Albuquerque

Aum Amriteswaryai Namah,

Hey Folks! Just writing a little update from the middle of Albuquerque. Things have been going very well for the AYUDH table, we've collected over 200 signatures during the last 2 weeks. Every stop has had a Swami talk.

In Seattle we had a talk with Dayamrita Swami. One youth asked the question "Swamiji, after hearing you speak I am very inspired to take part in AYUDH however, where I live there are no other AYUDH members, so what can I do?" Swamiji responded beautifully by saying

"It only takes one person. You don't need anyone else. Just start now." Swamiji went on to illustrate a story of a young child in Colombia who at a very young age began to care for the elderly. Since then a large organization has sprung up and that young child is now 22 and internationally recognized. However it all began with one action.

AYUDH members have had the chance to tie two Rakhi bracelets onto Amma's wrist. Once in Seattle and another time in L.A. Amma was very happy to see both bracelets and fed chocolate prasad to the AYUDH members.

In San Ramon AYUDH had the priviledge of meeting with Swami Amirtaswarupananda Puri (AKA "Big Swamiji"). The event took place behind the temple in the teen tent, and the house was packed. Swamiji asked all the AYUDH members in the tent "Why do you come to see Amma?" After illiciting responses from many members he proclaimed "What can I tell you? You already know enough". From that point he answered a few questions one of which was quite profound. A British AYUDH member asked,

"What can I do to feel close to Amma during the year, when I am away at school? I feel all alone."

Swamiji answered in good form explaining that there is a difference between feeling "lonely" and "alone". The former, "loneliness", is a product of the mind; it is when our mind is full of fears and thoughts of the past and future. The latter, "aloneness", is quite healthy for a spiritual aspirant, as it allows us to delve deeper into our true selves. Swamiji wrapped it all up by saying that the only way to beat all feelings of aloneness or loneliness is to take refuge in Amma through prayer. When you are feeling all alone in the world, simply sit down and pray to Amma.

In L.A. AYUDH met with Br. Shantamrita Chaitanya. Swami Shantamrita held a very open question & answer with AYUDH. In response to the question "how do you know when you've found your Guru?" Shantamrita Swami replied

" You just do." However he went on to further elaborate, saying that it is better if no one pushes you, and you should come to your own conclusions. He shared his personal experience of learning that Amma was his Guru, explaining that he believed he would go on a long pilgrimage throughout India. However it "ended after about 3 days, 2 of which included intense giardhia." The talked ended with Swamiji's advice for AYUDH organize a good infrastructure in order for the group to function.

Of course much more has happened during the tour, but this is probably long enough for all of you to read!

For those who have experiences they want to share from the tour send them to me (gilad -- thebluejew@gmail.com) and I'll do my best to post them here.

Namah Shivaya

-Gilad