Amma’s Ashrum 
This weekend I traveled to Vallikkavu which is a remote coastal village in southern Kerala. It is the well known spot for Amma’s Ashrum. Amma is the word for mother and she is internationally known as “the hugging mother”; although her real name is Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. She is an integral part of the Indian culture, and although people didn’t understand my English when I said Amma’s ashrum, they all understood “the hugging mother”. The Amritapuri Ashrum is an international community which consists of more than 3,000 people who are permanent residents. They are monastic disciples and families from all over India, Europe, America, and more dedicating their lives to serving the world and following the teachings of Amma. For many other people it is also an international pilgrimage center for those seeking solace, inspiration, and inner peace for however long they wish. Thousands of people come to this ashrum to hug Amma, receive advice, and her boundless love. While Amma is at the ashrum she makes herself available day and night for those who are seeking her darshan (blessing), and to advise the disciples and volunteers who manage her humanitarian projects. She also leads the evening prayers and devotional singing, sits with residents for meditation, and holds sessions about her teachings. During the year she travels to different countries to simply hug people. Regardless of their race, religion, sex, beliefs, and status, Amma tenderly caresses anyone who comes to hear. In this simple yet powerful way Amma has transformed the lives of many, helping their hearts to blossom. In the past 37 years, Amma has hugged more than 27 million people from all parts of the globe. Recently she has addressed the Parliament of world’s Religions in Chicago, the United Nations in New York, and the Global Peace Initiative of Women Religious and Spiritual Leaders conducted at the UN in Geneva. There she was awarded with the 2007 Ghandi-King Award for nonviolence. Her extraordinary acts of love and self sacrifice have also inspired her to do countless humanitarian acts such as provide distaster relief for the
tsunami, build free homes for those living in the slums, build orphanages, provide free food, medicine, and pension, sponsor weddings for the poor, provide free legal aid, build hospitals and universities, and build centers and temples for those devoted to her teachings.
This weekend I traveled to Vallikkavu which is a remote coastal village in southern Kerala. It is the well known spot for Amma’s Ashrum. Amma is the word for mother and she is internationally known as “the hugging mother”; although her real name is Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. She is an integral part of the Indian culture, and although people didn’t understand my English when I said Amma’s ashrum, they all understood “the hugging mother”. The Amritapuri Ashrum is an international community which consists of more than 3,000 people who are permanent residents. They are monastic disciples and families from all over India, Europe, America, and more dedicating their lives to serving the world and following the teachings of Amma. For many other people it is also an international pilgrimage center for those seeking solace, inspiration, and inner peace for however long they wish. Thousands of people come to this ashrum to hug Amma, receive advice, and her boundless love. While Amma is at the ashrum she makes herself available day and night for those who are seeking her darshan (blessing), and to advise the disciples and volunteers who manage her humanitarian projects. She also leads the evening prayers and devotional singing, sits with residents for meditation, and holds sessions about her teachings. During the year she travels to different countries to simply hug people. Regardless of their race, religion, sex, beliefs, and status, Amma tenderly caresses anyone who comes to hear. In this simple yet powerful way Amma has transformed the lives of many, helping their hearts to blossom. In the past 37 years, Amma has hugged more than 27 million people from all parts of the globe. Recently she has addressed the Parliament of world’s Religions in Chicago, the United Nations in New York, and the Global Peace Initiative of Women Religious and Spiritual Leaders conducted at the UN in Geneva. There she was awarded with the 2007 Ghandi-King Award for nonviolence. Her extraordinary acts of love and self sacrifice have also inspired her to do countless humanitarian acts such as provide distaster relief for the
tsunami, build free homes for those living in the slums, build orphanages, provide free food, medicine, and pension, sponsor weddings for the poor, provide free legal aid, build hospitals and universities, and build centers and temples for those devoted to her teachings. Amma’s Teachings
Amma’s messages are universal and quite simple. She does not profess a
particular religion, but says that her religion is love. She doesn’t ask anyone to believe in God or even to change their faith. She simply asks them to inquire into their own real nature and to believe in themselves. She is quoted as saying, “Love is our true essence. Love has no limitations of caste, religion, race, or nationality. We are all beads strung together on the same thread of love.” “In the end,” Amma says, “Love is the only medicine that can heal the wounds of the world; it is love that binds everything together. As this awareness draws within us, all disharmony will cease and abiding peace will reign.”
