When doing archana (daily prayers) as a group, one person should chant the mantra and the others should repeat it. Mantras should be chanted slowly, clearly and with devotion.
Mata AmritanandamayiIt's like pouring oil from one glass to another down a line - in the end, you don't have any oil left; it is all stuck to the inside of the glasses. This way, 1,000 dollars become 100 dollars by the time it reaches the people. Whereas if we get 10 dollars, we add our effort to it and the money multiplies.
Mata AmritanandamayiIt is not good to give money to everyone who begs; give food or clothing instead. They may misuse the money we give for drinks and drugs. We should not give them a chance to err. Try not to see them as beggars, but as God himself.
Mata AmritanandamayiTrue happiness is when the love that is within us finds expression in external activities.
Mata AmritanandamayiLessen the quantity of unnecessary thoughts and allow more space for the energy of love to flow within you.
Mata AmritanandamayiWe should never forget that after every night, there is a dawn. We should never lose our optimistic faith.
Mata AmritanandamayiIf we lose our money while traveling, think how frantically we search for it! In the same way, if we are unable to do japa even for a brief moment, we should grieve: 'Alas, Lord, I have lost so much time!' If there is such anguish, even the time we spend sleeping will not be wasted.
Mata AmritanandamayiReal life is developed from within. Real living means that the soul expresses itself through all one's thoughts, words and actions. A person becomes fearless once he understands the nature of the imperishable soul.
Mata AmritanandamayiFighting the wounds of the past will only deepen those wounds. Relaxation is the method that heals the wounds of the mind, not reaction.
Mata AmritanandamayiThe first step in spiritual life is to have compassion. A person who is kind and loving never needs to go searching for God. God rushes toward any heart that beats with compassion-it is God's favorite place.
Mata AmritanandamayiToo much concern about physical security and too little concern about spirituality is the hallmark of today's world.
Mata AmritanandamayiWhile eating, our attention should not be focused just on the taste. Imagine our chosen deity or guru is present within us and that we are feeding Him. This will turn eating into a spiritual practice.
Mata AmritanandamayiChildren, even if we lose a million dollars, we can recover it. If we lose one second, we cannot get it back. Every moment that we are not remembering God is lost to us.
Mata AmritanandamayiWe must remember that man is not an island, totally isolated and disconnected from others. We are all part of a universal chain, or the universal consciousness. What happens to one happens to all.
Mata AmritanandamayiWhen we raise one hand to say "bye-bye" we are gesturing that we are going apart from each other, whereas when we join our palms and bow our head, our hearts become closer.
Mata AmritanandamayiThankfulness is a humble, open and prayerful attitude that helps you receive more of God's grace.
Mata AmritanandamayiOnce you learn the art of relaxation, everything happens spontaneously and effortlessly.
Mata AmritanandamayiWhen love overflows and is expressed through every word and deed, we call it compassion. That is the goal of religion.
Mata AmritanandamayiFinding fault in others, just for the sake of finding fault, we will pollute our own minds.
Mata AmritanandamayiIf we approach Nature with , it will serve us as our best friend, a friend that won't let us down.
Mata AmritanandamayiThe heart sends blood to every cell of the body, and in this way the cells are nourished. The same blood then flows back to the heart. If the flow is obstructed, the person will die. We need to learn this process of give and take from the heart. For the benefit of others, and also for ourselves, we should have the attitude of caring and sharing. We are all links in the chain of life. If one link is weakened, it will affect the strength of the whole chain.
Mata AmritanandamayiIf you perform your work viewing it as your dharma, your actions become sacred.
Mata AmritanandamayiChanging the world is like trying to straighten a dog's tail. However much you may try, you won't succeed. But although the tail won't straighten, if you keep trying every day, at least you will put on some muscle. Similarly, even though it is difficult to make a change, our effort to do so in itself brings positive results. It will help us change. Without waiting for others to change,if we change ourselves first, that will make a difference. Instead of worrying about results, focus on doing our best in what we are engaged in.
Mata AmritanandamayiLove and spiritual values received from parents are the strongest assets for a child to face the various trials of adulthood.
Mata AmritanandamayiChildren, we should always eat our food sitting down. Do not eat standing or walking around.
Mata AmritanandamayiTalking high philosophy often confuses people, but a look from an egoless person can lift the clouds of pain and despair.
Mata AmritanandamayiIn times of tragedies, our duty is to lend a helping hand to those in grief and thus light lamps of kindness and compassion.
Mata AmritanandamayiBefore death overpowers us, we have great things to accomplish by performing right actions.
Mata AmritanandamayiSpiritual love is without limits or boundaries. Worldly love is superficial and fluctuating.
Mata AmritanandamayiMake use of all free time at the office and elsewhere for chanting your mantra or reading spiritual books. Avoid indulging in unnecessary gossip and try to talk about spiritual subjects with others.
Mata AmritanandamayiMake use of radio, TV and films discriminatively; only for programs that will enhance our knowledge and culture. Television is tele-visham (tele-poison, in Malayalam). If we are not careful, it can corrupt our culture, damage our eyes and drain away our time.
Mata AmritanandamayiLet us take from Nature only what we really need, and try to give back to some extent.
Mata AmritanandamayiMeditation increases our vitality and strengthens our intelligence. Our beauty is enhanced and our mental accuracy and health are improved. We gain the mental fortitude and patience to face life's problems. Meditate! Only through meditation can we find the treasure we're looking for.
Mata AmritanandamayiIf we let go of our likes and dislikes, we will become fit vessels to receive the God's ever flowing grace.
Mata Amritanandamayi