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Amma, an Indian woman called the “hugging saint” for her method of blessing via embrace, came to the Seattle area with an entourage of devotees this weekend for the start of her 25th North American tour.
Amma embraces followers in the Seattle area for the start of her 2011 North American tour.
I was able to ask her a few questions through a translator, as she sat in the Hyatt Regency ballroom dispensing bear hugs, Hershey kisses, and the occasional apple to followers of all ages, colors and creeds. (More than half seemed to be white Americans, though there are lots of Indians in the Seattle area, thanks to Microsoft and other tech companies.) Watching, and then participating, in the experience reminded me of a cross between holy communion and Christian/New Age faith healing, with a dash of the sights, smells and sounds of a Hindu temple ceremony.
I specifically asked Amma about her view of natural disasters, since her Embracing the World charity has given out millions of dollars (raised by donations and selling trinkets, scarves and other Amma-related souvenirs made at her ashrams) in funds and supplies to victims of floods, earthquakes and other calamities, including Hurricane Katrina and last year’s Haiti earthquake. Check out my Huffington Post blog for her responses: the gist is that humans have collectively disturbed the balance of nature and we also suffer due to individual karma, but we still need to respond to victims compassionately.
I would have liked to get more specific responses, but the translation process and surging crowd made it difficult to ask follow-up questions. Fortunately, her organization’s leader in Japan, Brahmachari Shantamrita, a bearded American man in orange robes, was able to speak to me for much longer about plans to help the victims of this year’s earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster. About 300 volunteers there are focusing on getting food, water, blankets, masks and clothing to the coastal town of Rikuzentakata, where 10 percent of the population died and 70 percent are living in refugee centers. When Amma visits Japan in July (the trip was supposed to happen before Seattle, but the organization felt the country needed more time to recover before hosting one of her crowded events), she will present a “sizeable donation” towards the recovery efforts.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
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posted May 31, 2011 at 6:46 pm
Yippeee! Amma is back in the U.S.
posted June 1, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Having been fortunate enough to have been with Amma many times in the last 25 years, I can attest to the truth she carries, the kindness she dispenses and the hope she offers. So little is publicized in our country, where she is noted mostly as an Indian celebrity of some sort, or a Guru. She is just so much more, a true avatar, and is recognized as such in India where the government models programs after hers and sponsers outreaches in which she supplies the many volunteers (who are in line the world over to serve). Amma predicted years ago that there would start to be a series of natural disasters around the world because things are so out of balance. Almost immediately afterwards came the Indonesian tsunami. We all know what has happened since, and it seems to be continuing almost daily somewhere. The earth is clearly sending us a strong message.
Among other things, Amma has been honored at the U.N. more than once and is a world peace maker following the likes of the Dalai Lama, Bishop Tutu, and Gandhi. She has spent years hugging millions of people all over the world. She travels almost 10 months of every year, there is no admission charge to see her anywhere. It is extraordinary service. She models service for all her followers and has founded many charities worldwide. She runs orphanages and schools and built a large hospital in India to provide for indigent Indians. She and her volunteers have built thousands of houses in India for the poor and widows, who are outcasts of a sort in India. Everywhere she goes people follow her and travel with her, paying their own way and volunteering to cook, take care of children, do planning, wash dishes, serve food, keep track of providing for the masses that turn out at every tour stop and you can also find same people in silent prayer, serving her personally, playing music and chanting. If you have never been with Amma, this is your chance. The best way to go, I have found, is with an open heart and mind and with no expectation. Just a willingness to be loved. Her message is so pure and so appropriate for this time. We are fortunate to be able to be with her in this lifetime. A blessing from Amma is straight from Source.
And while you are there be sure to find the booth with the large, beautiful book of what it is exactly that Amma does, day in and day out, here and all over the world. It inspires one to service of some sort and shows what a group together can accomplish. There is no down side to Amma! I have yet to read one negative comment about her. Here is One who is only good. Namaste. Kate