Amritanandamayi Quotes & Sayings

Children, if we can do archana of the 1000 Names of the Divine Mother daily with devotion, we will grow spiritually. There will never be lack of life's essentials, food and clothing, in a family that chants the 1000 Names with devotion. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Our circumstances will continually change. It is out of our control. It is more important to change our attitude, which we have control of. — Mata Amritanandamayi

There is a pre-existing harmony in everything. The problem is the human being. It may be true that one single Incarnation of God may not he able to bring that peace and harmony in the entire world. It's only because of that harmony that they could create in the world and in people's mind that the world still exists and that there is always a balance. Otherwise, things could be much worse. — Mata Amritanandamayi

To awaken spiritual unity, and to spread to others the love that is our inherent nature, is the true goal of human life. — Mata Amritanandamayi

After praying, and before eating anything, it is a good custom for everyone to feed one another a small portion of the food. This will help to cultivate mutual love and affection among the family members. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Pure love makes you feel as light as a flower. You won't feel any heaviness or burden. Ego creates the burden. — Mata Amritanandamayi

What the world needs are servants, not leaders. Everyone's wish is to become a leader ... Let us become a real servant instead. — Mata Amritanandamayi

If japa is maintained, no useless talk during work will be possible. The mind will always remain peaceful. Modern day diseases are mostly psychosomatic. Japa will bestow good health to both mind and body. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Don't go empty handed when going to a temple or to see a spiritual master. Offer something as a symbol of surrender, even if it be a mere flower. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Be content and happy with whatever comes to you. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Children, those who are unmarried should conserve their vital energy by maintaining celibacy. To turn what we gain by this in to ojas (vitality), we also need to do spiritual practice. With increase in ojas, our intelligence, memory, health and beauty will also increase. We will gain lasting mental quietude. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Go out and serve the suffering. Learn to place others in front of yourself. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Thinking that God wants something from us is like showing a candle to the sun. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Love sustains everything. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Ashrams and gurukulas (spiritual schools) are the pillars of spiritual culture. If we perform sadhana according to the guru's advice, we need not go anywhere else. We will get whatever we need from the guru. — Mata Amritanandamayi

We should forgive and forget the faults of others. Anger is the enemy of every spiritual aspirant. Anger causes loss of power through every pore of our body. In circumstances when the mind is tempted to get angry, we should control ourselves and resolve firmly, 'No.' We can go to a secluded spot and chant our mantra. The mind will become quiet by itself. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Surrender and living in the present are one and the same. — Mata Amritanandamayi

We should learn to love everyone equally, because in essence we are all one, one Atman, one soul. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Learn to be thankful to everyone, to the entire creation, even to your enemy and also to those who insult, because they all help you to grow — Mata Amritanandamayi

In today's world, human beings are dying and human machines are taking birth. — Mata Amritanandamayi

We are all beads strung together on the same thread of love. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Children, we should simplify our life's needs and use the resulting savings for charity. — Mata Amritanandamayi

It's like pouring oil from one glass to another down a line - in the end, you don't have any oil left; it is all stuck to the inside of the glasses. This way, 1,000 dollars become 100 dollars by the time it reaches the people. Whereas if we get 10 dollars, we add our effort to it and the money multiplies. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Look carefully at what is of value in others and respect that. — Mata Amritanandamayi

The guru is not someone who is confined to the body. When there is selfless love for the guru, we will be able to see him not only in his body but in every living and nonliving thing in this world. Learn to see everything as the guru's body and to serve them accordingly. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Real life is developed from within. Real living means that the soul expresses itself through all one's thoughts, words and actions. A person becomes fearless once he understands the nature of the imperishable soul. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Parents need to nourish spiritual values in their children from a very young age. — Mata Amritanandamayi

"Is God a Man or a Woman ?"
The answer to this question is neither God is That. But if you must give God a gender,
God is more female than male,
for he is contained in She. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Transcending the cycle of death and rebirth is the real purpose of this life in human form. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Everyone in the world should sleep without fear at least for one night, sleep without fear. Everyone in the world should eat to their fill, at least for one day, eat to their fill. There should be one day when there is no violence, no one is injured, no one is harmed. All people young and old should serve the poor and needy, at least for one day serve selflessly. This is my dream ... this is my prayer. Love is the answer, love is the way. Love is the answer, love is the way. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Whatever action we are doing, we should be sure to keep the thought of God alive within. Whenever we sit or get up, we should prostrate in that place. It is good to cultivate the habit of considering our pen, books, clothes, vessels, and the tools of our job as imbued with divine presence and use them with care and respect. This will help keep the thought of God alive throughout our body, mind and atmosphere. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Today, society is sacrificing love, values and dharma in its pursuit of materialistic gains. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Pray to God: It's all right if you don't love me, but please let me love you! — Mata Amritanandamayi

Today, our air, food, water-all are polluted. If we do not stop exploiting nature for our temporary selfish gains, we will destroy the world. — Mata Amritanandamayi

