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November 2016
Welcome to the November 2016 edition of Amma’s Melbourne and Australian Ashram newsletter. Highlights for this month include continuation of Br Shraddhamrita Chaitanya's 2016 Australian Tour.
For further details and general enquiries please email melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au. For updates, please check www.ammaaustralia.org.au.
Aum Namah Shivaya
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"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. It is the spring of life; it makes it ever new and fresh.” - Amma
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Events in November 2016 |
Sundays
9.30am – 1pm |
Satsang every week at Amma's Australian Ashram
Contact: melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au |
Saturdays
10am - 4pm |
Seva at Ashram
Location: Amma's Australian Ashram
Contact: Mani 0425 114 447 |
Friday 4 Nov - Sunday 6 Nov
(Starts at 7pm) |
Silent Meditative Retreat by Br Shraddhamrita Chaitanya
Location: Amma's Australian Ashram
Contact: melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au |
Saturday 5 Nov
Lunch |
Mother's Kitchen
Location: Collingwood Neighbourhood House
Contact: motherskitchenmelb@ammaaustralia.org.au |
Sunday 6 Nov
11.30am - 12.45pm |
Balakendra Class
Location: Amma’s Australian Ashram
Contact: Nava 0415 966 375 |
Saturday 12 Nov
6.15pm - 9pm |
Chanting Night
Location: Dance of Life Yoga Studio, 250 George St, Fitzroy
Contact: Nava 0415 966 375 |
Sunday 13 Nov
7.30am
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Ganapathy & Navagraha Homa by Br Shraddhamrita Chaitanya
Location: Amma's Australian Ashram
Contact: melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au |
Sunday 13 Nov
7.30am |
Vilakku Puja
Location: Amma's Australian Ashram
Contact: melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au
Note: Please see notes under Forthcoming Event Details about confirmation of puja. |
Monday 14 Nov -
Friday 18 Nov
7.30pm - 9pm |
Lectures on Dakshinamurthy Stotram
Location: Amma's Australian Ashram
Contact: melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au |
Friday 18 Nov
6.15pm - 9pm |
Satsang in the City
Location: Dance of Life Yoga Studio, 250 George St, Fitzroy
Contact: Yashwin 0452 627 901 |
Saturday 26 Nov
Lunch |
Mother's Kitchen
Location: Preston
Contact: motherskitchenmelb@ammaaustralia.org.au |
| Sunday 27 Nov 11.30am - 12.45pm |
Balakendra Class
Location: Amma’s Australian Ashram
Contact: Nava 0415 966 375 |
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Forthcoming Event Details
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Silent Meditative Retreat
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Vilakku Puja and Homas at Amma's Ashram
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Vilakku Puja
Many of the traditional practices of past ages were designed to impart peave of mind to those who engaged in them, but with the passage of time this aim was lost sight of and traditions degenerated into mechanical rituals which were performed without understanding and only out of a sense of duty. Seeing the sufferings of her children in this so-called progressive era in which peace of mind seems like an utopian ideal, Amma, from the fathomless depths of her Universal Heart, reintroduced to us certain ancient forms.
Amma did this very subtly, without much fanfare, but now when we look around, we see large numbers of people ardently engages in these practices. The changes wrought in their lives, in the form of increasing peace of mind, provide living proof of the efficacy of these methods of spiritual endeavour.
One of these practices is the Vilakku Puja. When, with a heart full of loving trust, we sincerely and regularly do this puja, we start feeling the presence of the Divine within our hearts. The culmination of this practises is the attainment of a state of mind in which we experience perfect and unbroken peace of mind.
The Vilakku Puja consists of performing a series of symbolic ritualistic actions around a lighted oil lamp. The light symbolizes knowledge, illuminating and enlightening us. The light emanating from the lamp removes darkness, ignorance and evil. The light or knowledge shows us the way out of our problems, fears, tensions and unhappiness. The light of the lamp is believed to bring in prosperity, as knowledge or wisdom is the greatest form of wealth.
