First Darshan in Amritapuri

Feb 25, 2009

I love Kerela! I just had my first Malayalam lesson from this very sweet woman named Seline. She shared her story of how she met Amma. It turns out that when Amma was about 7 years of age, in grade 3 (standard), Seline was Her teacher for English. Seline's English is not great, but she was just teaching the basics of English and some easy words. Amma dropped out of school after that point as She had to tend to Her family since Her mother was not keeping good health. How exciting and wonderful is that?!?! Amma's teacher is now my teacher in Malayalam! I really quite like the Malayalam language and it's coming pretty easy to me (fingers crossed hoping that it remains this way) due to my Punjabi and Hindi background. Seline is teaching me how to read and write the language too (which was not what I was expecting at all).

I received my first Darshan in Amritapuri today. Mother is giving Darshan in the Kali Temple today and it's very, VERY different than receiving Darshan in North America. She is spending much more time with each person and there doesn't seem to be as much of an uptight energy surrounding Her. I was in Amma's embrace for quite some time and breathing in all of Her joy and love so very deeply into my heart and soul. It's a weekday so maybe there aren't as many people as usual coming for Darshan today as they are all at work.

I had idly and sambar again for breakfast today. I ate lunch in the Indian line (what comes with my rent for the room) which was really tasty! The rice at lunch is not watery, so it was good with the daal and vegetable that was served. God, by the time I get back to North America at this rate, I will be super huge...move over Jimbo, make room for your hugely fat husband.

I just got my mom's Indian cell phone figured out here as well. I had to get a new SIM card for it that would be cheaper to use in Kerela as the one that she had in the phone was for North India (Punjab). It's all really reasonable here to have my SIM card and phone number for future travels to Kerela as I KNOW that this will not be my first and last time here.

I am now starting to settle in a bit more now that I have "connectivity" (that's a Jimmy-ism). There are many rumours flying around about Amma's plans for a North India tour. All I know is that anywhere within India that She is going to travel to, I am going to be right behind Her. This was the purpose of my trip here. Although, I am quite content with even just having experienced Amritapuri Ashram.

I think of all of you all the time as I sit and meditate at the beach side in the evenings for the sunset and while I sit in bhajans with Amma...you are all in my heart and I take you all to the Divine Mother's Feet in my mind and heart each day.

I will write more tomorrow. I must get ready for bhajans with Amma now. Even though it's 4:45am PST, it's 6:20pm here in Kerela and bhajans will be starting pretty soon. I think that Amma only just finished giving Darshan as the bhajans by the brahmacharis just ended.

Aum Namah Shivaya!