satsang: a sanskrit word meaning a close association or companionship with a self-realized soul.
amma says the following about the value of satsang: "children, satsang is good. in the beginning it is difficult to do sadhana (spiritual practices) if we remain at home. why do we send children to school? in school, they will sit and study in concentration, knowing that they can go home only in the afternoon. not only that, whatever subject is studied is best learned from an experienced teacher. likewise, in the beginning stages, it may not be possible to meditate and do japa while sitting at home."
satsangs in the united states: