Opening of Hearts

June 12, 2004,
San Ramon, California

At the austere California ashram set against the scenic San Ramon hills, devotees from upper California and surrounding areas, as well as visiting devotees from across the country and around the world enjoyed yet another day of Amma’s loving presence in the United States. Br. Shantamrita’s inspiring talk in the evening revealed several personal experiences with Amma.

At the end of the talk and before the bhajans began, two celebrities were graciously received by Amma on the stage as they came forward to honor her. Pandit Jasraj, whose presence in the hall had by no means gone unnoticed, garlanded Amma and humbly sought her blessings. Regarded as the doyen of Hindustani classical vocal music, Pandit Jasraj has been delighting audiences with a lifetime of work that captures elements of spirituality and serenity within the musical form.

The second luminary who graced the hall was none other than spiritual teacher Ram Dass who, for the last 35 years, has been the foremost proponent in the US of eastern spiritual mysticism for the Western seeker. Many are those that have been inspired to walk the spiritual path as a result of his teachings, research and huge body of work – his cherished gift to the Western world.

In the brief Q&A session that followed, a lady told Amma that she could not express love as effortlessly as Amma. Amma said that this was not true…love is inherent in every human being…did she not spontaneously rush to pick up her child when he fell? Was this not an expression of her love?

Then the evening bhajans began. For many people, the evening devotional singing with Amma is the highlight of the day’s program as it gives them an opportunity to bathe in the pure waves of Amma’s flowing devotion for the Divine. The night’s bhajans were beautiful compositions in several languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, English…and the latest in the long list of languages … “Ishwar Tumhi Daya Karo” rendered in Persian!

It is nothing but Amma’s deep maternal concern for her children – who incidentally have various countries of origin – that prompts her to sing bhajans in myriad tongues – 48 languages to date. Language is so much a part of our mental make-up….when Amma sings a song in our native tongue, it goes straight to the heart and an instant connection is formed.

Moreover, Amma’s constant effort on a global level has been to unify the world in peace. When Amma sings songs in different languages, and we sing along, a whole new world is opened up to us. A seed is sown within us…the seed of familiarity and openness to cultures different from our own - which will one day grow to a tree of love and acceptance of all people as one’s own.

The world needs more leaders like Amma who actively advocate peace by birthing love in human hearts. Today in San Ramon, more hearts were touched and more minds were opened as Amma wove her mesmerizing web of love around her children and cozily cocooned them in its healing warmth.