Early Years
About her early years, Amma says, “Right from childhood, Amma wondered why people in the world have to suffer. Why must they be poor? Why must they starve? For example, in the area where Amma grew up, the people are fishermen. Some days they go out fishing but don’t catch anything. And because of this, there are times when they have to go without food-sometimes for several days. Amma became very close with these villagers and had many chances to learn about the nature of the world by observing their lives and difficulties.
“Amma used to do all the household chores, one of which was feeding the many family cows and goats. To do so, every day she had to go to 30 to 40 houses in the neighbourhood and collect tapioca peels and other such leftovers. Whenever she went to visit these houses, she always found that the people were suffering-sometimes due to old age, sometimes poverty, sometimes disease. So, Amma would listen to their problems, sit with them and share their suffering and also pray for them.
Living Selflessly
“Whenever she had time, Amma used to lead these people to her parents’ house. There, she would give them a hot bath and feed them, and occasionally she even stole things from her own house to give to these starving families.
“Amma observed that when children are young, they depend upon their parents, so they pray that their parents live for a long time and that they do not become sick. But when these same children grow up, they feel their parents-who are now old-are a burden. They think, ‘Why should I do all this work for my parents?’ Feeding them, washing their clothes and treating them with care become a burden to these same children who previously prayed that their parents would live for a long time. So, Amma would always wonder, ‘Why are there so many contradictions in this world? Why is there no real love?’ What is the real cause of all this suffering and what is the solution?’
“Even from early childhood Amma knew that God-the Self, the Supreme Power-alone is Truth and that the world is not the absolute reality. Therefore, she would spend long periods immersed in deep meditation. Amma’s parents and relatives didn’t understand what was happening. Out of ignorance, they began scolding her, opposing her spiritual practices.”
But Amma was immersed in her own world, totally unaffected by the criticism and chastising of her family. During this time, Amma had to spend her days and nights outside, under the open sky, forgoing food and sleep. At that time, it was animals and birds that took care of her, bringing her food and waking her from deep meditative states.
Amma says, “During meditation and throughout the day, Amma would inquire into the source of all the sorrow and suffering she saw around her. At one point she felt that the suffering of humanity was due to people’s karma, the fruit of their past deeds. But Amma was not satisfied with this and went deeper. Then from within came the answer: ‘If it is their karma to suffer, isn’t it your dharma to help them?’ If somebody falls into a deep pit, is it correct to simply walk by, saying, ‘Oh, it is their karma to suffer that way’? No, it is our duty to help them climb out.
“Experiencing her oneness with all of creation, Amma realized that her purpose in life was to uplift ailing humanity. It was then that Amma started this spiritual mission, spreading this message of Truth, love and compassion throughout the world, by receiving one and all.”
Today, Amma spends most of the year travelling throughout India and the world in order to uplift suffering humanity through her words and the comfort of her embrace. Her ashram is home to 3,000 people, and thousands more visit every day from all over India and the world. Ashram residents and visitors alike are inspired by Amma’s example, and dedicate themselves to serving the world. Through Amma’s vast network of charitable projects, they build homes for the homeless, give pensions to the destitute, and provide medical care for the sick. Countless people all over the world are contributing to this loving endeavour.
“In the end,” Amma says, “love is the only medicine that can heal the wounds of the world. In this universe, it is love that binds everything together. As this awareness dawns within us, all disharmony will cease. Abiding peace alone will reign.”
AMMA’S MESSAGE
Amma has time and again emphasised that the duty of every human being is to realise his true Self, or in other words,
“know who we really are.” She does not favour any particular religion. When asked to which religion she belongs, she says, “my religion is love and service.”
“Love is the foundation of a happy life. Knowingly or unknowingly we are forgetting this truth,” she says. Amma, on several occasions, has said that it is important not only to feel love but also to express it. “After all, love is our true nature. When we do not express love in our words and actions it is like honey hidden in a rock.“ She says, “it is of no use to anyone. This mutual sharing and expressing of love should begin at home between married couples and between parents and children. Only then will there be peace and harmony at home and in society.”
