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” →

How I Spend My Days in Amritapuri- मम प्रतिदिनस्य (2014)

My Daily Schedule (मम प्रतिदिनस्य)

As many of you know, I stay quite busy in Seattle, but my Seattle life looks like a life of leisure when compared to my time in Amritapuri! In this post, I will not only describe what my day is like, I will also practice my Sanskrit. So if some of my sentences seem strangely simplistic that is why!

At 4:00 a.m., I get up (चतुर्वादने प्रातःकले उत्तिष्ठामि|)

At 4:45, I go to the temple (पदोन-पञ्चवादने देवालयं गच्छामः|)

We chant the 108 Names of Amma and the Sri Lalita Sahasranamavali, and sing the Mahishasuramardini Stotra (वयं १०८ अम्बायाः नामानि,श्रि-ललिता-सहस्रनामावलिं, महिषासुरमर्दिनीं स्तोत्रं च वदामः|) Continue reading “How I Spend My Days in Amritapuri- मम प्रतिदिनस्य (2014)” →

Living and Learning in Amritapuri, India- Dec 5, 2014

Sights, Sounds, Smells of India
• When you arrive in India there is a distinct odor; one that is hard to describe. “Sweet” is the word that comes to my mind. I’ve heard numerous people say when they smell that fragrance, they want to kneel down and kiss the earth. I can relate to that experience. To me it is the smell of “Home.”
• Kerala, the state in southeastern India where Amritapuri is located is very tropical. When I gaze into the distance from one of the ashram roofs, the palm trees go as far north and south as my eye can see.
• From the ashram it is a three minute walk west to the Arabian Sea and a two minute walk east to the backwaters that separate the peninsula where the ashram is located from the mainland. I love to sit and gaze at both bodies of water.
• Every morning, there is tremendous sound from thousands of white and black birds as they fly away from the trees where they have spent the night.
• Every evening, the sound of the birds is even louder as they return to perch in the trees for the night.
• In the early morning, and throughout the day, you will hear music from nearby temples, sometimes coming from many directions at once.
• During the day, the sight and sound of crows are everywhere. Be careful or you will lose your food!
• Beautiful sunrises and sunsets occur at the same time of day throughout the year.

DECEMBER 4, 2014

Amma returned to the ashram
It is always so special to be here when Amma returns from her international programs. Anticipation builds for days. This time there were rumors that she would return around 10:30 a.m. Soon, there was a line of people stretching from the front gate, or beyond, to the house where she lives. Continue reading “Living and Learning in Amritapuri, India- Dec 5, 2014” →