Date: 13 Nov 2016
Time: 7.30 am
Cost: $65.00
Please let us know if you are interested to register for the Vilakku Puja by emailing the completed Vilakku Puja Registration form to melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au. The puja will be conducted in the Dining Structure of the Ashram.
If the weather is good, we will proceed with the puja. For those of you who have registered for the puja, we will inform you by the 11th of November 2016 if the puja is cancelled.
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Ganapathy Homa
For positive vibrations in the house, when starting new ventures such as a new job, or generally to remove obstacles.
Date: 13 Nov 2016
Time: 7.30 am
Cost: $65.00
Navagraha Homa
Puja for individual/all planets.
Homa can be done for all the planets or an individual planet. If you are unsure which planets to do the Homa for, we can guide you using astrological determinations (for a donation).
Date: 13 Nov 2016
Time: 7.30 am
Cost: $35.00 (for each individual planet) or $250.00 (for all planets)
If you wish to register for the Puja, contact Sindhu on 0434 624 181 or email melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au. It is free to watch for those who do not wish to register.
Pre-registration is essential.
If you wish to register for one of the homas or Vilakku Puja, please register by 8pm, 12 Nov 2016.(previous day) |
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Puja is ritualistic worship of the Divine performed to keep us in harmony with cosmic forces, thereby removing and overcoming the sorrows of life and bringing spiritual upliftment. By doing puja, thoughts and vibrations of spiritual forces are created around us. These spiritual forces work to eliminate the negative influences in our life and help surround us with positive energy which can bring us peace of mind, material prosperity and enable us to more clearly touch the Divine, our true nature.
Br Shraddhamrita is available to conduct pujas at homes of devotees.
The dates that are available for these pujas are:
7 Nov 2016
8 Nov 2016
10 Nov 2016
Contact Sindhu on 0434 624 181 or melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au to enquire about booking a puja to be conducted at your home.
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Lectures on Dakshinamurthy Stotram
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A highly meditative text which covers the entire spectrum of Indian philosophical in 10 verses. The understanding of the message imbued in this text, results in an immediate deepening of our spiritual practice (sadhana).
Venue: Amma’s Australia Ashram
Dates: Monday 14 November – Friday 18 November (5 days)*
Time: 7.30pm – 9pm
Cost: Free
*Light dinner provided after the session.
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Amma's 63rd Birthday Celebrations
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The month of September was filled with celebrations: Onam early in the month and two of Amma’s birthdays. Onam’s highlights were the traditional dance by a group of woman, another dance by two children and the Onam feast of 18 different dishes, which was shared with so many people that two sittings had to be organized so that all could have their fill.
Amma’s birthdays were celebrated in different ways. On the Tuesday night celebration, the sound of bhajans filled the atmosphere and devotion melted from hearts of all participants and listeners. Amma’s presence was definitely palpable. The evening concluded with a delicious multi course dinner, which left us all fulfilled.
The Saturday night festivity had a cultural focus. Bhajans started the celebration, followed by speeches from various VIP’s, all in praise of Amma.
Dancing was next on the program. One of our youngest child devotees delighted us with her elegant dance. Another young lady showed her dance skills performing to a version of Ayi Giri Nandini. And finally a young man brought us almost to our feet with his boisterous dance performance, which raised the atmosphere from devotion to exhilaration. This celebration too ended in a sumptuous feast.
All in all, the month of September was a month of great celebration.
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THE SHANTI TREE – Fundraising Project
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The Ashram Development Committee would like to invite all to participate in a special sponsorship project pertaining to establishing a symbolic Shanti tree. The tree will symbolize the prayer for peace for all beings in the world. It is made locally in Melbourne from recycled-metal and will be featured externally at the entrance to the hall. All funds from this giving tree concept will be directed to the Ashram development.
The Shanti tree will have 54 leaves, and the sponsorship amount for each leaf is $1,000.00. Each sponsor (or his/her nominee) will be entitled to:
- have his/her initials inscribed on a leaf (up to two letters); and
- a Special Ganesh Homa which will be undertaken at the ashram.
