Amma's Australian Tour 2012
Special Tour Meeting: Sunday 26 February 2.00-3.30pm
As many of you are aware, over recent years Amma has visited Australia every two years. While we are yet to receive final confirmation we are getting closer to consolidating Amma’s tour dates for mid-April 2012 (after Easter). At this stage it appears that Amma will come to Melbourne for two days of public programs, followed by a non-residential retreat. Amma will then travel to Sydney, Brisbane and then finish the tour with a residential retreat on the Gold Coast.
After a very productive tour meeting on 15 January we will be holding our second tour meeting at 2.00pm - 3.30pm on Sunday 26 February (after the regular satsang) to further discuss the allocation of seva/volunteer roles and other issues in preparation for the tour.
There is much work to be done to prepare for this tour and almost 200 volunteers are needed to make the tour a reality. If you would like to help out during Amma’s next Australian tour and have not already completed a Seva Preference Form, please download and complete this form and send it to melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au. If you have volunteered on Amma's previous tours we would be grateful to have your assistance again in 2012. If you are new to working on Amma's tours, we will give you the information and training you need to perform your role and you will be working under an experienced tour coordinator for your section.
If you would like to volunteer to work during Amma’s tour we ask that you attend all tour meetings where possible. If you are unable to attend a meeting please email melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au.
Amma’s Australian Ashram – Development Project
During the 2010 tour, Amma gave instructions to further develop and expand the ashram’s activities as a spiritual and community centre. Having recently received Frankston City Council’s approval for re-development, we have commenced work on the existing Ashram building, painting and renovating. We hope to start the new building works, stage one, soon.
working bees every Saturday. If anyone is available to assist, just come to the Ashram – even during the week. There are plenty of seva jobs available for anyone interested in making this a communal project. Lunch will be provided to willing hands. Please wear old clothes and bring plenty of energy.
Beginnings of the Australian Ashram
Below are some notes about the beginnings of Amma’s Ashram, which reflects the commitment and support by various devotees over the years in making it a reality. We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge this gift and thank all who have so generously contributed.
The Ashram Dream Begins
Amma first came to Australia in 1990 and during Her visits She stated that there would be an Ashram in Australia. Over the ensuing years Swami Ramakrishnananda Puri was shown various properties in different locations and he finally selected Bangholm, Keysborough and Carrum Downs as appropriate sites for the future Ashram.
Amma’s Instructions in 2006
At the end of the Kyneton Retreat in Victoria, Amma called all who were helping with the cleanup after the program to talk about the kind of property She had in mind, one that it should be at least 5 acres in size, and no more than 35 to 40 kms from the city, and once set up should have as its fundamental purpose the remembrance of God, selfless service and the development of such qualities as love, patience and respect for others.
The Search for a Property
As soon as the 2006 Australian Tour was over the search for an Ashram site began in earnest. Keysborough was quickly ruled out as too expensive. A property in Carrum Downs looked suitable, being close to a major arterial freeway, on five acres of land, and not too close to neighbours. However Amma encouraged us to keep trying, as we might find something better.
The Property is Found
The search continued, however none fitted Amma’s criteria. Taking a set of files containing maps, photographs and other details pertaining to the Carrum Downs property, one of Amma’s devotees delivered these files to Swamiji during the 2006 American Tour, who showed them to Amma and gained Her permission to start negotiations. The contract was signed on 10 July 2006 (Guru Purnima) and we took possession of the property at 9 a.m. on Saturday 15 July 2006. And on Sunday 16 July a Mahaganapathy Homa was performed to sanctify our first Australian Ashram.
Ashram Development Fundraising - House Satsang / Dinner Fund-Raiser
You are invited to a special satsang followed by a sumptuous dinner at:
Ranjith and Raji's home
Address: 63 Jacksons Road Noble Park North
Date/Time: Saturday 18th Feb. 2012, 7.00 p.m start
Suggested donation: $20 per adult. All proceeds go to the Ashram Redevelopment Fund.
