Darshan of Amma, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

Darshan moved into blogs.amritapuri.org

2007-08-29T00:24:00.000+05:30

Om Namah Sivaya,

This Blog has now been moved permanently from here. All of Amma blogs are now integrated into this one single site — ‘http://blogs.amritapuri.org.’ From now onwards, new postings will appear here.

In Blogs.amritapuri.org, the main page shows the 10 latest blog postings. You can also view latest posts in each category (With Amma, Ashram Diary, Amrita News, Amrita Darshan).

We welcome your ongoing contributions, comments and support.

Thank you!

See you there...

Namah Sivayah

A following in the foothills

2007-07-28T15:36:00.000+05:30

A following in the foothills
12:01 a.m. PT Jul 28, 2007

"I feel I have found my path in life and my purpose in life. My close friends see the change in me. It feels like coming home." - Elyse Warner, devotee of Indian holy woman Amma

famous Indian religious figures have followers in Nevada County

BY SOUMITRO SEN

Staff Writer

When Elyse Warner first heard of the spiritual teacher known as Amma in 2000, she wasn't into visiting such people.

But a few weeks later, Warner stood in line to get her first audience with the 53-year-old Hindu holy woman in the Amma's ashram in San Ramon, Calif. Seven years later, Warner recalls how she wept without knowing why.

"It was the most powerful experience I've felt," Warner, 54, said. "It felt like the presence of a divinity."

The transformative power of eastern religions has drawn a significant following in western Nevada County, where one devotee attributes the spirituality of area residents to the gold lacing the ground.

Saintly people of 20th century India, in particular, draw many devotees from the region and around the world, including Amma, Sathya Sai Baba, Anandamayi Ma, Swami Yogananda and Swami Sivananda.

Devotees feel change in their lives

Amma means "mother," the name fondly given by devotees to Mata Amritanandamayi. Today, Warner is an ardent follower, and hosts gatherings of local devotees at her home once a month.

"I believe Amma is an avatar - divinity in a human body," Warner said. "When I am around her, I experience moments of real peace and joy that I can't say I've felt very much before."

"I feel like a different person," Warner said. "I feel I have found my path in life and my purpose in life. My close friends see the change in me. It feels like coming home."

ooo

TheUnion.com

Favourate blog

2007-07-25T14:56:00.000+05:30

A Prayer

2007-06-19T01:17:00.000+05:30

Blessed Mother, Great and Holy One
Hear your daughter

Give me guidance in the turmoil of daily life
Show me how to be more understanding of others

Open your arms and embrace me

Teach me to embrace others inspite of
their faults as you have me

Guide me in teaching others tolerance
and love for all things

Help me to teach my children about your
love and help me to show them your
nurturing ways

Allow me to draw your light into my life
that I may enlighten all of those that
I touch with your beauty...

Annie Ramsey, Washington

Amma on 20/20

2007-05-16T03:27:00.000+05:30

The Power of a Hug

An Indian Woman Draws Hundreds of Thousands of Devotees -- All for Her Hugs

By VIVIAN HERNANDEZ ORTIZ and SARAH HODD

May 9, 2007 —

In the south of India lives a woman who has dedicated her life to helping others through the simplest of gestures -- an embrace. She is said to have blessed and consoled more than 26 million people throughout the world.

In Malayalam, Amma's native language, the name Amma means "mother" -- an apt name for the woman revered as a holy being.

Amma, known to many as the hugging saint, traveled to Chennai, the fifth most populous city in India earlier this year.

Chennai is blanketed with her image; her face is on street buses and there are larger-than-life posters of her around the city.

Amma's Winter Tour of Southern India

Having many devoted followers, Amma often addresses massive crowds -- as many as 200,000 packed into an outdoor space as big as a football field during her stop in Chennai. She has gained near superstar status among her followers around the world, all through her simple act of hugging.

After speaking to the overflowing crowd, followers rushed to the stage and patiently waited hours for their turn at darshan -- the Sanskrit term which means "vision" and is used to describe the meeting with a holy person. Through 16 straight hours, Amma hugged each and every person while offering advice and guidance to many troubled hearts.

She is not selling salvation or offering physical healing or a chance at prosperity. Instead, Amma seems to have tapped into a deep and essential human need -- the need for affection and the human touch.

Betsy Barnett, an American from New York, has been a devotee for the past 10 years. She described Amma as someone with infinite compassion and motherly love, who makes a relentless effort to uplift and to relieve suffering.

