Amma Warns of Modern Epidemics: Materialism Overriding Core Values
In today's rapidly evolving world, spiritual leader Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, widely known as Amma, identifies four pervasive trends spreading like epidemics: the prioritization of wealth over intrinsic values, the elevation of physical beauty above inner character, the obsession with speed at the expense of direction, and the growing dominance of machines over human connections. These shifts, she argues, threaten the foundational principles of peace and unity that have historically sustained societies.
The Essential Role of Dharma and Self-Sacrifice
Amma reflects on a bygone era where self-sacrifice and simplicity were revered as paramount virtues. She emphasizes that when individuals take from nature or society, it is their moral duty to reciprocate by giving back. This principle of giving more than one takes fosters an environment of harmony, prosperity, and collective well-being. Parents play a crucial role in instilling these spiritual values in children from a young age; failure to do so, Amma cautions, can lead to a lifetime of regret and sorrow.
Contrary to common misconceptions, spirituality does not oppose the acquisition of wealth or the fulfillment of desires. Instead, it insists that these pursuits be aligned with dharma—the ethical and moral order that governs righteous living. This alignment ensures that material gains do not come at the cost of ethical integrity or human compassion.
A Parable of Suspicion and Its Consequences
Amma illustrates this point with a poignant story: two children engage in a trade where a boy offers money for a girl's chocolates. Upon receiving the chocolates, the boy deceitfully gives her less valuable coins, assuming she had similarly withheld the best chocolates. Consumed by suspicion and guilt, he finds himself unable to sleep, while the girl, unaware of the deceit, rests peacefully. This tale mirrors our societal condition: we are sustained by dharma, but only when we actively uphold and nurture it in our actions and interactions.
Rays of Hope Through Compassionate Actions
Despite the daunting challenges humanity faces, Amma highlights glimmers of hope through acts of kindness and compassion. She shares inspiring anecdotes of children who embody selfless giving. During a foreign tour, a 13-year-old boy presented Amma with 300 euros—his prize money from a flute competition—requesting that it be used to support orphans under her care. Moved by his innocence, Amma expressed that such individuals represent her true wealth.
This act of generosity inspired the boy's younger sister, who later gave Amma 10 euros from her birthday gift, asking that it be used to buy chocolates for underprivileged children. When asked if she wanted to keep the money for treats like ice cream, she declined, noting that many children lack such luxuries. Her brother's compassionate example had become a powerful role model, demonstrating how small acts can ripple into broader societal change.
The Path to Eradicating Poverty Through Shared Wealth
Amma underscores that while poverty persists globally, there is ample wealth among the affluent. If those with resources dedicated a portion of their riches to humanitarian causes, poverty could be significantly reduced or even eliminated. She calls for these compassion-filled hearts to serve as role models for all, encouraging a collective shift towards giving more than we take from the world.
About the Author: Amma's Lifelong Mission of Compassion
Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, born in 1953 in a poor fishing village in Kerala, has devoted her life to alleviating suffering through unconditional love and service. Known for her embracing hugs, she has comforted over four crore people worldwide. Her initiatives span disaster relief, education, healthcare, gender equality, and environmental conservation across more than 50 countries. In India, she founded Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, a compassion-driven university, and Amrita Hospitals, which provide advanced healthcare and free treatment for the impoverished, embodying her vision of compassion in action.
