Practice Spiritual

Values and Save the

World
An Address By

Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

On the Occasion of the Inaugural Program of

Swami Vivekananda Sardha Shati Samaroh:
The 150th Birth Anniversary Celebrations
of Swami Vivekananda
Sirifort Auditorium, New Delhi
11 January 2013

Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust

Amritapuri, Kollam
Kerala, India

Practice Spiritual Values

and Save the World
An address by
SRI MATA AMRITANANDAMAYI DEVI
On the Occasion of the Inaugural Program of
Swami Vivekananda Sardha Shati Samaroh:
The 150th Birth Anniversary Celebrations
of Swami Vivekananda
Sirifort Auditorium, New Delhi
11 January 2013
Translated by Swami Amritaswarupananda
Published by:
Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust
Amritapuri, Kollam Dt. 690 525
Kerala, India
Website: www.amritapuri.org
Email: inform@amritapuri.org
First edition: February 2013
Printed at: Amrita Offset Printers, Amritapuri
Typesetting and Layout:
Amrita D.T.P., Amritapuri

FOREWORD

advises

|| Om Amriteswaryai Namah ||

Introduction

he 12th of January 2013 marked the

150th anniversary of the birth of Swami
Vivekananda, the dynamic sannyasi from Kolkata
renowned for bringing Indian spirituality to the
West and inspiring religious reform and spiritual
resurgence in his motherland. The anniversary
marked not just a single day of celebrations but
the beginning of an entire years worthfrom
Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Gujarat to
Orissa. In fact, like Swami Vivekananda himself,
who travelled across the globe, his 150th birthanniversary celebrations were not limited to India,
but took place throughout the world.
On 11 January 2013, Swami Vivekananda
Sardhashati Samaroh Samhiti held a program
at Sirifort Auditorium in New Delhi in order to
inaugurate the yearlong festivities. At their request,
Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Deviour beloved
Ammadelivered the inaugural address.
Sirifort Auditorium was filled to capacity
with Indias best and brightestpoliticians, social
workers, educationalists, spiritual leaders, religious
heads and others who have dedicated their lives
to the upliftment of India. Amma began her

PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

satsang by praising Swami Vivekananda as an

embodiment of mental purity and vital action
someone whose life and message had the power
to ignite the fire of spirituality in the hearts of
humankind. However, Amma soon made it clear
that, from her perspective, India was falling far
short of living up to Vivekanandas vision for his
country. We may have learned to fly like birds and
swim like fish, but we have forgotten how to live
like human beings, Amma said. It seems we have
to relearn that skill. How can we do this? It is only
possible if we learn about ourselves. We have to
subject ourselves to self-analysis. Why? Because it
is not outer space, not the wind, not the ocean, not
the seasons, nature or animals that are the cause of
this worlds problems, but we human beingsour
minds.
For the next 40 minutes, Amma pinpointed
the crux of Indias manifold problems: its citizens
failure to cherish their ancient spiritual culture
and to live their lives rooted in the universal values
upon which that culture is founded.
Ammas words were direct and unapologetic.
She said, In truth, many of the challenges faced
by Sanatana Dharma have been self-created. We
can blame others and point out the impact of
globalization, foreign rule and other religions
and, perhaps, they can be blamed to a certain
extentbut they are not the primary cause. The

An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

primary cause is our carelessness: we have failed

to cherish and protect the invaluable wealth that
is this culture. More accurately: we have not been
courageous enough to do so. We ourselves have
been digging the grave into which this culture of
vast and ancient knowledge could become buried.
Although the picture Amma painted was often
bleak, her address was in no way fatalistic. It is
still not too late, Amma said. If we sincerely try,
we can still revive this dharma. How can dharma
be protected? Only through its observance. Only
through observance and practice can any culture
endure.
In fact, Ammas address was really an outline
for Indias reforman outline that took into
account the need for a holistic transformation,
without failing to address specific concerns such
as the lack of spiritual awareness in Indias youth,
the need for environmental and natural-resource
protection, the need for interreligious acceptance,
the need to protect the impressionable minds of
the youth from explicit material, and the need for
fostering a compassion-based, service-minded
mentality in both youngsters and adults.
Amma concluded her address with a prayer.
India should rise, she said. The voice of
knowledge, of Self-realization, and the ancient
words of our rishis should once again rise up and
resound throughout the world. In order to achieve

PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

this, we have to work together in unity. May this

land that taught the true meaning of acceptance to
the world remain firmly established in that virtue.
May the conch of Sanatana Dharma trumpet a new
resurgence that echoes around the world. Swami
Vivekananda was like a rainbow that appeared on
the horizon of humanity to help us understand
the beauty and value of a life of action blended
with compassion and meditation. Thus, may the
beautiful dream of love, fearlessness and unity that
Swami Vivekananda dreamt of become a reality.
There was a thunderous round of applause.
Everyone assembled at Sirifort Auditorium
understood that India had been presented with
a sound prescription for its recovery by one who
was the very embodiment of Indian culture. The
outline for reform has been laid out. Now, all we
must do is follow it.
Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri
Vice-Chairman
Mata Amritanandamayi Math

Practice Spiritual Values

and Save the World

mma bows down to everyone, who are the

embodiments of pure love and supreme
consciousness.
First of all, Amma would like to express
her deep joy in being able to participate in
Swami Vivekanandas 150th birth-anniversary
celebrations. Even after another 150 years, the life
and message of Swami Vivekananda will continue
to carry the same significance as they do today. His
life and his message will continue to inspire people
because Swami Vivekananda was an individual
whose character was a perfect blend of mental
purity and vitality.
Take up one idea. Make that one idea your
lifethink of it, dream of it, live on that idea.
Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your
body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other
idea alone. This is the way to success, that is the
way great spiritual giants are produced. This was
Swami Vivekanandas brilliant call to the world.
His words have the power to awaken the spiritual
potential inherent in humankind, the power to set
that potential ablaze, and the power to raise those

10

PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

flames to the intensity of a forest fire. Today we live

in a world that has placed its faith in immediate
satisfaction, constantly seeking the greener grass
of the other side. If Swami Vivekanandas words
are contemplated upon, they can help inspire a
peaceful yet powerful spiritual revolution. Not
an external revolution but an internal onea
transformation based on values.
From a material standpoint, humanity is
surging forward, ascending peak after peak of
success. Today, humankind holds in its hand many
achievements that, at one point in time, seemed
unattainable, even unimaginable. However none
of these achievements hold the power to remove
even a little bit of the dirt of cruelty that has
accumulated in the heart of humanity. This dirt has
accumulated to such an extent that it has brought
humanity to the brink of a great disaster.
We may have learned to fly like birds and swim
like fish, but we have forgotten how to live like
human beings. It seems we have to relearn that
skill. How can we do this? It is only possible if we
learn about ourselves. We have to subject ourselves
to self-analysis. Why? Because it is not outer
space, not the wind, not the ocean, not the seasons,
nature or animals that are the cause of this worlds
problems, but we human beingsour minds.
It is part of human nature to create problems
and then race around trying to find solutions for

An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

11

12

PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

them. Today, we have knowledge but no awareness.

We have information but no viveka1. We know, of
course, that we have a head, but we only become
aware of this fact when we have a headache.
You probably have heard the story of the man
who, after drinking a spoonful of medicine, noticed
a label on the bottle saying, Shake well before
use. Realizing that he had not properly followed
the instructions, he thought for a moment and
then began jumping up and down and shaking his
body as much as possible.
Like the man in this story, we often try to
correct our mistakes only after it is already too late.
In truth, many of the challenges faced by Sanatana
Dharma have been self-created. We can blame
others and point out the impact of globalization,
foreign rule and other religionsand, perhaps,
they can be blamed to a certain extentbut they
are not the primary cause. The primary cause is our
carelessness: we have failed to cherish and protect
the invaluable wealth that is this culture. More
accurately: we have not been courageous enough
to do so. We ourselves have been digging the
grave into which this culture of vast and ancient
knowledge could become buried.
It is still not too late. If we sincerely try, we
can still revive this dharma. How can dharma be
protected? Only through its observance. Only
1

The power of discriminative thinking and proper

judgment.