EMBRACING THE WORLD
Amma travels constantly throughout the world in response to the heartfelt longing of people who seek lasting peace and harmony in their lives.
Tens of thousands wait patiently in line, often through the night and into the morning hours, for a chance to receive a blessing, a motherly hug and a few soothing words from this smiling woman in a simple white sari. They know that their turn will come; she doesn’t turn anyone away, even if it means embracing people for a whole day and night, nor does she charge any money. Regularly, Amma gives darshan for hours on end, without a moment’s rest. In some places, she has embraced 40 to 50 thousand people in a single programme, sitting almost 24 hours to do so.
“Where there is love, there is no effort.
Other people’s happiness is my rest.”
—Amma
When asked by the BBC, “why do you hug people?” she replied, “that is like asking a river, ‘why do you flow?’ It simply flows because that is its nature. In the same way, this is Amma’s nature—a mother expressing her love to her children.” This unique, extraordinary expression of universal love is known as Amma’s darshan.
AMRITAVARSHAM50
More than a celebration of Amma’s 50th birthday, Amritavarsham50 was a prayer for world peace and harmony – a beautiful expression of Amma’s power to unite humanity for the benefit of the world. Earlier Amma had warned that 2005 could be a very difficult year for the world . She said it was as if dark clouds were covering the world, but with our prayers we could disperse those clouds or make them rain grace. She urged everyone to pray for world peace and harmony.
From around the world, over half a million people gathered together in Kochi, India, for the four-day event. The ceremony for the Convergence of the Waters of the World and the Parade of Nations were at the heart of this international event. Participants carried river water and flags from the 191 countries of the United Nations. As the procession entered, the packed stadium reverberated with the ancient peace prayer, Om Lokaah Samasthaah Sukhino Bhavantu, may all beings in all the worlds be happy. Amma poured all the waters into one urn in a beautiful prayer for unity and world peace.
International entrepreneurs, peace makers, educationalists, spiritual leaders, environmentalists, India’s foremost political leaders and cultural artists, and 200,000 participants packed the stadium every day. India’s President, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister expressed their gratitude to Amma for her immense humanitarian efforts. On this occasion, the Ashram announced many new compassionate outreach programmes.
The President of India’s address, aimed especially at the thousands of young people in attendance, called upon them to uphold noble ideals and to serve the poor. Artists from around the world performed traditional dance, music and theatre from their countries in a huge celebration of cultural diversity. Inspired by Amma’s inexhaustible outpouring of love, 12,000 volunteers fed and took care of the 200,000 people who participated in the event each day.
CONFERENCES
CEOs—Poverty Alleviation: His Excellency the President made an urgent call to the Indian business community to come forward and help India’s undereducated rural population. “Unless poverty is removed globally, we may not get stability,” he said. Plans for transforming rural communities were submitted to him.
Religion: Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Jewish and Jain religious leaders discussed how practising the principles of any religion, in truth, should sow peace and tolerance, rather than prejudice and conflict.
Women: Women leaders explored Amma’s concept of universal motherhood as the principle of unconditional love inherent in both women and men.
Youth: Twelve young men and women from Asia, the United States, South America, Europe and Australia spoke to thousands of youths about how Amma has transformed their lives.
Log on to: www.amritavarsham.org
International Acclaim
“You are all blessed because you are constantly showered with the blessings of Amma. Her divine mission should be your inspiration to make right use of life and add value to society.”
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India, talking to students of Amrita University
“I feel it’s a great honour to share a platform with a woman who is so remarkable, and who is the very embodiment of goodness. She believes that God does not discriminate between the sexes, and I believe she stands here in front of us, God’s love in a human body.”
Dr. Jane Goodall, world-renowned British primatologist and recipient of the 2001 Gandhi-King Award for Non-violence
“The world today needs proof that our human values are useful, that such qualities as compassion, selflessness, renunciation and humility have the power to create a great and prosperous society. Amma’s work provides us with the much-needed proof.”
Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India, speaking at the inauguration of AIMS, Amma’s charitable hospital
“What I cherish most about Amma is that she not only talks the talk, and is an embodiment of unconditional love, but she expresses that love in action. She walks the talk! Amma is the change she wishes to see in our world.”
