"A one word solution to all the problems the world is facing today is compassion." - AmmaI will never forget the first time I had the opportunity to meet Amma, the hugging saint from India. I was at a yoga class at Area Yoga Brooklyn back in 2004 and my teacher spoke at length about what an amazing experience it was to see this woman and hug her. Curious to: A) see a live saint in the flesh, B) observe the entourage of people who flock to see her year after year, & C) Get a free hug, I of course made the time to head down to the Hammerstein Ballroom and check it out.
I went with my mother and a friend and got there early in the morning as recommended, but due to the incredible amount of people that this woman generates in each city, you can never be early enough! Amma makes it a point to hug each and every person who comes to see her, but remember that with her practice of compassion comes patience. Don't expect to show up at 12noon, get on line, be hugged and then hit the gym, run errands and make it back to work on time. It's not going to happen. You must dedicate your day or evening to the ritual. The public programs begin at 10am and 7pm respectively and you will receive a token with a letter/number combination on it upon arrival. There are boards where the letters/numbers are posted so you will know when it is your turn. It's kind of like waiting for your number to be called at the DMV, yet surrounded by a much different crowd. That being said, there are plenty of activities to entertain you while you wait. There are vendors selling everything from jewelry to yummy vegetarian food, music, chanting, yoga, massage, meditation, readings, etc. All of Hammerstein Ballroom becomes "Ammaland" for 3 days and you are welcome to leave the building, but if you return and your token has already been called, you must get a new one and start the process from the beginning. And we are in luck because Amma got to town today! She is at the Hammerstein Ballroom on 34th St. @ 8th Ave. July 7th-9th and all info on the event can be found by clicking HERE
So what does a hug from her feel like and why is it so special? It is hard to explain in words, you really have to experience it for yourself. What I will say is that Amma is always smiling and her body vibrates with each hug. She never loses the expression of joy and compassion on her face which to me is amazing! Can you imagine sitting down for 12 hours straight hugging thousands of people and being happy about it?!? It is incredible!
To give you a little background info on Amma, she was born in 1953 in a small poor fishing village in India and came into this world with a beaming smile on her face, not with tears as babies usually do. She spent her childhood in intense spiritual practices in order to present a living example for the world. Her love and compassion toward her fellow human beings was apparent at a very young age and she sought to ease the suffering of the sick and the poor. Amma is known all over the world today. She has inspired and started innumerable humanitarian services. She has earned international recognition for her outstanding contributions to the world community and is recognized as an extraordinary spiritual leader by the United Nations and by the people all over the world.
Her website reads, "For the past 35 years Amma has dedicated her life to the uplifting of suffering humanity through the simplest of gestures – an embrace. In this intimate manner Amma had blessed and consoled more than 25 million people throughout the world." Still not convinced? If you have the time, I encourage you to check it out. I have hugged her twice now, once in NYC and once in LA and I can assure you it is a magical spiritual experience that you will never forget. For more info on Amma and other cities she will be touring, follow the link to her website HERE
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