An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

13

through observance and practice can any culture

endure. Amma is not asking you to perform intense
spiritual austerities, but practice our dharma a
little, according to your ability. Lord Krishna has
said, There is no loss in this path. Even practicing
this dharma a little will help you transcend your
deepest fears.2 The path of dharma is the only
path in the world, walking along which there is no
scope for failure.
There is no greater fear than the fear of death.
We should have the courage to protect our Vedic
heritage by imbibing its wisdom, which teaches
us how to transcend even the fear of death. The
thought I cant do it should transform into the
firm resolve I can certainly do it. This is especially
important when it comes to young minds because
it is the youth who will carry the teachings of our
heritage into the future.
A few wholehearted, sincere, and energetic
men and women can do more in a year than a mob
in a century. Remember these words of Swami
Vivekananda. He also said, The earth is enjoyed
by heroes. This is the unfailing truth. Be a hero.
Always say I have no fear. Tell this to everybody:
Have no fear.
The bane of the Hindu community today
is fearthe Hindus fear to practice his faith.
2

14

PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

15

Having forgotten Veda Mata, Desha Mata, Deha

Mata, Prakriti Mata and Jaganmata3, this fear has
plunged him into the depths of darkness. However
the essence of Sanatana Dharma is fearlessness.
Fear makes life equal to death; it weakens the
power of our actions. It renders our mind a slave
to selfishness and wickedness. The source of this
fear is the feeling I am weak. This arises due to
lack of understanding regarding the infinite power
within us.
Once, when a truck was passing through a
village, its engine somehow caught fire. The driver
quickly jumped out, went to a telephone booth and
called the fire department. However, by the time
the fire department arrived, the front of the truck
was completely burnt. When the firemen opened
the truck, they were surprised to see its cargo: a
shipment of fire-extinguishers! If the truck-driver
had known what was inside his truck, this calamity
could have been averted. In the same way, due to
our fear, we often fail to realize the latent power
within us.
Fear causes our minds to shrink and shrivel.
Our mind becomes like a dried-up well. Fear
confines our world to a small cell of darkness, like
that of a turtle that has withdrawn into its shell
upon seeing a predator. It reduces our strength to a
Mother Veda, motherland, biological mother, Mother
Nature and Mother Earth

16

PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

tiny speck. We lose our atma shakti4. On the other

hand, a fearless mind is as vast as the sky.
Amma would not say fear is without its
purpose. It has a natural and useful function. For
example, if a house catches fire, it would be foolish
to display fearlessness and stay inside. Amma is
only saying that we should not become enslaved
by fear.
Birth and death are two important
characteristics of life. They happen without our
permission, and without taking any of our needs
into consideration. If life is a bridge, birth and
death are its two ends, supporting the bridge and
giving it a foundation. We have no control over
these two basic componentsbirth and death
that support life. We are completely ignorant
about them. As such, how can we logically claim
the middle partwhich we call lifeas ours?
Similarly, childhood, adolescence, youth and old
age do not seek our permission before they come
and go. They just happen. Recognize this truth
and perform actions that will uplift both you as an
individual and society as a whole.
Swami Vivekananda once said, When death
is certain, it is best to sacrifice oneself for a good
cause. Such ideals, which are the essence of
4

Literally power of the Self. In essence, the confidence

and mental strength gained from understanding ones true
nature is immortal and not limited in anyway.

An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

17

Sanatana Dharma, should be taught to our youth.

We should become role models by practicing
these ideals in our own lives. If the youth awaken,
the nation will awaken; the world will awaken.
However, the youth of today seem to be in the grip
of a widespread epidemic. Amma doesnt want
to make a generalizationsome young people
view life with a more mature perspectivebut a
large majority seem only interested in enjoying a
rocking life. They find the ideas of spirituality,
patriotism, and our saints foolish. Primitive! Its
not for us. Thats for old and lazy people, they
claim. In reality, it is the people who ridicule and
laugh at others who are the real fools; those who
can see and laugh at their own weaknesses and
shortcomings have viveka. We need to help our
youth develop this sense of viveka.
There are only two parts to creation: atma and
anatmaI and all that is not I. Usually we are
not interested in learning about ourselves. We only
try to learn about external objects and situations.
A man approached the border between two
countries on his motorcycle. On the back of the
bike were two large bags. The customs officer
stopped him and asked, Whats in the bags?
Just sand, said the man.
The customs officer said, Oh, yeah? Well,
well see about that. Get off the bike. He took the
bags and dumped their contents on the ground,
but sure enough there was nothing inside but