Amma’s messages are universal and quite simple. She does not profess a
particular religion, but says that her religion is love. She doesn’t ask anyone to believe in God or even to change their faith. She simply asks them to inquire into their own real nature and to believe in themselves. She is quoted as saying, “Love is our true essence. Love has no limitations of caste, religion, race, or nationality. We are all beads strung together on the same thread of love.” “In the end,” Amma says, “Love is the only medicine that can heal the wounds of the world; it is love that binds everything together. As this awareness draws within us, all disharmony will cease and abiding peace will reign.” My Experience
I had never heard of the hugging mother before, yet I was intrigued to see why thousands of people were flocking to hug her from all parts of the world and giving her billions of dollars worth of offerings and money. Surprisingly, any money and gifts she is given, she gives it away to others. She instead uses for her ashrum and also for her many humanitarian projects. I had no idea what to expect, yet I consider myself to be a person who is open to new experiences. When I arrived at the ashrum, I saw pink buildings that consisted of the hospital, temple, shops, food centers, and also places to stay. I was impressed by this small community, which has a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. I was also taken back by the beauty and simplicity of it. Interestingly enough, it is the same place that Amma grew up during her childhood.
I met Lalitha aunty there, and she let me stay with her in a room on the Indian side. There is a “Western” part which is for the foreigners from America, Europe, etc., as well as an Indian part for those who are residents of India. The accommodations and food are different for the westerners and Indians because but they are free to eat what they would like and also mingle with each other. There is no segregation or discrimination in the community, and to validate my point I saw a transvestite and also some people who appeared to be mentally ill. All of them are accepted and considered part of the community.
I was floored when I walked into the large building where Amma was giving hugs because thousands of people were sitting, standing, and waiting just to hug Amma. Lalitha aunty told me that people wait from morning to night just for a hug. Fortunately for me, my aunty had connections with the people there and I was able to get a pass and hug Amma after an hour. After waiting in the line, I was eager and also nervous to meet Amma. Thoughts raced through my head such as what do I say, and how do I act? I had seen her picture but even though I was five feet away from her I couldn’t see her face because people were swarmed around her. Fortunately, my question was answered when people in white simply pushed me and told me to kneel in front of Amma. I kneeled and the people in white pushed me again and told me to hug her. I didn’t see her face because it all happened so fast but people translated and told her that I was born in India, adopted to an American family, and now residing in the U.S. While we were embracing each other, I couldn’t think of anything else but of how good she smelled. She smelled beautiful, like incense and flowers combined. I had no expectations and no inspiration to say any words; I was simply letting things happen in their natural flow. I heard Amma say something in Malayalam over and over again softly to me. Later, I interpreted that she was saying “pure, pure, pure”. After embracing me, she looked at me and simply laughed, it was a joyous laugh that was music to my ears. I finally got a glimpse of her face. She had white hairs mixed with her black hair, and a nose ring that dazzled in the light. Looking at her face, I had the feeling I was looking at a mother, a grandmother, and a child all in one person. I have never felt this way towards another human being before. She then gave me her darshan which was a small planton (banana), hard candy, and a small paper package. The paper package had powder in it which people spread in their hair, between their eyes, and in their hair to represent blessings. I can’t quite say what it was, but something changed in me that day. It led me to be more considerate and compassionate towards others, and to also re-evaluate my spiritual life. I finally understood why thousands of people want to see and hug Amma. Her simple embrace is worth more than money and any other material thing, because it opens up people’s hearts to peace and compassion within themselves and towards others. People see Amma in different ways. Some see her as a mother, others as a guru or a god. I now see her as someone is the epitome of what we should all strive to be, someone who is selflessly serving God and humanity.
I had never heard of the hugging mother before, yet I was intrigued to see why thousands of people were flocking to hug her from all parts of the world and giving her billions of dollars worth of offerings and money. Surprisingly, any money and gifts she is given, she gives it away to others. She instead uses for her ashrum and also for her many humanitarian projects. I had no idea what to expect, yet I consider myself to be a person who is open to new experiences. When I arrived at the ashrum, I saw pink buildings that consisted of the hospital, temple, shops, food centers, and also places to stay. I was impressed by this small community, which has a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. I was also taken back by the beauty and simplicity of it. Interestingly enough, it is the same place that Amma grew up during her childhood.
I met Lalitha aunty there, and she let me stay with her in a room on the Indian side. There is a “Western” part which is for the foreigners from America, Europe, etc., as well as an Indian part for those who are residents of India. The accommodations and food are different for the westerners and Indians because but they are free to eat what they would like and also mingle with each other. There is no segregation or discrimination in the community, and to validate my point I saw a transvestite and also some people who appeared to be mentally ill. All of them are accepted and considered part of the community.
