Amma's Ashram

“May the tree of our life

Be firmly rooted in the soil of love

Let good deeds be the leaves on that tree.

May words of kindness form its flowers?

And may peace be its fruits.” Amma

While I was flying to Kerala, I thought of a few things that I would like to experience and then just let those thoughts float up to the Universe - allowing space for magic to occur. One such thought was a visit to Amma's Ashram (the hugging saint). The other was the ritualized dance...which I created big time.

A few Austrian ladies that I met at the home-stay near Kollam told me that they went to visit Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Mother) - she is also called Amma famous for all of her good charity work and for her hugs during Darshan (an audience with an enlightenened Being). I knew that she had an ashram in the south of India, and did not realize how close it was. It is about 2 hours boat ride from where I am staying and she holds Darshan on certain days of the week when she is there. I was told that she was leaving for a South India tour and Saturday would be her last day. Well, I had the Shiva party and other events to witness that day and thought I would take my chances by going on the Sunday. Who knows…anything is possible.

I took a taxi early on Sunday morning to arrive at the remote backwater fishing village where she is from and the ashram is located. The first thing I noted was the large building that looked like a condo building. It is huge. Small boats with poling boat men move across the backwater from one side to the other. Amma has created a new bridge that expands across the river. This has been created so people can get off the island to the mainland should a tsunami come into the area. Many of the locals still use the small boats to cross the river. While taking the 1-hour drive I was thinking of a young man that I had met at the Phool Chatti Ashram and had a strong feeling that we would meet this day. As usual, I got distracted with something - some mind mapping - and let it go for the time being.

Once at the ashram, I was overwhelmed with the busy atmosphere, the systems, the commerce and back packer hostel type feeling. People seem to be moving about so quickly to somewhere. A massive conglomerate - it was overwhelming for me. At first I wanted to leave immediately, but persisted to discover the real reason why I had come. I wandered among the thousand or so people and asked someone to direct me. It was an Indian woman that nodded…she took me along a long trail leading to the cafeteria where there were western delights and food abound. There were many people dressed in white robes…they looked official so I asked one lady to direct me to the information center. A kind lady took me…she was distracted since she was preparing to go on the road with Amma. A fury of purchases of white robes, mats to sleep on and the collection of brown bread from the bakery was in order. Amma takes 10 buses with her when she travels and has a huge following of people that assist her.

There are also devotees that have been living at this ashram for many years. Many wear white robes and seem to be busy with the commerce of the ashram. Everything is done by seva (self-less service...so there is ample opportunity for a person to employ their talents). If you have not brought anything white....it is ok, you can purchase many styles in a number of stores at the Ashram.

I was taken to the sign in center, which opened at 10am. At this time you can receive a token for Darshan. Many said she would most probably not appear because of her departure the following day. I was ok with what is and know I was there for a reason.

There I was standing in the main square looking around and suddenly, who appeared but the young man that I had been thinking about. He was so surprised and delighted to see me. Finn had been at the ashram for two weeks saying it was one of the hardest experiences. “I love Amma…she is a loving and a kind Guru…but also firm and can be one of the hardest”, he said tiredly.

I also saw another young man that I had met along my journey - meeting new people and making new friends. During lunch and other times that I moved about, I seemed to attract some interesting characters of sorts…all wanting to tell me about their experiences, why they loved Amma. I just listened, since I could not get a word in edge wise and for whatever reason this was my role on that day. I know this is unusual for me…but I did find it fascinating just witnessing. It was like being a fly on the wall. During the day, a woman I had met took me to where Amma lived. I just sat under a tree outside her window soaking up the good vibes. It was peaceful at this place and I enjoyed visualizing a big hug from Amma. I believe we all should have at least three hugs a day to be healthy…but can you image hugging thousands upon thousands of people every day and week? She is one incredible Mama. It is truly amazing what she has created for the local community, India and other places in the world. She has hospitals, universities and the list goes on. As Amma’s says, “The world should know that a life dedicated to selfless love and service is possible.” And she would know!

Amma did not appear physically that day, though I am glad that I came to see and experience her Ashram.

I had decided to take the ferry back along the backwaters leaving at 4pm…a great sunset and still the full moon. The ferry broke down up river and did not arrive to pick me up until 6:30pm. Everything does happen for a reason. I chose to sit on the banks of the river below the ashram and just witness the people coming and going…the little boats taking people back and forth. It was a Sunday and many young people and families were arriving home from the weekend. I also wandered along the bank and visited with the local people in their homes. This is the area that Amma is from and it was great to witness the lives of the local people around the ashram.

Finally, as the sun was setting, I felt a strong desire and urge to send a ton of hugs and love to Amma as she prepared for her South Indian tour. Sitting there at the feet of the ashram, I realized that my purpose to visit today was to send love to Amma.

Amma, I am so grateful that I could be there to support, encourage and inspire you to carry on your good works – embracing the world for peace and harmony.

Please send a loving thought to Amma as she creates and embraces peace and harmony for the world.

“Everyone in the world should be able to sleep without fear, at least for one night. Everyone should be able to eat to his fill, at least for one day. There should be at least one day when hospitals see no one admitted due to violence. By doing selfless service for at least one day, everyone should help the poor and needy. It is Amma’s prayer that at least this small dream be realized.”

