AYUDH AMERICA: Youth in Action

International Year of Youth, August 2010-August 2011

2010-07-19T15:21:00.000-07:00

Aum Amriteshwaryai Namah

Dear All,

Amma has agreed today to make 12 August 2010 - 11 August 2011 to the "International Year of Youth" (IYY) for Her organization.

During this year we hope to see an increased enthusiasm amongst youth to implement AYUDH activities in their respective places. Amongst all other activities, Amma has said, She would like to see the youth care for Nature.

So one initiative that we would like to encourage you to do is to tree planting. Within the IYY we want to set a certain goal (and achieve it!!!), maybe 108 on each continent.

Please write back to us if your AYUDH group wants to participate in this during the IYY and let us know the number of trees you want to plant by 15 July 2010, so that we can announce the final number during the opening ceremony of the IYY on August 12.

Hari, an AYUDH member from Scotland, will be collecting the numbers and following up your pledge during the year. Please contact him directly, as soon as possible: neomahatma@gmail.com

Looking forward to your cooperation and an exciting year of youth 2010/2011.

in Amma's service

Nath and Hari

****
AYUDH Americas Goal: 108 by August 2011!

Summer Seva at the Ashram

2010-07-05T10:36:00.001-07:00

Summer Seva at the Ashram

Cow Seva: Training for cow seva is available at the Cow Barn any day from 7 to 9 a.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. when the milking takes place. Best not to wear sandals.

New Orchard Seva: Seva in the new orchard is happening most days except Thursdays and Fridays, but always on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Some of the tasks are: Irrigation lines haunched and ready to be buried by the weekend of the 10th of July, weeds cleared, mulch pushed back, tree trunks painted, cages made to keep voles out, bird perches constructed and installed.
Call Abhay at 202-290-4396 if you have any questions. Bring a hat and water bottle.

Medical Donations Seva: The Dining Hall has been turned into a warehouse again. There are about 11 pallets of medical donations ready to be sorted and inventoried on any Wednesday or Saturday, 9 to 5. If you want to help any other day (except Sundays), call Lela at 925-989-7674.

Kitchen Seva: An assistant lunch cook is needed most Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11 to 1:00. Dishwashers are always needed after lunch. A team of dishwashers makes fast work and people can get back to their other sevas.

* NOTE: We have a new phone extension to RSVP for BART pickups. Please call 510-537-9417 x 447. Pickup for seva on Wednesdays is at 9:30am and on Saturdays at 9:00am
in Amma's Love and Service,
Lela for the Summer Seva team

--
Ôm Amriteswaryai Namaha

Wisdom from Age

2009-05-23T04:56:00.000-07:00

On April 17th, Amma's Ayudh USA visited LightHouse Nursing Home in Castro valley. Amma's volunteers individually visited all the rooms offering a rose and simple conversation. The gift we got in return were truths that can only be sincerely understood through the span of one's life. The most astounding parallel was that almost all of them who were able to sustain conversation stressed (unprompted) that the foundation of an honorable life is the act of giving selflessly. Through their tears and occasionally our own we felt when we left that we had received a lot more than we had ever hoped to give.

Ocie Benson, an 86 year old American lady, was celebrating her birthday facing a cold white wall. Although she looked tired from receiving fluids she had a formidable presence which contributed to our initial hesitation to approach her. She did not hesitate to share her insights into various topics ranging from marital relationships to understanding death. She had witnessed one of her sons being murdered and the other die slowly due to injuries sustained from a street side thug. Her husband and all her siblings had died of old age. The thing that truly struck us at first about Ocie was that although she was deprived of the family and companionship we take f

or granted, she had a certain sincerity in her optimism that truly reflected on the resilience of the human spirit. This was in stark comparison to the many who wandered those halls that had to a great extent reconciled themselves to their fate. Ocie was older than most and faced imminent death due to chronic heart disease. As a result she treats our each meeting as if it were our last and strains to kiss us goodbye. After around three hours of conversation we soon discovered that every word she spoke to us caused immense pain to her throat. She had been confronted with the option to underg

o surgery to quell the pain, but in return she would lose the power to speak. Even now she had to work for every word, but that did not stop her from sharing as much as she could, and we could tell that she really did. Perhaps what we really drew from her was inspiration to never look at things from one angle, to broaden our perspective on meaning, and truly introspect on the reason for our existence.

Ocie was an out of the ordinary example, and such people are hard to find. Still there are countless veins of knowledge that can be tapped to provide one with a conversation that can induce a lasting change. For true sincerity has a power than cannot be matched. Our Amma is a shining example of this, and her effort should urge us all try to help those who can truly benefit from the comfort of a few words. When we left Ocie, she told us that her family now had three new young members (thats us!). Amma says that in essence we are all beads strung on the same string, a family in its truest sense, let it be our mission to be the family of all those who are willing to receive us, as faulted we may be.

Earth Day At The Ashram!

2009-04-28T18:49:00.000-07:00

Aum Amriteswaryai Namah

On April 25th, 2009 Earth Day was celebrated AYUDH Style!!! AYUDH helped to organize the Earth Day Fair at the M.A. Center.