18

PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

sand. Still, he decided to detain the man overnight

while he had the sand analyzed for traces of gold,
drugs and explosives. However, in the end, nothing
was found, only sand. Having no other choice, the
customs officer released the man and let him cross
the border on his motorcycle with the sand.
A week later, the same thing happened. Once
again, the customs officer detained the man
overnight, and in the morning he was released on
his motorcycle with his two bags of sand. During
the next several months, the same thing repeated
itself over and over again.
Finally, several months passed without the man
crossing the border. Then, one day, the customs
officer happened to see the man in a restaurant on
the other side. He said to him, Hey, I know youre
up to something, I just dont know what. Its killing
me! I cant sleep at night. I just cant figure it out.
Just between you and me, why are you smuggling
plain old worthless sand?
Sipping his drink, the man smiled and said,
Officer, Im not smuggling sand. Im smuggling
stolen motorcycles.
In his total preoccupation with the bags, the
customs officer failed to pay attention to what
should have been obviousthe motorcycle.
Similarly, we continually focus on the external and
because of this we lose ourselves. Therefore, while
it is important to understand the nature of external

An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

19

22

PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

objects, we should also understand who we are as

well.
Today there are many people learning yoga
asanas5 in order to enhance their physical beauty
and strength. It is a hot trend amongst the youth,
but they are failing to understand the underlying
principle, the invaluable wealth, at the heart of
yoga.
The cosmic power that creates and organizes
this universe so that it functions smoothly has
prescribed certain guidelines for humankind.
These guidelines are called dharma. Dharma
has a certain rhythm, tone and melody. When
humankind fails to think and act in alignment with
this dharma, the balance in the human mind and
in nature is lost. The main reason for most of the
problems we see in our country is the prevalence of
a thought-process and lifestyle that pays no heed
to our ancient culture. Our youth need to become
aware of this problem. If they want their desires
and dreams to come true, an immense amount
of power, the blessings of the universe, and the
support and protection of the natural forces are
required.
Our youth are not good-for-nothing, but
good-for-everything. They are not careless
but uncared for. The future of India and the
entire world resides within them. The wellspring
5

yoga postures

An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

23

of strength that is needed to awaken our society

resides within them. If they awaken, our future is
secure. Otherwise, the harmony of human life and
the entire universe will be upset.
One day, a 25-year-old boy came to our
ashram. He wore his cap with the bill backwards
and had a sandalwood-paste mark on his forehead.
He approached the most senior sannyasi6 in the
ashram and asked him, Uncle, where is the ashram
kitchen? The sannyasi was a little taken aback. But
without reacting, he merely pointed the way to the
kitchen. After some time, when the youth was on
his way back, the sannyasi called him to his side
and asked him lovingly, Son, what is your name?
Jnanaprakash, he replied. (The sannyasi must
have thought, His parents have given him a good
name, Jnanaprakash the light of knowledge.
Why then doesnt he display any light?)
The sannyasi asked the youth, Son, what
would you call a person wearing a white coat and
stethoscope in a hospital?
A doctor, he replied.
And what would you call someone wearing a
black coat and tie in a courtroom?
A lawyer, he replied.
Similarly, dont you know that someone
who wears ochre clothes in an ashram should be
addressed as Swami? he said.
6

monk

24

PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

For a moment, the youth was silent. Then he

quickly apologized, Sorry, Uncle.
The sannyasi could not help but laugh. The
youth was a Hindu, a believer in God and was
moderately educated. Yet he lacked understanding
of his culture.This incident points to an unfortunate
truth; the younger generation is unaware of the
value and greatness of its own country, which is
known as the sacred land of the rishis7, the land
that imparted the golden light of spirituality to the
world. How did this happen? How can we impart
a basic understanding about our culture to the new
generation? Our Vedic culture has been a guiding
light for the entire world. However this culture
is now in crisis. We need to protect our culture.
For this, we need the willingness and readiness to
put forth a little effort. Then dharma will protect
itself. We have to begin this effort right here, right
now. However, for this, the administrative system
in charge should have a vision based on spiritual
values and should work together towards better
governance. This brings to mind the upanishadic
mantra of which Swami Vivekananda was so fond:
Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.8
Our mental and intellectual powers are limited.
Their vitality is short-lived, and eventually they will
7