Ms. Yolanda King, Director, Martin Luther King Jr. Center , USA, speaking at Amritavarsham50
“The principles that Amma teaches can be applied in all countries. With her embrace she is bringing solace to multitudes of people everywhere.”
Mrs. Riitta Uosukainen, Finnish Councillor of State
“Amma, your embrace has become a worldwide treasure sought by princes and peasants, women and men, babies and frail elderly. Your embrace is not just to comfort the suffering, but is a gift of strength and spiritual energy to all who work to embrace the world-the world of work, the world of government, and the world of family.”
Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, former Executive Director of the United States Office of the World Council of Churches
UN Partnership
UN Grants Special Consultative Status to M. A. Math
On July 24, 2005, the United Nations announced the distinguished award of Special UN consultative status to Mata Amritanandamayi Math (M.A. Math), a leader in tsunami relief efforts and humanitarian activities in India. The Math is among 30 Indian NGO’s to ever receive formal UN affiliation in India. This important partnership will provide opportunities for joint collaboration, most notably in disaster relief efforts and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, Vice Chairman of Mata Amritanandayami Math, stated, “The plight of the tsunami victims has touched us all. M.A. Math was immediately able to deliver relief to the tsunami victims, and has a leading role in the relief efforts in India. The United Nations, along with many other organizations and NGOs, has also provided tremendous support in Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. Due to the consultative status granted to the Math by the UN, we can now join forces with the world renowned body in a collaborative effort to bring continued relief to those affected by the tsunami disaster.”
With branch ashrams throughout India and centers worldwide, M. A. Math & affiliates are focused on sustainable development in the following areas with a vast array of charitable efforts: Social / Economic / Housing Development; Education; Healthcare Delivery; and Environmental improvement. M.A. Math was founded by the world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader, Mata Amritanandamayi.
A past Director-General of UNESCO, an agency of the United Nations, Mr. Felix Martin, sees in Amma the “foundations of the future world we are committed to make.”
Most recently, the organization has been focused on relief efforts in the wake of the 2004 tsunami disaster. The Math received international press for its generous pledge of 1 billion rupees ($23 Million USD) to rebuild homes that were completely destroyed throughout Southern India; 6200 homes are being built now in Southern India, Andoman & Nicobar islands and Sri Lanka. Along with the reconstruction of homes, the Math is providing healthcare services, the distribution of free daily meals and essential household items, free training and employment, orphan adoption, and various forms of physical and psychological support to the victims. For fishermen affected in the coastal areas, boats, fishing nets and boat engines are being given to restore the livelihood of tsunami affected lives. At the request of the Sri Lankan government, Amma visited to help the devastated nation through the construction of homes, pension plans, and other efforts. Unlike many organizations, M. A. Math has minimal administrative overhead; thus, every dollar is used in the service of those who need it most.
It is the Math’s intention to work with various UN agencies to further the tsunami rehabilitation projects & other broad-based humanitarian relief efforts around the world.
The U.N. Information Center in Delhi offers many capabilities for M.A. Math’s collaboration plans. M. A. Math will investigate the possibilities to partner as a grassroots implementer in the following UN agencies: OCHA’s humanitarian efforts, UNICEF, UNDP, UNIFEM, and other subsidiary bodies of the UN. M.A. Math’s intention is to broaden the extent of the tsunami rehabilitation work being done within India and the global community at large.
More about Economic and Social Council of the UN and consultative status granted to M. A. Math.
For more information, please contact:
Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri
Organization Name: Mata Amritanandamayi Math
Tel. Number 91-984- 289 -6399
Fax. Number 91- 476 – 289 – 76
amritswarup@yahoo.com & mam@amritapuri.org
Website URL www.amma.org & www.amritapuri.org
In the media
Amma has been quietly gaining a reputation for her outreach over the course of 30 years. Only in recent years has the world press begun to take notice of her efforts, with glowing stories in prestige media, including TV, print, and radio. This section represents a small cross section of radio and online news articles.
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