Amma says "Nature is our first mother. She nurtures us throughout our lives. Our birth mother may allow

us to sit on her lap for a couple of years, but Mother Nature

patiently bears our weight our

entire life. Just as a child is obligated to his birth mother, we should all feel an obligation and responsi

bility towards Mother Nature."

It was a beautiful sunny day which started with the Eco-Meditation, followed by the workshop "How to grow vegetables at home" and a guided tour of the new orchard at the ashram. AYUDH members have helped plant many of the young trees that will someday produce apples.

Later in the afternoon a picnic lunch was served and the AYUDH band made it's debut! Performing original devotional songs, the AYUDH music was described by many listeners as "so beautiful" The band earned much applause and requests for an "encore" at the end.

Following the performance, the celebration continued with lots of family fun. At the AYUDH booth face painting was offered as

well as an opportunity to sponsor a tree to be planted in a loved one's name or as a gift to Mother Nature in the new orchard.

Near the pond, AYUDH had set up a bubble station and in the middle of it all AYUDH members, little children (and big kids too!) participated in a rousing game of capture the flag otherwise known as "Rescue Amma" with a photo of Amma in place of the flag.

Other booths had information about how

to keep bees, solar cooking and other tips for a more green friendly life style that will benefit Mother Nature positively.

The entire day was wrapped up with a relay race in which participants had to cluck like a chicken and walk like a crab!

It was a warm spring day, the ashram swans floated by on the surface of the pond and the trees swayed gently in the wind. Each summer when She visits San Ramon, Amma leads an outdoor meditation

in the field where we had the celebration. Spending the day in the grass enjoying the sunshine and fresh air was a good reminder of the love that Mother Nature offers us every day and Amma's

Presence was strongly felt.

It was a fantastic way to remember the importance of nature in our lives and to celebrate Earth Day with consciousness and love!

Story of Love

2009-03-29T20:03:00.000-07:00

Story:
My dad always had an angry streak while my sister and I were growing up. If his ego was ever challenged he just would blow up. Frequently while working on a project with us, or on his own, if a challenge to his skills or to his ego arose he would start to swear and yell and a hush of fear would fall over the whole family. There was nothing that we could do and there was nothing that we could say because he was so sensitive and emotionally injured. This negative trend continued up until my sister and I headed off to college. Over the process of going to school and returning home we both gained new perspective on life and the way that we percieve things to be. Each time we would come home to visit we would bring new ideas home to dad and mom, and they would always adopt new ways of living that we presented such as buying local and orgainic foods, using cloth bags and composting. They even bought solar pannels for their home.
After I finished my first year internship at a non-profit in the Sierra Nevada, I began to delve even deeper from environmental dis-ease to my own emotional and spiritual ailments and healing. Over this period of time I began to express things that I never had to my parents. Things that I had never said before that seemed terrifying to say about problems in childhood and how they effect me today. Speaking these words often felt like jumping off a cliff and I didn't know who would catch me. My parents heard me and gave me love as best they could as I moved forwad in this self inquiry. Over this time I began to notice changes in my dad too. He started dropping external negative habits in himself expressing his own vassanas and crying a lot more. Things have been pretty hard for both of us over the past couple years, but we are now facing things and bearing the pain like never before. The whole family has been noticing the changes in my dad. We were driving in San Francisco last month and we were very lost for hours. My dad kept his cool and stayed more patient than the rest of us. This is unheard of in given his history. This is just one of the many examples of his ablity to cope and to not get angry that I have witnessed. He and I both have been meditating and trying to listen to God/Amma more thatn listening to our own loud egos that want to be heard and feel frustrated. I feel like we are approaching change and challenge in a whole new way. I thank Amma for giving us both the strength and patience to face these negative tendancies; and for showing us the light at the end of this tunnel to walk towards even if we feel blind right now. I read an amma quote this morning that said "you are love!" And I believe it. Understanding this allows me to witness the false me based on fear that has been parading around as me for so many years. Another moral to this story that is unfolding is that once you begin to look inside of yourself you unknowingly open a window for others to do the same. I had no idea that my family would be moving forward together spiritually like we are, but each time one of us take a leap of faith, or opens thier eyes to unbelievable pain it becomes an invitiation for others to do the same. Thank you Amma for lifting us up each day.
Om Namah Shivaya

In courage and in love
Leah

Mass-Apple Tree Mania!

2009-03-19T16:35:00.000-07:00

Aum Amriteswaryai Namah,
On March 14th, 2009, AYUDH participated in the 2nd mass Apple-Tree Planting at the MA Center.
The planting was to carry out Amma's instructions that the MA Center plant 1000 apple trees. Amma specifically has asked that we plant 500 this year. So far we have planted 260 trees. We are half way there!

MA Center has been expanding it's orchards onto the hill sides. Some of the special work AYUDH members participated in included rolling a very large water tank up the hill! The tank will provide irrigation water for the expanded orchard.Overall the plantings have been very successful so far. Hopefully with Amma's blessings and grace we will also be able participate in caring for this new orchard.

