Community service continues in the name of ‘Amma’
Venkat Raman
In August 2007, when we attended a simple ceremony to mark the establishment of ‘Amma New Zealand,’ those gathered said that their ardent desire was to see their Spiritual Leader in this country in the ‘foreseeable future.’
“Let us commit ourselves to community service and spread the love and blessings of ‘Amma.’ Help us to progress as an organisation and deserve her visit,” they said.
Almost eleven years on, that desire remains unfulfilled, giving credence to the belief that ‘Nothing happens unless ordained and until the appropriate time arrives.’
But the desire and appeal has been reiterated to Brahmacharya Shraddhamrita Chaitanya, one of the monks close to Amma. He is here to participate in a Meditative Retreat in the Coromandel Peninsula and conduct a discourse in Auckland.
He was also a presenter on Yoga and Meditation at the Seventh Annual International Yoga Festival held at Kawai Purapura Yoga Resort located in Albany, Auckland.
“Amma has been inquiring about the activities the Organisation in New Zealand. I am sure that she will someday fulfill the desire of members and volunteers here,” he told us during an informal conversation on Thursday, February 22, 2018.
About Amma
Mata Amritanandmayi, popularly known the world over as ‘Amma’ and the ‘Hugging Mother,’ is believed to represent purity of spirit. Her teachings have captured the minds and hearts of countless men, women and children of every ethnic and cultural vicissitude in every continent on earth.
Christened Sudhamani at birth (at Parayakadavu, a fishing village in the Quilon district of Kerala), she showed compassion and understanding from an early age.
She is known for her philanthropic work as well as her innate knowledge of almost everything that a human being could seek.
Centres advocating her teachings have been established in Australasia, Middle East, Africa, North and South America and Europe.
About Shraddhamrita
Shraddhamrita received his initiation as ‘Brahamacharya’ in 1997, making him equivalent to a Monk in the Hindu religion. A graduate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, he relinquished his career in the software industry to serve Amma. He is involved in coordinating scientific research and social welfare projects at the Amrita University, established in the name of Amma with campuses in Amritapuri, Cochin, Coimbatore, Bangalore and Mysore.
About the Retreat
Shraddhamrita will lead the Silent Meditative Retreat at Te Moata Retreat Centre, located at 180 Paul Road, Tairua (Off Tairua Whitianga Road) in Coromandel Peninsula from Friday, March 2 to Sunday, March 4, 2018.
A notification from ‘Amma New Zealand’ said that the Silent Meditative Retreat would reinforce existing spiritual practices and provide the foundation for a lifetime of meditation practice.
“Connecting with this sacred and ancient wisdom within ourselves brings meaning to life. The benefits include clarity and strength of the mind to achieve goals, staying centred in an ever-changing world and overcoming stress and tension.
“Amma’s simple technique of breath awareness, infused with the ‘MA OM’ mantras and open observation make this Retreat suitable for all levels of experience in meditation from beginners to the advanced.”
Attendance to the Retreat is priced at $165 per person (including accommodation and vegetarian food, with special meals costing $10 extra per person per day). The Retreat is for people above 18 years of age.
For registration, please contact Patricia on 09-4838486 or 027-3402595; Email: ammasatsangnz@gmail.com.
About the Discourse
Shraddhamrita will conduct a discourse on ‘Exploring Meditation’ at Pioneer Women’s Hall, Ellen Melville Centre located at 1, Freyberg Place in Central Auckland.
The Discourse will be held from 7 pm to 9 pm and will include ‘Guided Meditation.’
For more information, please visit www.amma.org
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Photo Caption:
- Mata Amritanandmayi
- Brahmacharya Shraddhamrita Chaitanya
- Te Moata Retreat Centre: 344 hectares of natural beauty