I was floored when I walked into the large building where Amma was giving hugs because thousands of people were sitting, standing, and waiting just to hug Amma. Lalitha aunty told me that people wait from morning to night just for a hug. Fortunately for me, my aunty had connections with the people there and I was able to get a pass and hug Amma after an hour. After waiting in the line, I was eager and also nervous to meet Amma. Thoughts raced through my head such as what do I say, and how do I act? I had seen her picture but even though I was five feet away from her I couldn’t see her face because people were swarmed around her. Fortunately, my question was answered when people in white simply pushed me and told me to kneel in front of Amma. I kneeled and the people in white pushed me again and told me to hug her. I didn’t see her face because it all happened so fast but people translated and told her that I was born in India, adopted to an American family, and now residing in the U.S. While we were embracing each other, I couldn’t think of anything else but of how good she smelled. She smelled beautiful, like incense and flowers combined. I had no expectations and no inspiration to say any words; I was simply letting things happen in their natural flow. I heard Amma say something in Malayalam over and over again softly to me. Later, I interpreted that she was saying “pure, pure, pure”. After embracing me, she looked at me and simply laughed, it was a joyous laugh that was music to my ears. I finally got a glimpse of her face. She had white hairs mixed with her black hair, and a nose ring that dazzled in the light. Looking at her face, I had the feeling I was looking at a mother, a grandmother, and a child all in one person. I have never felt this way towards another human being before. She then gave me her darshan which was a small planton (banana), hard candy, and a small paper package. The paper package had powder in it which people spread in their hair, between their eyes, and in their hair to represent blessings. I can’t quite say what it was, but something changed in me that day. It led me to be more considerate and compassionate towards others, and to also re-evaluate my spiritual life. I finally understood why thousands of people want to see and hug Amma. Her simple embrace is worth more than money and any other material thing, because it opens up people’s hearts to peace and compassion within themselves and towards others. People see Amma in different ways. Some see her as a mother, others as a guru or a god. I now see her as someone is the epitome of what we should all strive to be, someone who is selflessly serving God and humanity.
If you are interested in reading more about her teachings you can visit her homepage at www.amritapuri.org . Also, she is visiting the U.S. after her birthday next week and of all places she is visiting Fairfield, Iowa! If you are able to I would encourage you to see or hug her just for the experience.
Application to Real Life
After returning from the trip, I opened up the newspaper and found an article that expresses in words the feelings that I felt from my experience. The article was titled "To Feel or Not" with a subheading "Are we just being used when we are kind and compassionate?" was by Usha Jesudasan. Here is a summary of the article. “My grandmother and mother have be
en wonderful role models as I journey down the path of ahimsa (ahimsa is another word for truth or love, it is also the practice of non-violence). My mother told me a story one day when I was frustrated. I felt frustrated because it seemed that my mother was being used and taken advantage of by others when she was being kind and compassionate. She said, “A holy man bathing in the river, noticed a drowning scorpion. He lifted it out but before he could put it down, the scorpion stung him. The man was in great pain, yet he carefully placed it on the ground. People laughed at his stupidity. “What did you achieve? You spared the scorpions life only to get yourself bitten.” The man replied, “I did what I had to, according to my nature: rescue it from drowning and give it life. The scorpion did what it had to do according to its nature: sting me.” Often we look the other way from a beggar or an appeal for help because we don’t like to be cheated. Our hearts want to respond, but we are unsure if our help will actually reach them or if they will truly benefit. Once when we stopped at a traffic light, a young boy ran up to our car waving a packet of colored wash cloths for the car. The person I was with shooed him away as I dug into my purse for some money. I was a little surprised by her ferociousness. The boy looked at me with soulful eyes. “Please buy a packet,” he said. “It’s for my books.” I know many children like him who sell flowers, car cloths, spinach and other things early in the morning before they go to school. Yes, they are a nuisance, they pester us at the wrong time, when we have no change or when we are stressed. Life is hard for them, but they go on hoping that today will be a better day…that they will sell one more packet or cloth than yesterday. Reaching out takes them a little nearer to the road of independence, economic stability, and personal dignity. Ahisma people are not just those with hearts, but are those with hearts that ask nothing in return.”
en wonderful role models as I journey down the path of ahimsa (ahimsa is another word for truth or love, it is also the practice of non-violence). My mother told me a story one day when I was frustrated. I felt frustrated because it seemed that my mother was being used and taken advantage of by others when she was being kind and compassionate. She said, “A holy man bathing in the river, noticed a drowning scorpion. He lifted it out but before he could put it down, the scorpion stung him. The man was in great pain, yet he carefully placed it on the ground. People laughed at his stupidity. “What did you achieve? You spared the scorpions life only to get yourself bitten.” The man replied, “I did what I had to, according to my nature: rescue it from drowning and give it life. The scorpion did what it had to do according to its nature: sting me.” Often we look the other way from a beggar or an appeal for help because we don’t like to be cheated. Our hearts want to respond, but we are unsure if our help will actually reach them or if they will truly benefit. Once when we stopped at a traffic light, a young boy ran up to our car waving a packet of colored wash cloths for the car. The person I was with shooed him away as I dug into my purse for some money. I was a little surprised by her ferociousness. The boy looked at me with soulful eyes. “Please buy a packet,” he said. “It’s for my books.” I know many children like him who sell flowers, car cloths, spinach and other things early in the morning before they go to school. Yes, they are a nuisance, they pester us at the wrong time, when we have no change or when we are stressed. Life is hard for them, but they go on hoping that today will be a better day…that they will sell one more packet or cloth than yesterday. Reaching out takes them a little nearer to the road of independence, economic stability, and personal dignity. Ahisma people are not just those with hearts, but are those with hearts that ask nothing in return.”