"Slowly, slowly I'm learning how to love," Barnett said. "To me that means to love without expectations, without attachment, but being able to really&feel purely loving toward others. And it's hard."

From Humble Beginnings to Devoted Followers

Amma is the daughter of a poor fisherman and a member of one of the lowest castes in India. She attended school until the fourth grade, but had to quit to help out her family. As a young girl Amma spent hours in meditation, singing chants to her God.

She began with small acts of charity at the age of 7 years old, inspired by the desire to ease people's suffering. She washed the clothes of her elderly neighbors, bathed them and even brought them food and clothing from her own home.

"I used to visit villages when I was young," Amma said. "In some of the homes there would be a lot of food available and everyone was happy. In yet another house, the mother and children would be huddled together and crying. When I saw that, I brought things from my house and gave it to them."

Amma has inspired and started many humanitarian services, from charities and orphanages, and founded an 800-bed hospital, schools of higher education and soup kitchens at home and abroad.

Her devotion to her cause is reflected in her followers. She travels with hundreds of unpaid volunteers who have gladly uprooted their lives to serve her.

Are Hugs the Answer to the World's Problems?

Amma's popularity, while impressive, is not a new phenomenon. There have been a number of Indian spiritual leaders who have become popular in the West. The Maharishi were made popular by the Beatles in the 1960s, Sai Baba has more than 30 million followers worldwide and Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh was well-known for his popularity in the United States before his death.

For Amma, her life as a spiritual leader has also brought material benefits. Her headquarters in Kerala are indeed grand -- but according to her organization, the money comes from the sale of souvenirs, her personal effects and contributions.

While it is hard to know exactly how much money Amma has, she certainly spends a lot on her charities. She has been honored at the United Nations for her humanitarian service, and her charitable contributions have made international news. In February, she handed over the keys to 1,100 new homes in Nagapattanam for survivors of the 2005 tsunami.

Still her simple message is to love and serve one another, and most of her time is still spent hugging those in need.

"Love is not ordinary," Amma said. "Love is what sustains life. Whatever we do it is only to get love. There are two types of poverty in this world. The first one is, you know, financial. The second is poverty due to lack of love, the second one is more important. If we have compassion, we will automatically help."

fuels life of selfless service

2007-02-06T10:17:00.000+05:30

. . . . . . ..

Last year, he went to India as a volunteer, taking along his wife, Ayako, a black belt in her own right. He was invited by Shantamrita Chaitanya (American Brandon Smith).

He is director of the Mata Amritanandamayi Center Japan and the nonprofit organization Amrita Heart, which serve Japan on behalf of Mata Amritanandamyi, nicknamed Amma, and known worldwide as the hugging saint. (Last in Tokyo, she hugged 8,500 people in three days and still had energy to spare. She'll be here in spring for four days of programs -- May 25-26 in Kobe, May 28-29 in Tokyo.)

"We were in Nagapattinam, where 20,000 died in the tsunami. Amma's organization was the first to start reconstruction there. Ayako and I went with 150 students from universities all over Japan, to help in rebuilding and introduce Japanese culture."

He says he and his wife will never forgot the faces of local children, who met them all with garlands of flowers. "They were so poor, and yet there was a vital sparkling light in their eyes-- Japanese children don't have this anymore. Sad, isn't it?"

Nor will he and his wife forget the excitement of Indian engineering students who were able to witness and experience aikido for the first time.

. . . . . . . .

3 Feb 2007
ANGELA JEFFS, The Japan Times
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20070203a1.html

Discovering the inner

2007-01-01T03:38:00.000+05:30

I recall 13 years ago in Seattle, my three year old daughter and I were granted an unexpected darshan with Amma.

It was our second opportunity to meet with this inspiring Saint from India named "Amma". However, when we arrived late at the Church of Truth that Monday evening, the hall was filled to capacity with over seven thousand in attendence!! I sighed and told my daughter Daelyn that the crowd was so large that we would probably not stay ...It didn't look too likely that we would meet Amma without waiting for hours...definately far past my daughter's bedtime.