Maybe even eat some apples...
Namah Shivaya
-Gilad

Will you be my Valentine?

2009-02-25T18:05:00.000-08:00

Last year in 2008 Amma requested AYUDH youth to contemplate this question, "Our whole life we have been taking and receiving from the world, now we must ask ourselves: what can we give back?" Since then AYUDH members have been trying to answer the question.

This month's theme on AYUDH's calendar of change was about spreading Amma's message of universal Love. AYUDH Americas tried to honor this in more ways than one.

For Valentines Day 2009, AYUDH members banded together to make and sell traditional Valentines Day cards with a special twist. Using recycled cards as a base, members cut, pasted, glued and painted hand-made Valentines with Amma's message "May the tree of our life be firmly rooted in the soil of Love... and may Peace be its fruit" printed inside.

Instead of the usual sugar candy heart, or box of chocolates, AYUDH members included with the cards something much more Alive. For a donation of $20, devotees could sponsor a tree to be planted in someone's name as part of Amma's Orchard Expansion project at the MA Center.

Devotees received their card and homemade cookie on Valentines Day which was also the MA Center's 20th Anniversary, all in all AYUDH managed to have over 100

trees sponsored for the orchard expansion project!!

On the 14th, AYUDH members also trekked the muddy hills of the MA Center and helped to planted almost 200 apple trees, many of which had been sponsored by the Valentines project.

May Amma's words come true, that Love becomes the basis of our lives.

Knitting for the homeless

2009-02-24T12:23:00.000-08:00

Namah Shivaya,

KnitWits is an organization driven by volunteers which provides warm clothing to men, women and children with HIV/AIDS, Hmong and Somali refugee children, South Asian women touched by violence, poverty-stricken families, and many others who cannot afford warm clothing in this season throughout the US. They provide fleece and yarn to volunteers who can then sew together mitten-shaped cut outs.

We took up the project in the Michigan Amma center as a youth project but soon many members from the ashram actively joined. With over 18 participants, we had a great time sitting as a group and doing something to help the community! We spent the time together sharing stories of our experiences with Amma and other projects we could do. For many of us, this was the first the first experience sewing and knitting so it was also a learning experience. We made and decorated a total of 16 pairs of toddler-sized mittens.

January Soup Kitchen event

2009-02-03T13:07:00.001-08:00

On Saturday January 17th AYUDH members helped serve a morning meal to diners at the Saint Vincent de Paul Society's soup kitchen in Oakland . We arrived around 9:30 in the morning and were greeted by the smiley volunteer organizer who took us to a side room where we were shown a short, but inspiring video highlighting the importance of service and featuring the lives of a few of the regular diners. The video was a nice introduction and helped us to feel personally connected to the people we were serving. After the video, we helped set up by counting plates, carrying food, moving ice, filling a big thermos with water, etc. The workers at the soup kitchen then lead all the volunteers in a short prayer service. We then assumed our serving stations and the diners began to arrive.

Most of us were in the family room where woman, children, and men who were involved in some way with the women (husbands, boyfriends, etc) ate. One or two of us were in a more crowded room designated for single men. Some of the members of our team served the food onto trays, others cleaned the tables after the diners finished, and one of us was at the door controlling how many diners came in at a time. All of the guests we served were very friendly and enjoyed chatting and joking with us as they ate. One woman that seemed to be a regular at Saint Vincent de Paul's gave us helpful instructions us on the procedures we weren't familiar with at the soup kitchen. The atmosphere was very open and the diners were cheerful and talkative. Even though they are coping with the effects of poverty, many of the diners took the time to show their gratitude for what they were given. It was very moving to see. In addition, all of the staff at the soup kitchen were very kind and gave good, clear directions. The soup kitchen was very large and there were a number of groups volunteering there that day. We were also able to chat and make friends with the other volunteers, many of whom were high school students from surrounding areas.

We finished serving around 1 pm and after a short clean-up we were done with a fun day of service!

Just Listen

2009-02-03T12:39:00.000-08:00

Hello AYUDH recipient,

I am writing you from the library here in Grass Valley. Since this month's message is about LOVE I would like to share a quick story that just happened to me.

I was waiting outside for the library to open when a gruff looking man came out of the bank next to the library singing "the wheel in the sky keeps on turning" really loud. He is the kind of person that most people would likely turn away from, laugh at, or ignore completely. He proceeded to show me a picture that he was drawing with much pride and told me that the bank was going to let him hang it on the wall when he was finished. At this moment I felt love in my heart for this man. I continued to listen to his story about how he quit drinking at the beginning of the month, and how his baby granddaughter was just born on superbowl sunday, and how he has so much to live for. I listened to him when he began to cry as he told me that he knows god loves him even though he has done so many terrible things. I saw hope in his eyes when he talked about his drawings, and so much love when he spoke of his family.I didn't say much throughout this long discussion, but I knew that I helped just by being there and reflecting the love and hope and sadness that he was expressing.
I could have walked away when he started talking. I could have just kept walking to do the "very important" things that I was going to do. But what is more important lending an ear to someone in need, spontaneously on the street? I cant think of anything. It was a great gift.

