Amma and Jesus

AMMA AND JESUS

When Christ returns to this earth we should not expect his reception to be any different than it was 2000 years ago.  In this world, the ego is still very much in control.  Jesus characterized the majority of people in his day as being "dead" meaning spiritually dead when he advised a would be follower who wished to do one last task before following Jesus and that was to bury his recenlty deceased father. Jesus advised him not to bother with this and to come join him immediately and to let "the dead bury their dead" Matthew 8:22.

For most people, the view of what Christ must say and do will be very narrowly defined.  The bulk of humanity, having failed to develop love in their hearts (the "dead" Jesus referrenced), will not recognize the overwhelming radiant love of the returned Christ.  It is this love that is the Master’s voice which is recognized by his sheep.  Present day Neo-Pharisees will say, “He is an imposter!  He has no beard!”  Christ will be rejected if he does not literally descend from the sky in clouds (Mark 13:26).

Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath."   But others asked, "How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?" So they were divided. John 9:16 Kingdom of God

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." 'But wisdom is proved right by her actions."  Matthew 11:19, NIV

At these words the Jews were again divided.  Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?" John 10:19-20

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" Matthew 9:11

Others said, "He is the Christ."  Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee?  Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?"  Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.  John 7:41-43, NIV

Today this last scripture would read, “Others said, ‘She is the Christ.’  Still others asked, ‘How can the Christ come from India?  How can Christ be a woman?  Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from Israel where Jesus lived?’  Thus, the people were divided in their opinion of the Holy Mother.”

Each of us has the great good fortune of experiencing the embodiment of Christ at this time.  Christ walks among us now in the flesh.  In October, 1953, in a small fishing village on the shore of the Arabian Sea at the Southern tip of India, Christ was born into a poor fishing family for the sole purpose of relieving the suffering of mankind and restoring righteousness in the world.  On this blessed day, Christ returned as a woman with dark skin.  Like Jesus, She is the very embodiment of compassion and love. 

Search withinIn her presence, it is common for people to have dramatic experiences of inner joy, divine love and revelations that change their lives permanently.  It is common to see others weeping with tears dripping from their cheeks as they experience the boundless joy and divine love that radiates so brilliantly from her physical presence.  While recently attending a gathering with Amma, the author had one sixteen-year old who was seeing the Holy Mother for the first-time remark to him, “The love is so thick in here you could cut it with a knife.”  To her children, she passes out these divine experiences like they were candy.  Countless people have been healed of every imaginable affliction including leprosy, tumors and psychosis.  She has raised the dead on several occasions and fed the multitudes from a single pitcher of water that she turned into sweet pudding.  On many occasions, she has appeared physically to devotees, leaving physical items behind even though they are hundreds or thousands of miles distant from her.  She herself downplays such miracles and makes no public display of them.  In the following verse, she expresses her view of powers (siddhis) to a brahmacharin (a monk in training who has taken a vow of celibacy).

Brahmacharin: Is there any harm in showing siddhis (supernatural powers)?

Mother: If the laws of Nature are transgressed, it is harmful. Not only that, others will also be fascinated by such displays. As far as possible, a Perfect Man tries not to show siddhis. But, by manifesting such psychic powers, he has nothing to lose because he is already full. If the energy which is used in showing siddhis were to be used to instill renunciation into one, that would be more beneficial to the world. One will only get diverted from the goal if deluded by siddhis.  Amma, Awaken Children, Vol. 1

Yet, we would expect a Christ to have such powers.  She is omniscient and has remarked that all thoughts pass through her.  She reads everyone like an open book understanding their level of awareness, their joys and fears and she is able to see instantly all of their lives. 

But he knew their thoughts. . . .   Luke 6:8,KJV

And Jesus knew their thoughts. . .  Matthew 12:25, KJV

But when Jesus perceived their thoughts. . .  Luke 5:22, KJV

Yet when questioned about her divinity she is the essence of humility usually laughing and denying any implication of being unique.

On one occasion, someone asks the Holy Mother if she is God.

