Amma the Hugging Saint in Pada Puja
What is Grace?
Grace is the unexpected blessing of God or Guru.
It can come at any time to a sincere spiritual seeker.
All the wonders of the world cannot come close to the Divine Resolve and Grace of an Enlightened Master.
Do not underestimate the power of the Divine, of the Light, of those who are awake.
Open your heart to receiving Grace, and allow the blessings to flow into your life!
Om Amriteshwaryai Namah
The hall in Rijswijk, Netherlands was a vast sky of sparkling stars
Amma has completed her 40 day European Tour, the first since 2019. For 40 days, she visited 10 cities in 8 countries. Tens of thousands of people came to the programs, each seeking her Divine Blessing.
Here are some highlights from Amma.org: https://amma.org/news/amma-embraces-rijswijk-netherlands-last-stop-for-europe-tour-2025/
“The hall in Rijswijk, Netherlands looked like a vast sky of sparkling stars as Amma arrived for the final stop of her 2025 Europe Yatra. In a profound expression of happiness, thousands of people waved their mobile phones to express the light of her love in their lives. Amma responded with an oil lamp, creating a moment of shared radiance.
From November 24 to 25, devotees from across the continent arrived for a final embrace in Amma’s arms. It is a time when their countries face great challenges, including security threats like the Russia-Ukraine war, economic uncertainty, and managing the flow of migrants and asylum seekers.
But Amma inspired hope. A representative of the devotees in the Netherlands adorned her with a garland made of delicate paper cranes. As a global symbol of peace, it was offered to express gratitude for her tireless efforts in spreading harmony and joy across the world.”
You can see the video of the final programs in The Hague here:
In each city, at the end of the programs, Amma would dance
Each stop on the tour brought over 10,000 people, with the highest number coming to see Amma in Aix-en-Provence where over 20,000 people attended.
Amma is now back home at her Amritapuri Ashram in Kerala, India.
As the final program was over, Amma bid goodbye to all her Children
We love you Amma! Thank you for bringing your love and light to us!
What is enlightenment?
Many scholars and writers have tried to explain to spiritual seekers exactly what spiritual enlightenment is.
In this profound quote from spiritual leader and humanitarian, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, “Amma the Hugging Saint,” she explains why it cannot be told, but only experienced.
Amma says,”
“Can you explain the beauty of a flower, or describe the sweetness of sugar? So how can the beauty of the Infinite be described? It has to be experienced.” — Amma
Om Tat Sat
Amma with the little children of the ashram
The annual nNew Year’s Eve programs were held at the Amritapuri Ashram, ushering in the new year, 2025. There were cultural performances watched by ashram residents and visitors fror all over the world.
Amma singing after the performances
In her New Year’s message Amma said, “Our lives gain true meaning when we are guided by a higher ideal. Amma wishes that her children, enriched with discernment and compassion, become shining role models for the world. May the new year pave the way towards this vision,” she shared.
Amma blessing the prasad she distributed to everyone
You can read about it here and see photos and a video of the event:
Amma told her devotees, “The novelty of external possessions fades, but the beauty of the inner self remains eternal. With discernment and compassion, let us become role models for the world.”
Here is a short video clip of the celebrations:
HAPPY 2025!
Amma blesses the Christmas cake, Amritapuri Ashram
We were delighted to find that Amma broadcasted LIVE the annual Christmas program from her Amritapuri Ashram in South India today!
We were treated to traditional Indian dances and some wonderful skits put on by the ashram residents. We could see Amma sitting in her chair in the middle of the hall watching the program, while surrounded by all the little children who live at the ashram, or who are visiting.
At the end of the program, Amma sang some rousing bhajans, ending with the grand finale of Mata Rani Ki Jai–with everyone standing and calling out in unison, Jai!
It was a wonderful occasion and thousands of international visitors are now staying at the ashram for the holidays.
May you and yours have the happiest of holidays!
Om Amriteshwaryai Namah.
Quiet celebrations happened at the Amritapuri Ashram, Amma’s main headquarters in the state of Kerala, India. As always, thousands gathered to honor this great soul who has incarnated to lead us to liberation, to enlightenment.
