In the Presence of a Perfect Master

October, 2004

In London, I was talking to one of Amma’s children who appeared very happy. Curious as to why this child of Amma was so happy, I asked her to tell me what happened. She narrated the following experience.

“For the past two days, I was very sad. I felt as though my heart was breaking and bleeding. Residual feelings of pain began to return from an old wound I felt from being abandoned by my parents since childhood. I did not know how to cope with these disturbing memories of the past.

Coincidentally that same day, a friend of mine presented me with a wooden heart. My friend explained that when someone is very kind to you, you pass the wooden heart on to him or her as a token of gratitude. I began to wonder, ‘Now who shall I pass this heart on to?’ It did not take me long to realize that my wooden heart was for Amma.

I was a little hesitant to give Amma the wooden heart as it was slightly cracked. Nevertheless, I walked up to Amma’s side. As I moved closer and closer, Amma smiled at me and asked me what I had in my hands. As I offered the wooden heart to Amma, She voiced in a concerned tone, “Oh, it’s broken!”

“Just like mine,” I added sadly.

With great tenderness, Amma kept the heart close to her and lovingly stroked the broken part over and over again. I felt an enormous sense of relief and peace within. Today I feel the complete opposite of what I felt just a couple of days ago."

The woman ended her narrative with a beautiful smile.

A True Master like Amma often creates situations that provide the perfect environment for our spiritual growth. The process can sometimes be emotionally trying, though invariably fills us with peace and joy in the end.
I witnessed the truth of this statement yet another time.