Guest guest Posted June 20, 2007 Report Share Posted June 20, 2007 I wanted to tell you about my experience at the LA event. Here is the short summary: My experience with Amma was deeply spiritual, her American handlers really turned me off, the workers and union activists were sympathetic and convincing, and I feel very strongly that we all need to act together to make sure that this conflict does not repeat itself next year. The longer version: First, with all due respect to those of you who decided not to attend because of the boycott, I just could not stay away. In part this was because I was so curious - both about Amma and about the workers. The debate on this website got me really invested in the collision of two worlds - the gathering of an Indian spiritual phenomenon devoted to love and a movement of mostly Latino immigrant workers devoted to justice. As a newcomer, I got to sit up front. At first, I spent some time taking in the vibe, feeling the room, before really focusing on Amma. I was amazed by how quickly I felt a part of things and how expansive I felt, as if extra oxygen were being pumped into the room. When I finally focused on Amma, I was taken aback by the expression on her face (it seemed quite clear to me that she is channeling something larger than herself) and the amount of focus that she brings to each and every person who presents him or herself to her. I sat for a while, many emotions passing through me and, at points, on the verge of tears. Later, I wandered around a bit. I felt somewhat ambivalent about the little market at the back of the room. On the one hand, I can see that it is through the purchase of the various beads, trinkets, shawls, etc. blessed by Amma that her programs are funded. However, as I watched a variety of different people pawing at the different objects for sale, I couldn't help but think about Chogyam Trungpa's warnings about spiritual materialism. I found myself thinking similar things about those around Amma (and was surprised by the scene in the her immediate vicinity. It reminded me of the various nurses and interns who hand a surgeon the scalpels and other instruments with which he saves lives). Some of them seemed incredibly selfless in how they assisted those who approached Amma, while others reeked of self-importance. While I still have questions about a great deal that surrounds Amma, I have no doubts about her. I found her embrace amazing and powerful. I suppose you all know this already, but I was surprised by how moved I was (and afterwards I found myself immediately planning how to come back). When I emerged from my experience with Amma I walked out of the Hilton and encountered a gathering of workers and union activists outside of the hotel. One of them handed me a flower with a message attached that asked that I boycott the LAX Hilton. I spoke at length with a young man who has been a hotel worker for many years and is a leader of the workers who are asking us to boycott the LAX Hilton. If he had not introduced himself as a worker I would never have differentiated him from the mass of devotees entering and leaving the hotel. He was dressed in drawstring pants and a white gauze shirt with mala beads around his neck. I told him about my discomfort about attacking Amma, a woman who has done so much for the world. He surprised me by listening and reacting with real sympathy. He said that he was not really angry at Amma and that he truly respects her. He said that under other circumstances he might even go and see Amma but that many people who live around the airport would never go into the LAX Hilton because the mistreatment there is well known in the neighborhood. In fact, the LAX Hilton has banned many of the people who have criticized the management from ever going into the hotel, so they can't see Amma even if they want to. The workers I met were not so much angry at Amma, but very angry with the American organizers of the tour, the leaders of the MA Center, and the LA organization because workers had tried to be in contact with them for a solid year and, at first, the leaders of the organizations refused to respond to them. When, after ongoing persistence, they finally did respond, they showed no sympathy or compassion or even concern about the difficult situation. I told the young man who was the leader of the group about our debate on the ammachi_free_speech_zone and he told me he would check it out. I hope he does. I told him that some people on the site think that the claims of mistreatment come from union leaders and not from the workers. He responded that LAX Hilton workers have filed dozens of charges of labor law violations with government agencies and that these charges can only be sustained with direct evidence from workers. So it is not possible for a union representative to fabricate these charges, workers have to testify to the charges directly. So at the very least we know that workers are in fact charging that the LAX Hilton has broken the law. The last and most important thing that the workers said to me was that what they most need right now is for us to help make sure that next year's event NOT be held at the LAX Hilton. Whatever we do with this year's event with it being the second year of a two year contract, there is no excuse for holding the event at the LAX Hilton again next year now that the contract is over. I am going to look for a way for anyone who is willing to help convince the tour organizers and the MA Center and the LA leaders to move next year's gathering to another hotel. I