--- In [email protected], "Rick Archer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> On Behalf Of geezerfreak
> Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 2:16 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [FairfieldLife] Re: Soooo....Wooooooodja?
>
>
>
> --- In HYPERLINK
> "mailto:FairfieldLife%40yahoogroups.com"[email protected],
> "curtisdeltablues" <curtisdeltablues@> wrote:
> >
> > I received a nice invitation from a friend to check out Amma who is
> > coming to Alexandria Virginia this weekend. It was a great litmus
> > test for how I feel about spiritual people to decide if I would go see
> > her or not.
>
> I confess to having encouraged both Geezer and Curtis to see Amma in their
> respective cities. Here's how I look at it. I don't derive equal benefit or
> inspiration from everything that happens at her programs, but on the whole,
> I find the experience very uplifting for me. Your mileage may vary. Amma
> once commented that spending time in the proximity of a mahatma is like
> putting an unlit log next to a brightly burning one. The first log catches
> fire. Sure, we're all essentially the same Self, but as Jim F said, some
> people are spiritually more advanced than others, just as some people are
> more accomplished musicians. Hang out with accomplished musicians and you'll
> become a better one yourself. Hang out with someone who radiates
> spirituality as brightly as Amma, and you pick up a bit of it. It's like
> visiting an incense factory. You come out smelling good. In fact, that
> happens even if you believe it won't (referring to Curtis' skepticism about
> transcendental, spiritual realities). I didn't encourage Geezer or Curtis to
> visit Amma because I feel they need "saving" or "redeeming." I think they're
> both doing great. I just like to turn friends onto things I like myself, and
> I felt that each might enjoy the experience in their own way. If not, the
> exit doors aren't barred.
>
Nicely put my friend. I took your suggestion seriously because of the respect I
have for
you. Your voice here has been for me, in the relatively short time I've been
looking in, one
of uncommon reason and wisdom. You've seen first hand what goes right and what
can go
wrong when a group has its spiritual focus on a charismatic leader. I very much
appreciate
the perspective and the gentle suggestions you've sent my way.
