“An ashram is not a mere cluster of inanimate buildings, temples and trees; rather it is the very embodiment of the sadguru’s grace. It is a vital, dynamic and living institution that helps the aspiration of the sincere student to attain the state of Oneness” – AMMA
Amritapuri ashram is the perfect place to experience many aspects of spirituality and a deep understanding and progress of our own spiritual practice. Amma’s uplifting presence permeates a holy vibration and her guiding light shows us the right path towards the Divine. Her example is an inspiration to all of us, and her darshan is an experience of a lifetime. Also, the ashram is a well-structured and loving environment, where the devotees can immerse themselves in the manifold aspects of the spiritual path.
When practicing Amrita Yoga at Amritapuri, India, it’s possible to feel the blessings of Amma during the asanas, purifying body, mind and spirit with her grace. It is possible to witness an increasing awareness of the inner presence in the body and to surrender all the pain and efforts at the feet of the Divine.
It is also possible to practice Jnana Yoga (Yoga of knowledge) through the teachings and satsanga. This can allow us to establish the pillars of correct values that help us modify our behavior, adapting it to the spiritual truths. In other words, knowing the truth awakens in us the desire to be a better person and deepens our spiritual practice.
Listening to the Bhajana (devotional singing), repetition of mantras and the archana practice (chanting 1000 names of the Divine Mother) are a great way to practice Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of devotion) by opening our heart and melting away all sorrows into the experience of the Divine Mother’s vibrations.
Raja Yoga (Royal Yoga) practice is meditating near Amma while she gives darshan, and with Amma on meditation days. This is a very special opportunity that helps to quite the mind and to intensify our contact with our own Self.
Lastly, we can purify our actions through the practice of Karma Yoga (Yoga of the action). The seva or selfless service carried out in the ashram (or in our home places) is a way to get immersed in God, whatever our duty is. It is the practice of non-attachment to the results of our efforts and surrendering the fruits to the Divine. The value of selfless service is so great. It can be responsible for improving many other aspects in our life.
Satsanga was something that left a deeper impression for me during the Amrita Yoga retreats in Amritapuri. The light and wisdom of Amma and the swamis’ satsanga acted as a balm of relief, giving solutions to questions that didn’t even arise yet.
But, in particular, I related to listening to the satsanga of my sister and brother devotees in the ashram. These people were a true inspiration for me. All of them were opening their hearts and sharing their intimate experiences, their struggles and triumphs—all of which are very valuable for a spiritual seeker. Many of us may have experienced similar situations or even may find answers to some questions through their experiences.
For example, I enjoyed listening to the interesting experience of a past Olympian, who explained how important it is to develop self-discipline and understand it as an act of love towards God. He also explained about seeing obstacles as stepping stones and to look forward and keep going. “Get rid of expectations,” he said. “The ‘I’ needs to fall down so the grace can flow in.” Quoting Amma: “It is not what you do, it is the attitude which is important.” He insisted the answer was doing our actions out of love, coming out of our spiritual practice and seeing the whole world as our path in Yoga. What a nice challenge!
There was another resident who spoke about his inner spiritual life and experiences. It was so nice to hear this sensible man opening his heart, sharing his life and talking about many intimate spiritual experiences. His experiences seemed familiar and relatable to me. He especially stressed the importance of cultivating a stronger relationship with God and developing love for our practice. He said that even the pain when we feel away from God shows the depth of devotion. I was so touched by the tenderness of his testimony that afterward I cried and felt something profound in meditation.
Another sister spoke about the Yoga of devotion. I could relate with the feeling of separation that she was describing, a basic desire to be one with creation. With respect to sadhana, Amma says we may do whatever gives us the most love and devotion. We should try to see every action as worship, a remembrance of God, developing attachment with the Divine. Feel sweetness even in the pain and in the yearning.
It helped to have an attitude of a beginner. Listening with this attitude helped me to understand myself better. It helps to look within and cultivate the good qualities I would need to keep growing in this path.
I consider myself specially inclined to devotion and knowledge, keen to introspection and meditation and not particularly inclined to real action. During my stays in the ashram, I always do seva but prefer spending time near Amma and meditating. This is why I recall my admiration for many people in the ashram, observing them while performing their seva with a permanent smile, no matter how exhausting or unpleasant their duty was.
I have often wondered how it is possible that the people who are doing the most unpleasant seva are the happiest ones. How can it be that they are doing something that a common person would avoid and yet they are happy and radiant? I even remember one of my Yoga mates, who, at the end of the Amrita Yoga retreat, confessed to me that he was missing his seva in compost. It is so touching the openness of some hearts and the level of compromise with their respective duties. All of this happens because these persons are working for God, strengthening their link with the Divine. Their expression, their faces, show me even more than their words. I can see they are extremely happy, devoting their time and efforts to God, to the Divine Mother, without expectations.
I feel a special complicity and admiration towards these sisters and brothers. They just work with all their heart and produce beautiful results, even helping others to open up their hearts.
As a conclusion, there is something familiar, like being at home, that I feel every time I go to Amritapuri. There is also the feeling of Mother and family surrounding me all the time. I am able to experience an intimate feeling, a loving familiarity towards many devotees in the ashram, even without knowing them. It is enough for me to observe their actions, their attitude and feel their caring and friendly energy.
Together we build a net around Amma and co-exist as sisters and brothers in this theatre of life, giving strength one to another and expanding the light everywhere.
“Spirituality means to carry a deep and genuine smile to every action in your life. When carrying your responsibilities, never forget to smile”. – Amma
Author: Silvia Hidalgo Daya
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