"Amma Has a Desire"

Tuesday, 21 September 2004, Amritapuri

Amma has a desire," Amma told the 5,000 people gathered to pray together as part of the United Nation's International Day of Peace. "Everyone in the world should be able to sleep without fear, at least for one night. Everyone should be able to eat to his or her fill, at least for one day. There should be at least one day when hospitals see no one admitted due to violence. By doing selfless service for at least one day, everyone--from little children to the very elderly--should help raise money for the poor and needy... even if by making toys. It is Amma's prayer that at least this small dream be realised."

It had been little more than a week since Amma voiced Her full support for the U.N.'s cause--which centred around a worldwide minute-long silent prayer at 12:00 noon.

During that week, Amma inspired hundreds of thousands of Her devotees and admirers to take part in the prayer, with the simple message: "No matter where you are on that day at 12 noon--whether you are at home, in the office, in the bathroom, the market, the shopping centre--irrespective of your faith and religion, stop what you are doing, close your eyes and pray one minute for world peace."

Amma's plea for the world's participation spread like wildfire--through email, word of mouth and newspapers--prompting even the U.N.'s organising committee to acknowledge the energy Amma had infused into the event.

In the end, all of Amma's educational institutions, hospitals and branch ashrams participated, as well as Her devotees from virtually every country in the world. Professors stopped classes; Air India announced the designated time on many of its flights; the city of Tampere, Finland allowed for the organisation of the prayer in the city square. In truth, it's impossible to say just how many people were motivated to supplicate to God for the peace and harmony of all beings.

"Today, the need for prayer and spiritual practices is greater than ever before," Amma said. "There are people who think, "What can my individual prayers possibly change?" We shouldn't think this way. Through prayer, we are sowing the seeds of love. If just one flower were to blossom in the middle of a desert, wouldn't it at least be something. If a tree were to grow there, wouldn't it at least provide some small amount of shade?

"Terrorists, the violent and the warmongers--their love has run dry. They have no compassion. May the prayers of crores of people like us fill the atmosphere with love and compassion and thereby help bring about a change in their attitudes, at least to some extent."

Upon the conclusion of Her satsang, Amma led everyone through a short meditation and five minutes of chanting the ancient peace mantra "Om lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu."

At 12:00 noon sharp, as per the U.N.'s request, Amma asked everyone to stand and observe a minute in silent prayer. "Feel your heart filling with peace," Amma said. "Then imagine that peace spreading out to pervade the entire world, like clouds being carried by the wind."

To conclude, Amma walked out to the year-old banyan sapling that is planted in the ashram garden. During Amritavarsham50, Amma's 50th Birthday Celebration for Peace & Harmony, the sapling was watered by Amma, President Kalam and the then Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Anthony with waters collected by Amma's devotees from 191 United Nation-member countries.

There, Amma lit an oil lamp at the sapling's side and reverently walked around its base three times. She then showered flower petals in all four directions and carefully laid a garland around its base. Finally, Amma lovingly poured water at its base, offered a long prostration and blessed it with flower petals.

Amma then returned to the meditation hall where She led everyone in singing "Bhajore Bhajo Krishna Hari Ram." She then served a full plate of prasad to one and all with Her own hands.

--Sakshi

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