Reflecting with David

JunTue 2010 Filed in: Reflecting With David

Amma

Event: The Joy of Living: A Meditation Training
Where: The Manhattan Center 311 W. 34th St., (between 8th and 9th Av.) Manhattan
When: Sunday, July 4th, 11 am - 5 pm
Monday, July 5th, 10 am & 7 pm
Tuesday, July 6th, 10 am & Devi Bhava at 7 pm
Phone: 212-219-2527

Many people come to Amma to receive her embrace, which she refers to as darshan. Amma has been giving darshan in this manner since her late teenage years. As to how this began, Amma says, "People used to come and tell [me] their troubles. They would cry and I would wipe their tears. When they fell weeping into my lap, I used to hug them. Then the next person too wanted it… And so the habit picked up." Amma's organization claims Amma has embraced more than 29 million people throughout the world.

Amma’s life is her message. In other words, Amma does not teach anything that she herself does not practice. Living from moment tomoment in a constant state of supreme happiness, Amma warmly embraces thousands of people day after day, wiping their tears, giving them her divine guidance and offering solace to all who come to her. Amma recommends the path of selfless service through the example of her own life.

Amma says, “The beauty and charm of selfless love and service should not die away from the face of the earth. The world should know that a life of dedication is possible, that a life inspired by love and service to humanity is possible.

Meditation and studying the scriptures are like two sides of a coin. The engraving on that coin is selfless service, and that is what gives it its real value. Our compassion and acts of selflessness take us to the deeper truths. Through selfless action we can eradicate the ego that conceals the Self. Detached, selfless action leads to liberation. Such action is not just work; it is karma yoga.”

Tags: David