Category: Satsang
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On Guru: Amma says
“Satsang and spiritual books have the power to turn our minds towards good thoughts. That alone, however, will not enable us to go forward with steady steps. Ordinary physicians will examine the patient and prescribe medicines. But if an operation is required, one has to see a surgeon. Likewise, to rid our minds of all…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Meditation is like a tonic
Question: Can meditation be harmful? It is said that a person’s head becomes heated when he meditates. Amma: It is always better to be taught by a Guru how to meditate. Meditation is like a tonic. A tonic nourishes the body. The tonic comes with certain instructions. If you just ignore the instructions and swallow…
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Realise who you are
Question: “It is said that in the spiritual path one needs to have a Guru? Who is Amma’s Guru?” Amma: “As far as Amma is concerned, every object in the world is Her Guru. Guru and God are within every person. However as long as the ego is dominant, one fails to be aware of…
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Only by fostering motherhood can our culture be sustained
Question: How can Amma, who has never give birth, be considered to be a Mother? Amma: Children, the mother is a symboll of selflessness. A mother knows the heart of her child — she knows its feelings. Her whole life is dedicated to the well being of her child. A mother doesn’t look upon the…
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Learn to live happily
Question: Is it possible to experience supreme bliss living in the world? Amma: Certainly. It is to be experienced while you are still in the body. It is not something to be attained after death. Like the mind and body, spirituality and worldliness are two facets of life. They cannot exist totally separated from each…