The Amma Will Hug You Now
Last week a Manhattan convention center was the scene of a literal love-in when an estimated 15,000 people lined up to get free hugs from Mata Amritanandamayi, better known as "Amma" or the "Hugging Saint." The 54-year-old native of India has hugged 27 million people worldwide, say her followers, and has gained a fan base in the West, where she's wrapping up a 10-city North American tour. Accompanied by white-robed groupies who caravan behind her tour bus, Amma, considered a saint by her acolytes, spends upwards of 18 hours a day giving hugs. "I am not like a battery that needs to be recharged, I am eternally connected to the power source," she says through a translator. (Amma speaks only Malayalam.) Hindu by birth, she does not affiliate with a specific religion—"My religion is love"—and encourages people to find faith through service. Amma is a trademarked brand with nonprofit status and volunteer projects that include a hospital in India and soup kitchens in the United States. She's funded by donations and proceeds from DVDs of her chanting, swimsuits and saris sold at events.
But despite the mysticism and the mobile gift shop, most just come for the good vibes. "I believe in God and I'm religious," says Mike Daniels, a city employee. "But I just wanted to get my hug."
© 2008
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Member Comments
Posted By: SHABINA NAIR @ 09/18/2008 4:46:44 AM
Comment: Thewhitesmiter,where are your basic manners? I recommend you better do your homework on Amma before you hurl anymore insults on her. Do visit Amma's website. You will have much to gain especially in terms of being a more pleasant and kind human being.
Posted By: SHABINA NAIR @ 09/18/2008 4:32:21 AM
Comment: Comment: AMMA is the epitome of all humanity in this world already torn apart by all sorts unfairness and discrimination. Amma will not challenge anyone but empower any child who comes to her just like how GOD will.
Posted By: shivani @ 08/05/2008 12:51:26 AM
Comment: Thewhitemiter is such a foolish, intolerant stupido. If you do not believe in Hinduism, then just don't believe in it. But please don't downplay it by making such ignorant comments. How is it that the first thing you recognize about a highly spiritual person (obviously more spiritual than you because the first thing you seem to notice about Amma is that she is "fat.") is her appearance? Just goes to show the materialistic, celebrity-driven world that we live in...seriously, why is it that we must start placing labels on spiritual masters like we do to celebrities. Life is way more than those stupid celebrities people look up to and try to emulate. If girls emulated people like Amma, then maybe the whole issue of anorexic young girls and women would not be an issue!!!! And Hinduism is just as good as any other religion, even Christianity. So, take your stupidity and shove it somewhere else because Hinduism has been around even longer than Christianity has. Amma is a highly spiritual person that you better not try to deride.