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kembolini
United Kingdom
50 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 21 2013 : 1:44:37 PM
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Saw Amma earlier today.
I shall go to sleep and then... |
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Ananda
3115 Posts |
Posted - Oct 21 2013 : 3:55:19 PM
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tonightsthenight
846 Posts |
Posted - Oct 21 2013 : 10:52:08 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by kami
quote:
Originally posted by tonightsthenight
quote:
Originally posted by Ananda
Thx for sharing Kami
I was inspired by accounts like Amanda and kami had, so I went to go see amma. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process. It was really fun and people were all happy. The meditation was nice and because of the big group there it was easy to slip into samadhi. I decided to keep the bliss raging out of meditation because I was really curious about the hug thing.
In the end it was fun but I didn't feel anything extraordinary from amma. Definitely a lot of selfless love there, above and beyond the vast majority of people, but not a radiance like I hoped and definitely did not add any logs to the k over here.
Dear TTN,
Glad you got to see Amma.
The experience for each of us varies with each guru, and it all depends on many factors pertaining to us, not them - openness, trust, expectations, the actual conditions of the venue, our conditioning and cultural beliefs, etc etc. I have met many gurus said to be supremely powerful and felt absolutely nothing from them, even during energetic transmissions (Shaktipat). On the other hand, I can walk into an old church expecting to simply enjoy the art and architecture and come out with my whole being buzzing in waves of radiant ecstasy..
It is all so mysterious, isn't it?
Much love to you.
Mysterious? Always!
That makes a lot of sense. I hope that one day I will meet a 'saint' that speaks to me. At this point I'm not sure that they exist since I'm such a skeptic. But I want to believe that this radiance is possible and they we can open up other people to the divine presence sheerly through proximity! |
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kami
USA
921 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2013 : 07:21:07 AM
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Hi TTN,
Actually, I'm also a skeptic.
Perhaps it comes across as lack of humility (and maybe it is..?) but it takes something "profound" (and mind you, this definition is so subjective) for me to "surrender". I'm constantly surrounded by people that talk about obedience to the guru and unquestioning surrender, both of which don't come easy to me. I find the whole surrender thing to be ostentatious most of the time, something I find myself doing because that is what is expected of me.. At an event a few months ago, I was in a large group of people in a satsang with a young swami.. He was eloquent and began talking about the Gita in a very simplistic fashion (this event focused on traditional Advaita). Midway through, I suddenly noticed he was wearing a familiar ring, a mark of another tradition that focuses on Kundalini yoga (I knew without a doubt because I had practiced in that tradition for years). After his monologue, a few people began to ask questions, and I stayed back to talk to him. I asked him what his view was about the energetic component of awakening. He told me "not to worry about such things and just read the Gita as he does", condescendingly saying, "you are here, just focus on this." Persistently, I asked what he thought about spontaneous Kundalini awakening. He got angry and said, "Maybe that is your experience, not mine. Goodbye." I was amused to see everyone around me bowing to him in this show of humility - he was not being totally upfront IMO, making me resistant to surrendering to his teaching. What would be so wrong to admit he's also exploring Kundalini yoga? Sigh...
One guru that commands my unquestioning surrender is Mahavatar Babaji. The mere thought or mention of his name brings about a change in my being.. There is also something sweet and magnetic about Amma - in her embrace, I feel rejuvenated.. She is one whom I know I could and would and do bow down to, without any doubts or reservations..
Perhaps all this just demonstrates my lack of ability to yield.. Just more work to do.
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mr_anderson
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2013 : 08:10:51 AM
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quote:
Perhaps all this just demonstrates my lack of ability to yield.. Just more work to do.
Hi Kami,
I'm not sure about that. It sounds like you wisely trust the voice inside you, rather than blindly following other people based on their elevated status, or seeking to be the child in a parent/child type of surrender/dependency relationship. Maybe that's just my opinion, but that's what I read from your words.
IMO "Surrender to the Guru" in that context is an Indian cultural ideal/social conditioning rather than necessarily being a beneficial spiritual practice. Buddha rejected absolutely every spiritual teaching/teacher of his day, before apparently coming to "enlightenment" on his own, and leaving his final words as "be a light unto yourself".
I feel that the surrender is never to other people anyway, or a particular teaching, or anything conditioned, it's to the unconditioned Self that's always present. When there is surrender to the Self heart opens, mind quiets, attempting to control ceases. To me, that's what surrender is.