See the coverage of her birthday celebrations here: https://amma.org/news/ammas-71st-birthday-brings-hope-with-her-vision-for-a-peaceful-and-compassionate-world/
Here is a lovely video of the celebrations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ds2XjTI7hc
Amma’s 71st birthday celebration at Amritapuri was marked by simplicity and deep spiritual significance. The event began with Amma’s arrival at 9 am, where she was greeted by thousands of devotees. Her presence radiated grace as she led prayers for the victims of the recent landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, and those suffering from global calamities and wars. In a touching gesture, Amma announced that funds typically used for Amritavarsham would instead be redirected to disaster recovery efforts in Wayanad, pledging ₹15 crores ($1.8 million) to support survivors and bolster disaster resilience. During her address, Amma emphasized the need for love, patience, and compromise in a world fraught with conflict, urging everyone to extend compassion to those in pain and protect nature. Traditional ceremonies continued with the Guru Paduka Puja, led by Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, and the chanting of the Lalitha Sahasranama, invoking the Divine Mother’s attributes. Swami Amritaswarupananda shared his reflections on Amma’s selfless love, comparing her to a river that flows endlessly, giving without asking in return. Reference: YouTube-Highlights from Amritavarsham 71, Amma’s Birthday, Amritapuri Ashram.
May Amma live long and fulfill her Dharma here on Earth.
Om Amriteshwaryai Namah
Om Tat Sat
Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, is a world renowned spiritual & humanitarian leader whose life and message of Love & Compassion inspires and transforms millions around the globe. She is known throughout the world as Amma, or Mother, for her selfless love and compassion toward all beings. Her entire life has been dedicated to alleviating the pain of the poor, and those suffering physically and emotionally. During her life, Amma has embraced and comforted more than 40 million people.
For over 37 years, Amma has traveled the world, embracing each person who comes to her and imparting love, compassion, peace, and spiritual values. She has established ashrams and centers worldwide. She continues to hold free public programs throughout India, Africa, Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan, Malaysia, the Middle East, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South America, and the United States. Her embrace, known as her Darshan, is how Amma welcomes all those who come to her. During this hug, the person can experience her unconditional love.
While Amma is widely regarded as one of India’s and the world’s foremost spiritual leaders, Amma says that her religion is love. She has never asked anyone to change their religion but only to contemplate the essential principles of their own faith and to try to live accordingly.
You can learn more about Amma here: http://www.Amma.org
Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi in the bliss of Samadhi
Are you on your path to Enlightenment?
Do you know that is the true goal of spiritual life? Of life itself?
Amma says, “Human life is intended for an exalted goal. Each individual has at least a subtle awareness of that divinity within.” Amma
We work, we play, we enjoy. We take what we need or want from the world. But do we realize that there is a higher purpose to our life than merely existing?
Amma also says, “The real purpose of life is to experience the Divinity within.” Amma
Go within and see that you are Divine. You are Love. You are the Light.
Move forward with your spiritual path to the goal, to your own Self-realization. This is the true goal of your life!
Om Tat Sat
Amma, USA Tour 2024 Washington DC
Om Amriteshwaryai Namah.
Amma has been traveling on her 2024 USA Tour which began in Seattle, Washington on July 4, 2024. She then went on to Oakland, Los Angeles and Albuquerque, New Mexico where Guru Purnima was celebrated on July 21, 2024. It is a rare event to be able to be with one’s Satguru on the auspicious day of Guru Purnima.
Here is an excerpt from Amma’s Guru Purnima message:
“Our relationship with the guru is our unity with our higher nature. This is why the spiritual path is a journey towards our own True Self. It is the royal path to permanent freedom. Instead of wasting time trying to understand every aspect of it, let us strive to bring this human life to its complete fulfillment. May divine grace bless my children to achieve this.” Amma
Guru Purnima was also celebrated at Amma’s Amritapuri Ashram in Kerala, India. Here is a beautiful video clip of the ceremony led by Swami Turiyamritananda Puri, one of Amma’s senior disciples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=86&v=rLGCIdDgj2M&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Famma.org%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2Nj
Amma’s tour continued on to Washington D.C. where she will give public programs and a retreat. The tour will also include New York City and Boston and will culminate in Chicago. For more information about Amma’s USA tour visit: https://us.amma.org/meeting-amma/ammas-north-america-tour
Om Shanti, shanti, shanti.
A world of Love and Compassion represented in ONE photo
Amma is currently on her first USA tour since the Covid shutdown. It has been 5 long years since most of her USA devotees have seen her. for her schedule go here: https://us.amma.org/meeting-amma/ammas-north-america-tour
Om Amriteshwaryai Namah
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