think this will help protect Amma from all this controversy and also allow the event to be more open to everyone. - meditationandyoga Ammachi , " Prashanti " <ammasprashanti wrote: > > OM Amriteswaryai Namah, > > Thank you, Nischala, for forwarding this story. It makes sense that Amma > would " keep out " of the politics. And also not want to disappoint Her > followers, or inflict additional costs on either them or the program. > Especially with the pre-existing contract. What could " dharma " be in such a > situation but to minimize impact on the most people? > > Hopefully Her sacred presence will bring about a change in the mind of the > Hotel corporation, and assist the workers. > > While in San Ramon, I happened to spend some time with a longtime devotee, > from Gujarat, who works at one of the San Francisco hotels that the OAH > decided last year not to patronize. He told me they - the UNITE HERE > workers - had a five year battle to get a fair contract, and had only > recently received their lump sum back pay and protection of health care. > Since he has a family to support, and the U.S. does not have a good social > net for health care costs, it meant a lot to have a good contract > resolution. The dignity of workers, especially service employees, seems > also to be a Dharma to uphold. I begged him to ask Amma about the > situation, but he was very humble about approaching the Master with such a > concern. > > As a member of the California Faculty Association, and the spouse of a trade > union member, however, it saddens me greatly to not feel able to attend our > beloved Amma's Los Angeles programs. It does not diminish my faith in Her, > nor do I mean any disrespect to the M.A. center or the local southern > California satsangs. In fact, I bow down even deeper at their abilities to > transcend the worldly play. > > May the Mother of the Universe bestow Her blessings on the organizing > efforts at LAX. > > Jai ma, > Prashanti > > On 6/18/07, Nischala <ammasgirl9 wrote: > > > > L.A.'s labor leaders snub 'hugging saint' Indian spiritual figure Amma > > gets > > a cold shoulder over her refusal to honor a union boycott of the LAX > > Hilton. > > By Joe Mathews, Times Staff Writer > > June 18, 2007 > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 I enjoyed this account. Regarding the people around Amma, as you know, everyone is welcome, so you’re going to get a pretty wide spectrum of types of people, levels of consciousness, ego, etc. Amma loves and uplifts them all and people grow over time. Regarding the hotel, we discovered here in Iowa that the Marriot, where we’re holding the event for the first time, has a policy of donating its facilities to non-profits after requiring them to pay the first year, as a tax write-off I guess. So if all goes well, next year we won’t even have to pay for the place, and it’s BEAUTIFUL! (Guests will still have to pay for their rooms, of course.) I think this is a chain-wide policy with Marriott, so you might see about using the Marriott there in LA next year. ---- Rick Archer SearchSummit 1108 South B Street Fairfield, IA 52556 Phone: (641) 472-9336 Fax: (914) 470-9336 http:HYPERLINK " http://searchsummit.com " //searchsummit.com HYPERLINK " http://searchsummit.comrick (AT) searchsummit (DOT) com " rick@... Ammachi [Ammachi ] On Behalf Of meditationandyoga Wednesday, June 20, 2007 1:46 AM Ammachi I went to see Amma and the workers at the LAX Hilton I wanted to tell you about my experience at the LA event. Here is the short summary: My experience with Amma was deeply spiritual, her American handlers really turned me off, the workers and union activists were sympathetic and convincing, and I feel very strongly that we all need to act together to make sure that this conflict does not repeat itself next year. The longer version: First, with all due respect to those of you who decided not to attend because of the boycott, I just could not stay away. In part this was because I was so curious - both about Amma and about the workers. The debate on this website got me really invested in the collision of two worlds - the gathering of an Indian spiritual phenomenon devoted to love and a movement of mostly Latino immigrant workers devoted to justice. As a newcomer, I got to sit up front. At first, I spent some time taking in the vibe, feeling the room, before really focusing on Amma. I was amazed by how quickly I felt a part of things and how expansive I felt, as if extra oxygen were being pumped into the room. When I finally focused on Amma, I was taken aback by the expression on her face (it seemed quite clear to me that she is channeling something larger than herself) and the amount of focus that she brings to each and every person who presents him or herself to her. I sat for a while, many emotions passing through me and, at points, on the verge of tears. Later, I wandered around a bit. I felt somewhat ambivalent about the little market at the back of the room. On the one hand, I can see that it is through the purchase of the various beads, trinkets, shawls, etc. blessed by Amma that her programs are funded. However, as I watched a variety of different people pawing at the different objects for sale, I couldn't help but think about Chogyam Trungpa's warnings about spiritual materialism. I found myself thinking similar things about those around Amma (and was surprised by the scene in the her immediate vicinity. It reminded me of the various nurses and interns who hand a surgeon the scalpels and other instruments with which he saves