Amma
Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi
Mother Amma is considered a hugging Saint.
Amma does a North American tour every year.
Go to Amma.org for more information. I just saw her in Los Angeles and am always moved to tears.
To Learn more about Amma you can watch these two great documentaries on her and her foundation.
WHO IS AMMA?
Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, world renowned spiritual leader, humanitarian and visionary known throughout the world simply as Amma (ammā, “Mother”), has compassionately served the world for decades imparting wisdom, strength and inspiration.
Through her extraordinary acts of Love, Inner Strength and Self-Sacrifice, Amma has endeared herself to millions and inspired thousands to follow in her path of selfless service.
Amma is truly a citizen of the world. She holds free public programs throughout India, Europe, United States, Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, Africa and South America. In her talks, Amma offers words of wisdom and guidance on both personal fulfillment as well as on the most pressing matters of our time.
From issues such as climate change, terrorism, cross-cultural tensions, poverty, and women's rights, Amma's observations invite each of us to get involved in the process of rebuilding a concerned and caring society.
WHAT IS DARSHAN
To this day, Amma concludes her programs by embracing each person who has attended the event. Far from a brief book-signing or walk along the rope line, these personal one-on-one meetings take up the vast majority of Amma's time. Amma has given this motherly embrace, known as her Darshan, to more than 34 million people throughout the world. Amma has been known to give Darshan for more than 22 hours without interruption.
The most personally accessible, compassionate Spiritual leader alive today, Amma, may well be on a first-name basis with more people than anyone else in the world. When people pour out their hearts, Amma offers them emotional solace, spiritual guidance, and concrete solutions to their problems.
Day & Evening Program Details
Public programs are free and all are welcome. Some cities also conduct retreats that involve a registration fee. Please check your city’s schedule to see a complete list of which programs are available.
There are three types of free public programs that Amma holds: morning, evening, all day. Information about another free program is included in the Devi Bhava guide.
During the program, you are free to watch Amma receive guests, or to visit the informational booths, Amma Shop, or services offered during the program while waiting for your token number to be displayed. Meals and snacks are also available for purchase. There may also be devotional singing and other music during the program.
Large bags are not allowed inside the hall. You can drop them at the Bag-Drop Counter located at the entrance to the hall. Special provisions will be in place for those who need to bring in necessary items.
MORNING PROGRAMS: 10AM
These begin with a short meditation with Amma and then she welcomes visitors for an embrace. An informational video is shown at the beginning of the program followed by spiritual singing and other cultural programs.
- 8:00am - Volunteers begin to welcome guests and the token line opens
- 8:30am - Tokens are handed out and seating begins
- 10:00am - Amma arrives and conducts a meditation
- 10:30am - Amma receives guests for her embrace
EVENING PROGRAMS: 7:30PM
Evening programs consist of a spiritual talk by one of Amma’s senior disciples; a talk by Amma; spiritual singing; and a short meditation. Amma then will begin to receive guests for her embrace and will often hug guests until the very early morning hours of the following day.
- 5:30pm - Volunteers begin to welcome guests and the token line opens
- 6:00pm - Tokens are handed out and seating begins
- 6:00pm - Dinner service begins
- 7:30pm - Amma arrives in the hall, followed by spiritual talk and devotional singing. Dinner services pause
- 9:45pm – Amma embraces guests and dinner service resumes until approx. midnight or to the next morning
We Use a Token System
Tokens are free and the system is designed so that the first people to join the line are the first to meet Amma. Here’s how it works:
- Tokens are small cards, imprinted with a letter and a number, like A1, or C3, or Q7.
- Groups meet Amma in sequence: the A1 group goes before the A2 group.
- Everyone wishing to meet Amma must get a token, including infants.
- A line forms two hours before each program. Everyone in your party must be present.
- 90 minutes before Amma arrives, tokens are handed out.
- If you arrive after the program begins, you may still be able to get one.
- We may be unable to replace tokens that get lost.
Please plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before the program to receive a free token if you would like to have Amma’s embrace. Tokens may be limited by time constraints.
IF YOU PLAN TO COME MORE THAN ONCE
- If you received an embrace on a prior day, you may be asked to wait to receive a token.
- If you received an embrace during a morning program, you will not be able to get a token for that evening’s program, although you are welcome to attend.
GETTING A SEAT BEFORE AMMA’S ARRIVAL
- After you have gotten your token, volunteers will seat you.
- If you leave your seat, please be sure to return 15 minutes before Amma arrives. We will fill in all unoccupied seats at that time.
- No food or drink is allowed in the hall except covered beverages.
- Please do not take any photographs, audio or video recordings. Many pictures are available at the Amma Shop. Proceeds from sales in the Amma Shop benefit Amma’s charities.
Amma's arms are open to everyone
Most people come to experience her embrace, her unique way of spreading comfort to the world.
Some are drawn to her charitable works. Or to learn more from one of the preeminent spiritual teachers of our time.
However they come, most end up being moved & inspired...by one of the world's most accessible humanitarian leaders.