ancient sages

An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

25

dry up. That is why it is said that we should place

our faith in atma shakti. This is the awakening
to which that famous mantra is referring. It is
impossible to develop total faith in an instant,
but when we perform our actions with a sense of
surrender, we will gain strength and move forward
toward our goal.
Our enemies are not outside; they are within.
We are our own enemy. Our ignorance, the way
weve become slaves to our desires, and our general
misunderstanding about the nature of life are all
weaknesses that make us limited.
A primary-school teacher once asked his
students, Children, how many stars can you see
in the night sky?
One child answered, Thousands and
thousands!
Another replied, Millions!
A third child said, Billions!
Finally the youngest child in the class answered,
Three!
Only three stars? the teacher asked, Didnt
you hear your classmates say thousands and
billions? Child, how do you see only three stars in
the sky?
The boy replied, Its not my fault. The window
in my room is really small!
The window was like a frame. The boy could
only view the small piece of sky framed by the

26

PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

window. We are similarly limited by the frame of

our weaknesses. To transcend them, we have to act
standing firmly rooted in spiritual understanding.
The Kali Yuga9 is the age of action. Performing
actions with firm intent on a spiritual goal is the
greatest form of renunciation and austerity that
one can do in the Kali Yuga. This helps us to
intelligently respond rather than emotionally react
to lifes situations. In essence, our life becomes
guided by viveka.
In Swami Vivekanandas words, He is an
atheist who does not believe in himself. To believe
in oneself means to believe in the limitless power
of the Self within.
There are three expressions of love that awaken
this power within: love for oneself, love for God,
and love for the entire creation. Love for oneself
does not mean the self-centered love of the ego. It
means to love lifeto see success and failure and
this human birth itself as Gods blessing, and to
love the divine power inherent within. This grows
to become love for God. If these two components
are present, the third componentlove for the
entire creationwill manifest naturally.
Home is the source of both a persons good
qualities and bad qualities. Almost everything
that influences a childs mental health comes from
their family environment. By the time a child is
The fourth of four cyclical ages, the Kali Yuga is the age
of materialism, wherein dharma is not widely practiced.

An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

27

eight or nine years old, the foundation has already

been laid for 70 percent of their mental growth.
A person may live up to 80 or 90, but by the time
they are 10, they have already learned the most
important lessons in their life. Only the remaining
30 percent is learnt after that, and this learning
is built upon the foundation of strengths and
weaknesses developed during childhood. To build
a skyscraper, first a solid foundation has to be
laid. Maturity, in truth, is the ability to continue
learning our entire lives. It does not come with age,
but with selflessness and an attitude of acceptance
that is totally devoid of prejudiced conceptions.
Every single day in the field of medicine, new
technologies are being developed and new diseases
are being discovered. Thus, a doctor must keep up
to date with the latest medical research. A doctor
cannot say, Well, thats how it was 20 years ago; it
cannot be any different now.
Its trueif we want to accomplish material
goals, we first must gather information about the
external world. However when we exclusively
base our lives on such information, our ego grows.
Today our livesespecially those of the younger
generationare being consumed by unnecessary
information. Our youth believe only in the body
and the mind. Such thinking makes people
mechanical and selfish. In fact, today, through
information technology, our youth know more
about the world than adults.

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PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

Wanting to speak in private, a father took his

sona seventh-standard studentinto his room
and closed the door. Looking into his sons eyes,
he said, Son, you are 12 years old. When I read
and hear about things that children of your age are
doing these days, my stomach turns. So, I want to
discuss some facts of life with you.
Without batting an eye, the son replied, Sure,
Dad, what do you want to know? Ill tell you
everything.
The ancient rishis experienced that the
substratum of all knowledge is the pure
consciousness within us. We need to harmoniously
combine this understanding with the discoveries
of modern science. The next generation should
understand this necessity. Otherwise, this land,
which is the birthplace of spiritual thought, will be
forced to witness a generation that believes there
is nothing more to life than sex, drugs and money.
Swami Vivekananda said, I loved my
motherland dearly before I went to America and
England. Since I have returned, every particle of
this land seems sacred to me. After the recent
incident in Delhi, many Indians are embarrassed
to call themselves Indians10. Our values, our sense
of dharma, the self-sacrifice and compassion of our
saints and sagesthis is what Swami Vivekananda
10

Amma is referring to the fatal gang-rape of a 23-year-old

student that took place in Delhi in December 2012.