At that moment a Japanese devotee of Amma came up to Daelyn and I standing at the hall entrance. She said "Are you here to meet Amma?" I replied that we only just met Amma
the night before, but by the looks of things we had come too late and the crowd was too large. She asked us to follow her and that she would seat us. To my surprise, this compassionate and alert devotee took us right up to the front of the large hall and sat us a few feet from where Amma was to begin her evening program!
After sitting so near for all of Amma's evening satsang and bhajans, I prepared to leave with my daughter. However, Amma pulled my daughter to herself for the first darshan of the night. She then surprised me again by pulling me to her warm embrace also. Then she told us to sit beside her while she gave darshan to thousands more. My daughter fell asleep in my lap as I discovered the inner blessing of meditating beside this divine personality named Amma.

Jai Ma
Chidanand

Amma on French National TV

2006-12-02T22:11:00.000+05:30

The programme on Amma from the French National TV Channel 6 with English subtitles.

Amma on Swiss TV

2006-12-02T21:10:00.000+05:30

Swiss National TV news clipping on Amma's visit to Europe in Oct- Nov 2006.

miss peace

2006-11-28T14:24:00.000+05:30

Just returned home after my 1st retreat w/ Amma in San Ramon. It is very challenging to come back into the world and I miss Amma and the community of peace and love that surrounds Amma. Grateful without measure and no real way to articulate all the love and grace yet. Thank you. Om Namah Shivayah
susanne haugen, ca, usa
27 nov 06.

Prema Pizza

2006-11-21T01:13:00.000+05:30

We all got ready to visit the San Ramon ashram early Sunday morning. When we reached there we were surprised to see a long line for Darshan tokens. Amazing that on the first day of public Darshan so many people both old-timers and many new faces had come. When Amma enetered the Hall at 10:00am there was not a space left inside the temple. Every nook and cranny had people. Amma saw this and asked people especially those with kids to sit on the stage. Thinking of Her children's comfort to the last minute Amma started giving Darshan and moving faster to accomodate everyone.

When our turn came, after my husband got his hug I couldn't resist asking Amma whether Amma ate the pizza I had left for her the previous evening. Amma looked at me for a minute and then said "Prema Pizza Kayichallo" (Ate the pizza made with love). With joy I was enveloped in Her hug. I don't know if She physically ate the pizza but I was fulfilled! After that the day zipped past on a high note. What a sweet memory for a busy day.

-Sujatha, USA
20 Nov 06

the Hugging Saint

2006-11-17T18:31:00.000+05:30

Interfaith

2006-11-17T18:30:00.000+05:30

When Amma received the New York Interfaith Center award, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) interviewed Amma and published a story and video on their web site. PBS is the US national education television station. To see the article go to:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week936/feature.html

Pop Star Amma

2006-11-15T19:12:00.000+05:30

International Pop Star Melanie Safka Incorporates Amma’s Teachings

Melanie Safka’s latest song ‘Motherhood of Love’ incorporates the teachings of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. She had a life-altering experience when she met Amma.

“‘Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu’ is the only thing I know in Sanskrit,” said Melanie, “and it is in my song to Amma.”

Since 1969, Melanie has released almost one album a year. To date, more than 80 million of her records have been sold, and they continue to sell. UNICEF made her its spokesperson.

Amma on RAI3 news

2006-11-12T20:51:00.001+05:30

Italian National TV RAI3, ran a nice "piece" on Amma, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, on her visit to the country.
Milan, Italy (Nov 2-4), 2006 Europe Yatra

13 Heurs, National TV2

2006-10-31T15:45:00.000+05:30

Here is a piece on Amma, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, shown on the popular French national TV2 news show: "13 Heurs during her visit to Europe 2006 October 28- 31

This area needs Amma's influence

2006-09-22T01:29:00.000+05:30

It's almost a year that I did not see Amma.
Miss her presence a lot, on a daily basis…

In this year we tried here in Israel to get more people aware of Amma's way & message.
We had Shubamrita visit here & enjoyed a lot.

The Jewish New Year is tomorrow.
On this year this country & its people had a lot of suffering, as well as the neighboring countries.
On the Bhajans list for the birthday celebration we added the song "O Lord of Vrindavan" singing "when will you come…"
I hope that we will be able to gather more Israelis around us, so the dream of Amma visit Jerusalem will happen.

This area needs Amma's influence for sure.

@ Your lotus feet

Migo, Isreal

Amma news in Jamaica

2006-09-09T01:54:00.000+05:30

Living Hindu saint embraces thousands
published: Thursday | September 7, 2006

Do you need a hug? How about 75,000 hugs in less than a day? A bit much? Well, if you're Amma, the living Hindu saint of hugs, then it's all in a day's work.