lives). Some of them seemed incredibly selfless in how they assisted those who approached Amma, while others reeked of self-importance. While I still have questions about a great deal that surrounds Amma, I have no doubts about her. I found her embrace amazing and powerful. I suppose you all know this already, but I was surprised by how moved I was (and afterwards I found myself immediately planning how to come back). When I emerged from my experience with Amma I walked out of the Hilton and encountered a gathering of workers and union activists outside of the hotel. One of them handed me a flower with a message attached that asked that I boycott the LAX Hilton. I spoke at length with a young man who has been a hotel worker for many years and is a leader of the workers who are asking us to boycott the LAX Hilton. If he had not introduced himself as a worker I would never have differentiated him from the mass of devotees entering and leaving the hotel. He was dressed in drawstring pants and a white gauze shirt with mala beads around his neck. I told him about my discomfort about attacking Amma, a woman who has done so much for the world. He surprised me by listening and reacting with real sympathy. He said that he was not really angry at Amma and that he truly respects her. He said that under other circumstances he might even go and see Amma but that many people who live around the airport would never go into the LAX Hilton because the mistreatment there is well known in the neighborhood. In fact, the LAX Hilton has banned many of the people who have criticized the management from ever going into the hotel, so they can't see Amma even if they want to. The workers I met were not so much angry at Amma, but very angry with the American organizers of the tour, the leaders of the MA Center, and the LA organization because workers had tried to be in contact with them for a solid year and, at first, the leaders of the organizations refused to respond to them. When, after ongoing persistence, they finally did respond, they showed no sympathy or compassion or even concern about the difficult situation. I told the young man who was the leader of the group about our debate on the ammachi_free_speech_zone and he told me he would check it out. I hope he does. I told him that some people on the site think that the claims of mistreatment come from union leaders and not from the workers. He responded that LAX Hilton workers have filed dozens of charges of labor law violations with government agencies and that these charges can only be sustained with direct evidence from workers. So it is not possible for a union representative to fabricate these charges, workers have to testify to the charges directly. So at the very least we know that workers are in fact charging that the LAX Hilton has broken the law. The last and most important thing that the workers said to me was that what they most need right now is for us to help make sure that next year's event NOT be held at the LAX Hilton. Whatever we do with this year's event with it being the second year of a two year contract, there is no excuse for holding the event at the LAX Hilton again next year now that the contract is over. I am going to look for a way for anyone who is willing to help convince the tour organizers and the MA Center and the LA leaders to move next year's gathering to another hotel. I think this will help protect Amma from all this controversy and also allow the event to be more open to everyone. - meditationandyoga HYPERLINK " Ammachi%40 " Ammachi , " Prashanti " <ammasprashanti wrote: > > OM Amriteswaryai Namah, > > Thank you, Nischala, for forwarding this story. It makes sense that Amma > would " keep out " of the politics. And also not want to disappoint Her > followers, or inflict additional costs on either them or the program. > Especially with the pre-existing contract. What could " dharma " be in such a > situation but to minimize impact on the most people? > > Hopefully Her sacred presence will bring about a change in the mind of the > Hotel corporation, and assist the workers. > > While in San Ramon, I happened to spend some time with a longtime devotee, > from Gujarat, who works at one of the San Francisco hotels that the OAH > decided last year not to patronize. He told me they - the UNITE HERE > workers - had a five year battle to get a fair contract, and had only > recently received their lump sum back pay and protection of health care. > Since he has a family to support, and the U.S. does not have a good social > net for health care costs, it meant a lot to have a good contract > resolution. The dignity of workers, especially service employees, seems > also to be a Dharma to uphold. I begged him to ask Amma about the > situation, but he was very humble about approaching the Master with such a > concern. > > As a member of the California Faculty Association, and the spouse of a trade > union member, however, it saddens me greatly to not feel able to attend our > beloved Amma's Los Angeles programs. It does not diminish my faith in Her, > nor do I mean any disrespect to the M.A. center or the local southern > California satsangs. In fact, I bow down even deeper at their abilities to > transcend the worldly play. > > May the Mother of the Universe bestow Her blessings on the organizing > efforts at LAX. > > Jai ma, > Prashanti > > On 6/18/07, Nischala <ammasgirl9 wrote: > > > > L.A.'s labor leaders snub 'hugging saint' Indian spiritual figure Amma > > gets > > a cold shoulder over her refusal to honor a union boycott