Amma's life is her message. In other words, Amma does not teach anything that she herself does not practice. Living from moment to moment in a constant state of supreme happiness, Amma warmly embraces thousands of people day after day, wiping their tears, giving them her divine guidance and offering solace to all who come to her. Amma recommends the path of selfless-service through the example of her own life.

Amma says, "The beauty and charm of selfless love and service should not die away from the face of the earth. The world should know that a life of dedication is possible, that a life inspired by love and service to humanity is possible.

Meditation and studying the scriptures are like two sides of a coin. The engraving on that coin is selfless service, and that is what gives it its real value. Our compassion and acts of selflessness take us to the deeper truths. Through selfless action we can eradicate the ego that conceals the Self. Detached, selfless action leads to liberation. Such action is not just work; it is karma yoga."

Amma always points out that the purpose of one's life is to realize who we really are. She says, "By realizing our own Self we become full, with nothing more to gain in life. Life becomes perfect."

To attain this goal, Amma says that no particular path or spiritual practice can be recommended for all. "Just as a doctor gives different dosages or even different medications to patients with the same ailment according to their constitution, so does a Guru prescribe different methods to different people to reach the same goal. Spirituality is the practical science of life. Apart from taking us to the ultimate goal of Self-realization it also teaches us the nature of the world, and how to understand life and live fully in the best way possible."

However, Amma says that the path of devotion and selfless-service is the safest and most conducive path for many people.

Amma says, "The real purpose of life is to experience what is beyond this physical existence. However, each one looks at life differently. Most human beings see life as a constant struggle for survival. Such people believe in the theory, "The fittest will survive". They are satisfied with the normal way of living- for example, getting a house, a job, a car, a wife, a husband, children and enough money to live. Yes, these are important things, and we need to focus on our day-to-day lives and to take care of our responsibilities and obligations, small and big.

But there is more to life, a higher purpose, which is to know and realize who we are. By knowing who we are, we gain everything. A feeling of complete fullness, with absolutely nothing else to gain in life. That realization makes life perfect. Regardless of all we have accumulated or are striving to acquire, for most people life still feels incomplete - like the letter "C". This gap, or lack, will always be there. Only spiritual knowledge and realization of Self can fill the gap and unite the two ends, which will make it like the letter, "O". The knowledge of "That" alone will help us feel well-grounded in the real center of life.

Spirituality is not blind faith; it is the ideal that eliminates darkness. It is the principle that teaches us to face any adverse circumstance or obstacle with a smile. Spirituality is the teaching for the mind."

Someone asked Amma, "Why should one follow the spiritual path?"

Amma replied, "This is like the seed asking, "Why should I go beneath the soil, sprout and grow upward?"

Excerpted from the book "From Amma's Heart"

Peace

"In the end, love is the only medicine that can heal the wounds of the world. In this universe, it is love that binds everything together. Love is the very foundation, beauty and fulfillment of life. If we dive deep enough into ourselves, we will find that one thread of universal love ties all beings together. As this awareness dawns within us, all disharmony will cease. Abiding peace alone will reign".

 "Real change must happen within ourselves. For only when conflict and negativity are removed from within can we play a truly constructive role in establishing peace. Our aim should not be just a flourishing and prosperous world but a world distinguished by peace, co-operation, unity and compassion towards all living beings."

"A rainbow is formed by the convergence of seven different colours, making it so attractive and beautiful. In a similar way we should be able to recognise and accept the differences created by religion, nationality language and culture. We should be able to hold hands, giving primary importance to humanity and universal human values."

 "The world is like a flower.  Each nation is a petal of this flower.  Qualities such as love, sympathy and generosity are not meant only for individuals - they should become the hallmark of each nation and the soul of society.  It is possible to realize the underlying unity of humanity while still being part of different religions, societies, races, cultures and nations- in fact we are meant to do so."  

To listen patiently to others, to be eager to understand other people, to be expansive enough to accept even those who do not agree with us-all these are the signs of true culture. What the world needs today is such a culture.

Love "Children, love can accomplish anything and everything. Love can cure diseases. Love can heal wounded hearts and transform human minds. Through love one can overcome all obstacles. Love can help us renounce all physical, mental and intellectual tensions and thereby bring peace and happiness."

