Comments on: Share Your Stories

By: Chidanand Bill

Chidanand Bill — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:29:19 +0000

Anni, Lincoln and Kamala:

Thank you each for your warmth and friendship and welcoming ways. Anni had met my daughter Daelyn only a few times, yet she would ask about her when she saw me at the ashram. Such kind, thoughtfulness she displayed.
What moved me most was being asked to play some songs with Anni, Lincoln, Kamala and Rishikesh during a period of impending sorrow that all were going through. I was welcomed and made to feel at home…And how fortunate to have been given the opportunity to share something of my heart with so those who were close to Anni.

And how I witnessed so many ashram hearts being healed when so many came to pay homage to Annika… and how, even in her gradual passing her loving presence touched so many lives.

Rishi, Lincoln, Annika and I sang this song together and I am thankful to have been given that gift:

Salutations To The One

Salutations to the One, who shines just like the morning sun
Salutations to Her Lotus feet, Om Devyai Namaha

Without Her Grace the mind just spins…from passions to attachment again and again
Let the prayer be heard… ‘May Her Grace be here,
Let the life be healed, let the life be Whole’

Be Whole with compassion, ….let the voice of the ego fade
With compassion….let the voice of the ego fade

Om Devyai Namaha
Om Devyai Namaha

I wish to say that Annika’s passing truly touched the hearts of many Amma devotees. So many dear ones chanted the thousand names for sweet Anni….So many tears were shed…..And so many hearts were opened….for hearts do not break “closed”….but they break “open”.

Jai Ma
Chidanand Bill

By: aum

aum — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 05:55:00 +0000

I remain humble and be anonymous

For though knowing Anni’s heart

Unable to express her memoirs in words

Only known to AMMA, the Divine Secrect.

With Love & Prayers
aum

By: sivani

sivani — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 04:36:25 +0000

Memories of Annika are bubbling up…
Annika watering the plants, nursing sick birds, leaving behind beautiful patterns when sweeping Amma’s yard, creating mosaics to make the garden pretty for Amma. Annika trying to save the mango tree, walking slowly holding Amma’s mother’s hand, sweeping before bhajans, and afterwards cleaning up Ram’s mess. Annika carrying the cot for Amma to start darshan, Annika half asleep laying and setting straight again and again the cloth for Amma to walk on at the end of darshan. Annika holding a sunflower. Annika rushing with Amma’s picnic chair.
Annika serving, Annika rejoicing in devotion.
Never self concerned, always self effacing. Such a beautiful being, who not only managed to be immune to the tantrums and stubbornness and rebellion of teenage years, but also somehow never was once part of that never-ending ride in Amma’s famous tumbling machine. While all of us rocks keep on hitting against each other in deep emotional turmoil, Annika is equanimous, wise and gentle. In all these years never once I have seen her losing her temper. Always kind and sweet and gentle and selfless.
Annika for Amma. Annika for others.
And this disease is Annika’s supreme act of service. To Amma. To us. Reminding us of our impermanence, showing us true surrender and love and acceptance. Having the whole world pray and learn and grow.
I wouldn’t be surprised if she was already planning a new selfless project, somewhere up there. For Amma.
With Amma.
Thank you Annika.
sivani