An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

29

cherished so much about his motherland. An

ordinary persons world is comprised of their
home, spouse and children, but those who wish
to dedicate their lives to service transcend these
boundaries and make an offering of their lives for
the sake of their country. Those who have ascended
to the peak of spirituality and become established
in advaita11, see the entire creation as their own
not just their own families. For them, heaven and
hell are equal. Such people transform hell into
heaven. This vision of unity is the path to positive
change.
The university run by our ashram has five
campuses. Some students once told Amma that
they didnt want to wear uniforms anymore.
Amma asked them, Is the true goal of education
merely to get a degree, a good job and make lots of
money? No. Its to obtain knowledge and values,
and develop a compassionate attitude towards
everyone. Amma then gave the students some
examples of what had happened in colleges run
by other institutions without a uniform policy. In
one college, many students had been forced to take
out large loans for their education, and thus were
on very limited budgets. When these students saw
their classmates wearing expensive and fashionable
clothes, they wanted to do the same. The inferiority
complex incited by their lack of expensive clothes
11

The understanding that the individual, God and the

universe are not two but one in essence.

30

PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

prompted some students to try to make money

by selling drugs, even to their own classmates.
Because of this, many of them became addicted.
Some stole, others even committed suicide.
One student from another college, who was
very poor and wanted desperately to fit in, sent
Amma an alarming letter from prison, saying that
he had tried to steal a womans gold necklace and
in the process accidentally killed her.
Amma asked the students, Now, tell me:
Do you want to create a situation where other
students might make wrong choices, or would you
rather wear a uniform? Realizing the importance
of respecting the feelings of others, the students
unanimously replied that they would rather wear
a uniform.
We need to recognize the underlying unity
behind all differences. This will help us. Although
we may see 1,000 suns reflected in 1,000 pots of
water, there is only one sun. When we see the
consciousness within all of us as one and the same,
we will be able to develop a mind that considers
the needs of others before our own. For example,
we may need a watch, but both a 50-rupee watch
and 50,000-rupee watch will tell us the time. If
we buy the cheaper watch and use the remaining
money to help the poor, we would be doing a great
service to society.
Everything in creation has life and
consciousness. How can we prove this great truth?

An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

31

Neither through language, nor the mind, nor the

intellectall these are limited. Love is the most
ancient and most modern guiding light. It is only
love that can raise the human mind from its lowest
state to the infinite realm of the Self. Furthermore,
love is the only language all of creation can
understand: the universal language of the heart.
Love, blessing, grace and compassion
are all merely synonyms for God. Such virtues and
God are not many, but one. This grace and blessing
is all-pervasive. When we perform our dharma
cheerfully with an open heart, this power and
grace flow into us.
A fish swimming joyfully in the sea forgets the
sea, but when it is flung onto the hot sands of the
shore, it immediately remembers. However, there
are no shores away from God on to which we can
be flung because God is an infinite ocean without
any shore. Each one of us is a wave in that ocean.
Just as the ocean, waves and water are one, so too
are we one with God. We are embodiments of
God.
The asuras12 were those who fell from the realm
of devas13 due to their lack of viveka. Today, man,
who is an embodiment of God, is behaving like
an asura. Many past incidents and even more so,
current events, prove that asuras are taking birth as
12
13

demons
celestial beings

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PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

human beings. Every day we hear of incidents that

are tarnishing the name of our eternal culture
our culture that teaches us to revere all women as
mothers, as goddesses, as close friends to whom
we can open our hearts. Can the atrocity that
recently took place in Delhi be anything other
than the product of asuric minds? In no time in
history has a society that disrespected women ever
flourished. All such societies collapse. If we look
at the Ramayana or the the Mahabharata14 or even
the past 1,000 years of history, we can see how vast
empires and valiant emperors have fallen due to
their lack of respect for women and motherhood.
This land has witnessed the maha-tyaga, tapas and
danam of our rishistheir great renunciation,
austerities and charity. It is high time for the
citizens of India to transform their minds. Further
delay will result in disaster.
As a child goes through every stage of growth
when he tries to turn over, when he learns to crawl,
when he begins to walk, etche is like a soldier
who will never accept defeat. Nowadays however,
by the time he grows up, crosses middle age and
becomes a senior citizen, he becomes businessminded. Everything, including his relationships,
become like business deals. Who is responsible for
this? It is our society, our parents, our elders, our
educational system, our blind imitations, and our
14