Please see further details on sponsorship below (payment by instalments is possible as well).
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To make a donation, you may pay:
On-line: Donations can be made by credit card (Mastercard or Visa only) through the web site www.ammaaustralia.org.au. Click on the Donation Icon on the home page and choose ‘Ashram Fund’.
For One-off payment click once only and pay the full amount. If by instalment please choose monthly 2 @ $500 each or 4 at $250 each or 5 @ $200 each.
Please complete the donation form and return by mail or email (details below) to ensure your donation is allocated to the Shanti Tree Sponsorship.
Direct Debit: Please send an email to macentreaccounts@ammaaustralia.org.au requesting the banking details and requirements.
By mail: Cheques/Money Orders (made payable to: M.A. Centre (Aust) Pty Ltd “Australian Ashram Fund”) or with Credit Card details: Please complete the Donation form in full and post to address below.
For further information, please contact Nava Subramaniam on 0415966375 or navaamma@gmail.com
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SHANTI TREE SPONSORSHIP FORM
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Ashram satsang, every Sunday, 9.30am to 1pm
Join us for satsang every Sunday at Amma's Australian Ashram. Satsang at the Ashram begins with chanting the 1000 names of the Divine Mother (Sri Lalita Sahasranama) followed by the washing of Amma's padukas and children's bhajans, the 108 names of Amma, a short spiritual talk, bhajans (devotional singing) and meditation. There is no need to attend the whole program; come for as long as you like. We welcome you to stay to share lunch afterwards.
| 9.30am – 10.30am |
Chanting Lalita Sahasranama |
| 10.30am – 11.00am |
Pada Puja & Children's Bhajans |
| 11am – 1.00pm |
Satsang: 108 Names of Amma, Spiritual Message, Bhajans, Arati, Meditation, and Closing Prayers |
| 1.00pm |
Lunch |
Contact: melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au
To sponsor satsang is a wonderful opportunity for you and your family members to be guided in the ritual washing of Amma's padukas; adorning them with sacred sandalwood paste, kum kum, vibhuti (ash) and flowers.
You will also be guided to do the "food offering" to Amma. Such rituals are a beautiful way to express your love for Amma and receive Her grace and blessing for any special occasions; be it a birthday, anniversary etc.
If you would like to sponsor a satsang, perhaps for a special occasion such as a birthday, please contact Udayan for more information on 9700 6301.
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City Satsang in Fitzroy - Friday 18 November 2016 - 6.30pm – 8pm
Join us for the monthly satsang in Fitzroy. Come along for a program of chanting, bhajans (devotional singing), and meditation, followed by light refreshments.
Location: Dance of Life Yoga Studio, upstairs 250 George St, Fitzroy
Contact: Yashwin - 0452 627 901 / Karri - 0455 502 267
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Chanting and Fundraising Dinner
- Saturday 12 November, 6.15pm - 10pm
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Come along for an evening of singing and feasting, hosted by Dance of Life Yoga studio in Fitzroy.
Date and time: 12 November, 6.15pm–10pm
Location: Dance of Life Studio for Yoga and Healing, 250 George St, Fitzroy
Contact: Nava 0415 966 375
Suggested donation: $15.
Dance of Life will donate all funds raised towards Amma’s Ashram Development Fund.
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Amrita Balakendra – 2016 at Amma’s Australian Ashram
“The training and discipline which are given in youth will create a strong impression in the mind and play a great role in the building of character. Parents should take care not only to feed and fulfill the wishes of their children but also to discipline them, instilling faith and good culture." Amma
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The Balakendra children have had a very busy month . On 1st October, as part of Amma's Birthday celebrations, the children offered a wonderful play on Mother Nature. The play related the dangers of ignoring environmental protection and how the well being of humanity and the environment are inter-connected. The two narrators, and eight actors received a long and warm applause from a very appreciative crowd!
