3rd March 2002 Ma Amritanandamayi in conversation with Anupam Kapil

Anupam: Can the future be known?

Ma: Yes, but astrology can help one only as long as one is in the plane of body and mind as it is based on the 'karma kanda' of Vedas. Astrology is more of an experience.I have met millions across the globe and know their experiences, and when compared with the birth time, it tallies well. You can find both kings and beggars born in the same star, it is the time that makes the difference. A child born in Mumbai and Pune at the same time are different. Direction and other subtle factors make a big difference.

Anupam: What is the goal of life and how does one find it?

Ma: The real goal of life is to be in the present moment. When constructing a bridge you must be there, not after that. What we really need to find in life is to lead a peaceful life without harming others.
Unfortunately most people have an attitude of 'taking'. They do not want to give. Just like keeping a handful of seeds in the hand without sowing them will not result in a tree coming up on its own.

Anupam: People are confused by so many gurus. How can one know whether a guru is right?

Ma: Even if gurus are doing little good, let it happen. It is for you to find them. If you inhale and exhale very fast you will get some experience-a 'kick'. For instance, if you climb a mountain you get tired-you experience being 'spaced out'. You may think that you are in a world beyond, but that's not true spiritual experience. Spiritual experience is inner attainment reflected as maturity in thoughts and actions. It happens within-it is a subject change. It depends on how you can face life and challenges and how much transformation takes place. This does not mean that all my followers have attained purity. I train disciples to remove their egos and they will attain maturity.

Anupam: How does one find happiness in life? Can one attain it without a guru?

Ma: Reading about the lives and teaching of great masters helps us to a certain degree. All humans haves the precious stone of spirituality within them, but it is immersed in oil and that is why it needs to be rubbed using suitable spiritual practices. Spiritual practices are like a tonic-taking two spoons instead of five is harmful. Step by step methods are important in spiritual fields. Bookish knowledge is dangerous. It's like driving by looking at a map-you do not know the perils awaiting you. Spirituality is life-there is no difference between the two. Time is not predictable; some scientists are lucky to get results fast. Even 'pranayam' is not something, which can be instructed to everyone-as each person has different maturity and constitution. In olden times true masters would put disciples through different tests, like putting grass under their nose to see how they breathe. Then, according to the flow of breath they would advise. It can be very dangerous to advise the same method to everyone. Simple meditation techniques are okay. Just focusing on your normal breathing will help a lot in attaining concentration.

Anupam: Do you foresee a war with Pakistan? How long can we keep quiet?

Ma: Dharma of a nation is that of a teacher. We should not jump to conclusions, we need to have patience, but a nation needs security. If our house is on fire you have to extinguish the fire. As far as we can, we must have patience, we may save many innocent lives on both sides. But they have eaten us a lot on account of our patience. It is definitely time to be alert and not to sleep.

Anupam: Nowadays relationships are under tremendous pressure and are collapsing.

Ma: It is due to imitating western culture. In the west parents do not support children after sixteen years even if they are millionaires. But in India there is a strong tie between family members-even grown up children are supported by parents if they are jobless.There are a number of good things in the west, but we don't follow the good side. We pick only what they reject, which is why we are losing values. It is because we do not respect our culture. In the west, they are well disciplined in work-we don't follow that. Now there is a sudden increase in mental depression and illnesses despite economic freedom, there is no contentment and happiness. We should have fun in life, but 'samskara' is important, that's what makes life a celebration. The solution is to respect our elders and value system. Certain degree of freedom is good. Being dominating will create friction and problems, it is not a healthy approach. Parents need to give children love and affection at proper times.

Anupam: What is the role of karma? If everything is fated, then what is the way to break the karmic chain?

Ma: Fate is the end result of action; it's we who have desired it, not somebody else. Our actions created destiny. God doesn't create anyone blind without reason. Even people who know that indiscriminate actions are dangerous are prompted to act indiscriminately. Like a drunkard knows it's bad for health, but he still drinks. Mere understanding alone doesn't help. To get out of the intense karmic chain, one needs awareness. To be in the present is very important.

©Anupam V Kapil

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Comments and queries on this article Hi Anupam Read your article and communication with Amma and really this opened my eyes as to what i-Mr. Rishi I sort of agree and disagree to some of the comments. I dont agree that people in the west are unhap-Namita hello sir, i m kamal. i m atudying in Btech 3rd year.-kamaljitsingh