Amma's Ashram - The Hugging Mother
Trip Start
May 11, 2005
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224
259
Trip End
Ongoing
Hugsville,
India
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
This Ashram is special because it is centered around a Yogi named Amma. I had read that she is known as the Hugging Mother. She has millions of followers all who believe that she can heal whatever is ailing them with the power of her hugs. She has hugged over 25 million people. She tours the world and people stand in line for hours just to get her 5 second magical hug.
The main rule at this Ashram was no photos! I took a couple from my room but the rest I have pulled off the internet
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. I wanted to show what Amma looks like and how popular she is! Here face is plastered over every wall and she is all watching! (and judging..) People treat her like a God!This Ashram is a fully functioning business. Stores, cafeterias, laundry facilities, internet.... you name it they had it! We got our own room on the 14 floor for 3 bucks. Since the Ashram is located on a small island we had quite the view from our window.
There was a schedule for meditation, yoga, chanting of Sanskrit names and voluntary work. Since we were only staying for one night we did not sign up for anything. It was very interesting to watch everyone here. Since I'm a bit of a skeptic it reminded me of a cult. The followers of Amma wear all white and have this crazy look of joy in their eyes that only comes from complete brain washing. We went on a hour tour which included a video about Amma and her Ashram The man leading the orientation described the embracing of Amma like it was the most cathartic experience in human existence. I'm all for this, I would love to hug an old Indian lady and feel absolute peace be healed of all pain but for some reason (some may call it logic) I was skeptical.........
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Amma was not there but she was coming back from a world tour in 3 days. Upon checking out of our room, one of her followers asked why in the world we would leave before Amma returned. Sue then asked what it was like to hug Amma, she replied (with absolute bliss) "how do you describe the taste of honey if you have never put it to your lips"..... we chuckled uncomfortably and try to back away slowly but we were in an elevator with no escape! This was followed by 10 seconds of awkward silence while we waited for the doors to open..........
I did meet some Israelis that had hugged Amma in some random town in India. They told me it took all day of standing in a line in the hot sun. Once they got close to Amma she had tons of helpers to take their bags, wet wipe/sterilize their face, push them into Amma and then withdraw them from Amma.... just like an assembly line. This process has been know as a hugging factory. To hug over 25 million people (which they claim she has) you do need a system. They told me they had felt nothing but were happy to to partake in the experience. I thought about heading back to check it out myself but the thought of yet another night train and standing all day in the hot sun made me think twice.
Even though I considered the Ashram a bizarre place... at the end of the day the Hugging Mother does alot of good. She raises millions of dollars for world disasters and gives hope to people that need it. If I did not have to stand in line I would hug her myself being such a good person.
