Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

Born:September-27-1953,at Parayakadavu,Kerala

Who is Amma? Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

Many people wonder how a little girl from a simple South Indian village came to be known throughout the world as "Amma, the Mother of All." Motherhood, in its ultimate sense, has nothing to do with bearing a child, but with love, compassion and selflessness. It lies in totally giving one's self to others.

If we look at Amma's life, this is what we see—someone who has offered her every thought, word and deed for the benefit of others. Giving is the essence. It's just that when the homeless come crying for shelter and Amma gives them a house, we call her a "humanitarian." And when the sorrowful come crying for emotional solace and she gives them love, we call her a "mother." And when those thirsty for spiritual knowledge come earnestly seeking and she gives them wisdom, we call her a "guru." This attitude of selflessly serving all creation, knowing others to be extensions of one's own self, Amma refers to as vishwa matrutvam—universal motherhood. And it is to this pinnacle of human existence that Amma is trying to awaken the world through her life, teachings and darshan [divine embrace].

Questions about the nature of the soul, the universe and God; about dharma, love and family life; about meditation and other spiritual practices…. Amma has been clearing the doubts of sincere seekers on such subtle subjects since her youth. She never had a guru nor studied the Vedas, yet she speaks on the truths expressed within the scriptures with wisdom, clarity and true insight. Hers is not an academic knowledge, but the knowledge of one who is ever-established in the Ultimate Reality. It is for this reason that Amma's simple childhood home has become the spiritual home to thousands—an ashram where aspirants from around the world reside in order to imbibe Amma's wisdom and realize the Truth that is their real nature. The seeker is instructed as per his level—from the child to the sannyasi [monk]

Seeing the whole world as an extension of her own self, Amma is ever ready to forego her own body's needs in order to bring a smile to someone's face, wipe their tears or to simply listen to their sorrows. The sweet manner in which she laughs and jokes with people, shares in their success and failure has endeared millions to her throughout the world. In fact, many see Amma as their lifelong confidant and friend. Giving darshan in this manner is verily Amma's life—day after day, week after week, year after year. In fact, Amma has been doing so since she was just 17 years old, and she has been known to sit embracing people continuously for as long as 22 hours. Amma is able to make such a personal sacrifice because in her arms people feel safe, feel comforted, loved, feel that finally they've found someone who knows them through and through. And with that feeling they get the strength to move forward in life, and this, Amma feels, is infinitely more important than her physical needs. Be they young or old, sick or healthy, rich or poor—everyone receives the same unconditional love. Amma turns no one away. The atheist has just as much a place with Amma as the devotee.

For Amma, Advaita [non-dualism] is not a mere philosophy, but something to be lived. As such, Amma's every thought, word and deed resound with that greatest of truths: Everything within and without is divine. Accordingly, Amma oversees a massive matrix of humanitarian activities. Hospitals for the sick, homes for the homeless, disaster relief, orphanages, hospices, free pensions, suicide-prevention, employment programs… the list is endless. Influenced by Amma's example and experiencing her pure love, thousands upon thousands of people from around the world have been inspired to take up a life of service—giving whatever time or money they can spare in order to help others. It is the seed of love Amma has planted within them beginning to sprout that has brought this about. This has been Amma's vision from the beginning. Amma says, "In today's world, people experience two types of poverty: the poverty caused by lack of food, clothing and shelter, and the poverty caused by lack of love and compassion. Of these two, the second type needs to be considered first—because, if we have love and compassion in our hearts, then we will wholeheartedly serve those who suffer from lack of food, clothing and shelter." This is the secret behind the success of Amma's charitable mission and how its expansion seems to be constant and without end. And the brilliance of Amma's grand scheme is that not only are the downtrodden uplifted but also the volunteers, as the selflessness of their actions purifies their minds, helping them to gradually progress along the spiritual path. Amma's charitable social services cross all barriers of nationality, race, caste and religion, and have drawn the attention of the world community. In 2005, Amma's organization, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, was given special consultative status by the United Nations.Humanitarian, Mother, Friend, Guru, God…people see her differently. Amma has offered herself to the world. In reality, Amma is beyond all such roles, knowing her true nature to be the true nature of us all—the blissful divine consciousness that pervades this universe. But out of her infinite compassion, Amma comes down to the level of whoever is standing before her—the poor, the lonely, the seeker—in order to give what is desired, what is needed. It was for this purpose alone that Amma was born and for this alone that Amma lives today. In fact, Amma has said that she wishes to be lovingly caressing someone, consoling them and wiping their tears even when she breathes her last.

