma. So, so true: 'How can you say a few words about Amma? Actually, it is better to say nothing because Amma is everything, and then she is nothing because she can become nothing whenever she wants. There is no description that anybody has ever been able to find for the description of the infinite except to say is that ‘it is.’So all I can say about Amma is that, 'Amma is… Amma is love..'

You are Love, Amma. And so, what I have lost, I will find in my total and complete surrender to You!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Remembering God, always!

850. Om varna-rupinyai namah: I bow down to Amma who is in the form of the letters of the alphabet

"Tapas alone is not enough; you need action also. Soap alone is not enough to wash your clothes; you need to "agitate" or beat the clothes clean. To overcome the circumstances, karma (action) is essential. We should be able to remember God constantly, whatever we are doing, and not just when we sit for meditation. Further, selfless action will help develop the purity needed for meditation. Action is also necessary to test the progress we have made in meditation. On the other hand, without meditation, selfless action is not possible. The actions of a man who does tapas have a power of their own; they benefit everyone.": AMMA

From hereon my singular spiritual journey starts. I will lie by Your feet and live in constant remembrance of You, Amma. Surrender really is the only way ahead, to heal and let heal.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Thoughts and happiness!

849. Om uddama-vaibhavayai namah: I bow down to Amma whose prowess is unlimited.

"Now the mind is full of many thoughts accumulated from the different experiences of life. When thoughts increase, we will not get any peace regardless of where we are or what we have. When thoughts decrease we can find peace even if we are not provided with any comforts or facilities. Those who decrease their thoughts through practice can find peace regardless of the time or place. For them, the so-called world of chaos and confusion becomes an abode of peace and harmony. For others it remains like a hell.": AMMA

I wish to find peace, Amma! Please let these thoughts subside and allow me to find much needed peace and happiness. 

Om Amriteswariye namah!

A Guru's way!

848. Om udara-kirtaye namah: I bow down to Amma who possesses exalted fame.

"Whatever the Guru does is only for the spiritual progress of the disciple. It is absolutely impossible for him to act otherwise. Mother is referring to a Satguru, not just someone who declares himself to be a Guru. A true spiritual Master may sometimes behave strangely. He may get angry with the disciple for no apparent reason and might scold him severely, blaming him for errors which he hasn’t committed. But those seemingly strange actions are not because the Guru is angry with the student. That is the Guru’s method of teaching self-surrender, patience and acceptance.": AMMA

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Watching our thoughts!

847. Om talodaryai namah: I bow down to Amma who has a slim waist.

"When we travel in a bus, we see so many nice things on the way, nice houses, pretty flowers, beautiful gardens, and so on. But we don't form any bonds with them; we just let them pass by because they are not our destination. We have to learn to see thoughts that pass through our minds in the same way. Watch them, but don't relate to them. Don't cling to them. We can stand on the bank and watch the river flow. The river is interesting to watch, but if we jump in, we will soon lose our strength. Try to develop the ability to stand back as a witness as thoughts pass through your mind. That will make your mind strong.": AMMA

Om Amriteswariye namah!

For those years, thank You!

846. Om mantra-sarayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the essence of all mantras

Thank You Amma, for the past 22 years. Thank You for the lessons You have taught me. For the journey, for the companionship. Please show me the way ahead, Amma. I leave it all in Your hands. You have always looked after me and I know You will hold Your hand over me again and shower me with grace.

"We have a treasure within us that we will never lose, and that no one can steal; but we will not find it by searching on the outside. We have to look within. We have to offer the flower of our heart to God.": AMMA

Om Amriteswariye namah!

The healing begins!

845. Om sastra-sarayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the essence of all scriptures.

Thank You Amma for listening to me today. I cried out and I know You have heard. Please Amma, on this lonely spiritual journey of mine, let the healing begin.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Acceptance!

844. Om chandah-sarayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the essence of all the Vedas.

"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.": AMMA

Om Amriteswariye namah!

God's will!

843. Om bhava-cakra-pravartinyai namah: I bow down to Amma who turns the wheel of the cycle of birth and death.

"Worrying about the past or future is meaningless. The former is no more; it has no validity. Even if you go on brooding about things that went wrong in the past, they will not be corrected. The future is also not in your hands. It is controlled by the Supreme. A true devotee who has surrendered everything to the Supreme will not worry about the past or future. For him whatever happens is God’s Will. He accepts everything as His prasad.": AMMA

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Thank You Amma!

842. Om bhava-roga-ghnyai namah: I bow down to Amma who eradicates the diseases of the cycle of birth and death.

Thank You Amma for finally showing me the right path. For finally removing the mask from the devil and revealing the true nature of someone I trusted and loved. Hopefully, the healing for my daughter and I can now begin.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

To learn...and move ahead!