Power to Love!
Peace to AYUDH.
Om Namah Shivaya,
Leah

AYUDH Recruiting

2009-01-31T21:17:00.000-08:00

Om Namah Shivaya,

The Michigan AYUDH group gave a video presentation about AUYUDH in the intercollegiate Dandia Dhamaka dance competition. At the event, we also collected interest from students of the University of Michigan in helping with community service projects in Ann Arbor. We need to practice collecting names and actively approaching students to see if they are interested in AYUDH but, for our first time, this was successful and some students came on their own accord to sign up!

Love infused Falafels

2009-01-26T22:03:00.000-08:00

Om Namah Shivaya- January at the M.A. Center in Cali-
AYUDH members lovingly made Falafels for dinner on the night of Karthika puja. Yes! Yes! As you know this month is "Eat to your fill" on our Calendar of CHANGE and 2009 is starting beautifully. Our Love infused Falafels were prepared in stages as Kripa and Gilad blended the tahini and falafel mix the night before. On the night of. . Maxi and Mahita showed up for veggie chopping. While listening to 2005 bhajans . . the peppers, cucumbers, onions, and lettuce were all mixed together to make a refreshing Mediterranean salad. Kripa with her amazing skills fried all the falafels as Gilad put the final blend of lemon and olive oil into the tahini. At last, we heated up the pita bread and made a plate for Amma. The meal was received with joy by the devotees and nothing was left over. With the intention of serving our brothers and sisters we offered this meal. From our hearts we pray that one day everyone may eat til their full. We pray that Ammas Grace may be with all of us this year guiding our actions, words, and thoughts towards a Spirit of Service.
In Gratitude- your San Ramon AYUDH brothers and sisters.

Chant your mantra while engaged in work. This way, the mind will be continuously focused on Him. — Amma

Bala Kendra Tree planting

2009-01-18T20:05:00.000-08:00

The tree planting today went really well! There were dozens of kids with their parents, those who knew Amma and many who did not, and about 10 AYUDH members to assist them. It was mostly for the Bala Kendra and younger children to get involved in helping the environment. Many of them had heard about the activity from a website, and were interested in helping. We started out by making nets for the trees we were going to plant. Then a short slide show was presented about Amma and the environment. Afterwards, the same instructions that were given to AYUDH were given to the kids and their parents at the spot where we all planted. It was pretty much the same activity we did, but modified for younger children. There were a few issues, like how people kept forgetting to put compost and mulch, and how parents sometimes refused to listen to the youth about digging, but overall it was fun and effective!

2nd Annual Youth Meet

2008-12-08T14:41:00.001-08:00

Aum Amriteswaryai Namah!

AYUDH Americas is happy to announce the 2nd Annual Youth Meet.

Please visit ayudh.org for more information.

We look forward to seeing all of you there!

-Gilad

Apples, Soccer and More!

2008-09-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

Aum Amriteswaryai Namah,

Dear Bay Area AYUDH Members,
We are pleased to announce the first post-tour AYUDH event.

On September 20th, 2008 all Bay Area AYUDH members are invited to come to the M.A. Center (10200 Crow Canyon Road, Castro Valley) for a day full of fun activities!

At 10am sharp, We will be creating some kind of Apple Delight. It might be chutney, it might be pickled Apple. It will DEFINITELY be good to eat. So please come for this selfless service (it's really a service, we have many lbs of homegrown apples to use up).

After sumptious lunch break AYUDH will hold a meeting for all new and old members to discuss why they love AYUDH and what goals/new ideas we have for the coming monthes.

This will all be followed by a rousing game of Soccer, or perhaps capture the flag. Your vote can decide.

Please RSVP to GiladGressel@gmail.com

Aum Amriteswaryai Namah

Bay Area Coordinators,

-Gilad, Sridevi and Kripa

Circle of Love Letter Writing

2008-08-30T08:10:00.000-07:00

Good Job on the Circle of Love and AYUDH Tour Promotions!

"I was surprized to see that we did pick up 26 writers this summer. We now have 74 writers. Last year at this time we had 42. So thank you for your help promoting the program. In Amma, Sivamayi"

Circle of Love Letters Contact:
circleofloveletters@hotmail.com

AYUDH Circle of Love Letter Point Person:
Lara, lara4art@yahoo.com, At Her Feet

An Invitation to Change

2008-08-28T22:50:00.000-07:00

Aum Amriteswaryai Namah!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Please carefully read the following message:

This summer during the Boston retreat, 20 of Amma's AYUDH children planted 2 sugar maple trees and 8 blueberry bushes. The significance behind this is quite vast, given the amount of attention Amma lavished on Her children. Not only was Amma completely supportive before the planting, afterwards Amma spend a long time watching a video of the planting, pausing it in order to continue giving darshan. Amma made two comments that night, the first was "It is so nice to see that Amma's children have made a place in their heart to love Nature" This was followed by Amma's instruction that "You should all think to yourselves, 'In this life I have taken so much from the world, what can I do to give back to the world?'" Amma wrapped up her discussion with us by feeding chocolate prasad.

