As long as her hands can move a little bit and reach out to those who come to Her, Amma will continue giving darshan.
Mata AmritanandamayiConsoling a miserable soul, wiping the tears of a crying person is greater than any worldly achievement.
Mata AmritanandamayiDon't be discouraged by your incapacity to dispel darkness from the world. Light your little candle and step forward.
Mata AmritanandamayiMany priests and employees at temples work for pay. No one should judge religion on the basis of the shortcomings of such workers. We should frame suitable rules and regulations for preventing them from falling prey to material temptations. The true guiding spirits of religion are those who engage in selfless service while dedicating their entire lives to attaining the vision of God.
Mata AmritanandamayiIn God's vision, no inside or outside exists. Still, in the beginning, Mother is asking all to meditate on Him in the heart, in order to achieve concentration.
Mata AmritanandamayiIntellectual prowess has its limitations. Thus, do not limit the scope of your learning to the realm of the intellect.
Mata AmritanandamayiA seed has to get buried in the soil for its real form as a plant to emerge. Only through modesty and humility can we grow. Pride and conceit will only destroy us. Live with the firm attitude, 'I am everyone's servant.' Then the whole universe will bow down to us.
Mata AmritanandamayiChildren, we cannot control our mind without controlling our desire for taste. The health aspect, not the taste, should be the prime criteria in choosing the food. We cannot relish the blossoming of the heart without foregoing the taste of the tongue.
Mata AmritanandamayiThe mental disposition of the one who prepares the food is transmitted to all those who consume it. Therefore, as far as possible the mothers should do the cooking for the entire family. If it is done while chanting the mantra, the food will benefit everyone in a spiritual way.
Mata AmritanandamayiCouples should abstain from sexual relations at least 2 or 3 days a week. Gradually try to reach a stage of celibacy most days.
Mata AmritanandamayiWhat meaning do our lives have if we cannot set aside at least one hour a day out of 24 for thinking about God? Think how many hours we spend reading the newspaper, gossiping and doing various useless acts! Children we can definitely set aside an hour for sadhana if we really want it. That is our real wealth. If we cannot spare a whole hour at a stretch, keep apart half an hour in the morning and again in the evening.
Mata AmritanandamayiIf you see deficiencies in others, your duty is to forgive instead of pointing at it.
Mata AmritanandamayiRenovating temples does not mean building great gate towers or receptacles for offerings. What we should focus on is the regular conduct of worship according to tradition, regular satsang, devotional singing, and so forth. Our devotion and faith give life to temples, not rituals and ceremonies. Children, we should remember this when we are involved in temple matters.
Mata AmritanandamayiWe should fill the syllabuses of schools with lessons about love and compassion.
Mata AmritanandamayiTo Amma, all are Her children. In Amma's eyes no defect of Her children is serious. But when She is considered as the guru, it is essential for the growth of the disciples that they conduct themselves according to the tradition. Amma will pardon all the mistakes of Her children, but nature has certain laws. That is what brings punishment for our sins. Children, we should be able to take any sorrow or suffering as conducive for our growth.
Mata AmritanandamayiChildren, we must cultivate reverence towards all great masters, monks and gurus.
Mata AmritanandamayiIn the beginning, not everyone may be able to clearly repeat every mantra in the 1000 Names. In that case, everyone can respond to the chants with just one mantra. While chanting the 1000 Names, the response may be 'Om Parashaktyai Namaha' or 'Om Sivasaktyaikya Rupinyai Namaha'.
Mata AmritanandamayiIf you have patience, then you'll also have love. Patience leads to love. If you forcefully open the petals of a bud, you won't be able to enjoy its beauty and fragrance. Only when it blossoms by following its natural course, will the beauty and fragrance of a flower unfold.
Mata AmritanandamayiThe intellect always cuts and divides like a pair of scissors. The heart sews things together and unites like a needle. The tailor uses both.
Mata AmritanandamayiAs you help those in need, selfishness will fall away. And, without even noticing you will find your own fulfillment.
Mata AmritanandamayiProblems arise when you identify with your thoughts and emotions. Try to be a witness to the thoughts instead of being totally identified with them.
Mata AmritanandamayiIf we have love and compassion in our hearts, then we will wholeheartedly serve those who suffer from lack of food, clothing and shelter.
Mata AmritanandamayiProgress is not possible without discipline. A nation, institution, family or individual can advance only by heeding the words of those who deserve respect and by obeying the appropriate rules and regulations. Children, obedience is not weakness. Obedience with humility leads to discipline.
Mata AmritanandamayiGrace is openness. By remaining open, you let go of your ego and narrow-minded views, and allow divine grace to express itself through you.
Mata AmritanandamayiWhether we laugh or cry, the days are going to pass by. So why not choose to laugh?
Mata AmritanandamayiLearn to be thankful to everyone, to the entire creation, even to your enemy and also to those who insult, because they all help you to grow
Mata AmritanandamayiKeep the child within alive. A child never tires of hearing the birds sing, never gets bored looking at flowers.
Mata AmritanandamayiSociety is made up of individuals. The thoughts and actions of each individual influence the culture of that society. Instead of waiting for others to improve, we should try to improve ourselves. Once our attitude has changed, we will be able to perceive goodness throughout world. If there is a positive change in us, it will also be reflected in others. It is only what we give that we can hope to get back.
Mata AmritanandamayiJust as armor protects the soldier, spiritual knowledge protects us from the difficulties of life.
Mata AmritanandamayiThe guru is not someone who is confined to the body. When there is selfless love for the guru, we will be able to see him not only in his body but in every living and nonliving thing in this world. Learn to see everything as the guru's body and to serve them accordingly.
Mata AmritanandamayiPray May all reach the shore of peace, spreading the sweet holy fragrance of Love and vibrations of unity and harmony.
Mata AmritanandamayiLove is our true essence. Love has no limitations of caste, religion, race, or nationality. We are all beads strung together on the same thread of love. To awaken this unity-and to spread to others the love that is our inherent nature-is the true goal of human life.
Mata AmritanandamayiOur hearts are the shrine; that is where God should be installed. Our good thoughts are the flowers to worship Him. Good deeds form the worship, good words form the hymns and love forms the offering.
Mata AmritanandamayiThere is the path of karma, selfless action, the path of love and devotion, the path of training the mind and the path of Yoga, mantra and tantra this is what the various saints advocated.
Mata AmritanandamayiTo awaken spiritual unity, and to spread to others the love that is our inherent nature, is the true goal of human life.
Mata AmritanandamayiPure love transcends the body. It is between hearts. It has nothing to do with bodies.
Mata AmritanandamayiChildren, pray for the good of everyone. We should pray to God to give a good mind even to those who harm us. One cannot sleep peacefully when there is a theif in the neighborhood. Likewise, when we pray for the well-being of others, it is we who gain peace and quietude. Children, the mantra 'Loka samasta sukhino bhavantu' should be chanted at least once daily.
Mata Amritanandamayi