Flowers of love blossomed in the Chihuahuan Desert as Amma’s four days of programs in New Mexico began. With the auspicious day of Guru Purnima taking place during the Albuquerque tour stop, people were both joyful and reverent for the compassion Amma has brought to our world.
Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, Amma’s most senior disciple, led the ceremonies with an expression of deeply moving humility and devotion. Swamis and Swaminis then garlanded Amma and received her blessings on behalf of everyone.
The traditional rites included guru-pāda pūjā [the ritual of worshipping the guru’s feet], archana [recitation of Sanskrit mantras], and ārati [waving of lamps] in which ‘ā’ means complete and ‘rati’ means love.
“Human life is intended for an exalted goal. Each individual has at least a subtle awareness of that divinity within. Every human life is a quest for this divinity,” said Amma as she spoke about the significance of Guru Purnima.
“In one way or another, every human being is continually searching for that completeness. However, currently, we are searching for that inner completeness in the external world. The source of happiness and love is within us—in the True Self, the ātmā.
“Unfortunately, we are under the delusion that we are this perishable body. We are in the darkness of ignorance of our true nature. The Guru is the one who removes the darkness of ignorance and shines the light of true knowledge.”
Guru Purnima occurs on the full moon day of Ashadha in the Hindu faith. It was a rainy, cloudy evening, but the full moon peeked through the clouds to light up the sky. Devotees expressed their gratitude to Amma for her guidance on the spiritual path, especially with the protection of her unconditional love.
During the New Mexico stop, it seemed as though Mother Nature came to honour Amma as well. The evening of the first day, very heavy rains brought life to the beautiful desert setting. And then a rainbow appeared in the sky while Amma continued to embrace people.
Human life is intended for an exalted goal. Each individual has at least a subtle awareness of that divinity within.
Amma
“‘Mother’ or ‘Guru’ or whatever you want to call her, Amma’s role is the same: Despite knowing the ultimate illusoriness of the world, she is here to dedicate her life to awakening those of us steeped in the slumber of ignorance,” said Brahmachari Sachinmayamrita Chaitanya in an address.
“And we desperately need her. Because without that compassionate mother, we would forever remain lost in the sleep of delusion.”
Amma’s programs in Albuquerque finished early morning on July 23. Her next tour stop is Washington, DC.
Find out more – us.amma.org/tour
