The Path to Inner Awakening

Spiritual master Amma teaches that meditation is the path to inner awakening. It is a technique for quieting the senses and turning our focus inward, revealing our true selves. We close our eyes easily for sleep, surrendering to the natural silence that follows. The greater challenge, however, is closing our eyes to look genuinely within and rise above the endless river of thought. When initial attempts at quietude yield only a chaotic mental chatter, we inevitably question the practice. Immediate external pleasures may seem a simpler pursuit, despite our knowledge of their impermanence. Yet, the real journey is inward, and this, Amma assures us, is our birthright.

The mind may appear to be an obstacle, but it is really a tool awaiting refinement. Through consistent meditation, we can guide it inward toward our eternal essence—our deepest self and the boundless source of bliss within. An agitated mind is not a sign of failure; it is a natural state revealing our need for practice. Do not be discouraged by it. As Amma wisely reminds us, to expect the mind to be calm before meditating is like trying to fold the sky and fit it under an armpit.

Amma teaches that love you feel during your meditation is key to true concentration. She explains, when you “drink in the object of your meditation, you will become one with it. In that kind of participation, you are totally absent. It is as if the player is absent—only the play exists. The singer is absent—only the song exists.” Through this powerful metaphor, Amma illustrates how to achieve a state of complete unity and flow. She encourages us that even the briefest moment of focused meditation can bring profound benefits to oneself and to the world, adding that time devoted to this practice is never wasted and is as precious as gold.

Amma shows us how to treat meditation as a continuous practice with steady and patient dedication. She advises meditating regularly and sincerely, without pause, until a one-pointed focus of mind is achieved. The journey is likened to sowing seeds: we must water them every day, waiting patiently until the seedlings grow and mature. Just as with gardening, it takes time for the sprouts of spirituality to emerge. Consistent practice is the "water" that nurtures our spiritual growth, and we should wait patiently for the results.
There are many roads to travel, but the most profound is the one that leads to your own spirit. This journey is the most significant endeavor of your life, and Amma offers a precious gift to light the way. The IAM meditation is a guiding light, revealing the path to your true and authentic self.

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