Spiritualism a Difficult Path in Today's World, Says Amma

By SARASWATHI MUNIAPPAN AMRITAPURI (Kerala, India), Oct 25 (Bernama) -- Today’s world is full of temptations, making it difficult for anyone to remain steadfast on the path of spiritualism, laments the hugging saint, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi or Amma (Mother) as she is fondly known. “The world is like a supermarket with all kind of things around you. So it is easy for one’s mind to get distracted. It’s like trying to put sugar in your mouth and telling your tongue not to salivate,” said Amma who turned 60 recently to Bernama in an interview. Hence, unless someone was inspired by something higher, one could never remain steadfast on the path of spiritualism. THE IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUALISM From a humble start under the roof of Amma’s house about 38 years ago, her Ashram, in Amritapuri in the Southern State in Kerala is now a city by itself , with among others, its own towering flats and hostels for students who study at the ashram college across the river. Amma, who has devotees worldwide, has physically hugged more than 28 million people from all parts of the world. Her tireless spirit of dedication in uplifting others has inspired a vast network of charitable activities through which people are discovering the sense of peace that comes from selflessly serving others. As for Amma, spiritualism is more important than ever in this present material world. “The world today is filled with so much stress and tension and only through spiritualism one could help address this problem. Only through this path people can find a little relaxation and happiness. Therefore, this knowledge is extremely important and cannot be ignored,” she said. On getting people to the path of spiritualism, Amma's own experience shows those who come with a prepared mind for change are easier to refine but some are like rustic iron piece that calls for a major overhaul. “One needs to have the patience. I see them in their own level. I don’t see a frog as an elephant or an elephant as a frog.” SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE Among the faithful followers of Amma is Maanasi, 29, who is one of the brahmacharis (a way of life where a man or woman choose to remain single and take up the spiritual path) with the Ashram. She came to know Amma as a teenager. “I was a hyper-active teenager. And I always thought nobody understood me. But that totally vanished when I met her. “She accepted me with all the faults and good qualities in me. I was overwhelmed by her selfless service to the people. For me the word Amma is synonymous with unconditional love,” she said. There is so much happiness in giving love and care to someone without expecting anything in return, said Maanasi, who wanted to dedicate her life to the service of the people who were in need. “I am currently doing my Masters in Ayurvedic medicine, and once I finish my studies I want to come back and serve at the Ashram,” she said. AMMA'S TOUCH CHANGED APARNA'S LIFE Another of Amma's follower is Aparna Mulberry, 23, an American who practically grew up at the Ashram. “We (family) were travelling in Sweden and we met Amma there and decided to come to India. So, I came to the Ashram at the age of three and lived here till I was 15 and went back to United States for my studies,” she said. Aparna, who speaks the local language fluently, comes back to the Ashram every year as her mother had settled there permanently. Asked what made her a devotee of Amma, she replied: “Growing up here. This is basically all that I knew. When I went back to U.S, I tried looking for the same homeliness, caring society, close knit community but I could not find them.” “Hence I realise this is my home, Amma is so passionate about serving people,” said Aparna, who is contemplating of residing in Kerala permanently after finishing her studies. She does not have much and she works single-handedly and “I am so inspired to do a lot of things that Amma teaches, mainly selfless service to the people.” WOMEN EMPOWERMENT While Amma and her Ashram have maintained a clean reputation, the same cannot be said of her spiritual counterparts in India, like Asaram Bapu, Swami Nityananda and many more who amassed riches and preyed on their followers from the opposite sex. When asked on the many tainted Ashrams and godmen in India, Amma replied while her Ashram is free from wrongdoings so far she could not promise that would be the case forever in her Ashram. “From our part we can try to be as perfect as possible and if we are on the right path and we have the right attitude towards life, automatically others will also be inspired by us,” she said. However, people from all walks of life and background have been coming to the Ashram and not necessary all were genuine, she said. She cited that similar things happened in professional occupations as well. For instance, there are genuine doctors as well as quacks. “It is the same in this field as well. There might be some exploiting people or doing bad things in the name of spiritualism. Nonetheless, it would be too narrow minded on our part to generalise.” Asked on the recent rape incidents and oppression of women throughout India, she said: what the society needs is not only stricter laws but also good values. “The real solution to such disgusting incidents is to instill good values in the society and the family has an important role in it.” THE ACT OF GIVING “I live in the present moment. Yesterday cannot be today. I try to give as much as possible to the world and that inspires people around me and it spreads. That is why this Ashram have been able to do so much in such as short time,” said Amma. "We should see the good that is happening around us, because seeing the bad will not let us grow.” -- BERNAMA