Amma, the Master

“Amma doesn't make any claims.” This is something we hear Amma say quite often. In fact, True Masters don't need to declare themselves to the world, for they will be recognized by those who are sincere in their search or pure of heart. Does the mother need to tell the baby, "I am your mother?" And so it is with Amma.

The essence of India lies in Her culture of Self-realization. God is not seen as something apart, but as our very essence, the one True Self that resides in the heart of us all. Raising ourselves from ordinary individuals to the heights of God Consciousness is only possible with the guidance of one who is already in that transcendent state. Such a one is called a Satguru, a True Master, as in one who has gained mastery over the mind, one who is beyond the mind.

From ancient times up to the present day, an unbroken succession of Self-realized Masters have taken birth in India to lead seekers of Truth to the ultimate reality. Yes, Amma makes no claims, but seekers from all over the world are finding in Her what they have been looking for—someone who directly experiences the supreme truth and is capable of leading them to that goal.

In Amma, we find both a Master and a Mother. Considering all to be Her children, She rejects none and is always accessible. From the village fisherman concerned about his poor catch to the disciple enquiring into the nature of reality, Amma is always ready to advise those who come to Her with faith and heartfelt need. And, rendered in Her native Malayalam, Her words elucidate the subtlest of truths in a manner that even a child can understand.

Although Amma has studied only up to the fourth standard, She is inspiring a spiritual renaissance throughout India and abroad. In 1995, Amma addressed the Interfaith Celebration in honour of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. In that address, She expressed Her vision for the future, one in which faith and meditation bring the world to a place of Self knowledge, unity, peace and tranquility. Anyone can see Amma's vision is not for a select few, but for the world, for the entire creation.

Amma never had a Guru. Nor has She studied any scriptures. Yet She has become the Spiritual Master — the centre of the universe, the life force, the guiding light — for millions. When your disciplehood is invoked, you realize that the Master has always been there waiting for you.

For selection of Amma's teachings on various subjects, please see Teachings.

Amma: The Wonder of Wonders

Born in a poor fishing village in Southern India and educated only up to the fourth standard, Amma now directly administers a vast network of charitable activities, serves as spiritual master to thousands of monks and nuns, mother to millions of devotees across the globe, spiritual advisor to the international community of nations and religions, and protector of the true spirit of India's Sanatana Dharma.

When we take a close look at Amma's life as She lives it, in truth, we can only look on in wonder.

The Satguru

The tiny hut where Amma was born has become the headquarters of a worldwide spiritual mission. Nowhere in the history of spiritual tradition has a Master transformed his or her birthplace into an ashram.

While She has had no formal guidance or initiation into spiritual life by a guru, She explains the intricate philosophies of the scriptures without having studied them. By defining sannyasa as a life of selfless service to the world, Amma has brought alive the ideals of the ancient Vedic tradition. And speaking only Her native tongue of Malayalam, She imparts the highest spiritual truths to people all across the world.

The Mother of All

Hugging and kissing in public is not part of Indian life. Women especially are expected to be more discreet. But Amma is hugging and kissing everyone who comes to meet Her.

She has not married, nor borne children, but She has become known as the Mother of all. Amma has been listening to the same domestic problems for the last 30 years. Some parents get tired of hearing the problems of their two or three children. But Amma gets neither bored nor impatient of hearing the same problems day after day, year after year, but ever so patiently guides Her children to a deeper understanding of the nature of the world and of the their own true Self.

It is a common sight to see people breaking into torrents of tears even at a mere glimpse of Amma. They feel that Amma is someone to whom they can pour all their sorrows. Later they say they feel redeemed and refreshed when they cry to Amma.

Her Epoch-making Temples

The inner shrine of Amma's unique temples - Brahmasthanam - has a single block of stone with the images of four deities on its four sides, illuminating the inherent unity underlying the Hindu pantheon.