Amma's Ashram

I did manage to catch the ferry which was an amazing trip down the backwaters at night. When I got onto the ferry the boat man asked if I had a pass.  "No sir, can I pay you now and I showed him the card for the home-stay? He said, with a sweet smile"no mame we will take you home" How kind, a free ferry trip on the backwaters in the moonlight with nice people. The ferry usually arrives at its final destination before night fall. There were some very narrow passages, not to mention sand banks. It took about 5 hours to get home. I loved it! The moon was still pretty full and bright. Some beautiful fishing boats along the river banks.

Birthday celebrations continue through dance, music and ritualized theatre.

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." Oprah Winfrey

Om Namah Shiva!

I am still celebrating! It's Lord Shiva's birthday today - the 10th of January. Thus the celebration of lights, dance, music and laughter continue.

It is the 10^th and 11^th of January and I am still at my family estate home-stay in the backwaters near Kollam in Kerala, India. I finished the beautiful backwater adventure for my birthday and arrived back to the home-stay in the morning. That evening on a full moon, I was blessed to be invited to the local temple to celebrate the birth of Lord Shiva. He is revered all over India. What a party, complete with fireworks, music, puja (special prayers with flowers, incense, fruits etc.). Since my birthday was the day before, I was feeling pretty special.

Who is Lord Shiva? To recap: Lord Shiva represents the aspect of the Supreme Being (Brahman of the Upanishads - India Spiritual writings) that continuously dissolves to recreate the cyclic process of creation, preservation, dissolution and recreation of the universe. He is the third member of the Hindu Trinity, the other two being Lord Brahma (the creator) and Lord Vishnu (the protector).

The words associated with Lord Shiva are often destroyer and destruction, but the true significance of his cosmic role is often not understood. The creation sustains itself by a delicate balance between the opposing forces of good and evil. When this balance is disturbed and sustenence of life becomes impossible, Lord Shiva dissolves the universe for creation of the next cycle so that unliberated souls will have another opportunty to liberate themselves from bondage with the physical world. Thus, Lord Shiva protects the souls from pain and suffering that would be caused by a dysfuctional universe. In analogous cyclic processes, winter is essential for spring to appear and the night is necessary for the morning to follow.

Lord Shiva is also the Lord of mercy and compassion. He protects devotees from evil forces such as lust, greed and anger. He grants boons, bestows grace and awakens wisdom in his devotees. Since the tasks of Lord Shiva are numerous, he cannot be symbolized on one form. For this reason, images of Shiva vary significantly. Lord Shiva lives at Mt. Kashi near Varanasi, the City of Light. Although, he seems to be following me wherever I go.

Lord Shiva is also the Master of yoga. The three matted locks on the head of this Lord convey the idea that integration of the physical, mental and spiritual energies is the ideal of yoga. And, he is a great role model.

Walking down the road to the temple was a glittering sight to behold. Lit up with oil lamps, it was like I was on top of one large birthday cake. Thanks Shiva for helping me celebrate my 50th in a special way. Inside the temple grounds there were many beautiful women wearing their colorful saris. Children were dressed in their finest. They are all so friendly. Since I was one of the only white people among thousands, the children were curious. So polite. They ask many questions. The main are “What is you good name, mame?” "Which country you come from?" "How many children you have?""Are you married?" "Do you like India?"

A group of young men were gracious hosts and took me deep inside the Shiva Temple for a blessing. Again, I was the only white person invited inside and took this as an honor and a great blessing for my 50^th birthday. Not to mention my family, friends and peace for the world. Shiva you have a tall order. Celebrate, celebrate and celebrate! Kerala is a magical place for these colourful festivals and events.

Later that same evening, I was also invited to a very very very special, magical and rare event.

I was able to witness one of the innumerable ancient rituals - ritualized theatre - that plays an important and unique role in the cultural life of the region. I am in the south but for this one night a group from deep in the north of Kerala were performing an ancient ritual loosely known as "Theyyam". This included bhuta (spirit or hero worship) trance dance and enactments of legendary events as well as oracular pronouncements. It continued throughout the night. I made it until 10pm...that was enough for me. As a living cult with centuries old traditions, ritual and custom, it embraces almost all castes and classes of Hindu religion in the region. The term Theyyam is a corrupt form of daivam or God. It is a rare combination of dance and music and reflects important features of a tribal culture. People at these districts consider Theyyem as God and they get blessings from Theyyam. It is rare to see this theatre dance let alone in the south of Kerala. There were only a select few invited. I was an honored guest of one of the members of the group.

The role of the Theyyam performer passes from father to son. They are usually from lower castes, but during the ritual, a Brahmin (priest) will honor the deities they represent, so the status of each individual is reversed and they become the priests. During the performance several dancers will be involved, but only one at a time may sit on the chair of the deity and become possessed.

I was blessed to go behind the scenes to witness the creation of the masks, makeup and presentation process for this rare event. All of the materials they use are natural products. Coconut paste is being used on the young man below.

Tomorrow I head out to visit Amma (Mother) the hugging saint.

Sit in Grace.

I send blessings and clear white light. Valma ji

“By bringing about a change in our outlook toward things and events, all phenomena can become sources of happiness.” Dalai Lama