Jan 7: Question & Answer Session with Br. Ramanand

The following is an excerpt from the Q&A session held during the One-Day Retreat with Br. Ramanand on Jan 7, 2016.

How do I strengthen my faith in the Guru? I sometimes have doubts.

The Guru (Teacher) Shishya (Disciple) relationship is like a mother teaching a child to walk by holding the child’s hand. In the beginning, the child must hold the mother’s hand, or it will fall down. The mother, on the other hand, delights in seeing the child walk, but does not need to hold the child’s hand in order to walk. In the same way, the disciple’s faith is for the benefit of the disciple, not the Guru. A Sadguru (True Guru) does not need anything from the disciple, not even their reverence, because they are already full and complete. The Guru is nonetheless happy seeing their disciple’s spiritual growth. In contrast, having faith in the Guru is necessary for the disciple because that faith acts as a rope that the disciple clings to in the face of adversity, and uses to pull himself or herself up. Remembering the Guru’s love helps the disciple have faith.

How can I make the repetition of my mantra more constant in my heart?

Practice chanting your mantra at a specific time on a regular basis. For example, commit to chanting the mantra a certain number of times as soon as you open your eyes in the morning. You can likewise commit to chanting your mantra a few times each time you do any other daily task, such as brushing your teeth or starting the car. If you forget to chant your mantra during one of your specified times, discipline yourself by chanting the mantra extra times before bed, or some equivalent practice. Devotees were asked to share how they remember to chant their mantra. Some said they place Amma’s picture in different spots around the house and seeing Amma is a reminder. Others mentioned that they repeat their mantra whilst exercising, shoveling the snow, talking a long walks in nature, etc.

Why should we keep our mantra a secret?

The mantra we have received from our Guru was chosen specifically for each one of us. It is like a medical prescription. A prescription drug is given by the doctor to a certain patient to treat a specific condition. If the patient takes the drug in the way that the doctor prescribes, then the drug will heal the patient’s ailment. If, on the other hand, the patient gives some of the drug to his friend and the friend takes it, the effect of the drug may not be good. In the same way, the mantra we have received from our Guru will heal us of the disease of samsara (the cycle of death and rebirth) if we chant it with faith in the way we were instructed to do. If, however, we tell our mantra to our friend and they chant the mantra, it may not help them, as it is not the right mantra for them. It is better to encourage others to receive a mantra directly from the Guru, so that they too receive ‘the right prescription’.

How do we talk about Amma to others or non-believers?

In Eastern culture, it is easier to speak about Amma, because the concept of a Guru is familiar. However, in Western culture and in the Middle East, this concept is difficult to accept. Focus instead can be placed on Amma’s humanitarian work: highlight how Amma spends her time helping and consoling others, and her extensive international charitable work. It is also important to remember that it is not our role to influence or thrust Amma upon anyone. If a person seems receptive, we can talk about Amma with him or her. If not, we can let it go.