Amritapuri Ashram, Kerala
It is the morning, and I find myself sitting in my small shared room, by the window, eating oranges.
My roommate sleeps in nearly every morning, so it is as though I have the room to myself during early mornings like this.
The sun rises over the palm trees, the crows, the circling white-headed bald eagles, and the giant pink buildings materially constituting the ashram.
I hear the buzz of the morning busi-ness.
I wanted to write something but not sure entirely what.
More I just wanted to feel that I have been productive and written a blog post. But in any case, I feel that there is a lot going on here.
I feel that I am “progressing” spiritually, while I am here, whatever that may mean.
[For of course, from an absolute standpoint, there is no progress. But in this material incarnation — sure, definitely we can feel and make sense of progress]
So I feel that a lot is happening here. I am in a way quieting down in the heart, quite often, and deepening in my awareness of the spirit.
I have been repeating a mantra as often as I can: “Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu” — this roughly means, “May all beings have peace and happiness.”
I feel a deepening when I repeat this mantra. Also, when I sit close to Amma on the stage during darshan — at those times, there is a great peace that I feel I can tap into, simply by sitting there quietly.
Others must feel the same way — else why would so many beings be crowding onto this stage, just to sit for long intervals, observing a constant line of people coming to be hugged by an Indian mother-saint?
It is truly amazing. Day-in, day-out, this unusual being (Amma), she sits there hugging these people tirelessly. She must log easily 50-60 hours per week doing this (about 14 hours straight per day, 4 days a week), in addition to all of the other work she does.
…
But yes, I do feel that I am greatly progressing here. Whatever that enigmatic feeling or concept may mean.
Silent Cedars 