AYUDH Americas would like to now invite everyone, across the continent, to become as active as possible in the many opportunities available to give back - to make a change. If you cannot plant a tree or bush, you can at least show some love and affection towards nature, by talking, singing and interacting with nature, or simply by picking up some litter.

One of AYUDH.Americas' prime objectives is to provide easy and simple activities in which Amma's youth can participate in seva and having fun. We are currently in the process of establishing chapters nationwide. In order to facilitate this we are asking that everyone who is interested in participating in AYUDH to write an email to GiladGressel@gmail.com

The text body should be something like "My name is X. I am X years old. I live in X. I am very
intersted in X" From that point we can start connecting the local groups.

Aum Amriteswaryai Namah

AYUDH Coordinators,
Sri Vidya, Gilad, Sri Devi, Neela, Kripa, Lalitha

Update From San Ramon

2008-08-26T17:46:00.001-07:00

Aum Amriteswaryai Namah,

Hello brothers and sisters. A small update here from San Ramon. Amma's US tour for the AYUDH.Americas was a smashing success. We have over 400 signatures of interested Youth across the country. Amma herself was overwhelmingly supportive of all our ideas for Seva and projects. In particular she has been talking about protecting and loving nature.

I know that many people are most likely wondering, "what now?"
The current answer is please stay tuned, by the end of this week we will be sending out some information about how you can get involved and the upcoming AYUDH events.

Of course there is no need to wait, you can go do something right now - please go out and serve the world. However if you are eagerly waiting for the next official AYUDH event! (and I know that's all of us), then please just stay tuned.

Additionally at this time AYUDH Americas is definitely looking for ideas on how it can grow and expand, so please if you have any ideas email them to info@ayudh.org

-Gilad

Tree Planting in Natick MA

2008-07-17T22:44:00.000-07:00

Namah Shivaya ALL!

We are pleased to inform everyone that AYUDH successfully planted 2 maple syrup trees and 8 blueberry bushes at the Natick Community Farm in Massachusetts.

On July 16th, the first day of the Boston area retreat, 20 AYUDH members travelled 30 minutes from Amma's program to the Natick Organic Community Farm.

Scenes from the event can be viewed at www.amritapuri.org. Click on the link for "video from Boston" (to be posted soon).

Perhaps more exciting than the actual planting was later that night; AYUDH members were able to carry a laptop up to Amma, who watched a short video trailer that highlighted the event. Amma asked a few questions about the event, such as what did we plant, what kind of farm it was, etc. Then She told all the youth present two very nice things. She said "It is so nice to see young people making a place in their hearts to love nature. We should all think, 'I have been alive so long, I have taken so much from the world, what can I give back?'"

Next year AYUDH will hopefully plant in more than one city on tour.

-Gilad

Albuquerque

2008-06-25T15:13:00.000-07:00

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

AYUDH Americas Summer Tour

2008-05-18T23:22:00.000-07:00

Namah Sivaya Everyone!

Tour is almost here! I know a bunch of us are counting down the days until we see Amma - I am so excited!

AYUDH Americas is so lucky this summer, because we have been given table space to have a display, mailing list, sell t-shirts and rakhi, and other information about AYUDH and all of our fabulous activities. This is a really precious opportunity, and we would like to invite all of you to participate and show your support.

We are inviting youth (15 - 30) in each city to come and spend time with us at the AYUDH table, talk to people, hang out, and have a good time.

If you are interested in doing this, just drop by the table. Bring friends, laugh, have fun! We get this opportunity to represent Amma's youth to the public, so let's show them who we are!

It would be really exciting to see everyone there!

I hope we do!

Circle of Love Letter Writing

2008-05-13T16:27:00.000-07:00

AYUDH members
have taken an interest
in writing for Circle of Love Letters!

Circle of Love Letters
is a group of people
all over the world
that write uplifting words
to other people
in need of
friendly words, a card, art or poetry etc.

Contact Lara at info@ayudh.org if you are interested AYUDH!
In Amma
May we all have peace.

(non AYUDH members very welcome also!)
Celebrate Life
and help someone else celebrate too!

"Compassion is not something one person has for another,
but rather something that arises
when one begins to see all others as ones own self"
-Amma, on compassion-

Let's do this together AYUDH America!

Santa Cruz Homeless Garden Project!!!

2008-04-04T18:19:00.000-07:00

The Santa Cruz Homeless Garden project is dedicated to helping the poor with job training and it provides them with fresh organic produce straight from the garden itself.

Amma is always stressing how essential it is to help and support people who are less fortunate then ourselves, and that it is important to stay connected and tuned into nature.

On April 26th we will be volunteering and helping the Santa Cruz Homeless Garden project do that exactly!

The event will consist of gardening (planting/weeding) and a delicious picnic lunch and games at Natural Brides beach!

Be at the MA Center by 8:30am, we will garden for a few hours and then have lunch until 3pm, returning to the ashram at 4:30pm.