J
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Edited by - mr_anderson on Oct 22 2013 08:36:15 AM |
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Mykal K
Germany
267 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2013 : 08:48:30 AM
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quote:
I feel that the surrender is never to other people anyway, or a particular teaching, or anything conditioned, it's to the unconditioned Self that's always present. When there is surrender to the Self heart opens, mind quiets, attempting to control ceases.
That is where life is. |
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kami
USA
921 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2013 : 09:22:28 AM
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Hi Josh,
Thank you.
Could not agree more about surrender - even Babaji and Yogani are, ultimately my own projection of my highest ideal. So is my Ishta. This is why I'm considered a rebel in my circles; I don't buy into blind faith or outward surrender.. The guru within is the only one I can surrender to, who continues to guide me in every moment. It is interesting that I'm far more amenable to guidance and advice from friends like you, Parallax, Shanti, K'man, Jeff, Bodhi, etc than any guru in orange robes - go figure!
About Buddha - in these circles, the belief is that it took him 8 years because he had no guru; that he "could" have gotten there sooner with one. The type of thinking I cannot relate to.. And so I am ostracized.. The spiritual path can be muddied substantially with such notions which are more binding than freeing IMHO..
What I'm seeing on a daily basis is that it is one thing to preach, another thing to live what one preaches. And no discordance between the two is allowed in my life - I get physically ill when there is the slightest non-gelling between thought, speech and action, especially the last few weeks. The Divine Mother will not allow anything but crystal-clear authenticity.. The more I abide in that pure light of stillness and honesty, the more vibrant I am on all levels and all work just happens through this apparatus. Another example of the inner guru's workings here.
Much love to you. |
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Govinda
USA
176 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2013 : 12:04:38 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by kamiCould not agree more about surrender - even Babaji and Yogani are, ultimately my own projection of my highest ideal. So is my Ishta. This is why I'm considered a rebel in my circles; I don't buy into blind faith or outward surrender.. The guru within is the only one I can surrender to, who continues to guide me in every moment.
Yes, this! ^^^ It is quite foolish to abandon all critical thinking and objectivity. Yet, hand-in-hand with such even-tempered level of equanimity, we must surrender to the higher spiritual principle, wherever and within whomever it freely blooms.
And I feel that the whole Shaktipad phenomenon is one which pulls on our mortal heartstrings, draws our rapt attention and ignites a deeper fervor in our own unique Sadhana (as well it should). But if it does not lead us to unite immanently with the living presence of Brahman/God within us... it just becomes an addiction of sorts and to some degree or another, manifests as a cult of personalty worship and a merry go round for the ego-mind.
When I wore a younger man's cloths (muslin cotton cloths, mala beads and very long hair), I spent a lot of my time seeking inspiration from others... those outside of myself, cloaked in the form of the Sat Guru. Like most of us here, I wanted to have the kind of experiences that folks like Sri Paramahansa Yoganandaji had had. We all seek spiritual immersion and that special kind of Sacred love which alone can still the mind's heart. Plain and simple, I wanted a mentor to gift me the experience of the Godhead.
When I met Sant Keshavadas, back in 1979, I was granted my wish in spades! And his energy was sooooooo very powerful, I was immediately put into Savikalpa Samadhi. His touch was so electrifying, my mind stopped thinking at once, my crown bloomed exponentially... and I tasted a flood of Amrita, instantly! I was walked/carried over to the side of the Satsang hall and was gently leaned against the wall, where I melted into the Infinite presence of the Divine. I was so immersed in the Spiritus, that I was unconscious of anything around me for over an hour. Santji said, "Just leave Govinda alone for now, he is with God." He then chuckled loudly, burst into joyous giggling, much like a small child, as he was evidently enjoying my intoxicated enrapturement. 
His auric body was the most advanced and soul-stirring, that I have ever seen or felt. he was surrounded in rich purple and turquoise blue clouds of energy. Being of a remarkably humble character, he emphasized that he was only a messenger. He was, "Sent by Sri Babaji Maharaj, to reach sincere Chelas in the western world". He knew I had been doing the Kriya Yoga of the SRF but he wanted to lead me beyond mere techniques or methods, into the living reality of the Divine Being. And boy, did he ever!
