Why haven't you called me...

It has become a rare occasion these days to sit near Amma and share in-depth one-on-one conversations with her while darshan is going on - even in the wee morning hours when the crowds have thinned down considerably. The number of people coming to see her is on a steady increase and the hall never seems big enough to hold them all.

However, today morning many of us got lucky. Amma was in a joyful mood as always and this young man came for darshan. He asked Amma, "Why haven't you called me to the ashram in India yet?" He was referring to his desire to be a celibate disciple in Amma's ashram in India.

Amma said, "Your parents will be really upset if you become a monk. Most people respect monks, but do not cherish the idea of their child becoming one." This is especially true in India where there is an expectation that children should shoulder responsibility of their parents and support them in their old age.

"Besides," said Amma, "all you do is talk of renunciation. Your mouth goes on talking - but your feet have not moved yet," implying that serious spiritual aspirants do not just talk, they put their resolve into action. But this young man did not give up so easily. "Amma, are you okay with my coming there?" he persevered. "It is up to you to make it okay..." stressed Mother.

"True aspirants do not need an invitation to renounce the world. Renunciation is spontaneous - it simply happens. It happens when one sacrifices one's desires."

The silence that followed reflected the momentary stillness that Amma's words created in her children's minds. In the blink of an eye, her weighted words effectively conveyed the meaning of that ancient scriptural prayer "...release me from my bonds as easily as a ripe fruit eases away from the vine. Lord, grant me liberation."