On 18th October, Shraddhaji gave a special Balakendra class. The children reflected on the importance of having a positive and caring attitude and the importance of awareness. Following Amma's recent advice to children, Swami also suggested to the Balakendra students to practice reciting the following sloka in the mornings - as soon as they wake up. He showed them how to hold both their palms in front of their face upon awaking and to chant the sloka....
Here is an excerpt from Amma's message:
Amma went on to speak about the importance of teaching values to children at a very young age. So saying, she proceeded to teach a two-year-old child to chant the sloka below. In the morning, Amma told the child, first thing when you wake up, look at your palm and chant:
karagre vasate lakshmi kara madhye saraswati
karamoole tu govinda prabhate kara darshanam
and she went on to explain the meaning of the sloka:
Lakshmi resides at the top of the palm,
Amma explained. In the middle, Saraswati. At the base of the palm, Gouri/Govinda resides.
Amma continued:
We pray to Lakshmi for money.
We pray to Saraswati for knowledge.
We pray to Gauri or Govinda for health.
All three are needed for a healthy life.
This mantra holds both spiritual and material meaning.
“The training and discipline which are given in youth will create a strong impression in the mind and play a great role in the building of character. Parents should take care not only to feed and fulfill the wishes of their children but also to discipline them, instilling faith and good culture." Amma
Children are encouraged to participate in a special Children's Chanting and Bhajan session from 10.30am - 11.00 am on Sundays.
Date: 6 & 27 November 2016
Location: Amma's Australian Ashram
Contact: Nava 0415 966 375
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SEVA (Selfless Service) at Amma’s Australian Ashram
Every Saturday (10am - 4pm)
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Our beloved Amma has given us a wonderful Ashram property to develop and maintain. All year people have been undertaking seva at the Ashram during the week and on Saturdays, preparing the hall and buildings for use and beautifying and maintaining the whole property.
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Ashram Garden Seva
The cooler months are the busiest time in the garden with pruning, weed control, transplanting, disease control, edging and mulch removal. Much of this work is light, so there is something for everyone to do.
If you are able to contribute some/part of your Saturdays in this period, please come between 10am and 4pm.
It assists with organisation, if you are able to notify Mani on manik.kalimuthu@gmail.com or 0425 114 447 beforehand. However if you haven’t been able to call, don’t worry, just come.
Your seva contributions are greatly valued and appreciated, Jai Ma!
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Mother's Kitchen Melbourne is moving to Preston to join the Darebin Community Canteen
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Mother's Kitchen
Collingwood, Saturday 5 November 2016, Lunchtime
Preston, Saturday 26 November 2016, Lunchtime
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We have been running Mother’s Kitchen at Collingwood Neighbourhood House for the past five years. We have served lunch every first Saturday of the month to older people, those from linguistically diverse background, and those in need.
From October onwards we have joined the Darebin Community Canteen and we will be serving lunch every last Saturday of the month.
Darebin Community Canteen is a free meals program. The program is a partnership between the Anglican Parish of Jika Jika, Secondbite and Darebin Council. It was established to address food insecurity in Darebin. It serves lunch every Saturday and it relies on the generosity and contribution of local volunteers to run it. More than 95% of the ingredients are donated. A variety of fresh produce is provided for guests to take home after lunch. This promotes environmental sustainability by reducing food waste.
Should you wish to support this worthwhile service but cannot volunteer in a physical sense, then please do not hesitate to make a donation online. These funds are used to cover the cost of ingredients and incidental expenses in running the program. Please contact motherskitchenmelb@ammaaustralia.org.au if you are interested in volunteering at the Preston kitchen in Melbourne. |
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Mother’s kitchen Melbourne is serving free lunch every first Saturday of the month at Collingwood Neighbourhood House. Our vegetarian meal includes a main vegetable dish, noodle or pasta, rice, spring roll or dumpling, salad, fruit, and desert. We have been receiving positive feedback from our kitchen.
Should you wish to support this worthwhile service but cannot volunteer in a physical sense, then please do not hesitate to make a donation online. These funds are used to cover the cost of ingredients and incidental expenses in running the program.
