2010

It's about time I updated this blog. These days I tend to write on Facebook. All I can really do is bow down to the Divine. There is no doubt that since I met Amma, my life has taken a turn for the better.

I had this gorgeous message from Yogini, too.

Om Namo Narayani. Greetings from Sri Naranyani Peedam . I wanted to let everyone know about the special events planned for May 8, the 18th anniversary of the day on which our Beloved Amma experienced Herself as the Divine Mother and Goddess Narayani. Amma proclaimed this identity to the world on that day and we celebrate it as ‘Proclamation Day’. It also marks the birthday of Sri Narayani Peedam.

Amma has given us a great boon or divine gift. May 8th is the only day of the year where we can enter the Swayambhu Temple. The swayambhu will be uncovered and each of us will be able to perform abishekam to the swayambhu with turmeric water. Amma has said that when we place our hands on either side of the swayambhu all of our negativity will be pulled from us. We will be filled with positive energy and blessings which will give rise to positive thoughts and actions resulting in peace of mind and ananda (bliss).

All of Creation will be celebrating this auspicious day and the grace will be flowing, so come if you can and pay Rs108 to participate in the swayambhu abishekam. If you are unable to be here, then participate in some other manner. Make the day auspicious no matter where you are.

Last night after the evening puja we followed Amma to the small ghoshala here at the Peedam. It was just after 9 p.m. and the breezes were blowing softly through the palm trees. Amma performed ‘gho puja’ while the Brahmin priests chanted. The ghoshala was full of devotees and yet it was easy to feel you were alone in the Universe with Amma and Indrani. Every day we swim in a sea of grace here at the Peedam and feel held by Amma and transformed by grace into something quite Divine.

ஓம் நமோ Narayani

Thank you Amma! Om Namo Narayani!

நதலயே'ச blog

Are you reading the amma-may-zing blog being written by Nathalie Latham?

The news of the reduced size of the tumor has brought to so many people joy! Hearing their joy doubles my joy each time! And it has also really helped me in this journey. Talk about the power of communicating a wish for prayer and support + getting an extraordinary result... Click here for more...

எ கிபிட் ஒப் லைப் ஸ்டோரி பிரோம் Nicole

A little Gift of Life story for us from Nicole Azzopardi, who's just returned from a month at Peedam.

I came across a young woman called Deepa one night after puja. She was being pushed away by the guards outside the Shanti Mandapam and it seemed a little harsh and violent (even for Indian standards) as she was holding a small baby, a basket with a lime mala in it, and a letter. I stopped her to ask if she was ok. "Baby hospital, heart surgery, two holes." she told me.

Deepa had been trying to offer her mala to Amma to find a way to ask for help her baby, who when I looked had downs syndrome.

So amazing these little souls, they hardly every cry and they have an innocence and level of surrender that burns through you.

As Deepa and her mother were being shoved out of the Peedam by guards she held the letter out to me, thinking that a westerner could help get her letter to Amma. I instinctively reached out and tried to take it but again the guards prevented us from connecting.

Luckily the beautiful, bilingual but sometimes cantankerous Praba happened to turn up with a pail of chick peas. It was a Friday.

I asked her to translate so I could find out what was going on. Praba explained that the baby was nine months old and needed heart surgery. She had two holes in her heart and had two weeks to live if she did not receive treatment.

Praba screamed at me and told me that the Peedam needed to follow a procedure. I didn't realise that Deepa had been turning up every day. Praba screamed at her too in Tamil. All I could understand was 'manager' 'manager'.

Beautiful little Deepa had been very strong up to that point but I could see her start to shake. Big tears started rolling down her cheeks. She tried to hold it back and compose herself but she was clearly frustrated, desperate and very afraid.

I thought of how difficult it had been even to get a sim card for my phone, how many people it had involved, how many conversations, how many different places I visited, how many weeks it had taken. What this girl must have been through. Here she was with an urgent life and death situation.

In the end, Praba softened and kissed the baby's hands, we all had a chance to hold her. Even the guards crowded round and sang to her and gave Deepa one of their hankies to wipe her tears. They told her to come the next day to see the manager, more gently this time, the operations were scheduled in blocks and in advance, it was a long shot but it was all they could do.

After she left, I couldn't stop crying. It was so terribly, terribly sad. I found out that Deepa is 23 years old. Here I was witnessing one of the very people who need our help. She must have heard about Amma's Gift of Life project.

The next day Deepa and I ran into each other just outside of Peedam again. Funny how Amma times things for our benefit. Nothing is an accident.

We sat with the public relations gent who told us they normally needed two months to process and evaluate a request for a surgery. He gave Deepa his mobile number, I then went with her to see Sampat, the 'manager'.

He told me Deepa had already come to see him. They were doing all they could. That afternoon I went to abishekem but I missed theertum, which is the time that you can have limited contact with Amma. (For Yas and anyone who hasn't been lately) It's not the line up version like it used to be. These days, trying to see Amma is like being in a mosh pit.

Praba came to me later that night in temple and told me some very good news. In any case, Deepa had managed to fight the crowds and tell Amma about her baby's situation direct.

On hearing the news, Amma immediately arranged for the baby to go to Bangalore Hospital the following week to have her operations. Amma would cover all costs. That night Praba told me the news. I cried again when I heard it. Praba cried too.

It was a very good day.

Nathalie

Nathalie in Paris with my little guy - July 2007 - just before or after this pic was taken, she was planting gentle little kisses on his gentle little cheek - he sat stock still, eyes wide open, almost not daring to breathe, so as not to distract her lest she stopped!

If you haven't already done it, check out Nathalie Latham's blog - as she goes on this amazing journey - http://nathalielatham.blogspot.com/

I'll be posting something just for Amma devotees here from Nathalie later today.

Om Namo Narayani

Yasmin

நதலயே'ச இன் டவுன்

Nathalie came over today and we did a lovely 108 Om Namo Narayanis meditation. She put a flower near one of my pictures of Amma and it looks lovely. I'm thinking about a new book I want to write and I know Amma's blessed the project so I am waiting for Divine Guidence. I think I might have got some today.

அம்மா அண்ட் Louis

Hi All, A little Amma story... I've been steadily introducing my much-beloved son Louis to Amma's love since he was born two and a bit years ago (the late night "Narayani" song is the first song he ever heard outside the womb and his favourite lullaby...)

I have a picture of Amma on a bookshelf in my office and Louis will often kiss this - totally unprompted and not something he does with any of the other half dozen family pics on the same bookshelf! (Nor for that matter does he kiss any of his teddy bears...)

Today, for the first time, he picked up the 6 inch wooden carving of Buddha meditating on the same bookshelf as the picture and said "Amma!" (actually he said "Muma" which is what he calls Amma, which to my ears is very distinct from Mummy, which is what he calls me...!)

I thought for a second and said "Yes darling, Amma..." because I'm pretty sure Buddha and Amma do share a lot of the same energy.

Louis brought the little carving to my desk, gave it a kiss and placed it under another picture of Amma, which I have on my desk, and said decisively and happily "Muma".

Then he grabbed this second photo of Amma and kissed that too! Amma-may-zing!!! Om Namo Narayani. Love to all

Yasmin xoxo