For further information on the re-development of the Ashram and How you could help, please go to the section on the website under News Around Australia.
http://www.ammaaustralia.org.au/ashram/Amma_AshramAppeal.htm
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Christmas at Mother's Kitchen Melbourne
We are excited to see the continued growth of the new Mother’s Kitchen project in Melbourne with 50+ people (adults and children) attending the food service in December.
Our December Mother's Kitchen was full of Christmas joy – there were decorations, wonderful Christmas sweets and presents for the children. When the youngest of our volunteers willingly gave his own Christmas present to one of our child guests, we truly saw Amma’s spirit in action.
It was lovely to see the response of the children when they received their presents. We were met by the most gorgeous of smiles.
In January we accompanied the food with children's activities like stories, sticker books and colouring-ins, which was enjoyed by all the young ones. In February we hope, besides food, to offer origami activities.
The adults present were just as happy to receive the gifts in food from our Mother’s Kitchen. One elderly man let us know how the spirit of hospitality he felt was to him an expression of real worship. Another man, though not really fussed about vegetarian meals in the past, commented that the food he received was absolutely delicious. Someone else again fed back to us that he understood the underlying reason for Mother's kitchen in providing nutritious food.
We ourselves picked up some good tips about nutrition and diet as well after an interesting conversation with one of our knowledgeable volunteers.
To help provide food for Mother's Kitchen Melbourne anyone can donate online by visiting http://www.ammaaustralia.org.au/apps/donation/donation.aspx
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Shivaratri
 This year Shivaratri will be celebrated at Amma’s Ashram on Monday 20 February
8.00pm-midnight
Shivaratri is generally considered a festival of austerity—a night wherein food and sleep are forgone so that one can spend their time in remembrance of the divine.
Typically, the significance of staying awake all night on Shivaratri is referred to the Puranic story – the time the demons and the gods churned the ocean of milk in order to obtain amrita [the nectar of immortality]. When they did this, the first thing to come to the surface was a deadly poison. It is said that Lord Shiva drank this poison in order to protect humanity from it.
Symbolically, the dreaded poison is seen to represent our prarabdha (lifelong karmas). And Lord Shiva, in the form of the Guru, accepts our prarabdha and protects us. So in order to protect Lord Shiva from the poison, everyone around him maintained vigil throughout the night.
Excerpt from Amma’s talk in 2007 when She was in Amritapuri on Shivatri:
Amma then said that staying awake does not mean just merely keeping the eyes open, but means maintaining awareness of one's thoughts, words and actions. "Ignorance disappears with the dawning of such awareness," Amma said. "Darkness is not something that can be physically removed. But when we let in light, darkness automatically ceases to exist. In the same way, when true knowledge awakens, the darkness of ignorance disappears. Then we awaken to eternal light."
Programme for the Evening:
8.00 - 9.30 p.m. Amma's 108 names and Bhajans
9.30 – 10.00 p.m. Short break
10.00 - 11.45 p.m. Puja starts with vedic Chanting followed by Milk Abhishekam (milk offering) to Lord Shiva
11.45 - 12.00 a.m. Arati
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Integrated Amrita Meditation (IAM) - Beginner Course
 Date: Saturday 25th February
Time: 8.30 am – 5.30 pm (lunch included)
Location: 3 Sean Close, Wheelers Hill, 3150
The IAM Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique® is a powerful way to reconnect with our real centre, our inner Self, and thereby experience true joy and peace in life. Born out of Amma's Divine inspiration, the Technique, when practiced with dedication, is designed to bring about integration in our lives - an integration of body, mind, intellect and heart; an integration of our True Self with God.
For more information on the IAM Technique and for guidelines for participation, or any other queries please visit:
www.ammaaustralia.org.au/IAM/IAM.htm
Cost: $30 (to cover administration costs, vegetarian lunch and refreshments only as the course itself is free.
Spaces are limited and pre-registration to iamtmelb@gmail.com is necessary. Payment can be made on the day.
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Pada puja: 9.30am–10am
We would be grateful for volunteers to come and help out on these projects to get them well underway by the time of Amma's visit. There are plenty of seva jobs available for anyone interested in this communal project. Lunch will be provided on Saturdays. Please wear old clothes and bring plenty of energy.