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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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At home in the arms of the Divine Mother
Chicago, 2 July 2001 “It means so much to me to see you here!” A young woman was shaking Daniel’s hand in the lobby of the Wyndham Hotel in Chicago, while strains of “Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama” reverberated from the nearby ballroom where Mother sat giving darshan. “I can’t tell you how…
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Darshan isn’t really over
Santa Fe, 29 June 2001 Darshan may seem to be over when Mother stands up from Her chair. But it isn’t, exactly. Most night darshan programs end with Her calling all those who haven’t come to Her lap that day to stand close as She walks out of the hall-so that She can hand each…
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Smelling rose to quit smoking
June,Los Angeles Have you tried and failed to stop smoking?Try this: when you think of having a smoke, smell a lovely fresh rose. A few days ago in Los Angeles, one of Mother’s sons came for darshan with a lovely fresh scent on his breath. But Amma was not fooled: “Have you been smoking?” “Yes.…
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Dancing with God
Saturday, June 23, Los Angeles Where God dances there the lovers of God will be. An Incarnation is the Divine Itself. And so when Mother dances, the Divine dances, and we dance with Her. This dancing tends to happen if the morning darshan program on the second day, a retreat, ends early enough. Suddenly the…
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Get ready for surprise!
Amma’s RetreatsSaturday, June 23, Los Angeles Looking at the schedules published for Amma’s retreats, you might mistakenly think they are all alike. They are not. On the first evening, many people are seeing Amma for the first time this tour and their longings of previous months are being fulfilled. There are even some who are…
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From LA
LA , 21 June, 2001 Big Kiss in LA A little fellow and his mother brought Mother a giant pink foil wrapped Hershey’s Kiss, almost bigger than the boy himself! Mother delighted all watchers when She suddenly raised the Kiss and set it on Her own Head-it was so big it “sheltered” the child as…
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Amma: Beyond caste
San Ramon, 20 June 2001 At the end of the first Devi Bhava in San Ramon, Mother helped a young boy take a big step towards manhood when She initiated him into the Gayatri mantra and placed over his shoulder the Sacred Thread. This ceremony is often done by a boy’s father, or a priest;…