BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality New Age Your great article on Amma!

Hi Janet and everyone - I have the VHS video of Amma's life called "River of Love" - I recommend it to everyone; it is uplifting and inspiring!

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Hi Susan!

Wow, you're fast! I just posted that article a little while ago. LOL! Many thanks for your feedback, Susan. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Here's the article that Susan is talking about:

Messages From Amma - In The Language Of The Heart

The video sounds wonderful! I just looked it up on Amazon. For those interested:


River of Love - A Documentary Drama on the Life of Ammachi

I had never heard of Amma until I received a letter from the publisher of Messages From Amma. Where did you first hear of her, Susan? I assume the documentary follows her around as she ministers to people?

I'm amazed at how connected to the Divine she was as a child--even bearing the brunt of ridicule from villages and abuse from her parents as she ministered to the poor, sick and elderly.

What an inspiration Amma is! :love:

Hi Janet and all - well there is a story about how I found the video. I went to a very small bookshop in Amsterdam and in the center aisle were a row on a case of spiritual videos, and I was attracted to Amma.

The video begins at her village when she was perhaps 8 years old, plays out the experiences she went through with her parents, shows her dancing devotionally, goes into her teen years when she did one miracle of changing water into milkpudding. Then we see some glimpses of her work as an adult.

The child Amma is played by a young disciple of hers in her village and her real parents play those parts.
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Wow, that's amazing that her parents actually play their parts! I assume they no longer thinks she's inferior? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I hope to get the video someday; you make it sound delightful, which I'm sure it is. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Her mother said in the video that they really feel bad now that they didn't realize who she was.
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A prophet is never respected/accepted in their home town. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Do you have any thoughts on why that is?

I think familiarity makes us narrow in our vision. Not only that, to realize that greatness comes in "humble packages"--perhaps even our brother or daughter--gives us the responsibility of realizing our own "greatness". It's easier to live in denial than accept responsibility for what are--and what we can become.

Also, I think that "greatness", such as we see with Amma and Jesus for example, threatens 1st chakra tribal identity. The classic "Who do you think you are?" Even if the person is unassuming, people are threatened by their magnificence and light.

In the "prophet" sense (as in the Archetype), people are often threatened by what they don't understand, as well as a Force that may challenge them to change and ascend.

Does that make sense? Just some off the cuff thoughts...

Do you have any theories, Susan?

Hi Janet,
I have wondered about this for a long time.

I think it might be a threat to the established status in the tribe if the enlightened one is acknowledged, meaning that others in the tribe (family) may feel they have to somehow change and live up to new standards.

But what is funny is that if a person in a family becomes a performing artist, then it is accepted and appreciated and enjoyed - I think because there is no expectation that everyone must become like the famous relative.

It's really kind of bizarre when you think of it, Susan. I remember when I told my parents I was going into ministry. They thought I'd be an English professor or lawyer (my goals up until I heeded the "call" to ministry). Even though church was shoved down my throat by my Mom, my parents acted embarrassed by my choice. (For years after, actually.) My teachers and Guidance Counselor thought I was nuts, too.

Those who challenge or who could be seen by others as "different" or an outcast seem to embarrass the tribe. When someone becomes a perfomring artist, the family relishes the attention--as if they had something to do with it. They don't want the same kind of "ownership" about a "troublemaking" relative, such as prophets tend to be.