Surendran: “Aren’t you God yourself, Amma?”

Mother: “Amma does not like to say that.  Suppose a fragrant flower blossoms on a plant.  The plant shouldn’t exclaim, ‘Look at my flower!  How beautiful it is!  And what a wonderful fragrance?  That comes from my power.’  If it says so, it is feeding the ego.  All powers belong to God.  We should never think that anything is ours.  None of this is due to Amma’s power.  She blossomed because of His power.  He made Her fragrant.  Amma will not say that any of this is Hers.”  Eternal Wisdom, vol. 1

Love should ruleIn the following quote, Amma explains the great good fortune of being able to be in the physical presence of a being who is the full expression of the Divine.

“Spiritual progress that cannot be had through pilgrimages and austerities can be gained in the presence of mahatmas.  We may be able to perform austerities for many years.  But the presence of mahatmas is much harder to come by.  That is why, if we get a chance to be in their presence, we should never throw it away.  The benefits that cannot be gained even after performing austerities for 10 years can be gained from just one darshan or one touch of a mahatma.  However, we should approach them without arrogance, but with humility and faith.  Only then can we benefit from their presence. “    - Amma, Awaken Children

It should be noted at this point that Amma does not claim to be anything other than a normal human being.  However, if one takes the time to investigate her life, it will become apparent that she is anything but normal.  This is what she says about any claim to being Divine.

“Questioner:  Amma, do you claim anything?
Amma:  Claim what?

Q:  That you are an incarnation of the Divine Mother or a fully Self-realized Master and so forth.

A:  Does the president or prime minister of any country keep on announcing, “Do you know who I am?  I am the president/prime minister,” wherever he or she goes?  No.  They are what they are.  Even to claim that you are an Avatar or are Self-realized involves ego.  In fact, if somebody claims that they are an Incarnation, a Perfect Soul, that in itself is proof they are not.

Perfect Masters have no such claims.  They always set an example to the world by being humble.  Remember, Self-realization doesn’t make you special.  It makes you humble.

In order to claim that you are something, you neither have to be Self-realized nor do you need any special skill.  The only thing that you need is a big ego, false pride.  That is what a Perfect Master doesn’t have.”   From the book  From Amma’s Heart

AMMA CONFESSES

Occasionally, dogged persistence by a questioner will solicit an admission of divinity.  The following is a quote from the fourth quarter 1997 Amritanandam magazine in which a twelve-year old named Sarada interviews Amma.

Sarada:  Are you and Jesus the same?

Amma:  (laughs)

Sarada:  Did it hurt to be nailed to the cross?

Amma:  It was his will.  Jesus was the guru.  Whatever happens to the guru is his will.  Jesus did not need to suffer on the cross, but he did it to show the world the meaning of sacrifice.  It is also symbolic of the death of the ego while still in the body.

Sarada:  Are you and Jesus the same?

Amma:  You could say that Amma is one with the consciousness of Christ; the important thing is to find that in yourself.  The same consciousness that was in Jesus is in Amma now.  Amma has come for the same reason as Jesus.  God is Pure Consciousness, Jesus is the guru.

Sarada:  Is your soul Jesus’ soul?

Amma:  Yes! (emphatically looking at Sarada)

Sarada:  How can I be like that?

Amma:  Look inside there (pointing to Sarada’s heart).  Don’t worry about the past or the future.

In the above quote, Amma, at first, tries to fend off Sarada’s inquiries by implying that she was “like” Jesus in having the same consciousness.  But when questioned as to whether or not her soul was the exact same soul as Jesus, she replies, “Yes!” with emphasis as one who is cornered into confessing a guarded secret.

Is it important that Amma is the second coming of Jesus?  No, not really.  The Lord’s sheep will hear the Lord’s voice no matter the outer cover.  As in the time of Jesus, most of the orthodox will once again fail to see the embodied Christ.

And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.  Mark 4:9, KJV

Read more about Amma at this website A Pilgrim's Guide to Amma

Here is the same website in the form of a paperback book

 

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