Sri Mata Amritanandaymai Devi

Arriving in India was stressful. There wasn't an Ashram taxi waiting for us at the airport as planned, so after much deliberation, we took a prepaid taxi. It was no hay ride; we drove a consistent 85 miles an hour without seat belts, and the driver passed every single vehicle that was in front of us, narrowly missing cars in the other lane. It was a bit terrifying. We couldn't see much of the city while we were speeding through because it was dark; however, I couldn't miss some sights and smells of human waste, burning garbage, forsaken houses, women washing their hair, men meandering the streets, elephants in chains and children playing blithely in the dirt. Thankfully the unpleasant stench abated the farther south we drove. I will admit that during the entire taxi ride I was extremely nervous. What a relief to finally make it to the bucolic Ashram with it's old stone walls, distant views, and an expanse of palm trees.

Upon arriving, we soon found out that Amma's father had passed away, and that Amma had come home early from her North India tour to be present for the funeral. It was a very unique time to arrive at the Ashram-- a very special time. Usually when you see Amma, there are hundreds of people, and here in India there are thousands of people clamoring to get a better view of the Divine Mother (Amma).

We were soon asked to pay our respects to Amma in her father's house. There weren't any queues of people waiting their turn for Darshan. This is so rare. I removed my sandals and walked toward Amma, she was surrounded by beautiful Indian women all dressed in white. I knelt in front of her and laid my head on her lap. She pulled me in and hugged me, kissed my cheek and whispered, "my daughter, my daughter" into my ear. At this point all the anxiety and stress about being in India was released from me and I began to cry. Amma then lifted me up and took my hand, pressing a small candy(Prasad--anything blessed) into my palm, all the while beaming with me. I know she remembered me. It is such a peaceful experience to be with her.

Amma's teachings are universal. Whenever she is asked about her religion , she replies that her religion is love. She does not ask anyone to believe in God or to change their faith, but only inquire into their own real nature and to believe in themselves. Amma's mesasge is: " Children, we shouldn't allow the beauty and grace of selfless love and service to be wiped off the face of the earth. The world should know that a life dedicated to selfless love and service to humanity is possible. Love is a universal religion, and this is what society really needs. Love should be expressed through our every word and action. We already have this love within us in all its fullness. Life cannot exist without love. Life and love are inseparable; they are one and the same. There is one Truth that shines through all of creation. Rivers and Mountains, plants and animals, the sun, the moon, and the stars, you and I--all are expressions of this one reality. The vast pattern of order and the extraordinary beauty pervading Creation make it clear that there is a big heart and an inconceivable great intelligence behind everything."

I am gradually assimilating--I am becoming part of the Ashram for the next 6 weeks.

-Eva