Please bring clothes you can get dirty in as well as layers, sometimes Santa Cruz is nice and warm and sometimes not, so a t-shirt, sweater and jacket are advised. Also please bring 5 dollars to cover lunch costs.

Please RSVP by contacting AYUDH.Americas@gmail.com

What: Gardening at the Santa Cruz Homeless Garden project

Where: Santa Cruz

When: April 26th 8:30 am-4:30pm

What to bring: Layered clothes to get dirty in and $5 to cover lunch.

2008-03-25T18:36:00.001-07:00

Back to the Bay!!!

Half Moon Bay Habitat Restoration!

During our 2007 AYUDH retreat we visited a beach in beautiful Half Moon Bay. During our visit we helped remove invasive plants such as poison hemlock. By removing these invasive plants we created essential space for the native plants to grow and thrive, helping our ecosystem return to balance.

On April 5th AYUDH shall return to Half Moon Bay to continue helping in the on-going process!

Details

Departure: MA Center 8:30am Sharp!*
Return: We'll be back to the MA Center around 4pm.
Bring: Please bring some clothes you can work in, get muddy etc. Please also bring 5 dollars to cover lunch costs.

Please RSVP to AYUDH.Americas@gmail.com

We absolutely need to know who is coming to this event in order to plan transportation, food, and coordinate with the HMB officials.

Thanks!

-Gilad

*If you would like to meet us at the beach, rather than carpool from MA Center. Please email thebluejew@gmail.com for directions.

Pysanky Eggs with Lara!

2008-03-10T08:28:00.001-07:00

Namah Shivaya Folks,

We are lucky enough to be hosting a very cool workshop at the MA Center. Lara Lenta will teach us how to paint Pysanky Easter Eggs. Example is below

Please come and join us at the MA Center. This Saturday, March 15th, 2pm. We'll be meeting on the deck of the main house. Space is limited so RSVP to lara4art@yahoo.com. All materials will be provided.

2008-03-09T18:37:00.000-07:00

Back to the Bay!!!

Half Moon Bay Habitat Restoration!

Half Moon Bay, CA

April 5th, 2008

Leaving MA Center 830am Sharp.

Bring some old clothes and the insatiable desire for FUN.

Circle of Love Letter Writers

2008-03-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!
I would like to share Circle of Love Letters with all of you!
I have been doing Circle of Love Letters since 2007!

Circle of Love Letters is a group of people who write to others once a week for 3 months.
The people written to may have an illness, take care of someone, or just need to know that a complete stranger cares about them and that they are loved. It can be any sort of reason and the people who write can be any sort of people.

I have written to people who are caretakers, a person who moved far away from home, a woman in a convalescent home, people with illnesses, and so on. I have learned a lot about myself by this wonderful SEVA. It is organized by Amma devotees but you do not have to be an Amma devotee to be a Circle of Love Letter writer nor do you have to be an Amma devotee to be a recipient of the Circle of Love Letters. The people getting letters do not have to write back. However, they are told that they may if they want to.

You can send notes, letters, poems, art, tea bags and any other number of small items per week. There are guidelines and you and your recipients would be checked on via email, especially when you first start out. All the letters you write to recipients are sent through the "snail mail" post.

It is also a good support system. For example: My grandmother died this January. I let my the Circle of Love Letters writers know. Within the next few weeks about a dozen letters were sent to my family's house with love and support for me and my loved ones in a time of need. It was really good to have and some of the words written were so touching I cried.

So even if you are only interested, please feel free to contact me (Lara) and I can send you further information or refer a question to Sivamayi who is currently organizing the letters.

*It would be great to be participating with Circle of Love Letters as a group: AYUDH America!*

Thank you so much for reading!
At Amma's Feet,
Lara of Amma's AYUDH
lara4art@yahoo.com
510 825 8944 if you prefer talking. :)

Contact Sivamayi.
Email: circleofloveletters@hotmail.com
if you already know you would like to participate.

Please note there is also a different Amma inspired group writing to incarcerated people. This is not that group. Facebook-ers, can check out: Circle of Love Letter Writers on Facebook

Om Amritheswaryai Namah

AYUDH Bakesale at MA Center on March 8th!!

2008-02-23T21:06:00.000-08:00

Hi All,
It's already time for our 2nd Bakesale!! We are scheduled for March 8th - we did really well last time so let's try to do even better!! Lessons learned from last time:

1. Need more pizzas
2. More savory snacks
3. We had a lot of duplicates so ended up with excess. This time if each person can make sure they let me know what they are bringing ahead of time we can be more organized.

E-mail me at ammasg3@hotmail.com or call me at 925-819-6532!

Namah Shivaya,
Gayathri

Tree/Acorn Planting at MAC Feb 16th.