It should be for satsang that we go to spiritual centers. By going there, people who are involved in the world can attain peace and concentration. The concentration gained when one goes there cannot be achieved if one sits at home. Even though the breeze blows everywhere, coolness will be felt more if we sit in the shade of a tree. In the same way, although God is all-pervading, this presence will clearly shine in certain places more than others. That is the greatness of satsang. Satsang is the best thing for spiritual advancement. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Traveling by bus, we see many things on the way and just let them pass by. Watch the thoughts of your minds in the same way. — Mata Amritanandamayi

The essence of motherhood is not restricted to women who have given birth; it is a principle inherent in both women and men. It is an attitude of the mind. It is love - and that love is the very breath of life. No one would say, 'I will breathe only when I am with my family and friends; I won't breathe in front of my enemies.' Similarly, for those in whom motherhood has awakened, love and compassion for everyone are as much part of their being as breathing. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Isn't it human beings who impart vitality to the image in the temple? If no one sculpts the stone, it doesn't become an image. If no one installs it in the temple, it does not acquire any sanctity. If no worship is done, it does not acquire any power. Without human effort there cannot be any temples. What is wrong then in saying that we should view great masters as equal to God? Temples installed by such spiritual masters have a special energy of their own. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Only when human beings are able to perceive and acknowledge the Self in each other can there be real peace. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Children, we may go to the temple, reverently circumambulate the sanctum sanctorum and put our offering in the charity box, but on our way out if we kick the beggar at the door, where is our devotion? Compassion towards the poor is our duty to God. Mother is not saying that we should give money to every beggar that sits in front of a temple, but do not despise them. Pray for them as well. When we hate others, it is our own mind that becomes impure. Equality of vision is God. — Mata Amritanandamayi

You can only feel love by expressing it. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Couples should abstain from sexual relations at least 2 or 3 days a week. Gradually try to reach a stage of celibacy most days. — Mata Amritanandamayi

If we have been able to give happiness to a soul-even for a minute-it makes our life blessed. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Nowadays everybody wants to become a leader. No one wants to become a servant. In reality, the world is badly in need of servants, not leaders. A real servant is a real leader. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Look at Nature. Nature is a book from which we must learn. Each object in it is a page of that book. — Mata Amritanandamayi

If you are unable to meditate, chant your mantra or sing bhajans. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Children, in the present dark age of materialism, chanting the mantra is the easiest way for us to obtain inner purification and concentration. Japa can be done at any time, anywhere, without observing any rule regarding the purity of mind and body. Japa can be done while engaged in any task. — Mata Amritanandamayi

The relation between husband and wife should turn into a love of the heart untouched by desire. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Compassion can shoulder the suffering of the entire world without feeling the slightest bit of pain. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Life is like a garden. Quite naturally, leaves wither and flowers fade. Only if we clear the decay of the past then and there can we really enjoy the beauty of the new leaves and flowers. Likewise, we must clear the murkiness of the past bad experiences from our minds. Life is remembrance in forgetfulness. Forgive what ought to be forgiven; forget what ought to be forgotten. Let us embrace life with renewed vigor. We should be able to face every moment of life with renewed expectation, like a freshly blossomed flower. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Peace is not a product of an intellectual exercise. It is an inner blossoming that occurs with meditation. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Most human beings know only the language of exploitation. Due to their selfishness, they are unable to consider others. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Whether we laugh or cry, the days are going to pass by. So why not choose to laugh? — Mata Amritanandamayi

What we need is peace of mind. We can gain that only through the control of our mind. — Mata Amritanandamayi

We cannot change situations in life, but we can change our attitude towards them — Mata Amritanandamayi

If the desires are not controlled now, later they will control you. — Mata Amritanandamayi

It is my children who have made all this possible. My children are my wealth; they are my strength. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Make a firm decision: 'Whatever happens, I will be happy. I will be strong. God is always with me.' — Mata Amritanandamayi

Money is not a problem, but unintelligent attachment to it is. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Fundamentally, what everyone needs is mental strength and confidence, to manage the mind, just as we manage the outside world. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Married life, if lived with the proper love and understanding, helps awaken the feminine within a man, and the masculine within a woman. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Love is our true essence. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Whatever is associated with the mind is bound to change. The truth is that which is changeless. It is the Self. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Children, we are told to make an offering at the temple or at the feet of the guru, not because the Lord or guru is in need of wealth or anything else. Real offering is the act of surrendering the mind and the intellect. How can it be done? We cannot offer our minds as they are, but only the things to which our minds are attached. Today our minds are greatly attached to money and other worldly things. By placing such thoughts at the feet of the Lord, we are offering Him our heart. This is the principle behind giving charities. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Children, do not listen to those who malign masters and sages. Never listen to or indulge in derogatory talk about anyone. When we harbor negative thoughts about others, our minds become impure. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Real love is the complete absence of any negative feelings towards anyone. — Mata Amritanandamayi

If chanting is not possible during a certain task, then pray before starting it: 'Lord, give Your blessing so that I may do this work in a manner that pleases You!' At the end, pray again to the Lord for forgiving any mistakes we may have committed during the task consciously or otherwise. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Grace is openness. By remaining open, you let go of your ego and narrow-minded views, and allow divine grace to express itself through you. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Faith in a higher power helps us to control our mind and thoughts. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Our compassion and acts of selflessness take us to the deeper truths. — Mata Amritanandamayi

