Ma Tujhe Salaam!
Published in "The Femina"
SHE is simply dressed in pristine white with a 'rudraksh' around
her neck. Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (or Amma, as she is lovingly
referred to), radiates a magnetic spiritual charm and beauty. Her
movements
graceful and agile, her expressions and mannerisms have an innocent,
childlike charm, made all the more valuable with her deep compassion
and empathy.
Amma attracts people from all walks of life. And greets them (or
offers 'darshan') in her unique style: With a hug, chanting a holy
syllable in their ears.
On special days, her 'darshan', which starts at about seven p.
m., goes on till eight the next morning. Amma, on these days, would
have granted 'darshan' to about 15,000 devotees, favouring each
with her personal touch, warmth and compassion! This, perhaps, arises
from her belief that the highest form of spiritualism is service
to the less fortunate.
Here, some of Amma's insights are revealed in an interview:
You share so much of yourself with others. Where do you
get the energy from? How do you cleanse yourself afterwards?
I am like a flowing river. I simply am. I accept and embrace everyone.
Many people come to this river -- a sick person, a healthy person;
some come to take a bath, others spit in it. The river simply embraces
and accepts everyone, rejecting nobody.
If you consider yourself a separate entity, then a dissipation
of energy and a cleansing process would realise that you are totally
connected to the supreme source, such things are not important.
I believe an ordinary person is like an electric post, while someone
who does severe 'tapas' (spiritual practice) is like a transformer
who can generate tremendous amount of energy. The former's mind
tends to wander and, thus, dissipate energy in many directions But
if that were to be focused, tremendous and inexhaustible energy
can be generated from it. 'Tapasya' begets you this energy, which
can be used to uplift society.
The need for cleansing and other such limitations are only necessary
so long as you 'think you are the body. Once you go beyond the body,
mind and ego, cleansing ceases to be a requirement. It is like a
batter': constantly connected and charged by the supreme source.
Many gurus and teachers talk of 'spirituality' and the
'spiritual' being. Exactly how does one define spirituality?
Spirituality is a science that teaches us how to live. Actually,
she can overcome the waves and swimming becomes delightful. But
for someone who doesn't, the tide can be her undoing.
Spirituality, thus, is the art of learning how to swim in the ocean.
If you learn it, you can live a balanced life, tackle situations
and overcome difficulties.
Do you believe in karma and life after life? How would
you explain it?
From the Vedantic standpoint, it is all an illusion. But to realize
it, you have to go through a certain process (spiritual practices/
training). Ultimately, you realize that you are this eternal self
and there is nothing else but the eternal self.
From an ordinary standpoint, though, all this is true -- life after
life and the cycle of karma. But it is all governed by faith, not
fact. To understand the truth behind it is beyond human intellect.
It is a mystery. Only when you realise the ultimate self can you
truly know whether or not something like this exists.
For example, a dreamlike state is seeming reality. When you come
out of the dream, you realise the dream was not real. Likewise,
in that supreme state of self-realisation, you realise that the
entire world is a dream. It is not reality. It is always inconstant
flux.
How does meditation help our spiritual development?
Unnecessary preoccupations, ideas, past regrets, and future anxieties
inhibit us from being completely in the present. Our constantly
vacillating mind can be brought to a standstill through meditation
and other spiritual practices because our true nature is a state
of stillness, of silence, which is the centre of our existence.
To find it, you need to learn to live completely in the present
moment.
Humans have extraordinary power, infinite capacity, within them.
We just have to tap into that realm of infinite energy.
Is there any supreme all-knowing source of energy and knowledge
that one can tap into?
That source of energy is already within you. Consciousness is everywhere,
it is all-pervasive, you are in it and you are that. All you need
to do is attune your mind to it.
Is life about free will or destiny?
Who destines that? For that we have to come back to the cycle of
karma. It is your own karma that creates your future destiny. Destiny
is very powerful, but self-effort is more powerful. The past karma
has caused the present. Your present actions can mould your future.
We may have to undergo some suffering (present) because it has already
been recorded (past).
The past, in fact, is like a cancelled cheque. It is no longer
valid. You can draw some inspiration from it. Treat it like a storehouse
-- take what you want from it and then come out of it. Don't stay
there, because that is not your living place.
But what is important is that the present is yours, so act properly.
Be alert in the present moment, because that is what will build
your future.
FROM SUDHAMANI TO MATA AMRITANANDAMAYI
AMMA was born Sudhamani, on September 27, 1953, in Alappad District,
Kerala. It is said that she came into this world, not in tears as
babies usually do, but with a beaming smile on her face. Sudhamani
surprised her parents later by recalling every minute detail that
took place during the first few months of her life.
She spent her childhood and teens engrossed in intense spiritual
practices. She was often found absorbed in deep meditation, oblivious
to her surroundings, and was prone to spiritually intoxicated states.
When her mother fell ill, the responsibility of housekeeping fell
upon her, forcing nine-year-old Sudhamani to leave school. She later
revealed that her family treated her badly and she was often severely
punished. She would tell her parents, "The very purpose of
my taking this body is to suffer for the ignorance of others."
Today, Sudhamani's parents are her devoted disciples.
In her teens, Sudhamani's spiritually intoxicated states and ecstatic
moods grew more frequent. She would kiss the earth, embrace the
trees, perceiving the Divine Mother in everything. Her family members
and villagers failed to understand Sudhamani's moods, and tormented
her, physically and mentally. She was finally forced to leave her
home.
Sudhamani immersed herself for months on end in the most rigorous
spiritual practices. She was often found deep in meditation for
days with no sign of any external awareness. Her 'sadhana' phase
culminated with the "total dissolution of her personal self
into the Divine Mother of the Universe".
From then on, Sudhamani dedicated herself to serving the poor and
suffering, and spreading the message of spirituality. Many young
disciples began to gather around her and she started training them
in the 'sanyasa' tradition.
It was at this time that the monastic name, Mata Amritanandamayi
Devi, was conferred on her and her disciples began to call her Amma,
What then emerged as a tiny ashram around her has today evolved
into the headquarters of her international mission. Her non-profit
charitable organisation, Mata Amritanandamayi Math, has established
over 20 non-profit institutions - medicare, education, housing and
spiritual growth are the focus areas.
One of the most impressive institutions in the pipeline is the
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre (AIMS).
This state-of-the-art 800-bed hospital, in Kochi, Kerala offers
quality medical care to all, regardless of race, caste, creed, religion
or financial capability.
In 1993, Amma was invited to speak at the centenary gathering at
the Parliament of World's Religions at Chicago. In 1995, she was
invited to preside over the Interfaith Celebrations in New York
to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. Belying
her simple upbringing and lack of education, Amma effortlessly addressed
a learned audience of international delegates, leaving them speIl-bound
by her charisma and insights.
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