Why would I (and several others) wait so long for a hug from anyone? Well, I must admit it was pretty special. Amma has been called a living saint, a guru, a mystic and The Divine Mother. For the last 39 years, Amma has been "embracing the world". She has hugged and comforted over 30 million people. Amma and her growing humanitarian movement, 'Embracing The World', have aided not only her native Indian countrymen but have sent man power, medical and building supplies, money and prayers to such devastated areas as the small towns nearly wiped out by the tsunami in Japan and the earthquake in Haiti, as well as several other communities that have been struck by disaster.
So, the hug....this was my first and I hope not my last. After arriving at the Javits Center, I was given a token-K3. Once my letter/number combination was displayed, it would be my turn to line up. The festivities start at 10am with a Pada Puja (a ceremony involving worshipping the feet of Amma), a procession and then a brief and lovely meditation. I was then able to browse the Indian bizarre selling books, jewelry and clothing and eat some fab Indian cuisine. At 1pm, K3 was finally displayed.
Minutes later, I was kneeling before Amma. With my arms stretched out on either side of her, she pulled me into her chest, kissed my cheek and then wrapped her arms around me. As she whispered a mantra for me in my ear, I could feel "energy" rise from within her and pass through to me. It was like a mild electrical jolt but filled with unconditional love. Pretty darn amazing. Worth the 4.5 hour wait? Absolutely!
To read more about Amma, her humanitarian organizations and review her tour schedule, visit www.amma.org
