The day began with a tour of the farm and a visit to the home of an extraordinarily large pig named Mrs Peaches. Our guide explained how farm animals are bred to carry as much meat as possible and that this can lead to a number of health problems. A highlight of the tour was the visit to the sheep paddock where we fed the residents, each of which had a very distinctive name and a personality to match! As we entered, the sheep were grazing in a far corner of the paddock. They made no move towards us, but when they heard the voice of the guide calling “Lambies! Lambies!” at the top of his voice, they began what can best be described as a stampede! Some were better at sticking their heads forward than others, and consequently got more food than the more polite ones who waited their turn!

It was particularly inspiring to see the care and attention which the farm volunteers lavished on the animals. They knew all the animals by name, and the animals knew them. Many of the pens were decorated with garlands of plastic flowers above the door. One of the cows, which had known our guide all her life, even thought that he was her mother! Then again, any of these animals might have been our own mother in a previous life!

After the tour we had a delicious vegetarian feast, then lent a hand cleaning up and sweeping the driveway. Overall the day gave us an increased sense of connectedness to nature as well as an understanding of the inhumane conditions in which animals such as 'battery hens' are kept. It was great to have the opportunity to help out and to see the selflessness and hard work of the Edgar's Mission workers. Everyone had a good time and learned something and hopefully we will all visit there again some time soon!

GreenFriends Melbourne

Ashram veggie patch stall
The stall is being held every second Sunday during the regular Satsang program at the Ashram. Items for sale include seasonal organically grown fresh vegetables from the Ashram veggie patch, picked on the day. Vegetables being harvested over the coming month include silver beet, carrots, celery, coriander, N.Z. spinach, rocket, lettuce, parsley, broccoli and brussel sprouts, along with additional fruit and vegetables donated from other organic gardens including lemons, tamarillos and herbs. Also on special are organic herbal teas, heirloom organic vegetable seeds, and images of nature gift cards.

If you have any items along the lines of organic, fresh, local or environmentally friendly that you would like to add to the stall we welcome all contributions. All proceeds from the veggie garden stall go to Amma’s charities, GreenFriends garden projects and general upkeep of the Ashram garden.

Ashram veggie patch
Given the success of the Ashram Veggie Patch so far we have decided to expand ready for spring planting! The veggie garden has been developed and maintained by a very small team thus far, however in order to expand (and avoid burn out) we will be relying on your support! It is a joy and rewarding labor of love to be part of the veggie patch so if you would like to learn about organic gardening or can contribute an hour or so, please come along -- we need you! We often stay after Satsang on a Sunday and do some light weeding, otherwise come along to seva days.
Next seva day will be 14 August from 10am to 4pm, lunch provided.

Future GreenFriends events

GreenFriends – Living Consciously
GreenFriends coordinators around Australia are launching into a new exciting project -- the Living Consciously environmental awareness program. Currently this program is still being finalised and presented to Amma in India for her blessing. This will include ten main themes for developing our awareness on environmental issues and ways we can bring about change through our actions in our daily lives. We will spend one or two months on each theme with corresponding workshops and excursions. So stay tuned for forthcoming events!

Garland Making Workshop, Saturday Sept 25
GreenFriends Melbourne has initiated a garland making workshop as part of the preparations for Amma’s birthday celebrations. So if you have ever wanted to learn this beautiful and sacred act of devotion, now is the time. Or if you have these skill already we would love to learn from you and experiment with different styles of mala/garlands. Details will be posted in the September newsletter.

In October and as part of the GreenFriends – Living Consciously campaign we are planning a cultural and educational visit to Mia Mia Aboriginal Art Gallery and surrounding bushlands, focusing on the theme Belonging to Land – a glimpse into aboriginal culture, which will be a fun day out for the whole family. Details to be posted in forthcoming newsletters.

For more information please contact Darshana, GreenFriends Melbourne Coordinator
Phone: 0411 234 826
Email: gfmelbourne@ammaaustralia.org Ashram News

“Why did Mother establish this Ashram? She doesn’t need ashrams.  When I (Swami Paramatmananda) came to Mother, she was just sitting out in the sun or in the rain.  She was perfectly happy immersed in Supreme Bliss.  If you used the word ashram, she would chase you away.  She didn’t even like the word.  But then, when more and more people started coming, she realised that all these people have to have something to do.  They’re not going to sit twenty-four hours a day in meditation.  They should be busy with seva. They should be busy with karma yoga.  So she agreed on the establishment of an ashram… So the ashram is for the good of the devotees… We get a chance to think of God, we get a chance to do some selfless action.” (Talks by Swami Paramatmananda, Vol.2)

Bhajan class – 8 August


A bhajan class will be held at the Ashram on Sunday the 8th of August from 2pm-3pm. This class is open to everyone with all levels of experience and people are welcome to request a bhajan to learn. For more information, please email Srimayi at padmasrimayi@gmail.com or call 0448 898 883.

