Comments on: Mata Amritanandamayi: Up and Down http://ashtangasantabarbara.com/blog/2007/08/07/mata-amritanandamayi-up-and-down/ Ashtanga Santa Barbara Blog Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:19:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: bhattathiri http://ashtangasantabarbara.com/blog/2007/08/07/mata-amritanandamayi-up-and-down/comment-page-1/#comment-7308 bhattathiri Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:19:57 +0000 http://ashtangasantabarbara.com/blog/2007/08/07/mata-amritanandamayi-up-and-down/#comment-7308 One of the greatest contributions of India to the world is Holy Gita which is considered to be one of the first revelations from God. The humanism of management lessons in this holy book were brought in to light of the world by Mata Amritanandamayi Devi and . Devi calls the Bhagavad-Gita the essence of Vedic Literature and a complete guide to practical life. It provides "all that is needed to raise the consciousness of man to the highest possible level." Devi reveals the deep, universal truths of life that speak to the needs and aspirations of everyone. She preaches and educated the people through her bhajans and disclosures and continuing the mission by keeping this lantern burning always knowing the wishes of the modern generations.The greatness of spirituality is spread all over the world and all Indians should be proud of her. Amma's tea chings began with her birth itself. She entered this world in silence, a divine gesture worthy of our contemplation. This has always been Amma's way. Throughout, Amma's life has been her teaching. Arjuna got mentally depressed when he saw his relatives with whom he has to fight.( Mental health has become a major international public health concern now). To motivate him the Bhagavad-Gita is preached in the battle field Kurukshetra by Lord Krishna to Arjuna as counseling to do his duty while multitudes of men stood by waiting. Arjuna face the problem of onflict between emotions and intellect . In almost all of the cases, emotions win. Only a very few people have a conflict-free emotion and intellect. Emotions, are required, for, without them, one is a mere robot. They make life pleasant as long as they are sensible and within limits. It has got all the management tactics to achieve the mental equilibrium and to overcome any crisis situation. The Bhagavad-Gita can be experienced as a powerful catalyst for transformation. Bhagavad-Gita means song of the Spirit, song of the Lord. The Holy Gita has become a secret driving force behind the unfoldment of one's life. In the days of doubt this divine book will support all spiritual searches. This divine book will contribute to self reflection, finer feeling and deepen one's inner process. Then life in the world can become a real education—dynamic, full and joyful—no matter what the circumstance. May the wisdom of loving consciousness ever guide us on our journey? What makes the Holy Gita a practical psychology of transformation is that it offers us the tools to connect with our deepest intangible essence and we must learn to participate in the battle of life with right knowledge?. It shows us the path to handle the situation with equipoise mind irrespective of what comes our way and reminds us time and again, that what the right action is. The Holy Gita is the essence of the Vedas, Upanishads. It is a universal scripture applicable to people of all temperaments and for all times. It is a book with sublime thoughts and practical instructions on Yoga, Devotion, Vedanta and Action. It is profound in thought and sublime in heights of vision. It brings peace and solace to souls that are afflicted by the three fires of mortal existence, namely, afflictions caused by one's own body (disease etc), those caused by beings around one ( e.g. wild animals, snakes etc.), and those caused by the gods (natural disasters, earth-quakes, floods etc). One of the greatest contributions of India to the world is Holy Gita which is considered to be one of the first revelations from God. The humanism of management lessons in this holy book were brought in to light of the world by Mata Amritanandamayi Devi and . Devi calls the Bhagavad-Gita the essence of Vedic Literature and a complete guide to practical life. It provides “all that is needed to raise the consciousness of man to the highest possible level.” Devi reveals the deep, universal truths of life that speak to the needs and aspirations of everyone. She preaches and educated the people through her bhajans and disclosures and continuing the mission by keeping this lantern burning always knowing the wishes of the modern generations.The greatness of spirituality is spread all over the world and all Indians should be proud of her. Amma’s tea chings began with her birth itself. She entered this world in silence, a divine gesture worthy of our contemplation. This has always been Amma’s way. Throughout, Amma’s life has been her teaching.
Arjuna got mentally depressed when he saw his relatives with whom he has to fight.( Mental health has become a major international public health concern now). To motivate him the Bhagavad-Gita is preached in the battle field Kurukshetra by Lord Krishna to Arjuna as counseling to do his duty while multitudes of men stood by waiting. Arjuna face the problem of onflict between emotions and intellect . In almost all of the cases, emotions win. Only a very
few people have a conflict-free emotion and intellect. Emotions, are required, for, without them, one is a mere robot. They make life pleasant as long as they are sensible and within limits. It has got all the management tactics to achieve the mental equilibrium and to overcome any crisis situation. The Bhagavad-Gita can be experienced as a powerful catalyst for transformation. Bhagavad-Gita means song of the Spirit, song of the Lord. The Holy Gita has become a secret driving force behind the unfoldment of one’s life. In the days of doubt this divine book will support all spiritual searches. This divine book will contribute to self reflection, finer feeling and deepen one’s inner process. Then life in the world can become a real education—dynamic, full and joyful—no matter what the circumstance. May the wisdom of loving consciousness ever guide us on our journey? What makes the Holy Gita a practical psychology of transformation is that it offers us the tools to connect with our deepest intangible essence and we must learn to participate in the battle of life with right knowledge?. It shows us the path to handle the situation with equipoise mind irrespective of what comes our way and reminds us time and again, that what the right action is.