From the prevailing cultural point of view, it is very unusual that a woman should consecrate a temple. Yet, Amma has elaborately consecrated 17 such Brahmasthanam temples, in India and abroad since 1987.

In these same temples, Amma has invested women as priests, marking the first time since ancient history that women have served as priests in India. In this and a myriad of other ways, Amma is restoring the true meaning to ancient rituals, and educating the Indian people about the treasure that is their own spiritual heritage.

Her Inspiration

Touched by Her compassion, and inspired by the ideals of selfless service exemplified in Her own life, Amma's monastic disciples and many devotees renounced their established careers and material accomplishments to serve Her and lead a life rooted in spiritual practices. They are the ones who run Amma’s various charitable activities, from building homes for the homeless to more than 60 educational institutions to an 800-bed superspecialty hospital, under the direct guidance of Amma.

"God's Love in a Human Body."

Since 1993, Amma has been increasingly recognised by the international community as a treasured repository of practical spiritual wisdom, who has the capacity to guide the world towards a better, brighter future. She been a featured speaker at the United Nations on three occasions, most recently when She was presented with the 2002 Gandhi-King Award for Non-violence. Presenting the award, Dr. Jane Goodall referred to Amma as “God’s love in a human body.”

She has only the same 24 hours each day that we have, and yet...

In the span of a day, Amma manages to give directions on the running of these myriad organisations, give darshan to thousands of people, read and respond to innumerable letters; counsel Her disciples on the smallest details of their spiritual practice, lead the evening bhajans - all this without the least stress or tension, with a smile ever lighting Her face! In the last three decades, She has never taken a sick leave or a holiday or a vacation.

Isn't it a wonder?

Darshan

"Amma's hugs and kisses should not be considered ordinary. When Amma embraces or kisses someone, it is a process of purification and inner healing. Amma is transmitting a part of Her pure, vital energy into Her children. It also allows them to experience true, unconditional love. When Amma holds someone it can help to awaken the dormant spiritual energy within them, which will eventually take them to the ultimate goal of Self-realization." - Amma

Amma's darshan is, as far as we can tell, unique in the history of the world. Darshan means "to see" and traditionally, a Master is seen but not touched. And in India, women do not touch men in public. But Amma's darshan emerged as a loving mother's embrace, beginning when She was only a teenager and held and comforted the lonely and suffering in Her village, and extending up to the present day. Amma makes herself available to anyone wishing to receive her blessing. There is never any charge, and no one is turned away. Hour after hour, day after day, year after year -- for over thirty years now, She has been embracing all who come to Her. Man or woman, sick or healthy, rich or poor, regardless of religious faith, caste, young or old: even the very elderly, even Her own parents, regard Her as their very own Mother. Amma now travels across India and to over a dozen countries throughout the world. Everywhere She goes, She gives darshan to all who come to Her.

In India Amma has been known to individually embrace over 20,000 people in one day, sitting sometimes for over 22 hours. Over the past thirty years, She has embraced over 21 million times!

Timothy Conway, Ph.D., author of the book Women of Power and Grace and expert on spiritual figures, describes Amma as "one of the most glorious lights to appear in the history of religion. Just her stamina - embracing these millions of people one by one, day after day, without a break, all over the world - is some kind of divine gift. No mere human resources could accomplish this."

Hers is an unconditional love which expresses itself through the unique vehicle of Her darshan: being ushered into the awesome presence of a Master, the sheer power of Her gaze, the indescribable sweetness of Her smile, the hug that ensconces one in eternity, the earthy voice whispering words of assurance, the gentle nuzzle on the cheek, and the gift of prasad.

Each person's darshan is a fresh experience because Amma Herself is ever fresh - spontaneous. Amma listens to our spoken words and unspoken thoughts, hugs the devotees and whispers a word or two in their ears. She knows exactly our need of the moment. With a pause here, a glimpse there, She instils moments of transformation. This is the testimony of thousands.

Hours pass and thousands are seen. On Her birthday celebrations, Amma has given darshan for twenty-two hours at a stretch with barely a break. She departs, Her shoulder stained with the marks of Her toil, Her cheek dark from hours of kissing, but She is still fresh as ever, Her eyes aglow with the radiant light of the Soul.


source:http://www.amritapuri.org