But within a few weeks, I was left with me-myself and I, Mego the humanoid personage, once again. It was not so different than a very positive psychedelic experience, in that I still came down... and was once more, struggling with my mortality and searching outside of myself for the Ultimate Truth.
I continued my meditation, my internal cultivation practices and in the process, studied with teachers like: Swami Amar Jyoti, Swami Satchidanada, Joshu Sasaki Roshi, Pir Valayet Khan, Sant Ajaib Singh and many, many others... but none had the juice that Santji effortlessly had emitted with unreserved expression.
I November of 1981, I was touched by my Ishta, Sri Babaji Maharaj. It was beyond anything I can feasibly express in words. Furthermore, I still feel most unworthy of his Grace. Ironic, isn't it? And for over 30 years now, he has been my guiding light and cherished Gurudeva. His effulgent emission of spiritual Light and limitless Love are constant, whereas, my receptivity had gone in and out of focus and attunement.
More recently, he had has touched me twice and I am becoming more and more certain that my highest self... is that which Sri Babaji Maharaj, truly is (in mirrored reflection). A more refined and perfect reflection of the Supreme Godhead but one will all expressions and manifestations. The membranes of subject and object have largely dissipated, the separation of master and disciple has been somewhat erased by Sri Gurudeva's enigmatic touch.
I have honesty come to see that there is only one of us existent. We are each and all of us the Omniself, cloaked in many garbs and temperaments. So odd, really. Why doesn't he place any emphasis on the technique and methodology of Kriya Yoga, as he had with Sri Shayama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya? All of my direct lessons are about transmutation of intent, merge within the fulcrum of the mind's heart, thus achieving an attunement to higher frequencies of conscious-awareness... and fully "allowing" myself to shift my attention from the relative to the Absolute. It's ALL about Shakti transmission and incremental integration of the Sacred Current. 
There is but the Cosmic Dance and Lila of the Omniself. I/you/we/all of us... are but the same Divine energy, enacting our lives in a dream-world. Playing hide and seek with the Omniversal. Whose dream is it? The dream of Godself, awakening from the Maya, within the realm of duality? Who then, becomes "enlightened"? We are all undifferentiated conscious-awareness, each in our own way, entering into full-bloom modality. And throughout the seeming illusion, there is naught but Brahman/God being Godself.
Ultimately, we as individuals, have never actually existed, despite having careers and families, proclivities and aspirations. Only the appearance of separation lingers before our impermanent subjectivity. Nor will we ever exist apart from That. Tat Tvam Asi. All is Brahman/God, nothing else exists. As the Sufi Sants proclaim, "La Ilaha Ila Allah Hu!"
quote:
About Buddha - in these circles, the belief is that it took him 8 years because he had no guru; that he "could" have gotten there sooner with one. The type of thinking I cannot relate to.. And so I am ostracized.. The spiritual path can be muddied substantially with such notions which are more binding than freeing IMHO..
What I'm seeing on a daily basis is that it is one thing to preach, another thing to live what one preaches. And no discordance between the two is allowed in my life - I get physically ill when there is the slightest non-gelling between thought, speech and action, especially the last few weeks. The Divine Mother will not allow anything but crystal-clear authenticity.. The more I abide in that pure light of stillness and honesty, the more vibrant I am on all levels and all work just happens through this apparatus. Another example of the inner guru's workings here.
Much love to you.
Agreed, my dearest Sister! And so many people, have said so many things about the lives of: Sri Krishna, Gautama Buddha, Lord Yeshua (Jesus Christ), Prophet Mohammad, Sant Kabir, Sri Ramana Maharshi and many other Sants... that it behooves us to stop thinking and fully empty our minds of any conceptions about any other beings lives or other incarnations of the One. For we exist within ourselves, right here & now, awakening to this present moment before our witnessing.
On my own path, this demands complete attunement to the Unified Field of Being and surrender to That (the cessation of the play of relative ego's adherence to any membrane of form and substance). Easier said that done, right? And so we each undergo our practices, silence our personal thoughts and echo/reflect something of That... insomuch as our daily lives allow (often, in small, simple ways).