Amma, which means 'divine mother', is the nickname given to 52-year-old Mata Amritanandamayi, who though born in extreme poverty in the slums of southern India, now presides over a network of schools, orphanages and hospitals.

A living deity

In India, Mata is considered a living deity and about 10,000 people a day travel miles to line up for hours to get a hug from her.

According to a recent USA Today article, Amma has hugged an estimated 27 million people in her lifetime. On her birthday last year, she hugged 75,000 persons.

But what's so special about Amma's hugs anyway?

Well, her followers say that her hugs are more tender and loving than anybody else's. They say that a hug from Amma is like being in the presence of God. Quite intense for a simple hug, but 27 million people can't all be wrong!

www.jamaica-gleaner.com

because i know She Knows

2006-09-08T01:36:00.000+05:30

This was my second meeting with Amma. I had gone to the Chicago
O'hare International Airport to receive her, as had many others that
day. In the last one year, I had already heard many powerful stories
about Amma that clearly pointed to her being a Self-realized saint, no
less than God Himself! While a part of me was quite convinced of
Amma's greatness, the other part wanted to 'test' her in some small,
simple way.

As Amma came out of the gate and started walking out with a sizable
retinue of hers, I too began following her, managing to stay several
steps behind and to her side. Then, began my test: Mentally, I began
calling "Ammmma... Ammmma... Ammmma..." The objective of the test was
to establish whether or not the supposedly omniscient Amma can
demonstrate that she can, at minimum, hear my calls. Suddenly, Amma
turned, slowed down just a wee bit and smilingly looked at me.
Walking, as I came within an arm's reach of hers, Amma wrapped her arm
around my neck, pulled me closer, kissed my cheek, and kept walking
with her arm still around until finally letting me go a few feet
later!

Though this whole episode did not last more than a minute, it was
quite an experience! Can any modern physicist demonstrate or even
explain this phenomenon, I thought.

While I felt there was no need for testing Amma any further, Amma on
Her own has since then given me not one but several indications of Her
divinity. I seek Her guidance in not only big and spiritual matters
but also in small and mundane ones... because I know She knows.

-Nikhil.

Amma has proved

2006-08-10T01:36:00.000+05:30

Amma is the pure, blessed One.
Look at any photo from the old days
when she was 'just a teenage girl Ha!'
and a photo from this year and look
at the eyes in both photos.

See what I mean!
Nothing has changed, nothing.
Amma is pure beyond words.
Amma is ever-changeless.
She is the One.

It is almost scary to realize that
this perfect, blessed One in an instant
could crush the entire cosmos, all the universes of all time.
Yet Amma shows us a simple, small, sweet lady in white who wouldn't hurt a fly, and only cares to help all.

Amma doesn't care about the rules.
Yet she knows every thing about you and I.
This blessed one knows everything and even knows things you and I have forgotten or are simply deep in hiding from shame and pain.
Amma knows all.

I just felt like sharing what is on my mind most of the time.

Meditation is Life.
It can also be when I sit cross-legged and close my eyes.
But Amma has proved to me over and over Meditation is how one walks through waking life.

Om Amma!

Chetan Graham, India
12 June 2006

it happened years back

2006-08-08T01:35:00.000+05:30

Om Namah Shivaya..
Its nice to see an Ashram diary Blog site.. where all the thoughts are
put together.

This happened many years back.. My parents were getting ready to meet
someone... & I heard them speaking about this Lady who blesses people &
that it might worth be a visit.. I wanted to go along as I was very
curious to know whom they were going to meet (as I always am ) but they
didnt let me come then..However, They went to meet Her again the next
day !! but this time I was there too !!
As far as I could remember it was in a house, this Lady in White was
sitting there .. Hugging people, smiling , the atmosphere was very
pleasant .. But I was more intrested in the candy that she gives, now
that interested me (Like how Ram-Elephant ; is when he sees biscuit in
Amma's Hand) !! As my turn came SHE hugged me too and yes I got the
candy !!
But little did I realize then, how this Lady, Our beloved Amma is going
to touch my life .... Everything changed.. The impact was tremendous but
smooth & gradual..She became a part of my life .. I remember only
that time of my life after I met HER everything before that seemed very
insignificant !! The way She guided me through my childhood,school,
college to job to marriage to till this date.. everyday was an
experience.The Roller Coaster Begun !!

Its now 16yrs since I met Amma, I am 25 yrs old, working for a reputable
firm (With Amma's grace)... I can never imagine how I would have made
till this if it was not for Amma... I would love to share my experience
with you all...

