Anyone know Amma?

[Selena_Kitt]

Darshan, The Embrace

She's called "The Great Mother" or sometimes just "Mother." One of India's greatest Mahatma's (spiritual teachers), often called "The Hugging Saint."

I went to Devi Bava once... That's the day when she gives her hugs...

There were over 10,000 people there, all packed into a huge section of a hotel, waiting in line to receive "darshan" (a blessing, essentially, a hug from Amma). I think our number was somewhere in the 7000's... I know it had to be somewhere around 1 a.m. when we finally saw her.

It was a pretty awesome experience, just to sit and watch, even... she hugged thousands and thousands of people, never once getting up, or even showing signs of tiring. A beautiful smile and love for everyone who approached. I can't even imagine...

And that was a SMALL Devi Bava. She's been known to hug over 50,000 people in one day, and to sit for as long as 20 hours...

The link above is for a new documentary coming out about her. Looks interesting...

More about Amma here if you're interested...

 

[cantdog]

Completely new to me. Hug-core.

 

[Samandiriel]

That sounds wonderful!!

 

[Selena_Kitt]

That sounds wonderful!!

it really was

 

[Straight-8]

I don't get it. If you don't really believe in her faith (hinduism) but it is just one of the smorgasbord of 'new age' beliefs floating around, then what is the big deal about being hugged by this person I'd much rather be hugged by a friend (and you don't even have to wait around for hours).

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I don't get it. If you don't really believe in her faith (hinduism) but it is just one of the smorgasbord of 'new age' beliefs floating around, then what is the big deal about being hugged by this person I'd much rather be hugged by a friend (and you don't even have to wait around for hours).

Ghandi was a Mahatma... it's hardly "new age"...

it's just the experience of someone else's religion... like going to someone else's church...

but hugs from friends are good!

 

[Sex and Death]

I don't get it. If you don't really believe in her faith (hinduism) but it is just one of the smorgasbord of 'new age' beliefs floating around, then what is the big deal about being hugged by this person I'd much rather be hugged by a friend (and you don't even have to wait around for hours).

That's ok, hinduism doesn't believe in hinduism, either. You're in good company.

A person's culture or religion has nothing to do with their capacity to facilitate spiritual awakening and connection.

I don't think that what you're seeking form a friend's hug, which is a very good thing, is the same as what people seek from a ritual hug with Amma.

One is comfort, the other is something else entirely.

S&D

 

[Straight-8]

One is comfort, the other is something else entirely.

And what would you say that is?

 

[Selena_Kitt]

And what would you say that is?

a connection to something great than yourself... that would be my response...

not that you can't seek that and get it from a friend... it's just more rare... it's usually much more personal than that.

 

[Guest]

Completely new to me. Hug-core.

And THAT is sig-line worthy, cant.

Beautiful ideas, Selena, thank you.

The Hugging Saint.

 

[Straight-8]

a connection to something great than yourself... that would be my response....

Which brings me to my intial point. It is only 'a connection to something greater than yourself' if you believe in it. I don't. Therefore it is all hogwash to me.
But if it works for you - great.

Whereas I do believe in friendship

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Which brings me to my intial point. It is only 'a connection to something greater than yourself' if you believe in it. I don't. Therefore it is all hogwash to me.
But if it works for you - great.

Whereas I do believe in friendship

I don't think it necessarily has to do with "belief" per se... but perhaps that's just a perspective issue...

I think we, as humans, can appreciate that connection in *any* faith... I would feel the same in a Buddhist temple or a Catholic Church, where there was a real spiritual connection happening... it's an energy you can feel... sometimes it's there, sometimes it isn't...