Say No and still end up in Amma’s holy feet!

24th Septermber 2012 – Monday

In today’s evening Satsang with Ashram Inmates, Amma continued to discuss the subject of saying no (or yes) appropriately based on the situation after due discrimination. On Monday and Friday beach satsangs, Amma usually poses a question related to spirituality, gives brief hints on what she thinks about them and then would ask Ashramites to respond with their real life experiences on the subject.

The lanky and fun-loving senior brahmachari D- took the mike to the amusement of Amma. He started narrating the story of how he ended up in Amma leaving his home and hearth behind. His funnly line of argument was that he said NO but still ended up in the rightful place for him!

He was a much pampered child of his parents and was having every need of him taken care of lovingly by his parents. Years ago, when he was in his late teens, his parents came to know of Amma and they wanted to visit Amma at her Ashram at Vallikkavu. They insisted their son too to accompany them. “You see, this woman Amma is said to be intoxicated with divine love, she reportedly sings soul stirring bhajans in a melodious way; we want you to come with us”. But young D- said adamently a firm no.

His parents nevertheless visited Amma, had her darshan, heard her soul stirring bhajans and returned home. They told the young man excitedly : “It was such a wonderful experience; it is a pity that you missed visiting her! However, we mentioned to her about you and sought her blessings for you; we prayed to her to straighten you out. She said that she will take care of you”

“Oh! She will take care of me and straighten me?  Fine. Nice enough” was his retort.

A few months afterwards, some of his friends stated talking to him about Amma. They were speaking very high of her and She was making a house visit to one of her friend’s house sooner. This time, young D-was interested. He was now curious to see the lady who had promised his parents that she would take care of him. So he went to see her.

Br. D- concluded with a mock sarcasm “You see, I said a firm no when my parents asked me to me to come to Amma, but that no has really ended me ultimately in her holy feet!”

On 29th Sept 2012, when Amma continued discussions on the same subject, Brahmachari D- too wanted to continue his experience. After meeting Amma, his whole view point about life got changed; he was gripped with a desire to leave his worldly life and end up permanently in Amma’s Ashram.

When he took up the matter with his parents,  the response was a firm NO from his parents! The same parents who wanted their son to be “set right” by Amma, were not simply prepared for it! When he broached the subjects with his friends who had earlier recommended and influenced him to visit Amma, were too unanimously of the opinion that he should NOT go and end up in the Ashram.

When every one was saying no, it was now the turn of Br. D_ to say a firm YES (“I have decided to go”) and then come to Amma for good. All who had earlier recommended him to visit Amma have now turned against him and none of them were coming to Amma subsequently!

So, Brahmachari D_ is prescription for progressing in spirituality under a Satguru like Amma is that when every one in the outer world says “no”, you should say “yes”!

Amma quipped with laughter “His parents wanted me to make him straight; I have been s-t-r-a-i-g-h-t-e-n-i-n-g,   s-t-r-a-i-g-h-t-e-n-i-n-g and and still continuing..”