Amma in Newsweek

[Guest guest]

RELIGION

The Amma Will Hug You Now

By Grace Wyler | NEWSWEEK

Jul 21, 2008 Issue

 

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.

 

http://www.newsweek.com/id/145857

 

" acolytes " ? " white-robed groupies " ?.. way to go, Newsweek.. you've just

perpetuated the " Amma as a cult " stereotypes for the Joe Sixpacks and Sally

Soccermoms of America.

 

so when did the Amma shop start selling swimsuits?

 

Keval

[Guest guest]

Stereo-types maybe, but not completely untrue.

 

An example of how watered down Amma's teaching's are in the public

programs is from this past weekend. She said that in airports, etc.

you see people engrossed in their own world via cellphone, laptop

computer, etc, instead of interacting with the person across from

them.

 

While I understand the principle from a social or psychological health

point of view, it's different than what you'd find in the older books.

In her 'older' teachings as I refer to them, Amma would've said

something like, " Breath is precious, don't waste it in idle talk.

Imagine your beloved deity as the person if you have to talk to

someone, then it's sadhana and gives you one-pointedness of mind.

Chant your mantra. "

 

Spiritual vs. Social. That's what I liked about Mother Teresa's

affirmation that they weren't social workers, but it was about seeing

Jesus in the poorest of the poor. The difference between mere seva

and real Karma Yoga.

 

Ammachi , Mike Brooker <patria1818 wrote:

>(snipped)

> " acolytes " ? " white-robed groupies " ?.. way to go, Newsweek.. you've

just perpetuated the " Amma as a cult " stereotypes for the Joe Sixpacks

and Sally Soccermoms of America.

>

> so when did the Amma shop start selling swimsuits?

>

> Keval

>