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
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