2008-02-13T18:54:00.000-08:00

Namah Shivayah AYUDH members,
An exciting opportunity has arisen! Come February 16th, 2008 the MA center is hosting a Greenfriends/AYUDH adventure. We will be planting Acorn seeds, which will hopefully grow up to become big beautiful trees. Acorns are wonderful trees to plant at the ashram because they are native to the land.
Greenfriends is organizing the logistics of the event and has kindly invited AYUDH to help facilitate the event. This means that we (AYUDH) would be there helping instruct people as how to correctly plant acorn seeds. Already three of our members have been trained. For the rest of us who require training please show up at 9am on the 16th. Seethala will then teach us everything we need to know.
Please come! IT will be FUuuuun!Here are the details for the planting.
Acorn Planting Opportunity*
"If we haven't done any selfless act, we should plant a tree or sapling; that would be a truly selfless deed, benefiting others and ourselves." Amma
Om Namah Shivaya,Come Join Green Friends and AYUDH youth in planting acorns above Amma's meditation meadowSat. February 16th10:30am to 12:30pmand2:30pm to 4:30pmMeet in the meditation meadow by the Swan PondWear boots and rain gear, gloves, acorns and shovels provided

Retreat 2007 Memories!

2008-01-18T16:00:00.000-08:00

Om Amriteshwaryai Namaha!

Ayudh 2007 Retreat

I was fortunate enough to attend the first ever AYUDH America youth retreat, which took place between December 27th and December 30th 2007 at the MA Center- Amma’s ashram in San Ramon, California. It was an incredible experience to connect with a group of young people who were so diverse, yet also like-minded in intentions and goals.
This fall, some of the young people from America went on Amma’s European tour and were very impressed with the camaraderie and enthusiasm of the youths around Amma in Europe, and were inspired upon hearing about the AYUDH International Youth Exchange that took place in Germany this year. With the roots of AYUDH in India, and a strong branch in Europe- it was time for a branch in America to be initiated, and with less than two months of intense planning, it began!
Most of the retreat took place in a very picturesque part of the ashram, which is actually a beautiful house in the hills, with no roads or highways in sight; the perfect place for a “retreat” from the rigors of high school, universities and the working world. We all began arriving Thursday afternoon and the initial activity we did was some light seva while watching the Amrita TV program Ammayodappam. Once everyone arrived, we began with some ice-breaker games so that we could get to know each others’ names and to kick-off the retreat with some fun and laughter. After the orientation and dinner, we celebrated all the December and January birthdays with a big cake that said “Happy Birthday AYUDH America” which was appropriate, as we were also there to celebrate the birth of AYUDH America itself. After dinner we sat in the main temple of the ashram and Dayamrita Swami gave an inspirational talk on the meaning of AYUDH- Amrita Yuva Dharma Dara, or the flow of Dharma through the youths, and he also taught us that the Sanskrit word Ayudh literally means “without war.” After the talk, we all participated in the evening bhajans.
The next morning at 5:30 AM, and for every morning of the retreat, there was the chanting of the Sri Lalitha Sahasranama archana in the temple. After the archana, the Mahisasuramardini stotram was chanted as well. Even though attendance was optional, there was a nice turnout everyday! The true inauguration of AYUDH America took place that next morning, with Dayamrita Swami leading us all in a Puja, which included the chanting of the 108 names. He also spoke to us about the importance of spiritual practice, and gave us very practical advice on how to incorporate it into the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. A deep peace pervaded the atmosphere as Swamiji led us in a meditation; and it truly felt like Amma’s blessings were there with all of us.
Following a tasty pancake breakfast was an infinitely special treat; a live web cast of Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri from Amma’s ashram in India. In the midst of his ever-busy schedule, Swamiji took the time to talk to us- and with us, about the theme of this retreat and AYUDH America- Be the change. Swamiji told us that if we change ourselves that is the first step in changing the world around us. He gave us advice on how we can make an inner change. He taught us that music does not come from the guitarist’s fingertips; that the music comes from beyond, and like that, change also comes from beyond, and that Amma, or God is the changeless core of life. Swamiji told many funny stories and anecdotes that had us all laughing, and he even asked us questions and interacted with us. What stuck out the most to me was when Swamiji said that we should think simply, that as a group we should not start out with huge ideas, but small accomplishable ones, and that we should use Amma’s simplicity as a role model. Towards the end, one of the retreatants asked Swamiji to sing a bhajan. He sang Shristiyum Niye, and all of us sang along in response. It was such a beautiful moment, and definitely a major highlight of the retreat. Afterwards, we sat together to further discuss the meaning of be the change and had an opportunity to ask specific questions to Dayamrita Swami.
The rest of the afternoon was spent participating in an interesting array of activities. We split up into 4 groups and rotated between 4 different workshops. The first, named “Creative Giving” gave us an opportunity to make one square of what will later be a quilt. We had many paints to work with and a stencil of the AYUDH logo, and were given free reign to create any design we wanted. Another workshop was a question and answer session with Dayamrita Swami. It was so nice to sit in a small intimate group and to feel comfortable to ask him anything that we felt like. He also told us many funny stories of his experiences with Amma, and on the spiritual path that made us laugh, and in some cases moved us to tears. One of the facilitators of the retreat put together a power point presentation as one of the workshops, which highlighted the words and works of some of the great movers and shakers of our time- and before our time- like Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Teddy Roosevelt and Amma. The final workshop, Divine Delights, had us hands-on baking cookies and cupcakes and decorating them. This showed those of us not familiar with baking, just how easy and fun it can be. The cookies were sold at the next evening’s satsang to raise money for Amma’s charitable activities.
Later in the afternoon we played a competitive, yet fun game of charades, as well as a game of Jeopardy- it was projected on the big screen and we even had buzzers! The game tested our listening skills by giving us questions on Swamiji’s web cast and Dayamrita Swami’s satsangs. After dinner, and the evening bhajans, we relaxed after a packed day, with popcorn and a light hearted movie.
On Saturday morning, Dayamrita Swami again lead us in meditation and prayers and then we quickly set off on an outing; AYUDH America’s first service project. We caravanned to Half Moon Bay to do some habitat restoration on the coast. The weather had been quite stormy the day before, but by the time we reached the beach, the rain let up. A park ranger met with us and explained that the native plants of the California coast were being choked out by foreign-introduced invasive species, and that this has an effect on the entire ecosystem. She showed us the invasive species, gave us all hoes, and we dug in! After removing many of the invasives, we began to plant native species such as strawberry and sage plants. This was so much fun and it quickly became obvious that with so many people working together, seemingly big jobs can get done almost effortlessly. While we didn’t completely finish removing all of the invasive species in the area, we cleared a good chunk of it, and we get to look forward to doing more work there together in the future. As we were leaving the beach, it began to rain, which felt like a blessing for the new plants, giving them a good chance to grow and thrive.
In the late afternoon we had a discussion group with Jay Misra, one of Amma’s devotees that lives in the San Ramon ashram. He spoke to us about the problem of farmer suicide in India, and showed us a very informative video on the matter. Most of us had not been aware of this issue and it sparked a lively discussion on why it is happening and what we can possibly do individually and as a group to help bring about a remedy to this horrible situation.
That evening at the ashram was the regular Saturday public program, and all of us wore our new AYUDH t-shirts. Four of the retreat participants gave a short talk about their experience of the retreat so far. The Bhajans themselves were lead by Dayamrita Swami along with the youth singing and playing the instruments and performing the Arati.
The next day was the final day of our retreat. After the final round of meditation and prayers, we all came together to talk about some short term and long term goals that we as AYUDH America want to accomplish. Over the course of the retreat, numerous ideas had come up about different fundraisers and seva activities that we can do together, and it became obvious during the discussion which ideas had the most steam. Environmental projects seemed to be very popular for our group, so one pledge we made was to plant a certain number of trees before Amma’s next visit. If everyone does just a little bit, then as a group we should easily be able to accomplish that goal. My favorite pledge is that we will meet again at least 3 more times before Amma’s visit in June. And since be the change is not just about how we can change the world, but how we can change ourselves, we each wrote a letter addressed to ourselves with a pledge of how we plan to change our own thoughts and actions this year, and this will be mailed to us around the same time next year. For the final activity of the retreat, we all gathered on a hill just above the Amrita Hall to plant a tree. We planted this tree together not just to mark the end of the retreat, but as a prayer for the beginning of AYUDH America. While chanting Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu, we each put some soil and poured water on the base of the tree, and when it was finished, one of the kids said that we should name it “Amrita Ayudh,” meaning “Immortal Peace”. May its roots grow deep into the soil, and with Amma’s grace, may it grow towards the sky with strength and perserverence.

