Up and close with Mata Amrithanadamayi

Up and close with Mata Amrithanadamayi

The mind is like a pendulum, swinging intermittently from happiness to sorrow and back again. When the clock’s pendulum oscillates to the right, it is only gaining enough momentum to oscillate to the left. Likewise, when the pendulum of the mind moves towards happiness, it is only gaining the momentum to reach sorrow. We can only experience real peace and bliss when the pendulum of the mind stops swinging altogether. This state of perfect stillness is verily the essence of life, and can be experienced only through meditation.

Life Positive: What is the ultimate goal of human life?

Amma: To realise that ‘I am Love’, not ‘I love you’. This is to realise one’s true nature, which is verily Love. LP: What is your message for readers of Life Positive? Amma: The answer is in the question itself: have a positive attitude towards life. Our lives should become a celebration. We are not able to enjoy bliss because we are never in the present. We are either brooding over the past or thinking about the future. Try to be aware and live totally in the present moment.

Trust your own Self. We are not instruments running on batteries; each one of us is a storehouse of infinite strength because we are directly connected to the source of infinite power. We are not candles to be lit by somebody else, but the self-effulgent sun. Tap into this inner reserve of endless power instead of relying on an external source.

Life Positive: What is your comment on the September 11 tragedy in the USA?

Amma: My darling children, Amma understands that a lot of innocent lives were lost. At this critical time, the leaders and us need to practise discrimination and self-restraint. If we do not do so, many more lives will be lost. We should all sit down and pray for the welfare and peace of the whole world. This is how we can help all our brothers and sisters.