of the LAX > > Hilton. > > By Joe Mathews, Times Staff Writer > > June 18, 2007 > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2007 Report Share Posted June 22, 2007 This was very wonderful to read and thanks for sharing. Seeing Amma is free to everyone and of course,the things sold are all for charity and no profits are made so I am not sure that establishes much in the way of materialism. We all have " things " , which is certain and most of the items sold have enhanced my spiritual awareness and attention- like the bhajans on CDs, movies of Amma, tapes, and my Amma doll. Aside from that, the people around Amma are just that, people. There are selfless as well as arrogant people everywhere you go, every day. And some of us are most things we observe every day at some point or another. It seems to me however, in Amma's presence, everyone is amplified in some way. We all seem exposed in her divine, intoxicating presence. peace and love, adriane Ammachi , " meditationandyoga " <meditationandyoga wrote: > > I wanted to tell you about my experience at the LA event. > > Here is the short summary: My experience with Amma was deeply > spiritual, her American handlers really turned me off, the workers and > union activists were sympathetic and convincing, and I feel very > strongly that we all need to act together to make sure that this > conflict does not repeat itself next year. > > The longer version: First, with all due respect to those of you who > decided not to attend because of the boycott, I just could not stay > away. In part this was because I was so curious - both about Amma and > about the workers. The debate on this website got me really invested > in the collision of two worlds - the gathering of an Indian spiritual > phenomenon devoted to love and a movement of mostly Latino immigrant > workers devoted to justice. > > As a newcomer, I got to sit up front. At first, I spent some time > taking in the vibe, feeling the room, before really focusing on Amma. > I was amazed by how quickly I felt a part of things and how expansive > I felt, as if extra oxygen were being pumped into the room. When I > finally focused on Amma, I was taken aback by the expression on her > face (it seemed quite clear to me that she is channeling something > larger than herself) and the amount of focus that she brings to each > and every person who presents him or herself to her. I sat for a > while, many emotions passing through me and, at points, on the verge > of tears. > > Later, I wandered around a bit. I felt somewhat ambivalent about the > little market at the back of the room. On the one hand, I can see that > it is through the purchase of the various beads, trinkets, shawls, > etc. blessed by Amma that her programs are funded. However, as I > watched a variety of different people pawing at the different objects > for sale, I couldn't help but think about Chogyam Trungpa's warnings > about spiritual materialism. I found myself thinking similar things > about those around Amma (and was surprised by the scene in the her > immediate vicinity. It reminded me of the various nurses and interns > who hand a surgeon the scalpels and other instruments with which he > saves lives). Some of them seemed incredibly selfless in how they > assisted those who approached Amma, while others reeked of > self-importance. > > While I still have questions about a great deal that surrounds Amma, I > have no doubts about her. I found her embrace amazing and powerful. I > suppose you all know this already, but I was surprised by how moved I > was (and afterwards I found myself immediately planning how to come > back). > > When I emerged from my experience with Amma I walked out of the Hilton > and encountered a gathering of workers and union activists outside of > the hotel. One of them handed me a flower with a message attached > that asked that I boycott the LAX Hilton. > > I spoke at length with a young man who has been a hotel worker for > many years and is a leader of the workers who are asking us to boycott > the LAX Hilton. If he had not introduced himself as a worker I would > never have differentiated him from the mass of devotees entering and > leaving the hotel. He was dressed in drawstring pants and a white > gauze shirt with mala beads around his neck. > > I told him about my discomfort about attacking Amma, a woman who has > done so much for the world. He surprised me by listening and reacting > with real sympathy. He said that he was not really angry at Amma and > that he truly respects her. He said that under other circumstances he > might even go and see Amma but that many people who live around the > airport would never go into the LAX Hilton because the mistreatment > there is well known in the neighborhood. In fact, the LAX Hilton has > banned many of the people who have criticized the management from ever > going into the hotel, so they can't see Amma even if they want to. > > The workers I met were not so much angry at Amma, but very angry with > the American organizers of the tour, the leaders of the MA Center, and > the LA organization because workers had tried to be in contact with > them for a solid year and, at first, the leaders of the organizations > refused to respond to them. When, after ongoing persistence, they > finally did respond, they showed no sympathy or compassion or even > concern about the difficult situation. > > I told the young man who was the leader of the group about our debate > on the ammachi_free_speech_zone and he told me he would check it out. > I hope he