Online with Amma

Category: Spiritual

  • The Guru Principle

    Na Guroradhikam Tattvam Na Guroradhikam tapah Tattvajnanat param nasti Tasmai Sri Gurave namah. – Guru Gita If we read the lives of the great saints and spiritual seekers, we will see that, to many of them, the word “Guru” signifies the summum bonum of spiritual attainments and the divine grace responsible for it. It is…

  • Importance of the Guru

    The Vedas and Shastras declare that it is impossible for anyone to achieve Self-Realization without the help of a Satguru. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna enjoins upon Arjuna, Tadviddhi pranipatena pariprashnena sevaya Upadekshayanti te jnanam jnaninah tattva-darshinah. ‘If you wish to know the truth of the Paramatman you must seek such Masters who have…

  • Devotion to the Guru

    The true shishya (disciple) considers his Guru to be God Himself. The Guru Gita says that devotion to the Guru is one of the highest virtues of a seeker and cannot be obtained by those whose minds are impure or unfit for it. The shishya is protected by his Guru from all the dangers that…

  • Disciple is on a journey; Guru resting in his abode of the Self

    Amma’s Guru Purnima Message 5 July 2001 Darling Children, “All my children must be celebrating Guru Purnima today. Didn’t you celebrate a similar Guru Purnima last year? Since that day until today, there must have been many lessons to reflect upon and imbibe. And there has been enough time also. There are innumerable lessons in…

  • The map will not take you to the destination

    Question: Isn’t it possible to reach the goal through proper study of the scriptures, without taking recourse in yama niyamas (the dos and don’ts for a spiritual seeker), meditation, selfless service, etc.? Amma: By studying the scriptures, we are able to understand the means by which we can realize God. From the scriptures we can…

  • Through selfless service mind becomes one with the Universal Consciousness

    Question: Amma, in your ashram much importance is given to selfless service. But isn’t action an impediment to true Self-enquiry? Lalitha Amma: For a true Advaitin, nothing is different from the Self. The steps leading to a terrace are made of brick and cement. The terrace is also made of brick and cement. When you…

  • Selfless service is what gives real value

    Question: Amma why do you give so much importance to selfless service? Mother: Meditation and studying the scriptures are like two sides of a coin, the coin of spiritual life. But the engraving on that coin is selfless service, and that is what gives it its real value. A student who has just completed his…

  • Realized Master s presence is conducive for spiritual growth

    Question: If God and the Guru are within us, what is the need for an external Guru? Mother: In every stone, there is a potential icon lying concealed. It is when the sculptor chisels away the unnecessary parts that the icon is revealed. Likewise, the Guru brings out the Divine Essence in the disciple, who,…

  • I have no other arms than yours

    I have no other arms than yours

    Children, God doesn’t have any hands or feet of His own. He works through us, through our eyes, ears and hands. So we have to bring him into our hands, into our feet, into our tongue, our eyes and our hearts.

  • Life is meant not only for winners, but for losers as well

    Even if we are not able to create young people who always give, we should at least be able to provide the nation with people who both give and take.