I have not had the pleasure of Amma's Dharshan but some of my local friends have. She seems sweet. I have heard her compared to Sri Ananda Mayima... but I honestly feel that there may not be another Saint as sky high as Sri Ma, for millenniums to come. Her's was a case of being an Avatara, cloaked in the simple guise of deepest, childlike humility (much like Mother Teressa). Even now, I feel Ma's immense love and sheer power, although I never had her Dharshan while she walked this earthly plane. Yet, I call her my Mother and she replies with motherly love, from above.
But Dharma blossoms effulgently in all eras. I sense in Amma the love and serenity of the Divine Mother. But at this point in my journey, I have already found the Mother within my own mind's heart. She is forever alive and eternally Supreme. She is everything and so too, nothing at all describable in words. She is who I/you/we all are deep inside... in our most quintessential nature, we are love itself!
May we each follow Amma's example, in our own unique ways and shine brightly from within, upon all we perceive without. Not to behave like Sat Gurus or gather large followings... rather, to completely know directly, that Brahman/God is the All in All. Everything else will take care of itself, no matter how seemingly trivial or troublesome.
After all, there is only one of us, Omniversally present and we are incrementally awakening to the blissful expression of Godself, embracing the Gnosis of the Absolute reality behind the relative appearances. We are the Dance of Nataraja, joyfully and eternally pulsing with the Light of conscious-awareness!
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti
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Edited by - Govinda on Oct 23 2013 8:25:18 PM |
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kami
USA
921 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2013 : 11:47:42 AM
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Thank you my dear brother Govinda. Beautiful, as always.
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Edited by - kami on Oct 23 2013 12:19:05 PM |
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pkj
USA
158 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2013 : 5:51:45 PM
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Kami and Josh
I could not agree more on surrender. This is the biggest change brought in me after i surrendered. Also this is the main self pacing technique as well. Trying to control creates lot of friction so surrender is the key. Surrender is easier said than done.
PKJ |
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Sparkle
Ireland
1457 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2013 : 6:49:28 PM
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Hi
I love Amma too and have received much from her over the years.
More recently I have been present with Mother Meera. I have not met her in person but don't feel so much need to. Just looking at her photo and tuning in seems to be enough.
Would be interested in people's response to this video
http://www.mothermeera.com/
Hope this is ok to introduce in this thread, I was thinking more in terms of surrender and the comments being made, and thought of Meera - my new girlfriend |
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bewell
1275 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2013 : 7:34:06 PM
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Hi Govinda,
Thanks for sharing more of your inspiring journey. It helps me understand where you are coming from, and it also seems to have put me in a bliss state.
Namaste,
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Govinda
USA
176 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2013 : 8:23:42 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by bewell
Hi Govinda,
Thanks for sharing more of your inspiring journey. It helps me understand where you are coming from, and it also seems to have put me in a bliss state.
Namaste,
Namaste to you also, bewell!
I appreciate your kindness. It wasn't my intention to redirect the content of this thread. I'd like to have the experience of Amma's Dharshan. As I've friends who are inspired by her teaching, it may well be in my future. Who can say? If so, I will share.
I just wanted to touch upon a few aspects of the whole Shaktipad phenomenon and the interplay between Guru and Shishya. I honestly feel that they are the exterior and interior of each living person. The Sat Guru surely resides deep inside of each of us (always has).
This is where we must look, more than any outward direction, even the Sat Guru's. But if we do, it's a beautiful dance. And dancing is good.
Hari Om Tat Sat |
Edited by - Govinda on Oct 23 2013 8:27:32 PM |
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Arunachala Bhakta
Finland
30 Posts |
Posted - Dec 03 2019 : 05:20:09 AM
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Namaskaar everyone.
Just wanted to raise this topic by sharing my experiences with Amma.
I think that Her radiance might have caused my sudden awakening from total ignorance 18 years ago, as it happened(by amazing/awakening synchronisities) 2 days after I had been traveling by boat near Her ashram. We left one couple to ashram's pier. After those events 2 days later took place, I went first time ever to Shiva (or any) temple at Chamundi hill, paid my respect's and started my (conscious) bumpy spiritual journey. Almost exactly to date 12 years after that, my Kundalini started Her journey. And last week in the middle of a noisy band jamming session, not playing myself at the moment but stretching turned inwards, I suddenly fell in to my first Samadhi, one week after having Amma's darshan. It only lasted for a split second, but as my prana was running high and there was strong feelings of ecstasy, right after Samadhi happened I was able to get back once more for few seconds to Anandamaya kosha just by leaving all other koshas one by one behind. Last step to Ananda was just like turning the main switch off  Or was this conscious enter back to (savikalpa) Samadhi..? Don't care really, I'm trying to shake the experience off, but felt so easy to do at that moment!