does. I told him that some people on the site think that > the claims of mistreatment come from union leaders and not from the > workers. He responded that LAX Hilton workers have filed dozens of > charges of labor law violations with government agencies and that > these charges can only be sustained with direct evidence from workers. > So it is not possible for a union representative to fabricate these > charges, workers have to testify to the charges directly. So at the > very least we know that workers are in fact charging that the LAX > Hilton has broken the law. > > The last and most important thing that the workers said to me was that > what they most need right now is for us to help make sure that next > year's event NOT be held at the LAX Hilton. Whatever we do with this > year's event with it being the second year of a two year contract, > there is no excuse for holding the event at the LAX Hilton again next > year now that the contract is over. I am going to look for a way for > anyone who is willing to help convince the tour organizers and the MA > Center and the LA leaders to move next year's gathering to another > hotel. I think this will help protect Amma from all this controversy > and also allow the event to be more open to everyone. > > - meditationandyoga > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2007 Report Share Posted June 25, 2007 I appreciate reading the posts on this site about this topic, too. I just saw another article in the The Argonaut in Santa Monica quoting a few local religious leaders who criticized Amma. If anyone is interested, here is a link to that: http://tinyurl.com/2o29en I was actually considering this to be analogous to a spiritual leader who does not take sides in a war, but would minister to both sides, and I was surprised that other religious folks were criticizing Amma. I don't have an opinion on what Amma should or shouldn't have done, really, and am a bit surprised that folks would expect her to do something other than what was planned. Unlike Gandhi, she's not a political protester. While offering love and compassion and Universal Motherhood is itself contrary to the powers that be, Amma isn't going on hunger strikes or getting herself arrested for disobeying laws out of civil protest; she's offering hugs. I consider Amma's annual visits as providing energy for my growth and work in the world, too, and she would provide it to the union / workers and Hotel management alike, in her hugs. Folks tried to post articles that seemed slandering of Amma at AmmaBhakti just before her visit, and I contacted the posters to ask them to provide more actual information, rather than opinion, but no one did; one message came back. Also, I have noticed that when spiritual leaders come around, such as the Dalai Lama to San Francisco a couple months ago, outside were folks handing out fliers for their issues, causes and advertisements, and they had put a picture of the Dalai Lama on the fliers, just like one I was sent to by a link someone tried to post re the union and workers issue. I did not know about the issue before this, and I still don't really know about it, because I was more concerned at Amma being targeted. Ok, the union / workers saw an opportunity for publicity of their issue. Yet, because of the slander and judgment of Amma, I haven't really learned about the issue because I don't appreciate anyone trying to bully others, and all this flap seemed to be an attempt to bully Amma into doing what others thought she should. As for workers who may have wanted to get hugged, I would want to hear from someone who actually tried to go and was prevented before I would accept that the workers were not allowed to enter the hotel, or receive a hug from Amma. In fact, if that were the case, I am certain that Amma would have given them darshan outside, if that is what they wanted, rather than to exploit Amma for their cause. Namaste, Mary Ann Ammachi , " n2amma " <a1driane wrote: > > This was very wonderful to read and thanks for sharing. Seeing Amma > is free to everyone and of course,the things sold are all for charity .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2007 Report Share Posted June 25, 2007 Cannot worry about criticisms. They are bound to exist. Amma knows what's best. Boycotting is okay but where would it end? Should Amma boycott the USA itself because of the war in Iraq? Amma's significance comes not from the people who criticize her, but from those who go to get her hugs. Labd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2007 Report Share Posted June 25, 2007 Good point; thanks for posting it. Ammachi , " labd2929 " <labd2929 wrote: > > Cannot worry about criticisms. They are bound to exist. Amma knows > what's best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2007 Report Share Posted June 25, 2007 Expresses my sentiments also. Thank you for posting this. Ammachi , " Mary Ann " <buttercookie61 wrote: > > I appreciate reading the posts on this site about this topic, too. I > just saw another article in the The Argonaut in Santa Monica quoting a > few local religious leaders who criticized Amma. If anyone is > interested, here is a link to that: http://tinyurl.com/2o29en > > I was actually considering this to be analogous to a spiritual leader > who does not take sides in a war, but would minister to both sides, > and I was surprised that other religious folks were criticizing Amma. > I don't have an opinion on what Amma should or shouldn't have done, > really, and am a bit surprised that folks