Living in Awareness

Last Saturday, I decided to do the morning prayers as a walking meditation instead of sitting like I normally do. Fairly quickly, I discovered I was “receiving” a series of “tests” or “lessons” in the midst of the prayers. I stayed in the moment and worked through them without missing a word of the chants! I enjoy these types of challenges and decided to share what I learned. Continue reading “Living in Awareness” →

Recycling: A Model for the World

There have been recycling efforts of one kind or another at Amma’s Amritapuri ashram since 1999. Over the years, the program has enlarged and become more refined. The Recycling Center moved to its current location in 2012 and is a model for all of India and the world. Continue reading “Recycling: A Model for the World” →

Reminiscing- 1990 to 2014

I have come to Amma’s ashram in Amritapuri, India almost every year since January 1990. While to me it often feels like nothing has changed during that time, it is also obvious that so much is different.

When I first met Amma she was 35 years old. Now she is 61.

10501595_10152373600148302_282507455891349006_n

I arrived soon after the main part of the temple had been finished; the top floors were not complete. I remember participating in brick and gravel seva. We would form human chains and pass the bricks to the top floors, one at a time. We would also carry bags of gravel where ever they needed to go. I remember thinking that part of me would remain in Amritapuri when I left India because of all the bricks I had touched. This is a picture of the temple as it looks today. Continue reading “Reminiscing- 1990 to 2014” →

Living and Learning in Amritapuri- Dec 24 -25, 2014

December 24

The play was as wonderful as I knew it would be. The audience was spellbound and tears flowed freely. Several days before, Amma told us that she would end darshan early so she could watch it with us. That was such a gift. It also meant that the play was on the main stage so everyone could see it well. Continue reading “Living and Learning in Amritapuri- Dec 24 -25, 2014” →

Living and Learning in Amritapuri- Dec 24, 2014

Play

I have been spending most of my time on play related activities. As most of you know, I worked on sewing the costumes for a while and then switched to backdrops. I did not attend many play practices early on because there were so many different groups rehearsing throughout the day. I eventually asked Chaitanya which would be the best ones for me to attend. I went often enough to know that it was a powerful play, one that brought up so many emotions in me, mostly tears of one sort or another but also plenty of laughter. During one practice, I was crying and looked to the right and left of me and saw that all of the people nearby were crying as well. This play hits deep. (For those of you who don’t know, it is about the life of St. Francis of Assisi.) Continue reading “Living and Learning in Amritapuri- Dec 24, 2014” →

One Minute, One Hour, One Day at a Time

My favorite joke, and the only one I ever remember is:

Question: Do you know how to make God laugh?

Answer: Tell him your plans for your life

Being with Amma is always a chance to work on learning to not be attached to plans and instead letting your life unfold. That lesson was definitely the theme of my day on December 19. Continue reading “One Minute, One Hour, One Day at a Time” →

Living and Learning in Amritapuri- Dec 15-18, 2014

December 15

After having so much emotion for the last two days, I was exhausted on the 15^th. By the afternoon, I felt really ragged. Amma was at the beach meditating with the ashram residents. My general practice is to go late so I arrive just before a question and answer period begins; I’m as avoidant of meditation as ever!

Sreejit was in the kitchen cooking, so I decided to take some papaya to him before I went to the beach. On my way there, a crow dumped on my head. Some people say that is a blessing, I think it was more likely a consequence for my choice to skip the meditation. Continue reading “Living and Learning in Amritapuri- Dec 15-18, 2014” →

संस्कृतम् (Sanskrit)

Sanskrit Practice

In my Seattle area Sanskrit class, part of our homework is to write 10 sentences in Sanskrit each week. I enjoy putting them on my blog every now and then. (I have my teacher correct my work before I post them!) This week, I described some of my Tuesday, December 16 activities. Continue reading “संस्कृतम् (Sanskrit)” →

Living and Learning in Amritapuri- Dec 10-14, 2014

Know that every day here is packed with experiences, so I will be sharing some of the highlights! Continue reading “Living and Learning in Amritapuri- Dec 10-14, 2014” →

Living and Learning in Amritapuri- Dec 7-9, 2014

Sunday December 7

Today was a public darshan day. Amma’s form of giving a blessing to those who come to her is to give them a hug. The crowds were larger than normal as she had been gone from the ashram since the beginning of October.

Amma started giving hugs at 11 a.m. and continued until 2:30 a.m. on Monday. Many groups sang bhajans during that time; it is quite a festive occasion. During the public darshan programs, those of us who are staying here have the opportunity to hand Amma prasad for a short period of time. The prasad that Amma gives those who come to her is a packet of sacred ash and a piece of candy. The prasad packets are bundled in groups of three and the prasad giver hands Amma the bundle. It is a good opportunity to practice concentration since Amma may need the prasad at any time; the range is probably between 10 seconds and 2 minutes. I do my best to never take my eyes off of her hand. I love this seva (volunteer work). Several years ago, my inner voice started spontaneously saying “home” every time I handed the prasad to her…..home, home, home. To me serving Amma in this way is home. Continue reading “Living and Learning in Amritapuri- Dec 7-9, 2014” →