The Holy Gita is the essence of the Vedas, Upanishads. It is a universal scripture applicable to people of all temperaments and for all times. It is a book with sublime thoughts and practical instructions on Yoga, Devotion, Vedanta and Action. It is profound in thought and sublime in heights of vision. It brings peace and solace to souls that are afflicted by the three fires of mortal existence, namely, afflictions caused by one’s own body (disease etc), those caused by beings around one ( e.g. wild animals, snakes etc.), and those caused by the gods (natural disasters, earth-quakes, floods etc).

]]> By: The Drishti Blog » Blog Archive » Whoa - It’s the Yoga Community’s Beloved Amma on CNN! http://ashtangasantabarbara.com/blog/2007/08/07/mata-amritanandamayi-up-and-down/comment-page-1/#comment-2917 The Drishti Blog » Blog Archive » Whoa - It’s the Yoga Community’s Beloved Amma on CNN! Wed, 22 Aug 2007 20:14:10 +0000 http://ashtangasantabarbara.com/blog/2007/08/07/mata-amritanandamayi-up-and-down/#comment-2917 [...] Mata Amritanandamayi, or Amma, as she is more affectionately called, is featured on CNN today - wowza!  Amma is known as the “hugging saint” because she holds events all over the world in which followers line up for hours to receive a single magical hug from her.  Amma just recently visited Los Angeles, in fact, where thousands of people (yoga students included) received inspiring hugs from this most charismatic and unique of gurus.  (Santa Barbara Ashtanga teacher Steve Dwelley actually wrote about his experience visiting Amma earlier this month in his blog.) [...] [...] Mata Amritanandamayi, or Amma, as she is more affectionately called, is featured on CNN today – wowza!  Amma is known as the “hugging saint” because she holds events all over the world in which followers line up for hours to receive a single magical hug from her.  Amma just recently visited Los Angeles, in fact, where thousands of people (yoga students included) received inspiring hugs from this most charismatic and unique of gurus.  (Santa Barbara Ashtanga teacher Steve Dwelley actually wrote about his experience visiting Amma earlier this month in his blog.) [...]

