San Ramon, California

It was evening at the San Ramon ashram and Amma was seated on the stage in the hall. The audience listened in rapt attention as Br. Shantamrita gave an inspiring talk. The talk over, it was Amma's turn to speak. Much to everyone's surprise She said," Today, my children, you choose what you want from me- a talk, or a question and answer session." A murmur went through the crowd and then voices of "Talk, Talk…" on one hand and "Questions and Answers" on the other, rose up. Amma was highly amused. " Let us take a tally," She said. "Those wanting the talk, raise your hand." Many hands, clearly a majority, went up. Laughing, Amma consented. Her humility was touching- " The only thing is that I will keep repeating myself. Most of what I have to say, you have heard already, having listened to me many times over." Saying so She proceeded with Her talk.

After bhajans and arati, Amma sat down as usual to give darshan. New as well as familiar faces were welcomed whole-heartedly like long-lost children. With some, She joked and played- there was a young man with many, Amma wiped away tears and brought hope into their hearts in Her unique loving and gentle way. Yet others found Her concern for their affairs touching and beguiling. To each his own, so many faces does our dear, darling Amma display!

During darshan, a devotee was receiving the traditional sandal paste mark on his forehead from Amma. She patiently made it bigger and bigger. The devotee too, on an equally humorous note, said, " Amma, all I need now is a mirror." Spontaneously, Amma, part jestingly, part seriously said to him, " Son, look at Amma. Amma Herself is that mirror!"

Why is it said that a realized soul is like a mirror to the world? The nature of a mirror is to reflect. The cleaner the mirror, the clearer the reflection. The physical mirror reflects our physical body. Would it not be just wonderful to see as in a mirror what we are like on the inside - to see our innate and latent tendencies which express thrmselves through our thoughts and emotions? We could then become aware of any existing weaknesses within ourselves and work to correct it, thereby eliminating our source of sorrow, bringing peace to ourselves as well as those around us. The creation of that awareness is exactly what Amma does!

A realized soul like Amma is that kind of a mirror, with a mind that is so crystal clear that it gives us our perfect reflection. When we have Amma in our lives, we encounter a treasure trove of experiences which make us aware of our inner nature and help us witness our personal inner growth. Are we not truly blessed to have such a priceless mirror in our lives?