For quite a few years now I have heard stories about the one known simply as Amma. I had heard that Amma is the hugging saint and that receiving a hug from her can send one into a semi-ecstatic state of love bliss. I have also heard that in order to receive this love infusion, one must endure a day or nightlong wait amongst a thousand devotees in the tight quarters of a cramped hotel floor.I always thought that when the Universe wanted me to receive ‘my hug’ the opportunity would clearly present itself, the traffic would part and I would be transported over to a hotel near LAX to await my turn amongst the devotees. Well, it turns out this was my time as I got an early morning email from my boss suggesting that instead of coming in to the office I should go and visit Amma. (I know that at this news the yogitoes email inbox will be overflowing with resumes by the end of the day).
Traffic didn’t exactly part for my workmate Zan and I as we made our way south, but we knew we were getting closer as we began to recognize Amma devotees, not your usual LAX-area pedestrians, as they stood out in their flowing garments and mala beads with essential oils wafting after them in the breeze.
Upon arriving at the second level of the Radison Hotel, the event was obviously in full swing. There was a lovely energy swirling through the event with people mingling about, pausing at vendor stands that offered all things Amma, eating vegetarian fare or just sitting and watching Amma on the large video screens. Though the room was large, the atmosphere was intimate and it wasn’t at all the picture I had in my mind of long lines of attendees weary from the countless hours of waiting.
Once meditation was over in the main room, we received our tokens indicating when it would be our turn to receive darshan. So, for clarity, what does it mean to receive darshan…the Sanskrit translation is “auspicious viewing”; it is the beholding of a deity or a revered person such as a spiritual teacher where the experience is reciprocal and results in the beholder receiving a blessing in return (Encyclopedia Britannica). The blessing here is in the form of Amma’s hugs in which she is said to transfer the essence of unconditional love to the receiver.
Our four hours flew by and when it was our turn we were ushered up towards the stage. My advance toward Amma was surreal as the kirtan ensemble sang out in angelic chorus behind her, live video of the hugging played on either side of us while the volunteers continuously urged us forward. I was swiftly prepped; relieved of my carried belongings, given a tissue to wipe off any facial oil then instructed to quickly kneel, as I would be next. The previous person was barely released as I was pushed in, Amma reached out and I was drawn in to her embrace.
She smelled wonderfully of roses! I instinctively put my arm around her but attendants immediately removed my hand as I guess Amma was the only one to be doing any hugging. She whispered loving words in my ear as she hugged then she released me only to pull me back in for a second embrace. The hug seemed to last forever and was the only thing still in the chaotic shuffling going on around me. Once released, Amma handed me prasad (an appropriate hersey’s kiss) and as quickly as I was ushered in, I was ushered out.
Spinning in a rose scented fog, I tried to orient myself and waited for Zan. She soon emerged in what appeared to be an equally dazed state. She described feeling a pulsating energy that radiated out from Amma and moved through her on its way out into the room yet… the Universe. I listened as she described a powerful pulsation, a stirring experience of pure unadulterated Love that jolted her consciousness. Her words echoed those of others that have told of similar moments of transcendence and awakening. As for myself, I was still trying to figure out my experience. Where Zan had an immediate hit, I believe I walked away with something akin to a force field of subtle energy working on me.
What was clear that there was a strong sense of Love radiating throughout the rooms, permeating the air, woven through all shared words, opening hearts wider than before. Maybe that is what it is all about; Amma reminds us of the unconditional, all-encompasing Love we are born with, and through this reminder, we can re-embody it and share it with all those we cross paths. Whether it hits you head-on or swirls in a vortex around you, is there a more powerful message than Love?
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