It is always advisable to obtain a mantra from a self-realized master. Until then we may use one of the mantras of our beloved deity like 'Om Namah Shivaya', 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya', 'Om Namo Narayanaya', 'Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare', 'Om Shivashaktyaikya Rupinyai Namaha' or even the names of Christ, Allah or Buddha.
Mata Amritanandamayi...love is our true nature. When we do not express love in our words and actions it is like honey hidden in a rock.
Mata AmritanandamayiBe like the honeybee who gathers only nectar wherever it goes. Seek the goodness that is found in everyone.
Mata AmritanandamayiThe greatest tragedy in life is not death; the greatest tragedy takes place when our talents and capabilities are underutilized and allowed to rust while we are living.
Mata AmritanandamayiAt the end of the archana, prostrate, then get up and, remaining on the same spot, turn around clockwise 3 times just as if circling a temple, then bow to the Lord.
Mata AmritanandamayiParents need to nourish spiritual values in their children from a very young age.
Mata AmritanandamayiWhen the storm brews and the waves swell, only an experienced captain can control the ship and save it.
Mata AmritanandamayiChildren, meditation is not just sitting with our eyes closed. We should take every action as worship. We should be able to experience His presence everywhere.
Mata AmritanandamayiLove is the very foundation, beauty and fulfillment of life. If we dive deep enough into ourselves, we will find that the one thread of universal love ties all beings together. As this awareness dawns within us, peace alone will reign.
Mata AmritanandamayiPure love removes all negative feelings. Destroying all selfishness, it expects nothing but gives anything. Pure love is a constant giving up- giving up of everything that belongs to you. What really belongs to you? Only the ego. Love consumes in its flames all preconceived ideas, prejudices and judgments, all those things which stem from the ego. Pure love is nothing but the emptying of the mind of all its fears and the tearing off of all masks. It exposes the Self as it is.
Mata AmritanandamayiNowadays everybody wants to become a leader. No one wants to become a servant. In reality, the world is badly in need of servants, not leaders. A real servant is a real leader.
Mata AmritanandamayiWe have nothing to lose by trusting the infinite power of the Self, except the bondage of our own ignorance.
Mata AmritanandamayiIn today's world, both men and woman need motherhood, the nurturing motherly feeling, the feminine energy. By receiving this energy, it will make them independent and free.
Mata AmritanandamayiWe give physical exercise to the body, but neglect the heart. The exercise for the heart is uplifting the destitute and the suffering.
Mata AmritanandamayiThe essence of motherhood is not restricted to women who have given birth; it is a principle inherent in both women and men. It is an attitude of the mind. It is love - and that love is the very breath of life. No one would say, 'I will breathe only when I am with my family and friends; I won't breathe in front of my enemies.' Similarly, for those in whom motherhood has awakened, love and compassion for everyone are as much part of their being as breathing.
Mata AmritanandamayiChildren, do not listen to those who malign masters and sages. Never listen to or indulge in derogatory talk about anyone. When we harbor negative thoughts about others, our minds become impure.
Mata AmritanandamayiIt is never a good practice to continue to sleep after sunrise. We should not think of staying in bed once we are awake; it increases laziness and dullness. Those who cannot decrease the amount of sleep quickly may do it in gradual stages. Those who do regular spiritual practice do not need much sleep.
Mata AmritanandamayiTranscending the cycle of death and rebirth is the real purpose of this life in human form.
Mata AmritanandamayiEveryone in the world should sleep without fear at least for one night, sleep without fear. Everyone in the world should eat to their fill, at least for one day, eat to their fill. There should be one day when there is no violence, no one is injured, no one is harmed. All people young and old should serve the poor and needy, at least for one day serve selflessly. This is my dream....this is my prayer. Love is the answer, love is the way. Love is the answer, love is the way.
Mata AmritanandamayiOne who goes after the taste of the tongue does not get to know the taste of the heart.
Mata AmritanandamayiGod is standing at the door of every heart. Call Him. He is waiting to come in.
Mata AmritanandamayiIf we have been able to give happiness to a soul-even for a minute-it makes our life blessed.
Mata AmritanandamayiChildren, set aside at least half an hour in the morning and in the evening for spiritual practices. After bathing in the morning, a family should sit together and worship. Archana may be performed by chanting the 108 or 1000 Names of Devi or our chosen deity. We can also chant our mantra, meditate or sing hymns at this time.
Mata AmritanandamayiThe person who constantly studies without doing spiritual practice is like the fool who attempts to live in the blueprint of a house.
Mata AmritanandamayiMental purity will come through constant chanting of the divine name. This is the simplest way. You are trying to cross the ocean of transmigration, the cycle of birth and death. The mantra is the oar of the boat; it is the instrument you use to cross the samsara of your restless mind, with its unending thought waves. The mantra can also be compared to a ladder that you climb to reach the heights of God realization.
Mata AmritanandamayiInstead of "I love you," it would be better to say "I am love-I am the embodiment of Pure Love." Remove the I and you, and you will find that there is only Love. It is as if Love is imprisoned between the I and you. Remove the I and you, for they are unreal; they are self-imposed walls that don't exist. The gulf between I and you is the ego. When the ego is removed the distance disappears and the I and you also disappear. They merge to become one - and that is Love.
Mata AmritanandamayiRemember to set apart at least one hour every day to do some service for others. While the food we eat nurtures our bodies, it is what we give in charity that nurtures our souls. If time is not available daily, reserve at least a few hours every week for some worthwhile act of charity.
Mata AmritanandamayiJust as our bodies need proper food to live and develop, our souls need love to blossom. The strength and nourishment that love can give our souls is even more potent than the nourishing power of a mother's milk for a baby.
Mata AmritanandamayiTry to make others happy, and don't despair over all the evil in the world. Instead of cursing the dark, let us each light one small lamp.
Mata AmritanandamayiChildren, not a grain of the food we eat is made purely by our own effort. What comes to us in the form of food is the work of others, the bounty of Nature and God's compassion. Even if we have millions of dollars, we still need food to satisfy our hunger. Can we eat dollars? Therefore, never eat anything without first praying with humility.
Mata AmritanandamayiWhat we need is peace of mind. We can gain that only through the control of our mind.
Mata AmritanandamayiA sadhak (one who does spiritual practice) will not have time to indulge in gossip. They will not feel like talking to anyone in a harsh manner. Those who always indulge in faultfinding will never achieve spiritual progress. Do not harm anyone by thoughts, words or deeds. Be compassionate towards all beings. Ahimsa (nonviolence) is the highest dharma (duty).
Mata AmritanandamayiMany people meditate in order that a third eye may open. For that they feel they should close their two physical eyes. They thereby become blind to the world. But the fact is that the third eye will never open. We can never close our eyes to the world in the name of spirituality. Self-realization is the ability to see ourselves in all beings. This is the third eye through which you see, even while your two eyes are open. We should be able to love and serve others, seeing ourselves in them. This is the fulfillment of spiritual practice.
Mata AmritanandamayiThere is no short cut to God; sadhana must be performed regularly and with devotion. It is our own effort which will enable us to experience the grace of God which is being showered on us all the time. Therefore, whatever spare time you get, use it to seek God. If you create peace in your own heart by doing sadhana, then that will have a positive effect on your family, your work and so on. The peace and love of God will overflow out of your heart and encourage others to move on the right path.
Mata AmritanandamayiWhatever binds us most, whatever is dearest to us, that is what we should offer the Lord. Doesn't a mother give her child whatever she thinks is the best?
Mata AmritanandamayiKeep a constant awareness and a conscious effort to say good words, perform good actions, and to practice patience and compassion.
Mata Amritanandamayi