From: Lalitha@aol.com
Date: Mon Oct 07 2002 - 09:23:11 PDT
From: Lalitha@aol.com Message-ID: <159.157cc1ac.2ad30eef@aol.com> Date: Mon, 7 Oct 2002 12:23:11 EDT Subject: Excerpts from Amma's addres at at the United Nations
Excerpts from Amma's addres at at the United Nations
General Assembly Hall (Palais des Nations) in Geneva Oct 7th, 2002Following
Her acceptance of the award, Amma addressed the Global Peace Initiative
delegates. In Her speech entitled "The Power of Motherhood and Love," Amma
described Her vision of a world in which "men and women have equal positions
in society, like the two wings of a bird, thus helping the world progress."
"Women are the power and very foundation of our existence in the world. When
women lose touch with their real selves, the harmony of the world ceases to
exist, and destruction sets in. It is therefore crucial that women everywhere
make every effort to rediscover their fundamental nature, for only then can
we save this world.
"Through their will power and spiritual practices, women should overcome
their weaknesses. In the process of striving to regain their rightful
position in society, women should never lose their essential nature. This
tendency can be seen in many countries, and will never help women to achieve
true freedom. It is impossible to attain real freedom by imitating men. If
women themselves turn their backs on the feminine principle, this will
culminate in the utter failure of women and society. Then the problems of the
world will not be resolved, but only aggravated. If women reject their
feminine qualities and cultivate only masculine qualities, the imbalance in
the world will only become greater. This is not the need of the age. The real
need is for women to contribute all they can to society by developing their
universal motherhood, as well as their 'masculine' qualities. In one way, it
is woman herself who is responsible for narrowing her own world.
"Amma feels that the forthcoming age should be dedicated to awakening
universal motherhood. This is crucially important. The future of humanity
lies in the hands of women. Women everywhere have to actualise the qualities
of motherhood within themselves. This is the only way to realise our dream of
peace and harmony in the world, and to further progress in life.
"No genuine religion will look down upon women. For those who have realised
God, there is no difference between male and female. If anywhere in the world
there exist rules that prevent women from enjoying their rightful freedom,
rules that obstruct their progress in society, then those are neither God's
commandments nor the teachings of great masters, but are born out of the
selfishness of men.
"Rather than becoming rusty, living out their lives inside the four walls of
the kitchen, women should come out and share with others what they have to
give, and fulfil their goals in life.
"Let the coming era be dedicated to the resurrection and awakening of
universal motherhood," said Amma in Her address.
The Global Peace Initiative of Women Religious and Spiritual Leaders is an
outgrowth of the successful Millennium Peace Summit held at the United
Nations in New York City in August, 2000, in which Amma was a key speaker.
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