Amma leaves Melbourne
After an eventful retreat and public programs in Melbourne, Amma
left for Sydney. The devotees of Melbourne were filled with many
fond memories and tearfully bid farewell, hoping to be again in
her arms soon.
No one is insignificant to Amma
 A few
aborigines were to attend Amma’s program in Melbourne. It
was so heart rending to watch the trouble Amma took to sing for
them in their native aboriginal language. Though it was only a handful
of them, Amma set an unforgettable example of humility and compassion,
as she practiced the song whenever she got a few minutes, like in
the airport before boarding the flight, late nights and so on. She
also recorded the song for them in a cassette and gifted it to them.
The same Universal Mother, who on one occasion could speak spontaneously
in Hebrew to a devotee, now took the effort to learn the language
to teach us the importance of self-effort and humility.
The aboriginal people performed a dance for her with great enthusiasm
and sat near her looking very contented and happy. They are now
choreographing a dance for the song in appreciation for Amma’s
love towards them. No one in this world misses Amma’s graceful
glance.
Green Friends in Melbourne - an
inspiring account
My name is Alexandra Rodda and I first met Amma in 1995 when she
was giving darshan in Melbourne, Australia. After my first darshan,
and in fact even before that I knew Amma as my guru, but that is
another story of my experience with Amma.
From the very beginning, I was asked by a coordinator of Amma’s
program whether I would take care of the flowers.
It occurred to me that Tulsi plants would be popular among the
devotees. I grew two plants from cuttings given by one devotee.
Many devotees were happy to take it from me and I thought of it
as my way of serving Amma. However, one of Amma’s senior disciples
said that the Tulsi leaves I had were not the same as the ones in
Amma’s ashram in Kerala. Traditionally the small leaved Tulsi
plants have more medicinal and purifying properties than the larger
ones. The Swami said he would bring me seeds of the Tulsi plant
during his next visit.
Much to my disappointment the Swami had forgotten all about the
Tulsi seeds during his subsequent visit.
 Sometime
after he had gone away, I was walking home, carrying my shopping
bag and I started thinking, “That Swami let me down by not
keeping his word regarding the Tulsi seeds.” Then I thought
to myself, that since he was one of Amma’s senior disciples
it is not possible for him, not to speak the truth. He must have
forgotten because he is so busy. I also recalled Amma saying in
one of her books, that if a spiritual aspirant utters anything even
by mistake, nature will catch it and fulfill his words. ‘Oh
good!’ I thought, ‘that means I will get my Tulsi seeds.’
Shortly after I thought thus, I came across two tulsi plants in
the garden of a house. Coincidentally, the lady of the house came
out and on enquiring about what I wanted, gladly gave me a handful
of branches to propagate from.
I rushed home and planted 48 plants and tended them with loving
care. I even chanted my mantra continually while attending to them.
Despite my efforts, 45 of them dried and the three survivors barely
hung on and looked very miserable indeed. I fed them and watered
them and tried to revive them, all to no avail.
Then, during our prayer meeting in Melbourne, Amma’s tour
dates to Australia was announced. I was very excited and told the
Tulsi plants (By now I had developed a personal relationship with
them!), “ If you behave good and grow well, you will get to
see Amma.” Though it sounds strange, the plants responded
to my incentive and showed signs of growth and soon gained 4-5 cms
and continued to grow. I started propagating them and they filled
my backyard.
Unfortunately, Amma did not come that year and the Tulsis stopped
growing vigorously. Now, you may wonder how the Tulsi plants knew
that Amma did not come. It seemed as strange to me as it sounds
to you, but these events were no coincidences as they happened more
than once. Let me tell you more. The butterflies were attracted
more to the Tulsi plants than to the other plants. They flocked
around the Tulsis in large numbers and seemed to come from miles
and miles away. The caterpillars destroyed the Tulsis, even though
I spent a lot of time collecting them and relocating them.
The following spring I developed severe Rheumatoid arthritis and
could no longer collect the caterpillars. Maybe I have a way of
connecting with the so-called lesser manifestations of life. I decided
to speak to the butterflies. I told them, “ The Tulsis are
destined to serve Amma. If you all wish you too can serve Amma by
staying away from the Tulsi plants.” Sure enough, much to
my delight I saw lesser and lesser numbers of the butterflies and
the damage caused by the caterpillars dramatically came to a standstill!
Gradually the Tulsi plants regained their health and started growing
well.
These events were great proof to me of Amma’s connection
with the whole of creation. Amma says ‘Everything is in me
and I am in everything.’ This statement is true for all of
us. A Great Master like Amma alone can take us to that ultimate
state of realization.
With love and reverence I bow down to the Tulsis in my garden,
the butterflies and all of life in creation. May we all receive
Amma’s grace to behold her presence in all forms of life and
treat them with love and respect.
|
Amma 
Amma
Tours 
Being
with Amma