I've had Amma_s darshan once before and didn't felt anything special that time, it was quite chaotic, but this time it was very much different case. Shivers started to spread from my face through out my body on every in breath, as soon as She entered the building, or got close, or anyhow 5 minutes before She entered the venue and was to be seen. I went with little expectations, but that changed the moment the shivering started. 
All this(Amma's event & Samadhi experience) got me very humble and boosted my bhakti sky high. Can't wait to get to my next sitting session with no exceptions, just grateful that my karma and the grace of God has lead me to this kind of a path. Through Amma to Ramana, AYP and Himalayan Iyengar Yoga. Even though little bumpy, it's sometimes so beautiful and full of light.
Will not miss an opportunity to meet Amma ever again. Maybe even I'll check the main gate of the ashram someday.
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Edited by - Arunachala Bhakta on Dec 03 2019 3:26:51 PM |
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Ananda
3115 Posts |
Posted - Dec 19 2019 : 04:46:02 AM
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All is good.
The guru is in you. |
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cpagal
United Arab Emirates
8 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2023 : 08:12:50 AM
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Hi Arunachala Bhakta,
Your message caught my eye today as I was looking for information about Amma. Years ago, during my childhood, I met Amma several times in the middle east. She was here for 5 days and I would go to meet her everyday after school. There were no crowds and I had a long time with her. I definitely felt electrified in her embrace. I took mantra diksha but my skepticism prevented me from undertaking mantra japa. Fast forward to several decades later, I have been devouring videos on Ramana's teachings and this year I attended the iyengar classes from Sharath in Himachal. Is this the same place you went to? I found it so strange that we have had a similar set of experiences. I wanted to reach out.
I will be initiated into kriya yoga in February by Sri M, with God's grace. I am so excited. Initially I had planned to go back to Himachal to study pranayama as I wasn't able to do that in my initial visit. How do you balance the practice of kriya as well as techniques taught to you through Himalayan Iyengar? I worry that the pranayam taught in the kriya exercises will conflict with the style taught to me by Himalayan Iyengar. Hope you see my message.
quote:
Originally posted by Arunachala Bhakta
Namaskaar everyone.
Just wanted to raise this topic by sharing my experiences with Amma.
I think that Her radiance might have caused my sudden awakening from total ignorance 18 years ago, as it happened(by amazing/awakening synchronisities) 2 days after I had been traveling by boat near Her ashram. We left one couple to ashram's pier. After those events 2 days later took place, I went first time ever to Shiva (or any) temple at Chamundi hill, paid my respect's and started my (conscious) bumpy spiritual journey. Almost exactly to date 12 years after that, my Kundalini started Her journey. And last week in the middle of a noisy band jamming session, not playing myself at the moment but stretching turned inwards, I suddenly fell in to my first Samadhi, one week after having Amma's darshan. It only lasted for a split second, but as my prana was running high and there was strong feelings of ecstasy, right after Samadhi happened I was able to get back once more for few seconds to Anandamaya kosha just by leaving all other koshas one by one behind. Last step to Ananda was just like turning the main switch off Or was this conscious enter back to (savikalpa) Samadhi..? Don't care really, I'm trying to shake the experience off, but felt so easy to do at that moment!
I've had Amma_s darshan once before and didn't felt anything special that time, it was quite chaotic, but this time it was very much different case. Shivers started to spread from my face through out my body on every in breath, as soon as She entered the building, or got close, or anyhow 5 minutes before She entered the venue and was to be seen. I went with little expectations, but that changed the moment the shivering started.
All this(Amma's event & Samadhi experience) got me very humble and boosted my bhakti sky high. Can't wait to get to my next sitting session with no exceptions, just grateful that my karma and the grace of God has lead me to this kind of a path. Through Amma to Ramana, AYP and Himalayan Iyengar Yoga. Even though little bumpy, it's sometimes so beautiful and full of light.
Will not miss an opportunity to meet Amma ever again. Maybe even I'll check the main gate of the ashram someday.
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Meeting amritanandamayi ma "Amma"