would expect her to do > something other than what was planned. Unlike Gandhi, she's not a > political protester. While offering love and compassion and Universal > Motherhood is itself contrary to the powers that be, Amma isn't going > on hunger strikes or getting herself arrested for disobeying laws out > of civil protest; she's offering hugs. > > I consider Amma's annual visits as providing energy for my growth and > work in the world, too, and she would provide it to the union / > workers and Hotel management alike, in her hugs. Folks tried to post > articles that seemed slandering of Amma at AmmaBhakti just before her > visit, and I contacted the posters to ask them to provide more actual > information, rather than opinion, but no one did; one message came > back. Also, I have noticed that when spiritual leaders come around, > such as the Dalai Lama to San Francisco a couple months ago, outside > were folks handing out fliers for their issues, causes and > advertisements, and they had put a picture of the Dalai Lama on the > fliers, just like one I was sent to by a link someone tried to post re > the union and workers issue. > > I did not know about the issue before this, and I still don't really > know about it, because I was more concerned at Amma being targeted. > Ok, the union / workers saw an opportunity for publicity of their > issue. Yet, because of the slander and judgment of Amma, I haven't > really learned about the issue because I don't appreciate anyone > trying to bully others, and all this flap seemed to be an attempt to > bully Amma into doing what others thought she should. As for workers > who may have wanted to get hugged, I would want to hear from someone > who actually tried to go and was prevented before I would accept that > the workers were not allowed to enter the hotel, or receive a hug from > Amma. In fact, if that were the case, I am certain that Amma would > have given them darshan outside, if that is what they wanted, rather > than to exploit Amma for their cause. > > Namaste, > Mary Ann > > Ammachi , " n2amma " <a1driane@> wrote: > > > > This was very wonderful to read and thanks for sharing. Seeing Amma > > is free to everyone and of course,the things sold are all for charity > ... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 Thanks for posting this as it provided the information about the program since there was a 2 yr contract at the hotel and untold money would have been lost to M.A. Center with a change in venue (from the story in the link). Can't wait to see Amma soon! Adriane Ammachi , " Mary Ann " <buttercookie61 wrote: > > I appreciate reading the posts on this site about this topic, too. I > just saw another article in the The Argonaut in Santa Monica quoting a > few local religious leaders who criticized Amma. If anyone is > interested, here is a link to that: http://tinyurl.com/2o29en > > I was actually considering this to be analogous to a spiritual leader > who does not take sides in a war, but would minister to both sides, > and I was surprised that other religious folks were criticizing Amma. > I don't have an opinion on what Amma should or shouldn't have done, > really, and am a bit surprised that folks would expect her to do > something other than what was planned. Unlike Gandhi, she's not a > political protester. While offering love and compassion and Universal > Motherhood is itself contrary to the powers that be, Amma isn't going > on hunger strikes or getting herself arrested for disobeying laws out > of civil protest; she's offering hugs. > > I consider Amma's annual visits as providing energy for my growth and > work in the world, too, and she would provide it to the union / > workers and Hotel management alike, in her hugs. Folks tried to post > articles that seemed slandering of Amma at AmmaBhakti just before her > visit, and I contacted the posters to ask them to provide more actual > information, rather than opinion, but no one did; one message came > back. Also, I have noticed that when spiritual leaders come around, > such as the Dalai Lama to San Francisco a couple months ago, outside > were folks handing out fliers for their issues, causes and > advertisements, and they had put a picture of the Dalai Lama on the > fliers, just like one I was sent to by a link someone tried to post re > the union and workers issue. > > I did not know about the issue before this, and I still don't really > know about it, because I was more concerned at Amma being targeted. > Ok, the union / workers saw an opportunity for publicity of their > issue. Yet, because of the slander and judgment of Amma, I haven't > really learned about the issue because I don't appreciate anyone > trying to bully others, and all this flap seemed to be an attempt to > bully Amma into doing what others thought she should. As for workers > who may have wanted to get hugged, I would want to hear from someone > who actually tried to go and was prevented before I would accept that > the workers were not allowed to enter the hotel, or receive a hug from > Amma. In fact, if that were the case, I am certain that Amma would > have given them darshan outside, if that is what they wanted, rather > than to exploit Amma for their cause. > > Namaste, > Mary Ann > > Ammachi , " n2amma " <a1driane@> wrote: > > > > This was very wonderful to read and thanks for sharing. Seeing Amma > > is free to everyone and of course,the things sold are all for charity > ... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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