Please contact motherskitchenmelb@ammaaustralia.org.au if you are interested in volunteering at the Collingwood kitchen in Melbourne.
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Following Amma’s Australian Tour April 2015, at Amma’s request that our organisation should be more involved in community service, the M. A. Centre Foundation (Aust) - with Swami Ramakrishnananda Puri’s (one of Amma’s senior disciple) guidance, initiated a Breakfast Club Program in July 2015. The program started with five schools neighbouring the Melbourne Ashram – Food items were supplied to the schools in order to provide breakfast meals for children who would otherwise start the day without breakfast due to a variety of reasons including the economic and social circumstances.
The M. A. Centre (Aust) is really pleased to have undertaken such a project which is very much in line with Amma’s dream: 'Everyone in the world should eat to his fill, at least for one day’. With Amma’s Divine Grace, we have been able to set up this project in a really short time and it is already bearing fruit.
In early 2016, working closely with our local MP's office to identify those schools in most need, the Foundation was able to add 3 new schools to the existing five that MAC provides breakfast meals. The schools run the breakfast program 2 – 5 times a week depending on their respective needs and approx. 300 primary school students can now have a healthy meal to start their day at school.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – this is known to one and all. Most of us are very fortunate to wake up every morning and a hot meal would be ready for us. However, this is not the case for everyone and it is quite concerning that, in today’s world, there are still children who are going to school without eating breakfast or any food at all for the rest of the day.
The breakfast program has a range of impact on students – including better health, educational and social benefits. With a proper breakfast to start the day, they can better concentrate in class and also have a much better learning experience and as well proper nutrition.
As Amma’s children, we are very pleased to be able to make a direct impact on the community. The Breakfast Club has been well received by the community and we are very grateful to Amma for her unconditional love towards all of her children. This project is only possible with the help of volunteers (including school staff and parents). Should you wish to be part of this project, we would love you hear from you.
Contact:
Yashwin Mahadea
Email | breakfastclubmelb@ammaaustralia.org.au
Mobile | 0425 627 901
Online Donations: If you wish to contribute to the Breakfast Club program, donations can be made by credit cards (Mastercard or Visa only) through the web site www.ammaaustralia.org.au. Click on the Donation Icon on the home page and choose Melbourne Kids Breakfast club or follow the following link: Donate to Breakfast Club. |
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The next general meeting will be on the 15 Juanuary 2017, 1.45pm - 2.30pm.
All are welcome to attend.
If you would like to suggest an item for discussion at the monthly meeting, please email melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au
If you have any queries, please email melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au
MONTHLY ASHRAM WEEKEND PROGRAM
| Every Sunday |
9.30am – 1pm |
Satsang |
| 1st Sunday of every alternate month |
1.45pm – 2.30pm |
General Meeting
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| 1st and 3rd Sunday |
10.30am – 11.45am |
Balakendra Class |
| Every Saturday |
10am – 4pm |
Seva Day |
MONTHLY outside Ashram WEEKEND PROGRAM
| 1st Saturday |
12.30pm |
Mother's Kitchen Collingwood |
| 3rd Friday |
7.30pm – 9.30pm |
City Satsang |
| Last Saturday |
12.30pm |
Mother's Kitchen Preston |
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Contact Us
Want to subscribe to receive this newsletter by email?
Email us and we will add you to our mailing list. To unsubscribe from our mailing list, click "unsubscribe from this list" link below, or email us with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. We do not share your details with anyone.
Any suggestions? If you have any suggestions for improving this newsletter, or you would like to contribute an item, please contact us at melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au
AMMA's Australian Ashram
842 Frankston-Dandenong Road,
Carrum Downs, VIC 3201
Residence Phone: (03) 9782 9927
Email: ashram@ammaaustralia.org.au |
M.A.Centre (Aust) Pty Ltd – Melbourne
PO BOX 2587, Cheltenham,
Victoria 3192, Australia
Office Phone: (03) 9782 9398
melbourne@ammaaustralia.org.au |
Aum Amriteswaryai Namah
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