NEWS FROM AMMA

News
SUNY Confers Amma with a Honorary Doctorate

The State University of New York (SUNY) presented spiritual leader and humanitarian Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) with an honorary doctorate in humane letters today at a special ceremony held at its campus in Buffalo.
SUNY confers honorary degrees to “recognize excellence and extraordinary achievement in the fields of public affairs, the sciences, humanities and the arts, scholarship and education, business and philanthropy and social services which exemplify the mission and purpose of the University; to honor meritorious and outstanding service to the University, the State of New York, the United States, or to humanity at large; to recognize individuals whose lives and significant achievements should serve as examples of the University’s aspirations for its students.”
Here is a quote from Amma’s talk on receiving the honorary doctorate.
“It is Amma’s prayer that we develop the expansive-mindedness to embrace both scientific knowledge and spiritual wisdom. We can no longer afford to see these two streams of knowledge as flowing in opposite directions. In truth, they complement one another. If we merge these streams, we will find that we are able to create a mighty river—a river whose waters can remove suffering and spread life to all of humanity.” Read More


Amma's North America and Japan Summer Tour - 2010

Amma is now on in Dallas after embracing thousands in Albuquerque. For information on Amma's Summer Tour 2010 in the USA and Canada please visit us at www.amma.org. Read More
Amma will be touring Japan after Canada. For information on Amma's Summer Tour 2010 to Japan please visit us at www.amma.org. Read More


Water, Precious Water
Just before Amma left for her North American tour, Amma met with all the ashram residents in Amritapuri. A questioner then asked Amma to suggest ways to save resources like water and other natural wealth within the ashram and to make its use efficient so at least the ashram could set an example. Amma said she was so very happy hearing the question on water and natural preservation and that her children were thinking about it. Amma started telling all how precious natural resources were and how important it is to save them.
She suggested having separate pumps in the toilet and using the sea-water or backwater for flushing and separate fresh water for the taps. Amma also pointed out that this solution may be expensive to set up.
Since water taps waste a lot of water when the force is high, one may use accessories that can make the water slower so less water is wasted. Many keep the tap open while brushing, shaving or washing. Amma said we need to be aware and to be patient.

“While traveling in an airplane, the water tap actually trickles and one waits patiently to wash his hands or face, even if a billionaire or a businessman. Similarly in a community like here, one needs to be careful and aware.

The world is going through a tough situation. In the future, there might even be war to get access to water. If it is the problem of the future, we should also be concerned and responsible now. Suppose there is a fire in the ground floor of a block of flats and the person calls out for help, a person living on the tenth floor cannot remain idle saying “it is fire in someone else’s apartment, why should I bother?” Soon the fire may even spread to the tenth floor. Likewise, we are all responsible for what is happening and for what will happen.

Amma said that the ashram belongs to the world. So one should have awareness and responsibility. Preservation of our natural resources should be one of our foremost duties. The natural resources that we consume is the wealth that need to be transferred to coming generations. If we mindlessly exploit the resources, we won’t be able to leave anything for our grand children.


AIMS conducts medical camps in Tribal areas
Free Medical Camps treating hundreds of tribal people in Southern India was conducted by AIMS this month. Medical Camps were held in several locations in Mysore and Kerala.


If you would like to support the various humanitarian activities please click here




Living with Amma
By Swamini Krishnamritaprana; Excerpted from Matruvani, 2002

For Grace to flow to us, Amma says that we must put forth a lot of effort. Many people say that everything that happens is destined and that there is nothing one can do about it. Such people, Amma points out, usually go off the spiritual path. The effort that we put forth creates our destiny. Therefore, we should always try to put forth strong, positive effort in everything we do.
There is a story about Beethoven that illustrates the point above. One night after he had performed a brilliant piano concert, many people converged around him to congratulate him. Among them was a young woman who said, “Oh sir, if only God had given me the same gift of genius that you have, I would be so happy.” Beethoven replied, “ Madam, it is not genius or magic. All you have to do is practice hard on your piano eight hours a day after 40 years, and you will be as good as I am.”
Another example is a story about Thomas Edison. He tried using more than 2,000 different materials as filament in a light-bulb, before finding the right material. When a young reporter asked him how it felt to fail so many times, Edison replied, “ I never failed even once. Inventing the light bulb just happened to be a 2000 step process.”
People like Edison and Beethoven have the right understanding about the value of the effort. That is why they were able to accomplish so much in the world. Only when we really strive hard will grace flow to us.





Gems to treasure
Education

Education is not only to help us live a comfortable life of plenty. When our plans fall apart, when we face failure and loss, when we are knocked down, education should help us get back on our feet. Education should help us regain our mental equipoise, self-confidence and positive attitude, so that we can continue forward.”
-- Amma

Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity.
-- Aristotle
Education is a social process. Education is growth. Education is, not a preparation for life; education is life itself.
-- John Dewey

Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.
-- Robert Frost

He who opens a school door, closes a prison.
-- Victor Hugo





Summer Tour 2010 - Retreat Registration

Retreat Registration for Amma's 2010 North American Tour is now open. For details of the tour dates and to register for Retreats please click here



Immortal Bliss subscriptions
Immortal Bliss, a quarterly magazine, contains Mother's message, reminiscences by her senior monastic disciples, experiences of devotees from all over the world, poems dedicated to Amma, stories for children, and reports on the humanitarian activities that Amma's mission spearheads worldwide, among other features. The magazine enshrines Amma's teachings, and for this reason, many have found it to be a link to Amma, especially in her physical absence, offering solace and providing guidance. Please visit our online shop to subscribe to this magazine.