Onam – 15 August



Onam is the biggest festival in the state of Kerala, India and is celebrated at Amritapuri every year. One of the highlights of this festival in Amritapuri is the “Mandala design” competition and Amma presents prizes to the lucky groups. It is a joyous remembrance of the golden rule of mythical king Mahabali, who is supposed to have ruled Kerala a very long time ago. During his reign, there was no deceit or anxiety, all people were treated equally and were full of joy. The gods felt threatened by his popularity and sought the help of Lord Vishnu to help them curb his reign. The Lord took this opportunity to test Mahabali’s devotion and charity. He went disguised as a young Brahmin boy, Vamana and asked for three steps of land. The King agreed to the seemingly simple request.

Vamana expanded to cosmic proportions and in two steps covered the earth and the skies. He then asked the King for space to put his third step. King Mahabali realized this was the Lord and humbly asked Vamana to put the third step on his head, destroying his ego and sense of doership. The Lord placed his foot on the righteous king’s head and pushed him down to the netherworld. He also granted a boon that the king could visit his beloved land and people once a year. It is this annual homecoming of King Mahabali that is celebrated as Onam.

We are going to celebrate Onam at our Ashram on Sunday, August 15. The schedule is as follows:

• 9.30am – Special Pada puja followed by chanting of 1000 names of Lalita, the Supreme Goddess and Mahishasuramardini Stotram.
  11am-12pm – Chanting of 108 names of Amma and singing bhajans followed by Arati
• 12pm-2pm – Onam Sadya (This is the traditional sumptuous lunch served on Onam, consisting of more than 15 vegetarian side dishes served with rice).
• 2pm-5pm– Cultural programmes including Musical Chairs, Uriyadi and Vadamvali. Uriyadi–Using sticks to break earthen pot filled with water hung up in the air and being pulled up and down. Vadamvali–Tug of war

Children of all ages are welcome as there will be lots of prizes for them to take home.

Fundraising events

Veena and Bharata-Natyam Performance – 15th August
Two talented artists will be performing to help raise money for Amma’s Australian Ashram. Hari Vrndavn from London will be playing the veena in the first half of the performance and will also be the vocal accompaniment for Revati Ilanko’s Bharata-Natyam (classical South Indian dance) recital in the second half of the program.

Hari Vrndavn started his training in Carnatic (South Indian Classical) music at the young age of eight and from the age of ten was groomed under the tutelage of Smt Sivasakthi Sivanesan, one of the UK’s foremost Carnatic figures. He was privileged to start touring with his Guru throughout Europe and was presented in his Arangetram (his pioneer stage concert) at the age of thirteen where he was awarded a scholarship by the Asian Music Circuit to further his training in India.

Hari had the great privilege of being hand picked by Sitar Maestro Ravi Shankar to tour with his forty concert “Festival of India” tour throughout the States as well as sing and play in the CD, “Chants of India”. Since then Hari has also worked for Raviji playing veena for a special orchestral piece for Dartington College and also for the “Concert for George” at the Royal Albert Hall. Having travelled extensively for the past 4 years, Hari is now settled in London, England. He currently assists his Guru in teaching veena at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and playing concerts and events.

Revati Ilanko initiated her training in the Bharata-Natyam dance form at the tender age of three under the tutelage of various Gurus. The bulk of her training however has been under the guidance of Guru Smt. Yalini Thirulojan of Kalakshetra, with whom she has been able to explore theory, choreography, teaching and performance.

Revati has also studied different dance styles, including Western contemporary, South-East Asian, Middle-Eastern and Indian dance styles. Her artistic skills including traditional Indian and Western musical training as well as a background in visual arts lends to her style and passion for dance.

We invite everyone to participate and enjoy a night of classical Indian dance and music as well as support Amma’s Australian Ashram.

Venue: Chandler Community Centre, 28 Isaac Road, Keysborough
Date: 5pm, 15 August
Adult: $12
Concession: $10
Family: (two adults, two children): $36
Chai and snacks will be served during the interval.

For bookings and information please contact Srimayi on 0448 898 883

Notices & Regular Events

Satsang: every Sunday, 11am-1pm
Monthly Ashram meeting: Every first Sunday of the month, 2pm-3.30pm.
Satsang in the city: Every first Friday of the month
Monthly AYUDH meeting: Every second Sunday of the month, 1.30pm-2pm
Bhajan practice: Every second Tuesday of the month
Seva day: every second Saturday of the month, 10am-4pm

Any suggestions?
If you have any suggestions for improving the Melbourne MA Centre and Ashram monthly newsletter, please contact us. We would love hear from you!

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AMMA's Australian Ashram 842 Frankston-Dandenong Road, Carrum Downs, Vic 3201. Residence Phone: (03) 9782 9927 Email: ashram@ammaaustralia.org.au

M.A.Centre (Aust) Pty Ltd PO BOX 2587, Cheltenham, Victoria 3192, Australia Phone (03) 9782 9398  melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au

Aum Amriteswaryai Namah

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