Indias epics

An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

33

way of life that fails to respect Indian culture. All

these create fear, anxiety and cowardice. Humanity
loses the strength to see life as an adventure or
challenge that has to be faced with courage. The
mind becomes neither capable of acknowledging
the existence of others nor of considering their
feelings.
There are seven billion people on the face of
this planet. However, almost no one thinks of
anyone else. There is no friendship, no real family,
no unity. We have strayed from the herd, each one
of us rampaging like a rogue elephant.
In Sanatana Dharma, the Creator and the
creation are not two; they are one. Just as there is no
difference between gold and golden jewelry, there
is no difference between the CreatorGodand
the createdthe world. The effect can never be
different than its foundationthe cause. Sanatana
Dharma is the only philosophy that teaches us to
see nara as Narayanato see human beings as
God. It is the only religion that has worshipped
even the nirgunamthe attributelessas God.
No matter how far away a mans beloved may be,
looking at a handkerchief gifted to him by her gives
him so much joy. The man is not enjoying the cloth
or embroidery of the handkerchief; he is enjoying
the memory of his beloved. Similarly, no matter
what form we imagine God to have, what we are
actually experiencing is Gods loving presence.

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PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

We have a long tradition of respecting and

revering nature and all living beings. Our ancestors
built shrines to, and worshipped, trees, birds,
even poisonous snakes. A honeybee may be tiny,
but without this tiny creature, pollination would
cease and entire species could become extinct. If
a planes engine breaks down, the plane will not
be able to fly. In fact, the absence of just one vital
screw can have the same effect. Can we throw away
the screw, saying thatunlike the engineits just
a small, insignificant thing? In truth, everything
has its own function and importance. Nothing is
insignificant.
Mother Nature, who showered blessings upon
us, like the wish-fulfilling cow, kamadhenu, has
now become like an old, dried-up cow.
Today, the idea of environmental protection
is considered modern-thinking. This is ironic
since protecting the environment is an ancient
part of our culture. The only difference is that we
protected nature because we saw all of creation
as part of God. Then, we decided such thinking
was primitive and therefore stopped protecting
nature. Today our environmental protection lacks
the reverence that once was its foundation. This is
why all of our attempts in this direction are falling
short.
Two birds were sitting on top of a building,
talking to each other. One bird asked the other,
Where is your nest?

An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

35

The second bird replied, I dont have a nest or

family yet. Im unable to get enough nectar from
flowers to ever feel full. A few days ago, when I
went in search of nectar, I found a beautiful garden
in front of a house. Full of excitement, I flew down.
Only when I got close did I realize that the garden
was artificial. All the flowers were made of plastic.
Another day, I found another colorful garden.
However, when I went to drink one of its flowers
nectar, I chipped my beak. The flower was made of
glass! Then, one day, I found a real garden full of
beautiful flowers. Full of hunger, I flew downbut
I stopped short when I saw a man spraying it with
chemical fertilizers and pesticides. I could have
died! I returned in disappointment. As it is, there
are very few flowers today, and the ones remaining
are like this! So, how can I hope to have a nest and
raise a family? How would I feed my fledglings?
Hearing his complaint, the first bird said,
Youre absolutely right. For days now, Ive been
trying to build a nest, but I cant find any twigs.
The number of trees is decreasing. If things go on
like this, Ill have to make my nest out of bits of
plastic and iron.
Our condition is just as pathetic as that of these
two little birds. Its not enough to have children;
we also have to ensure that they have a future as
well. Within the past 25 years we have destroyed
40 percent of our forests. The amount of available

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PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

fuel and water is decreasing. The ones who are

going to experience the brunt of this problem are
our little children and their children. We should
realize this, arise and act. Our youth should be at
the forefront of water- and energy- and forestryconservation campaigns.
Lust is like a hunger; it is present within all
humans. However, in the past, humanity led their
lives firmly rooted in spiritual values and thus
was able to control this desire. When Amma was
a child, Damayanti Amma15 would say, Never
urinate in the river. The river is Devi16. When we
would swim in the backwaters, even though the
water was cold, remembering Damayanti Ammas
words, we would be able to restrain ourselves.
When one develops a reverential attitude towards
a river, one will never defile it. Unfortunately today,
society is devoid of values. Incidents like the one
that recently took place in Delhi are proof of this.
Today, youth are spending their free time searching
the Internet for pornography. This is like pouring
fuel onto a fire; it only increases their lust. Some
teenagers have even told Amma that after viewing
such material they have felt impure thoughts
towards their own siblings. They lose their viveka.
Their condition is like that of a drunken monkey
that has been bitten by a scorpion and then is hit
15
16