]]> By: insideowl http://ashtangasantabarbara.com/blog/2007/08/07/mata-amritanandamayi-up-and-down/comment-page-1/#comment-2606 insideowl Sat, 18 Aug 2007 14:42:24 +0000 http://ashtangasantabarbara.com/blog/2007/08/07/mata-amritanandamayi-up-and-down/#comment-2606 Really liked this. Also, you reminded me of some lines from Wallace Stevens: By this light the salty fishes Arch in the sea like tree-branches, Going in many directions Up and down. Really liked this. Also, you reminded me of some lines from Wallace Stevens:

By this light the salty fishes
Arch in the sea like tree-branches,
Going in many directions
Up and down.

]]> By: JLafitte http://ashtangasantabarbara.com/blog/2007/08/07/mata-amritanandamayi-up-and-down/comment-page-1/#comment-2579 JLafitte Sat, 18 Aug 2007 00:58:49 +0000 http://ashtangasantabarbara.com/blog/2007/08/07/mata-amritanandamayi-up-and-down/#comment-2579 Terrific essay. Well worth keeping up with the hiatus between your posts. Terrific essay. Well worth keeping up with the hiatus between your posts.

]]> By: Ramana groupie http://ashtangasantabarbara.com/blog/2007/08/07/mata-amritanandamayi-up-and-down/comment-page-1/#comment-2119 Ramana groupie Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:50:58 +0000 http://ashtangasantabarbara.com/blog/2007/08/07/mata-amritanandamayi-up-and-down/#comment-2119 In my experience, the process of death is the ultimate in ascend/decend. Rejoice! Great gift to be a witness to the process of dying. Ultimate reality. In watching my loved ones pass away, it has brought a new light into the process of being in a human body. The pleasure, the pain, rejoice in sensation! No judgement if it hurts or if it's bliss. Let it in (easier said). The oneness divided into all kinds of organisms. There is an intelligence to this process called life. Not brain intelligience, nature and an evolutionary intelligience. How blessed are we to have a glimpse into this greater reality of life! In my experience, the process of death is the ultimate in ascend/decend. Rejoice! Great gift to be a witness to the process of dying. Ultimate reality.
In watching my loved ones pass away, it has brought a new light into the process of being in a human body. The pleasure, the pain, rejoice in sensation! No judgement if it hurts or if it’s bliss. Let it in (easier said). The oneness divided into all kinds of organisms. There is an intelligence to this process called life. Not brain intelligience, nature and an evolutionary intelligience. How blessed are we to have a glimpse into this greater reality of life!

]]> By: Micah Elconin http://ashtangasantabarbara.com/blog/2007/08/07/mata-amritanandamayi-up-and-down/comment-page-1/#comment-2062 Micah Elconin Wed, 08 Aug 2007 02:49:20 +0000 http://ashtangasantabarbara.com/blog/2007/08/07/mata-amritanandamayi-up-and-down/#comment-2062 Thanks for yet another well put slice of the cosmic pie.... After about 1/2 a decade living my life in a way that more or less put ascent on a pedastool, I've spent the last couple of years allowing myself to enjoy a long and beautiful descent back into the the normalities of 20th centrury 20 something life (as you have noticed through my lack of presence at the shala, part of that has included me revising my practice to show a bit more respect for my body's strengths and weaknesses). It's been a wonderful ride (for the most part), and I have enjoyed reconnecting with wordly and material life's pleasures, but with, as you have described, a new take on it all. I get it just a little but more, but that little bit is so powerful. My body, although beaten up a bit on the surface, has deeper abilities and understandings that it lacked a decade ago. Mechanics are second nature. I was giving a friend a massage the other day and was asked where I learned what I was doing. I thought about it and realized that all I was doing was utilizing my understanding of how the body feels from the inside and simply transfering that knowledge into the massage. My mind has more tolerence for distractions. Critical thinking and creative expression seem to pour themselves into work with much less effort than I remember. This is extremely interesting given the fact that some of the activities I choose to engage in must be detrimental to my mental faculties. Practice seems to have increased my ability to find the base principals, take in the big picture and simplify the chaos etc... Take music for example. I've only recently begun to engage the guitar and song writing again. Although my "chops" aren't what they used to be, I am a better musician than I ever was. It feels different. It looks different. And I seem to get it so much more than I used to. And then there is my heart... I think I turned it off for a while there, but as it turns back on, I once again notice something new and improved. A love for those around me that isn't out of neediness, but more from a place of joy in connection. Learning to find joy and peace in my solitude has given me the tools to connect stronger with those around me. There's less grandmother zen, less clinging, and more.... well I guess, love. What I also find extremeley interesting is that my practice and ascent seems to have benefited from my descent as well. My experience on the mat has intesified to some degree. Deeper and denser things are begining to move and come to life in my body and my psyche. Granted some of this is just the coniuation of the proccess that I started almost a decade ago, but I've enjoyed the new energies that have awakened and given new life to my practice. Sun Salutations have never had so much meaning and potency for example. Down dog is infinitely mesmorizing, and my hips don't need lotus to open up etc... Then practice finds its way into my world. Cooking becomes an extension of the mat, as does walking, talking, kissing and so many other worldly parts of my day, and then they in turn fuel my practice. I guess my point is that I got as high I could get, and yes, I am enjoying what happens when I go walking into the world. I look forward to the continuing interplay between my own ascent and descent. Maybe one of these days I will find a way to once again share in at least the ascending part with my local ashtanga community. All the best, Thanks for yet another well put slice of the cosmic pie….

