Irene Soléa

There are few people in whose presence I have felt completely humbled, like I-will-bend-down-before-you-because-you-are-so-great humbled, and the experience is miraculous. The Dalai Lama. A newborn baby, perhaps. And Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi).

Amma is an internationally-revered guru from Southern India (although don’t be confused into thinking she ascribes to any one religion), recognized early on with a calling to simply spread love and compassion to others, and to do it through HUGGING. Yet, before you think it trivial, let me tell you how powerful one woman’s mission to promote world peace and harmony can be, and what one woman’s love and compassion is capable of doing.

Amma has:

+ Traveled the world, tirelessly meeting and giving darshan to more than 25 million people, oftentimes for 10-20 hours without stopping
+ Built dozens of schools, hospitals, orphanages, elderly homes, a medical university, and more than 25,000 homes for the poor in the most impoverished parts of India
+ Donated over $22 MILLION for tsunami relief efforts in 2004
+ Donated over $1 MILLION for hurricane Katrina relief in 2005
+ Begun programs throughout India to provide free legal aid, women’s health services, disaster relief, cancer and AIDS hospice, clothing and shelter
+ Inspired “Mother’s Kitchen” feeding programs for the hungry in 24 U.S. states (she’s even helping the United States take care of its own people! eep!)

Now 53, Amma is a force with which to be reckoned, she’s tirelessly devoted herself to humanitarian service for more than 35 years, and just pretty much rocks my world. Three years ago, having no idea what to expect, I met Amma. I was having a nice old time waiting my turn for a hug, people watching, taking in the vibe, eating a little Indian food. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that my whole energy shifted as I was called to approach her…every foot closer to her was another little tug at my heart…and by the time I was enveloped in her bear hug, I swear I had lost all my senses, and my heart just exploded! I don’t know if I cried from joy or sadness, it sort of transcended specific emotions, but I just felt in the presence of greatness.

Amma’s existence is proof that positive change -on small and huge levels- is not only possible, but that it’s happening, and that no matter who you are, there’s always a teacher from whom you can and should learn.

I’ll let you know how my hug goes this weekend. Check out her fabulousness if you haven’t already: http://www.amritapuri.org/