"If we penetrate deeply into all aspects and all areas of life, we will find that hidden behind everything is love. We will discover that love is the force, the power and inspiration behind every word and every action. This applies to all people, irrespective of race, caste, creed, sect, religion or of what work people do."

Love gives everything; there is no thought of receiving. Love has no complaints; it accepts all. Love removes all fears; it transforms all ugliness into beauty. Because love is the real refuge, it is the beauty of life. Love is the spring of life; it makes it ever new and fresh.

Compassion

"True worship of God is rendering help to those who are suffering."

"There are three types of people in this world. There are those who have nothing; then there are those who are just scraping by; and the third type are those who have far more than they need. Now, if those who belong to the third category don't do anything to help those of the first two categories, then Amma would say that those who belong to the third category, who are supposed to be rich, are, in fact, the poorest of the poor. Those who have far more than they need should have eyes with which to see the suffering of others; they should have ears to hear the distressed calls for help; they should have a loving heart with which to feel compassion towards those who suffer, and they should have willing hands with which to lend their assistance to those in need."

"A spiritual person finds happiness in being loving and compassionate towards everyone, even towards those who are against him. He is like a tree that gives shade even to those who are in the act of cutting it down."

Humility

 "Nowadays everybody wants to become a leader. No one wants to become a servant. In reality, the world is badly in need of servants, not leaders. A real servant is a real leader. A real leader is one who really serves the people without ego and egocentric desires. In fact, greatness is not in dress, and lordship is not in acquiring wealth. Real greatness lies in humility and simplicity."

"Try to be like a child. Only then will you be able to learn and grow. The feeling that you are grownup or great will not help you to learn. Only humility will help you to grow. A child grows emotionally and intellectually because there is no ego to protest and create blocks. Knowledge flows into the child unimpeded. But once your adult ego comes creeping in, the feeling of 'I and mine' appears and any possibility of inner growth is obstructed."

Discrimination

"Everyone is madly running around looking for peace. Peace should come from within. What is to be done in order to obtain this peace? We should live our life understanding and discriminating between the eternal and non-eternal. That is the only way. We will get peace only through the knowledge that God alone is eternal."

Most human beings have a hot head and a cold heart-a head heated with ego and a heart cold with selfishness. Thus we are full of arrogance and devoid of compassion. But what we need is exactly the opposite: a cool head and a warm heart-a heart warmed with love and compassion, and a head cooled with wisdom

Our offices, houses, etc. are all equipped with good security systems so that thieves cannot easily break in. But what about our minds? The doors are wide open; thieves can walk in at any time and steal all of our wealth. Who are these thieves? Negative thoughts. Any negative thought can enter our mind at anytime and steal the wealth of peace from within.

To make the mind calm is the pathway to completeness. The problem with modern-day education is that it teaches us to think and to analyse but not how to stop thinking and be still. We also need to know how to stop. When you drive a vehicle, it is not enough if you know how to drive and change the gears; you also need to know how to stop.

Service

'I desire peace for the people this is what makes me happy. In this world where so many people live in luxury and comfort, there are so many suffering poverty and starvation. With cooperation and love, we must selflessly serve the whole world without expecting anything in return.'

 "Do your work and perform your duties with all your heart. Try to work selflessly with love. Pour yourself into whatever you do. Then you will feel and experience beauty and love in every field of work. Love and beauty are within you. Try to express them through your actions and you will definitely touch the very source of bliss."

We should have gratitude in life. We are indebted to the world and to all the beings in it. There is nothing in this world that hasn't nourished our growth in one way or another, thus bringing us to our present state. This earth is our mother. Nature is our mother. We should not forget our dharma towards our mother. We should not turn a deaf ear to the cries of our brothers and sisters. We should try our best to relieve their suffering in whatever way we can. To be compassionate towards the poor, one does not need a lot of wealth or a very high position. A loving word, a compassionate look, a simple good deed-all these can bring light to their lives, as well as to our own. It is not what we gain, but what we are able to give, that determines the value of our life. If we have been able to give happiness to a soul-even for a minute-it makes our life blessed.

BOOKS about AMMA and AMMA's Teachings