"Amma ki chaya me mera safar "

Ever in surrender to Amma

8th Aug 2006
-Shyan Jai

A real reason to go

2006-07-04T01:34:00.000+05:30

I am proofing a book for my friend Laura,who met Amma in the eighties and told me that if I had any opportunity to see her I should. I went to Albuquerque June 26 to the Hyatt Regency, where Amma was giving darshan, and now I want to realize my dream since childhood of going to India, because now I have a real reason to go.

Athea Marcos Amir
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico
9 July 2006

Nandi Amma

2006-06-07T01:33:00.000+05:30

I have found a mother i have found the greatest example on earth i have
found hope and the true teaching and feeling of love.

My life as changed since Amma hugged me, i feel so much love for her it
fills me with love for the world and everyone around me.

Nandi Amma Thank you Amma

Amaete
Bellingham, WA, USA
7 June 2006

world is healing through your eyes

2006-06-01T01:11:00.000+05:30

As a woman who is devoted to service and dreams of the Great Goddess embracing our world with her soft, gentleness, melting away the sorrows and sufferings of all her children- I cry every time I witness the love, devotion and service that Amma radiates. She is truly an embodiment of the Mother and the world is a better place because of her and those that are in service with her. Thank you, Thank you. I see examples of the world healing through your eyes. How can my family participate in this global devotional service?

asura nor
asheville, north carolina, usa
1 June 2006.

I cried my heart out for six days

2006-04-09T01:44:00.000+05:30

I saw Amma,s Picture in a magazine, titled Nova. It said Amma was coming to Fremantle in Perth. I did not know who Amma was,I had never heard of Amma, but I instinctively knew I had to go and see this Beautiful Lady. I am so happy I did.
After being with Amma, and getting two hugs in two days, I cried my heart out for the next six days. I don't know what happened to me!
Can someone please explain ?
Thank you,
Franca Chong
Perth, West Australia, Australia
9 April 2006

cry each day with happiness

2006-04-05T01:42:00.000+05:30

I loved being with you during your visit to Perth Amma. Your love and devotion to all of Gods children is not only astounding but inspirational to all who come into contact with you. I am now ready and wanting to become a devotee.
You not only have touched my heart but opened my inner yearning for self realization.

I am so blessed to have found my Guru, I cry each day with happiness and now will pray that someday I will spend time with you at the Ashram.
Aum, Shanti, Shanti

Janet Wynne
Perth, Western Australia, Australia

had to wait so long

2006-04-02T01:43:00.000+05:30

For the first time in my life had darshan of amma in Perth passenger ferry terminal after meditation. a unique experience of life.
Even though I'm from Trivandrum had to wait so long in my life and that too in Perth to meet amma.

Sreenath S Nair
Perth, WA, Australia
2 April 2006

Dearest Mother

2006-03-20T01:40:00.000+05:30

Dearest Mother
i'm so far from you,but when i think abut you, when i see your kind& lovely face tears comes to my eyes. i just wish to be near you.i don't know i have any right to have this wish or not.if i was able to just see you, touch your clothes.
today in my country iran abut 10 pm new year will start ,may i ask you pray for us to start our new year with believe ,happiness &health . I'm shying but if you had enough time (after others)would you pleas do Sankalpa for me.at the moment unfortunately I'm in not good state.DEAREST MOTHER i know you are very busy & i know there are thousands &thousands people that their problems are more important than me.i know you are OCEAN OF LOVE ,so please send your LOVE for me before starting new year.pleas let me after so long sadness, fell happiness again.
with love& respect.
niloofar.
tehran, , iran
20 March 2006

I was touched

2006-03-16T01:39:00.000+05:30

I was touched in the depth of my heart
How much we can do and how much little we are doing within our lifetime
Still, let me strive to do something more more more
I will come back to this site again again again to find more answers to my quest
it is a very directly touching website
i will spread word about to as many hundreds of people through me
may Amma give me the strength to carry on my quest to be more useful to fellow humans in need and in distress
thank you Amma
K V Mohandas
Bangalore, Karnataka, India

it was wonderful

2006-03-07T01:37:00.000+05:30

i went to experience Amma's presence in Ireland last year and it was wonderful. now i am thinking of going to India to do either some voluntary work or on a sponsored visit to raise funds for the charities. but i don't know where to go from here. i am unqualified at anything! please let me know . . .

diana pickersgill
mullingar, westmeath, ireland
7 March 2006