My Prayer – Jani
Below is a letter sent by Jani, a resident of Amritapuri ashram to Gail Tredwell.
Dear Gail,
We have known each other for over 27 years now; from the day I met Amma in 1987.
I understand that you felt pulled away from your spiritual path. But the tradition of sanyasa is ancient. This vow is sacred and beyond Amma or any individual master. Those who decide to break the vow cannot blame anyone else for it.
If you felt pulled down from spiritual life, I would have expected you to attempt to inspire others in a different way. Why not write a book that would lift people up and show them the way? Not words that would drag them down from the spiritual path. I feel that your book appeals to those who are looking for an excuse to step off the spiritual path.
Sometimes when we are physically close to Amma, we do not realise who Amma really is as a spiritual master and humanitarian.
I have seen for the last 27 years what Amma has been doing for the world. Her humanitarian projects are serving so many people. I feel so blessed to be able to recognize Amma’s service to the world.
I would admire anyone who started so many projects to serve others. I would want to learn from them. If, in the last 14 years, you had done some service for others, I would also admire that. But, it seems it is easier to put someone down than to become a good example.
You definitely follow history. Many saints and sages had someone try to put them down. It never has worked and will never work. You are neither saving anyone nor helping yourself.
You must feel so miserable that you had to get attention in such negative ways.
Please do not pull people down. The world needs people to bring them closer to God and lift humanity upwards to their ultimate goal.
I pray that one day you will find real peace, would be capable of offering nectar like words to uplift people and let all negativity fade away. Now is the time to fill positive energy in the world. This is what we learnt from Amma. This Gail, is my prayer for you.
Love and respect,
Jani
Mar 14, 2014 @ 00:11:56
so pure and beautiful. Good food for the soul!
Mar 14, 2014 @ 00:28:53
Great post Jani. Comments are right on the nose
Mar 14, 2014 @ 11:42:31
Beautiful letter. Amma really inspires people to use their human birth to help others. I really like how you tune in to this point and encourage others to focus on the essence of Amma’s teachings. If everyone in the world tried to emulate Amma’s selfless actions, this world would be a very different place.
Mar 14, 2014 @ 12:20:38
Well said Jani, totally share your sentiments. I especially like the part where you say lift people up instead of bringing them down. Thanks.
Mar 14, 2014 @ 17:21:22
Live and let live
I am not a follower of your Guru, but as a person who supports community centres of learning here in the US, I am aware of Ashram Dharma and Dashanami Ascetic traditions as some of the most revered in the world. I admit that most of us westerners don’t have a hint of these ancient systems and hence absolutely no right trampling their self-righteous selves on any of them whatsoever. If the author did have an issue, she should have displayed the commitment that was expected of her as an ordained ascetic to act like a spiritual grown up and pursue the matter and resolve it internally within her organization, instead of playing blame game 15 years later. I did notice her commitment was displayed quite differently* (Ref footnote).
After reading the book authored by this Australian woman and then the biography of her Indian Guru, I noticed, when she first walked in from Tiruvannamalai into this sea-side community of disciples and devotees, they embraced her despite all of their monetary and housing limitations; they fed and nurtured her despite her extreme traits, the community of followers around the world took care of her for over 2 decades like a queen. I have to admit I feel respect for the tolerance and resilience of the community all these years, even as this woman showed no shame to lie on TV. The tolerance of that community indicate the strong spiritual foundations they stand on. As I watched the interview online, though I do not understand the Indian language she used at times, I couldn’t help but wonder, can’t the interviewer see her body language – she is a habitual liar.
To the readers of this website, I would like to offer my apologies for the callousness of some of the westerners who displayed no shame nor regret in the past in belittling eastern traditions which were born much before their ancestors here in the west knew civilised life. But I choose not apologise for Jani’s Australian friend here. She despite knowing its wrong, still chooses to do so and in doing so is conniving with extremist elements in India which could led to more disharmony in that country. She is not destroying an ashram or an eastern tradition (if they can last for centuries, they can last for more centuries to come), she is destroying us westerners and the values held by our ancestors here in the west and is inflaming communalism. Visitors from the west will be looked at scornfully in the east. Our credibility as truth seekers will be questioned using the author as an example. With regard to the war on terror, Americans have gone through a lot already and do not want people who work with extremists within the borders of our country. If this book ever were to come up for debate or legal proceedings, quite a lot of us would be relieved to disown the author and have her sent back to Australia where she came from.
@Administrators of the blog – Thanks for posting this letter and all the rest of the web log. Could you please offer a clarification to the doubts that readers like myself have, such as –
a. I understand all Masters in the past 2 centuries seem to accept imperfect disciples into their folds, but why accept a disciple so vicious like the author?
b. Why didn’t your Guru attempt to uplift? This should hopefully help me understand Christ’s own intentions in keeping Judas.
Ms.Jani – thanks for coming out. I must admit I wished for a moment, had Judas Iscariot’s friends done the same as you have done, they could have rescued beloved Christ from the cross. I guess God sends a Judas at everytime he sends his Sons and Daughters down here.
Regards,
Richard Astor
* Excerpt from http://letterstothemother.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/remembering-gail-tredwell-anus-memories-of-gayatri/
“to my horror, she literally started kicking me. I begged her “Please stop! I can’t move my neck!” She showed no signs of remorse, let alone compassion as I writhed in pain, unable to defend myself. For her it was a joke and she retorted, “You can’t move, aye?” with her sarcastic Aussie accent.”
Mar 14, 2014 @ 21:22:43
Powerful words, Jnani. Can’t help appreciating you. Let us all, Amma’s children, unitedly move forward as living examples of Her love and compassion.
Mar 15, 2014 @ 04:42:41
Jani, thankyou for your beautiful and succint words that so clearly reflect Amma’s teachings and shining example to us. They brought tears to my eyes. May we all continue on with courage, forthrightness, purity of intent and unswerving focus.
Mar 15, 2014 @ 13:10:48
Thank you Jani for your sincere ,beautiful , powerful post. Join your prayers.
Jun 02, 2014 @ 18:21:01
Thanks for the work. Write-up assisted me a good deal
Sep 24, 2014 @ 15:09:37
Gail please do not say untrue things about AMMA. SHE is the beacon of hope for a lot of her children worldwide.i cannot imagine what an empty life i would have had without AMMA. Jani has been in the Ashram for so many years.why hasn’t she left? thats because she knows the greatness of AMMA.life on the Ashram is tough but peaceful and enjoyable. jani stayed on like many others who want the higher experience.You were not gifted to enjoy close proximity with AMMA for long.worldly people who are not ready for spiritual life will of course not be happy there.true seekers will understand what others do not.i have had so many experiences by the grace of this great GURU to know the greatness of this INCARNATION of GOD who is only living for HER children.