Hello readers,
I am in Amritapuri Ashram in Kerala and I want to share my experiences so far.
I arrived here on April 5th. They usually provide accommodation for only two or three days. It costs Rs. 50 per day in a dormitory. The food is free for the first three days, and then it is Rs. 100 per day. I booked accommodation for five days. The person in the accommodation office asked, “Why so long?” I explained that I want to seek approval for permanent or long-term accommodation from Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi) and for now, I want to immerse myself in ashram activities, do seva, listen to bhajans, etc.
This is an amazing place. I witnessed the embodiment of love and compassion on the very first day. I can perceive the genuineness in Amma’s teachings, her smile, her carefully chosen bhajans, which are either about bhakti or jnana, the satsangs by her disciples, and the darshan, the most important part.
When I approached her, she hugged me, whispered “amma kuttu” a few times in my ears, and gave me a candy. I expressed my interest in spirituality and wanting to permanently stay here. She smiled and asked, “You? Interested in spirituality?” I affirmed, explaining my divorced status and lack of other commitments. She chuckled and asked, “So you also left your wife?” She spoke very good Tamil. I then shared that I had been practicing sakshi bhavana meditation for many years, that I am homeless, and I really want to live here. She acknowledged my meditation practice and invited me to sit with a few devotees.
I anticipated she would discuss something with me after the darshan. She usually gives darshan until everyone who came to see her has had their chance. That day, it lasted until 12:30 am midnight. I’ve read that Amma has continuously given darshan for 20 hours, involving speaking, hugging, whispering in ears, and giving candy.
Since she didn’t express approval, I wondered what to do next. I learned that once you’ve had a darshan, you can have the next one only after 30 days.
Now, I intend to extend the accommodation for the next 30 days just to have another darshan and seek her approval. I have nowhere else to go, and I am deeply impressed to have discovered this hidden oasis, a place where you can find a genuine guru in Amma.
I conversed with many Western devotees here, and they shared interesting stories. My sandals broke on the first day, and a guy from the US directed me to the Indian supermarket. After darshan, I spoke with a guy from Denmark who was also new here. In a coffee shop near the beach, I conversed with a young French lady who shared her story.
The next morning, I mistook a young Brahmacharini called Chandrika from the US for the French lady and asked her if she was her. She smiled and clarified, and we continued walking and talking. She imparted wisdom, saying, “Many people want to come to Amritapuri, but they keep delaying it. But some people accidentally end up here and find the home they were searching for. Unless you have the grace of Amma, you can’t come here!”
In an Indian cafe, I met an Italian lady who inquired if Amma said anything regarding my accommodation issue. When I said “no,” she burst into uncontrollable laughter, explaining that even Amma didn’t say anything, yet people here are quick to offer advice upon hearing others’ problems.
I resonate with the quote “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” from the Maha Upanishad, meaning “the world is one family.” Amritapuri embodies this quote by accommodating people from different countries in one place.
There is also a Kali temple, the house where Amma lived, and an elephant called Lakshmi in the ashram campus. I will delve into more detail about them in a separate article.
Every day brings surprises here, and the village is a beautiful coastal one. I definitely want to live here and engage in seva for as long as possible, maybe for a year or two until life presents another task.
I have some money left to cover one month’s accommodation and food, which is about Rs. 4500 if calculated. But I am unsure if they will extend the stay. If not, I’ll have to stay in lodges and eat outside until May 5th, which will be expensive.
I am now convinced that meeting Amma and learning more about her is part of my prarabdha. It has been a blessing.
For now, as long as I can stay in the ashram, I don’t need immediate financial assistance. However, I’m unsure about what will happen next. Nevertheless, I am in a total state of surrender regarding that.
I have been here for four days now, and I could write a book about what I’ve seen, heard, and experienced. I believe this is a new chapter in my life.
Finally, I want to emphasize that when you meet someone genuinely at a saintly level, you can easily recognize the fake ones. I will keep you updated about my experiences in the upcoming posts.
Shanmugam's Blog 