This deep seated relationship!

296. Om anadi-nidhanayai namah: I bow down to Amma who has neither beginning nor end.

There is no beginning and no end. The only constant is that Amma's presence is a constant! She is always there. We are just too mortal to recognize this fact. So the times that we cry for Her presence, all we need to do is meditate deeply on Her form because Amma is waiting for us to feel Her presence. And the beauty of this mantra, for me, is this: there is no beginning to my relationship with Amma. I have always known Her. Even before my father informed me of a Guru; even before I physically met Her, I have always known Amma. As have all Her children. There is no "beginning" to our relationship with Amma. It's in the order of things. And happily, there never will be an "end" to this deep seated relationship either. We have always been Amma's. And we will always be Hers. We may try and end our relationship with Her whenever the winds go against us but that's as foolish as cutting our noses to spite the face. How does one end a relationship with oneself? How does one begin a relationship with oneself. Amma is in each of us. She's the good that lives within each of us. And the more good we have, the more of Amma we have!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Amma is my universe!

295. Om ambikayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the Mother of the universe.

This mantra, to me, states the obvious. Of course Amma is the Mother of the universe. She is our spiritual Mother who ensures our well being every second of the day. She is the one who has fed us the milk of compassion and the food of love. Amma always makes sure we are clean in our minds and clean in our hearts. When She sets us on the path of life, She wants to make sure that we are capable of the goodness required to look at karma square in the eye. I also find it incredible that our behavior is a big reflection on Amma. Let us never give anyone any reason to question Amma because of our pettiness.

In exactly the same way that any Mother's heart constantly beats for Her child. so also Amma's benevolent heart beats for us. How can it not? We are Her children! And even when we stay away from our Mother, this strong umbilical chord that has been woven by the universe will always tie us to Her. Absolutely nothing can sever this mother-child tie. Unless it is the ungrateful child looking to break ties...! May we always respect the universe for giving us the most incredible Mother in the universe!

Om Amriteswariye naamh!

What a beautiful lesson, Amma!

294. Om bhuvanesvaryai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the ruler of the universe.

Bindu said something very important to me today. "Amma isn't here to do miracles. She's here to teach us how to live our lives"....which in itself is a miracle.

There was a whiff of a story many months ago about someone called Gail. The grapevine buzzed:.....swamini with Amma....ran away....making allegations...writing a book accusing Amma.

Accusing Amma? The Mother of the Universe? Our beloved Mother? No way! I remember giving the article a cursory glance and scoffing at it. And yet someone printed that book, someone took an interview, someone listened. There was a furore with groups of devotees and non devotees battling with the weapons of faith and non-faith. Some yelled, "Amma needs to be investigated!" while the believers said, "This is our Mother! A Goddess!" She'd been accused of hoarding riches and having a temper. Which was laughable because the real riches Amma hoards is Her incredible love for us. Her temper? Where does temper have space when there is so much love? And so there was noise. And a few ripples. And quietly through all this, Amma went on with what She is here for: offering solace and love to each of us.

Amma's taught each of us a very big lesson with this incident. We just need to continue doing our work. The obstacles will come and go. But our sincerity will always see us through. What a beautiful reminder of this glorious truth. Thank you Bindu. And thank you Amma for teaching us a very, very valuable lesson indeed.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

From one strength to the next!

293. Om bhoginyai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the enjoyer

I know the word "bhog" works with food but for me, it is Amma's love for life. Every minute of every day, Amma loves what She is doing. She loves Her children and will always do everything She can to ensure our happiness and peace. Amma's will is always to make Her children happy. The only way we can be happy is by following the path of renunciation. If not renunciating material goods, we must most definitely renunciate the space given to fear and hatred in our lives. These are vices that will reach in and strangle every shred of happiness from our lives.
It is this enjoyment that makes Amma laugh with abandon, give out so much love and genuinely think of all our well being. It is Amma's inherent innocence that makes Her so incredible pure. It is this purity that helps spread Her unending compassion.

May the faith continue to grow in us, From one strength to the other.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Amma is always there!

292. Om purnayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is always whole, without growth or decay

How can there ever be any decay in Amma? How can love decay? Faith can degenerate but not love. It'll always be around us, surrounding us tightly with Her grace and protection. Sometimes when doubt creeps in with its ugly head and whispers the vilest things, I sometimes listen. But when I understand that we have to learn to rise above these things, then Amma is there waiting for me. I can't take Your tests Amma. In fact, I would like to think You do not test. I would like to think that You help us live our lives in the most perfect way possible.

Is there anyway I can keep my faith in You unshakeable? Can I reach a state where I do not question, where I do not hesitate, where I do not feel a sense of abandonment? May Your grace always fill our lives.

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Her mysterious ways!

291. Om purusartha-pradayai namah: I bow down to Amma who grants the (four-fold) objects of human life

It is interesting that the words I was looking for, came from someone who has been in the public eye for  attempting to discredit Amma:
“[Amma] only sees the good side of us all. Otherwise would it be possible for her to give darshan for hours and hours together as she does, accepting all as they come to her? It is not that she is unaware of our faults. She is very well aware of all the wrong that we have done and of all the defects in our characters, but she does not judge us for that. Through her compassion, she showers her grace upon us incessantly, loving us just as we are. If you could say, though, that Amma has any desire, it is that all of her children become pure, free from jealousy, greed and hatred. It is very easy to love those who are kind and loving to us, but what Amma wants, however, is for us to aspire to love even those who are cruel and dislike us. We should constantly try to feel her love within ourselves, flowing out to whoever comes before us, whether it be an animal, plant, friend or foe. When this expansion of heart takes place, we then experience God’s love in the form of peace and bliss within ourselves. This expansion of heart is the only thing that Amma expects from her children.”
—Gail Tredwell, San Ramon, California, USA, November 14, 1998

I was looking for an affirmation and I found so many. I am sorry Amma for having doubted You. I know You work in mysterious ways and whatever it is You have in store for me, I should learn to accept it wholeheartedly. Because a Mother will never give Her child sorrow. As I also learnt from this wonderful story!

Om Amriteswariye namah!

Keeping the faith alive!

290. Om sakalagamasandoha-sukti-samputa-mauktikayai namah: I bow down to Amma who is the pearl enclosed in the shell made of all the scriptures.

Amma has in Her all the wisdom of the world. Being an Amma devotee and following Her every advice on living, is equivalent to knowing the wish of the universe and the wisdom of all the scriptures. She tests us in Her own way, quite widely. Some of us are lucky to go through more detailed testing because She knows that the wisdom that is then on offer to us is something only those who have been through fire are worthy of getting. In fact, even when She tests us by putting us in the fire, it is only because She is taking away worse karma that was possibly coming our way. At such times it is difficult to keep the faith but keep it we must. If we stay on that path of faith, Amma will know we aren't in this just for the short ride. Please keep us forever protected by Your grace, Amma. However busy You are. Please don't forget these children whose tears are smarting from pain.

Om Amriteswariye namah!