We should leave Mother Earth with flowers bedecked in her hair

9 Oct 2017, Amritapuri – Amritavarsham64  (Excerpts from Amma’s Birthday message )

“India is one of the fastest-developing countries. We need development, but it has to be sustainable and based on culture and respect towards nature. No progress that alienates culture or nature will ever be successful. If we cut the string of a flying kite, at first it will fly higher, but soon it will start its descent. It may even land on thorny bushes and become completely shredded. Respect for nature and culture should become the life breath of every Indian.”

Amma then pointed out various flaws in society’s concept of progress: “In the past, we would always grow bitter-neem in our yards. We may no longer plant such trees, but that bitterness has saturated our words and actions. In the past, people didn’t have watches but still found time for everything. Today, even children wear watches, yet no one has time for anything. Everyone has so many friends on Facebook, but people are lonelier than ever before. The wide-open spaces of our outdoor playgrounds have shrivelled to the dingy confines of our mobile and TV screens.”

Amma concluded her address by stressing the importance of cultivating compassion for all beings and service-mindedness. “Life should be raised on the foundation of compassion. Never waste any opportunity to serve. The entire world looks up to those who have the heart to do selfless service. We should not leave Mother Earth with scars. On the other hand, we should leave Mother Earth with flowers bedecked in her hair. Amma prays to the Paramatman that the flowers of innocence and selfless service remain in my children’s lives without ever fading away.”