Ammas mother
The Divine Mother

An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

37

on the head by a falling coconut. The condition

of youth today is like that of a rocket caught in
the earths gravitational field. In order to break free
from this gravitational pull, we need the booster
rocket of spiritual values.
Just as parents reprimand their children,
saying, Stop playing and study! they should also
insist that their children strive to develop values.
When our children are young and impressionable,
mothers need to firmly tell their daughters, You
should be fearless. Never let anyone push you
down. You should develop strength of heart.
Similarly parents should teach their sons both the
need to protect and to respect women. These days
many men are like one-way roads; they need to
become like highways, allowing women to also
move forward alongside them. The government
can change as many laws as it wants and make
sentences for sex-offenders as strong as it wants,
but unless we raise our children with these values,
no real change will ever take place. The government
needs to hold meetings in order to determine the
best way to keep explicit material available on the
Internet from the impressionable minds of our
youth.
Previously, a certain amount of community
service was compulsory for all school students.
Amma feels that this policy should be reinstated.
If all our schools took their students for cleanliness

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PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

drives and tree-planting sessions for at least two

periods a week, the problem of pollution would be
alleviated to a great extent. They should be given
marks for these sessions. Then, we would also be
able to develop a service-oriented mentality within
our children when they are at an impressionable
age.
Today, religion has become yet another
commodity being sold in the marketplace. This is
a good-quality religion; that religion is bad: this
is the way some people sell religion. This is like
saying, My mother is a saint; yours is a prostitute.
Religion should not be for building walls, but for
building bridges, bringing once alienated groups of
people together. For this, each person needs to try
to understand the deeper principles of religion
the message of love and compassion. In this way,
the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda
should become an inspiration for all.
Finally Amma would like to offer a suggestion
that she feels would be helpful for our society.
Just as medical-school graduates must first serve
in rural areas for one year, so too should at least
one child from every family do so upon their
graduation. Government grants should fund this.
These young people should live among the poor
and understand the problems they face and try to
find solutions to help them. In this way, we can
awaken compassion in our youth, uplift the poor,

An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

39

and the country can grow holistically. If retirees

were to similarly dedicate a year to serving the
poor, it would have an even more dramatic impact
on our country.
If you really think about it, is there any
difference between human beings and worms?
Worms also eat, sleep, defecate, produce offspring
and finally die. After receiving this precious gift of
a human birth, are we doing anything more than
this? No. Not only this, but due to negativities like
anger, jealousy and hatred, we create new vasanas17.
At least worms dont do that. This is something
over which we should all contemplate.
We should live our life in a manner that is
helpful to ourselves as well as to others. God has
given lightning just a few moments of existence.
So too, a rainbow. Some flowers blossom just for a
single day. The full moon lasts only till sunrise. A
butterfly lives for only a few days. However during
their short existence, they give so much beauty
and happiness to the world. Amma prays that we
learn from their example and try to use our lives
to make this world an even more beautiful place.
Let us color our lips with words of truth. Let us
line our eyes with the anjanam18 of compassion.
Let us adorn our hands with the henna of good
deeds. Let us bless our minds with the sweetness
17
18

negative tendencies
collyrium

40

PRACTICE SPIRITUAL VALUES AND SAVE THE WORLD

of humility. Let us fill our hearts with the light of

love for God and all of Gods creation. In this way,
may we transform this world into heaven.
India should rise. The voice of knowledge,
of Self-realization, and the ancient words of our
rishis should once again rise up and resound
throughout the world. In order to achieve this,
we have to work together in unity. May this land
that taught the true meaning of acceptance to the
world remain firmly established in that virtue. May
the conch of Sanatana Dharma trumpet a new
resurgence that echoes around the world. Swami
Vivekananda was like a rainbow that appeared on
the horizon of humanity to help us understand
the beauty and value of a life of action blended
with compassion and meditation. Thus, may the
beautiful dream of love, fearlessness and unity that
Swami Vivekananda dreamt of become a reality.
May the Paramatman19 give everyone the strength
to achieve this.

19

the Supreme SoulGod