This section is a collection of stories from devotees in Los Angeles. Feel free to share your story! Email

“Say ‘yes’ to everything.”-- Amma

San Ramon, November 2007

Amma had just answered the last question in the Q & A session and, as usual, began the bhajan that precedes dinner. She signaled to one of the many young boys gathered around Her to play the tabla. With a surprised and eager look on his face he immediately jumped up and came forward to accompany Her. He was obviously a beginner, hunched over the tablas with a look of fervent concentration, but he did his best to keep up with Amma’s ever-increasing tempos. To support him, Amma kept the tempo with Her finger against the microphone, shooting him occasional laser-like looks of love.

It was a simple scene that affected me profoundly. As an observer, I was touched, as usual, by Amma’s compassionate support of the boy’s experience. What was surprising, however, was how much I learned from the boy himself.

The lesson I learned from this boy was from the way he immediately, without hesitation, came forward to take this divine opportunity. Everything in his response said “yes” to Her request. He did not ponder over whether he was capable of playing tabla for Her bhajan. He did not stop to be fearful about whether or not he would succeed. He happily and enthusiastically leapt at the opportunity to serve Her, and whatever possibility there may have been for failure was completely eradicated by Her support.

God is continuously presenting us with opportunities for our spiritual growth. I have to wonder whether or not I am saying “yes” to them, or if I am, out of fear and judgment, turning them down. In being a witness to this one seemingly innocuous scene, Amma showed me that all I have to do is be courageous enough to say “yes,” and the shower of Her Grace is ever-ready to pour forth.

Southern California Satsangs Celebration of Amma's Birthday

Los Angeles, September 2007

This year, the Los Angeles Satsang celebrated Amma's birthday with great joy and love. We were blessed to have Dayamrita Swamiji attend and lead us in a manasa puja, the 108 Names, satsang, bhajans and meditation. Our own ABK students sang bhajans and presented a cake to Amma. When the evening's program ended, Swamiji passed out prasad to all those who came for arati. Those who attended were able to eat a delicious vegetarian dinner, not to mention shop in Amma's Bookstore and our Satsang's own Boutique. A successful silent auction and raffle of some of Amma's personal effects helped to raise money for Her local and worldwide charities. It was truly a celebratory evening!

Dear Satsang,

Reading this report on our celebration of Amma's
birthday made me recall that for prasad that night I chose a "personal watermelon" (thanks, Nigama, and whoever donated it!) I enjoyed half  the next day but forgot about the second half until over a week later.
Surprisingly, the leftovers were just as fresh and delicious as the first half... despite the fact that my refrigerator was broken!
xoJill

Readers Respond!
Please share your birthday thoughts, wishes or experiences with us.

We celebrated Christmas in the spirit of unity and oneness. Sitting in front of an elaborate Indian altar and with a carefully decorated Christmas tree behind us, we started our evening with a spontaneous chanting of the 1,000 Names of the Divine Mother. We then, as the L.A. Satsang is wont to do at all gatherings, began singing. Music became a powerful unifying force, with Westerners singing Indian style, and Indians joining in traditional Christmas carols. Eastern instruments (like harmonium, tabla and kaimani) blended with those of the West (guitar, electric bass, jingle bells, even the occasional operatic-style voice). We sang and played to Jesus, Krishna, Devi, Kali, Ram, and even Rudolph. But regardless of any differences there may have been on the outside, we had come together as one to celebrate God.

After a powerful Arati, we then had a delicious potluck dinner (as we are also wont to do). Continuing our fusion of cultures and traditions, we shared dal, rice, dosas, lasagna, apple pie, and raw food. We celebrated two auspicious birthdays on this date-- that of Jesus, and that of one of our Satsang members. We really came together as family in these moments of sweetness and sharing.

One of the highlights of the evening was the Gift Exchange. MC'd by a member of our Satsang known for doing such things, the rules of the Gift Exchange were as follows: Everyone was invited to bring a gift of $10 or less (and some were able to and kind enough to bring an extra gift for those who were less able) and put it, unlabeled, under the tree. We then drew numbers to decide in what order we would get to pick a gift for ourselves. The trick to this gift exchange was that the person picking could either choose a gift from under the tree, or a gift that had already been opened!

For some, there were many opportunities to practice detachment as they gained and quickly lost a particularly desirable present! But even these moments were filled with kindness and genuine laughter as everyone's goodwill and childlike natures manifested.

How blessed we are to have each other in the City of Angels! We constantly have the opportunity to extend to each other Amma's loving embrace. As She takes each and every person into Her arms regardless of their cultures and traditions, She gives an example of how we, too, can unite in Love.