After about 1/2 a decade living my life in a way that more or less put ascent on a pedastool, I’ve spent the last couple of years allowing myself to enjoy a long and beautiful descent back into the the normalities of 20th centrury 20 something life (as you have noticed through my lack of presence at the shala, part of that has included me revising my practice to show a bit more respect for my body’s strengths and weaknesses). It’s been a wonderful ride (for the most part), and I have enjoyed reconnecting with wordly and material life’s pleasures, but with, as you have described, a new take on it all. I get it just a little but more, but that little bit is so powerful.

My body, although beaten up a bit on the surface, has deeper abilities and understandings that it lacked a decade ago. Mechanics are second nature. I was giving a friend a massage the other day and was asked where I learned what I was doing. I thought about it and realized that all I was doing was utilizing my understanding of how the body feels from the inside and simply transfering that knowledge into the massage.

My mind has more tolerence for distractions. Critical thinking and creative expression seem to pour themselves into work with much less effort than I remember. This is extremely interesting given the fact that some of the activities I choose to engage in must be detrimental to my mental faculties. Practice seems to have increased my ability to find the base principals, take in the big picture and simplify the chaos etc… Take music for example. I’ve only recently begun to engage the guitar and song writing again. Although my “chops” aren’t what they used to be, I am a better musician than I ever was. It feels different. It looks different. And I seem to get it so much more than I used to.

And then there is my heart… I think I turned it off for a while there, but as it turns back on, I once again notice something new and improved. A love for those around me that isn’t out of neediness, but more from a place of joy in connection. Learning to find joy and peace in my solitude has given me the tools to connect stronger with those around me. There’s less grandmother zen, less clinging, and more…. well I guess, love.

What I also find extremeley interesting is that my practice and ascent seems to have benefited from my descent as well. My experience on the mat has intesified to some degree. Deeper and denser things are begining to move and come to life in my body and my psyche. Granted some of this is just the coniuation of the proccess that I started almost a decade ago, but I’ve enjoyed the new energies that have awakened and given new life to my practice. Sun Salutations have never had so much meaning and potency for example. Down dog is infinitely mesmorizing, and my hips don’t need lotus to open up etc… Then practice finds its way into my world. Cooking becomes an extension of the mat, as does walking, talking, kissing and so many other worldly parts of my day, and then they in turn fuel my practice.

I guess my point is that I got as high I could get, and yes, I am enjoying what happens when I go walking into the world. I look forward to the continuing interplay between my own ascent and descent. Maybe one of these days I will find a way to once again share in at least the ascending part with my local ashtanga community.

All the best,

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