It is always advisable to obtain a mantra from a self-realized master. Until then we may use one of the mantras of our beloved deity like 'Om Namah Shivaya', 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya', 'Om Namo Narayanaya', 'Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare', 'Om Shivashaktyaikya Rupinyai Namaha' or even the names of Christ, Allah or Buddha. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Pure love is the best medicine for the modern world. This is what is lacking in all societies. The root cause of all problems, from personal problems to global problems is the absence of love. Love is the binding factor, the unifying factor. Love creates the feeling of oneness among people. It unifies a nation and its people. Love creates a sense of unity while hatred causes division. Egotism and hatred cuts people's minds into pieces. Love should rule. There is no problem which love cannot solve. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Too much reasoning has spoiled the contemporary mind. People have lost their hearts and faith. — Mata Amritanandamayi

In God's vision, no inside or outside exists. Still, in the beginning, Mother is asking all to meditate on Him in the heart, in order to achieve concentration. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Children, we should visit homes of the poor, orphanages and hospitals from time to time. We should take our family members along and offer assistance and look after the welfare of inmates. A word spoken with love and concern will give them more comfort than any amount of money. That will lead to the expansion of our hearts as well. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Religion is the secret of life. It teaches us to love, to serve, to forgive, to endure, and to interact with our brothers and sisters with empathy and compassion. Advaita (non-duality) is a purely subjective experience. But in daily life it may be expressed as love and compassion. This is the great lesson taught by the great saints and sages of India, the exponents of Sanatana Dharma. — Mata Amritanandamayi

We human beings are born in ego, live in ego, are brought up in ego and will die in ego. We need a certain degree 0f vision when we live in this world for achieving and attaining our goals in life. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Whatever you see, hear or experience in the world is ephemeral. Get in touch with the eternal substratum of everything. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Our highest, most important duty in this world is to help our fellow beings. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Don't be discouraged by your incapacity to dispel darkness from the world. Light your little candle and step forward. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Each and every object in Nature teaches us something. Renunciation and selflessness are the greatest lessons to learn from Nature. — Mata Amritanandamayi

The intellect always cuts and divides like a pair of scissors. The heart sews things together and unites like a needle. The tailor uses both. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Our attitude should be: Whatever happens I will remain strong, courageous and happy. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Children, we should always eat our food sitting down. Do not eat standing or walking around. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Society is made up of individuals. The thoughts and actions of each individual influence the culture of that society. Instead of waiting for others to improve, we should try to improve ourselves. Once our attitude has changed, we will be able to perceive goodness throughout world. If there is a positive change in us, it will also be reflected in others. It is only what we give that we can hope to get back. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Instead of "I love you," it would be better to say "I am love-I am the embodiment of Pure Love." Remove the I and you, and you will find that there is only Love. It is as if Love is imprisoned between the I and you. Remove the I and you, for they are unreal; they are self-imposed walls that don't exist. The gulf between I and you is the ego. When the ego is removed the distance disappears and the I and you also disappear. They merge to become one - and that is Love. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Human beings are born to experience pure love, and they never get it. They are searching to experience it from birth until death. — Mata Amritanandamayi

When humanity serves Nature, Nature serves humanity. When we serve animals and plants, they too serve us in return. — Mata Amritanandamayi

If we let go of our likes and dislikes, we will become fit vessels to receive the God's ever flowing grace. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Fighting the wounds of the past will only deepen those wounds. Relaxation is the method that heals the wounds of the mind, not reaction. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Amidst sorrows, the only thing that enlivens us is optimistic faith. Never lose that faith. — Mata Amritanandamayi

A seed has to get buried in the soil for its real form as a plant to emerge. Only through modesty and humility can we grow. Pride and conceit will only destroy us. Live with the firm attitude, 'I am everyone's servant.' Then the whole universe will bow down to us. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Our educational system needs to give equal importance to the intellect and the heart. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Children, when we go to the temple, do not hurry to have darshan, then make some offering and return home in a hurry. We should stand there patiently in silence for some time and try to visualize the beloved deity in our hearts. If possible, we should sit down and meditate. At each step, remember to do japa. Amma doesn't say that the offerings and worship are not necessary, but of all the offerings we make, what the Lord wants most is our hearts! — Mata Amritanandamayi

Love is our true nature. When we do not express love in our words and actions it is like honey hidden in a rock. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Keep the child within alive. A child never tires of hearing the birds sing, never gets bored looking at flowers. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Most people are concerned only with what they can get from the world, but it is what we are able to give to others that determines the quality of our life — Mata Amritanandamayi

The indicator of true knowledge is the ability to differentiate what uplifts us from what pulls us down. — Mata Amritanandamayi

Nobody likes to let go of the ego- it is so precious to everyone. However, once you have attained a state of egolessness, the world won't disappear, as you may think it will. The world will continue, but a change takes place within you. Something is uncovered. You start seeing everything with the wonder and innocence of a child. — Mata Amritanandamayi

A person's destiny can be changed through the power of a saint. — Mata Amritanandamayi