-Vilasini

SIGN-UP NOW!!!!

2007-12-11T11:43:00.001-08:00

AYUDH - Youth in Action Retreat ("Be the Change you want to see in the World")

Thanks for all the youth that have registered already. We are loooking forward to everyone's participation!!

Time to Register, go to http://amma.org/events/youth-retreat.html

Financial aid is available on a case by case basis. Please email us at ayudh.americas@gmail.com if you're interested.

Retreat Details

2007-12-01T22:48:00.000-08:00

When: Holiday Season, December 27th-30th

Where: MA Center

10200 Crow Canyon Road

San Ramon, CA 94552

Why: AYUDH - is a movement of young people who aspire to lead a life based on universal values. Starting with ourselves, we want to help generate a future of hope, peace and social engagement while maintaining an awareness of spiritual principles.

Who: Youth, ages 15-30yrs

$75 for entire retreat, includes yummy food, accomodation, and all activities.

Contact: ayudh.americas@gmail.com

AYUDH Youth Retreat

2007-12-01T22:38:00.001-08:00

Amrita Yuva Dharma Dhara (AYUDH)

"Be the Change you want to see in the world" - Mahatma Gandhi

Attention all young people, the rumor is true, there will be a youth and young adult retreat at the MA Center in San Ramon, CA. The dates have been set for the Holiday Season, December 27th-30th. This will be a great opportunity for Amma's youth to get together at Her ashram and partake in activites such as, discussion groups, workshops, bhajans, hands-on community service projects and question & answer sessions with Dayamrita Swamiji. Besides it will be a lot of fun and a great way to meet Amma devotees from all over the country. If you want to be in the loop or would like more information please email us!!

ayudh.americas@gmail.com

See you there!!