841. Om bhava-jnayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the knower of all thoughts and sentiments.

It's my only consolation:
"When you find yourself reacting in a negative way to different situations, you should contemplate upon the workings of your own mind, remind yourself of the Goal, and then rectify your behavior. We should take every situation that comes in life as an opportunity for us to learn.": AMMA

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Amma will save me!

840. Om mula-vigraha-rupinyai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the root form of everything.

I guess today's quote from this wonderful facebook account should just about sum up Amma's advice for me:
If a thorn pricks your foot when you walk, you will step more carefully. Thus you may escape falling into a ditch that may be just ahead. God gives us sorrow to save us. True believers will cling to God's feet even in sorrow. In their prayers, they will never ask for happiness. They will never think of selfish gains. But when somebody who suffers comes to us, we should give him solace. We should find time to speak a few comforting words.

Om Amriteswariye namah! 

Through Your grace!

839. Om mukti-nilayayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the abode of salvation

May Your grace always be upon us. And help me make the right decision. And help me feel less of the intense pain.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Prayers please!

838. Om mukundayai namah: I bow down to Amma who gives salvation

I need everyone's prayers. Please. This is a tough time and I would like my family to finally find some peace!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Amma...!

837. Om viyat-prasuve namah: I bow down to Amma who is Mother to the ether.

All cried out. No words.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

This too shall pass...!

836. Om vira-matre namah: I bow down to Amma who is the Mother of the valiant; Mother to the best among the devotees.

I asked You a question, Amma, 8 months ago and You finally answered. Painful as it is, this too shall pass.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Her grace is flowing!

835. Om viviktasthayai namah: I bow down to Amma who abides in secluded places.

Today was a better day. I felt Amma's presence strongly. And then a friend and one of Amma's favourite children sent me this:
"Her glories need to be told, retold and retold;
All your daily postings have not been in vain
They strengthen the heart and train the mind
To accept the pain and share in the gain
Realize who is in charge and who needs to yield
Your effort is showing Her grace is flowing
It flows and flows and it shall never cease"

Amma Sharanam.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Sincere prayer!

834. Om visrnkhalayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is unfettered, free in every way.

All I'm doing is praying. Please let him get better, Amma. Please let there be no problems or issues. Please. I'm laying it all at your feet.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Our colored glasses!

833. Om pancasat-pitha-rupinyai namah: I bow down to Amma who has fifty centers of worship.

"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 colour. 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.": AMMA

I'm undergoing an experience my mind certainly doesn't like but I also know that hidden within this, are many lessons for my husband and me. And for me towards Amma. I had begun to feel disconnected but I know now that She never let me go. Like an errant child, my Mother let me wander away a little before pulling me back, lock stock, into Her fold. I love Her. I am just waiting for Her grace to flow towards us now!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

You. Only YOU, Amma!

832. Om prana-datryai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the giver of life.

"Ups and downs are the very nature of life. It is not the incident but how we confront it that is most important. Incidents by themselves cannot influence us. If we are mentally weak, their effect will be worse than if we are strong and well-controlled. The wise ones quickly overcome such situations. A wise man may also feel sad, but quickly realizes that it is all a play, that it is the nature of life. If you go on worrying, it will dissipate a lot of your energy and will make you inactive.": AMMA

I needed to read this today. And when I knew that Amma had blessed my husband's picture, I felt blessed myself. The journey is tough but I feel supported. I know Amma is there inside the room with him. I know that when a procedure is happening, it's Amma who's doing it all. She's taking care. She's holding our hands. She's seeing us through. And I'm just waiting to surrender every step. I can't do this Amma. Not alone. I need Your guidance every step of the way. I need You to walk me through this with baby steps. You. Only You.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

A prayer!

831. Om pranesvaryai namah: I bow down to Amma who lords over the five pranas and the senses.

My next few days of writing is only for the recovery of my husband who is currently in the ICU. Please pray to Amma to keep Her grace flowing and for him to be entirely in Her care. This is all too big for me to handle and I am laying it all by Your feet, Amma. I truly have no idea what to do. Please hold my hands through this difficult ordeal. I have no road ahead but the one You lay down for us.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

MY AMMA!

830. Om prakatakrtyai namah: I bow down to Amma who is manifested in the form of the universe.

Today I'm too beat to write a long post but there's something I need to write. There is no one greater than Amma. When I truly and really surrendered, She made miracles happen. I had walked away Amma, from Your altar and yet, You, like a true Mother, refused to give up on me. Because You have always accepted me as Your daughter. Thank You Amma for holding Your hand so protectively over our heads and for being there for us. I love You!

Om Amriteswariye namah!