May 6: Special Satsang with Br. Ramanand

Amma’s Toronto devotees were blessed with a satsang with Br. Ramanand on Saturday, May 6 at 6:30 PM.

After opening prayers, Br. Ramanand led the devotees through a guided meditation, relaxing every part of the body and slowing the mind, before beginning mental repetition of MA-OM. Once all had settled into a state of calm, Ramanandji beautifully sang two bhajans: Sri Pada Mahatmyam and Jai Jai Jai Gananatha Gajanana. Ramanandji then led the chanting of Amma’s Ashtottaram (108 names of Amma), offering flower petals to Amma's feet. Following the Archana, Ramanandji sang Raja Ram and Abhayam Abhayam Amma, his melodious voice effortlessly carrying away the audience into a mood of devotion.

Ramanandji then began a spiritual discourse on the topic of Happiness. Ramanandji noted that all beings seek happiness, yet we are frequently unhappy. This is because we seek happiness in external circumstances, believing if the circumstances were just so, we would be happy. In reality, all experiences in life are dual and fluctuating by their very nature: we only know health because of its opposite, illness, and so on.

Throughout life, these pairs of opposites repeatedly come and go. If we cling to the positive experiences and avoid the negative ones, we naturally suffer when we lose something we like or get something we dislike. In order to remain happy in the midst of the natural fluctuations of life, we must cultivate equanimity. With equanimity, we will neither be elated in favourable circumstances nor depressed in unfavourable ones, thus protecting our minds from these painful extremes. Ramanandji also noted that happiness, like equanimity, is a choice we must make again and again, day by day, and moment by moment. If we choose to be happy and peaceful, nothing can bring us down. Likewise, if we choose to be miserable, nothing and no one can lift us up. Knowing this, the wise will choose to be peaceful and happy no matter their circumstances.

After this enlightening discourse, Ramanandji lead the devotees in singing Satyattin Saram, Krishna Jinka Nam He, and In the Still of the Night with great energy and feeling. Forgetting all their troubles, the devotees experienced joy by focusing on the singing God's Name. The satsang concluded with Arati, offering the sacred flame to Amma, and closing prayers. Everyone then partook in a delicious prasad feast, returning home with full hearts and peaceful minds.